Memorable characterscome alive for us while

weread. They live on the

pageand in our hearts and

minds. We cannot forgetthem. Yet they are

fictional;they don’t really exist.

CHARACTERS

Be alert to characters in the same way you are when you meet someone.

Observe their actions. Listen closely to what they say and how they say it.

Notice how they relate to other characters and how other characters respond to them. Look for clues as to their purpose and significance in the

story.

WHEN READING:

Protagonist: the central character• Does not have to be a

hero/positive character

• Antihero – protagonist who lacks traditional heroic traits (courage, intelligence, ethics, kindness, etc.)

TYPES OF CHARACTERS

Protagonist: the central character• Does not have to be a

hero/positive character• Antihero – protagonist

who lacks traditional heroic traits (courage, intelligence, ethics, kindness, etc.)

Antagonist: whatever opposing force the protagonist struggles with• Typically another

character• Can be a setting or

even something within the protagonist

TYPES OF CHARACTERS

There are two main types of characters: static and dynamic.

NOTES ON CHARACTERS

There are two main types of characters: static and dynamic.

TYPES OF CHARACTERS

Static characters remain the same throughout a story.

Beginning = End

There are two main types of characters: static and dynamic.

TYPES OF CHARACTERS

Static characters remain the same throughout a story.

Beginning = End

Dynamic characters change throughout the story.

Beginning --------------- End

There are two main ways to characterize (describe, give insight into) characters: direct and indirect.

CHARACTERIZATION NOTES

There are two main ways to characterize (describe, give insight into) characters: direct

and indirect.

Direct characterization – the writer makes direct statements about a character’s personality

and what the character is like (TELLING)

Ex: Mark is a depressed and lonely man.

CHARACTERIZATION NOTES

Indirect characterization -  the writer reveals information about a character

through that character's thoughts, words, and actions (SHOWING)

CHARACTERIZATION NOTES

INDIRECT CHARACTERIZATION

Mark cracks open his red and swollen eyes. It’s two o’clock on a Saturday afternoon. After lying still, staring at the ceiling for ten minutes, he drags himself from the bed and trudges into the kitchen, pushing his greasy uncut hair off of his forehead. Fruit flies dance on the pile of crusty dishes in the sink. He finds the last box of cereal in the pantry; he pours cereal and expired milk into the last clean bowl he has, and picks a speckled spoon out of the dingy muck coagulating at the bottom of the sink, wiping it on his once-white pajamas. He sits at the kitchen table, and looks past the vase of dead flowers to the place-setting across from him: empty bowl sitting on a blue plate, empty glass, plastic place mat decorated with magnolias. Untouched, folded napkin. Dust slowly collecting on all of it. Against the wall is a bookshelf; a photograph frame is face down on it. Next to the frame is a note in cursive handwriting; the paper seems to have been ripped to shreds, then painstakingly taped back together. Mark stares at these two items, then brings a spoonful of shredded wheat cereal to his mouth. As he chews on the bland, dense grains, his jaw quivers and his eyes sting.

He always hated her choice in cereal.

Authors can give clues into a character’s personality and motivations through:• Physical traits• Attire (how they are dressed)• Actions• Opinions• Dialogue• How other characters respond to him/her

INDIRECT CHARACTERIZATION

There are no limits to the types of characters who can inhabit a story: male/female, rich/poor, young/old,

prince/pauper. What is important is that the characters in a story all have the same set of emotions as the reader: happiness,

sorrow, disappointment, pain, joy, and love.All characters have a motivation – a reason for acting the way they do, something that they yearn for. For the main character, this is often linked to the main “problem” of the

story.

INDIRECT CHARACTERIZATION

PRACTICE!

Direct: Delilah is a somewhat empty-

headed, high maintenance girl obsessed with her

looks.

Indirect: Consider…a) Physical traitsb) Actionsc) Opinionsd) Dialoguee) Attire (how they are

dressed)f) Point of view

CHARACTERIZATION