Characterization

Readers come to know a character through the character’s

words,

thoughts, and

actions.

Characterization

TraitsMotivationsConflictsPoints of viewRelationshipsChanges they undergo

Analyze characters including their…

Characters have certain traits, or qualities, that make them unique and set them apart from the other characters in the story.

Things to think about. Is the character…

skillfull? persistent? friendly? thoughtful? concerned? lazy? intelligent? fearful? capable? dishonest? determined? wise?

Traits

A character’s motivation is what makes him/her think, feel, or act in a particular way.

When you know the reasons for a character’s actions, thoughts, or feelings, you understand his/her motivation.

A character’s motivation influences his/her actions. The actions, in turn, reveal the character traits.

Motivation

A character may be motivated by:

Fear

GuiltRevenge

LoveSuccess Greed

PeaceAnger

• How does the character feel about __________?

• How do other characters feel about the main character?

• What is the main character doing?

• What is the main character saying?

• What do other characters say about the main character?

• How does the character change in the story?

Questions to ask about the main character to find

out how they act

You can tell a lot about a character by examining the character’s relationships in the story.

Types of relationships:

between/among other characters with society with nature/environment

Relationships

Just as we are changed by our experiences in real life, characters undergo changes in a story.

A character often changes as different events unfold, and these changes can affect the outcome of the story.

Changes

What does the character look like?

Physical appearance: Hair color Eye color Clothes they normally wear Height Body build Facial features

How do other characters in the story react to this character?

Do they like him/her? Do they help him/her? Are they nice to him/her? Do they run away from him/her? Do they treat him/her with respect? How do they talk to him/her?

Why do they react these ways????