Characterization

1. Characterization Hutchinson Creative Writing

2. Direct characterization Direct exposition – when the author tells the reader what to think about a character

3. Indirect Characterization Indirect characterization is when the author lets the reader form his or her own opinions about a character

4. Indirect Characterization Character’s actions – what a character does in a story shows the reader what kind of person a character is Character’s thoughts – what a character thinks in a story shows the reader what kind of person a character is Other character’s reactions to the character

5. Indirect Characterization Consistency must exist to create credible characters. However, logical contradictions in character arising from interior conflict should not be ignored.

6. Stock versus Round Stock Character/flat character– characters used as a function in a story – usually recognizable as a “type” of person (related to a stereotype) – only use for minor characters

7. Stock versus Round Round character – Characters who seem like real people because of their complexity, depth, and logical inconsistency. Main characters must be round.

8. Stock versus Round Many characters are between the two extremes of characterization (stock and round). Use “telling details” rather than just listing trivia about a character

9. Dynamic versus Static Dynamic Character – character who changes during the course of a story • in his or her own eyes due to an epiphany, a character change in the way he or she sees him/herself or his or her place in the world • in the eyes of the reader – a revelation changes how readers see a character • in other characters eyes – a revelation to the characters changes how they see a character

10. Dynamic versus Static Static Character – Character who does not change during the course of a story

11. Dialogue Dialogue – conversation between characters directly quoted • You can summarize a character’s speech. • You can indirectly quote a character’s speech. • But the most effective way to show a character is through direct quotation. Use when it will show us about your character.

12. Dialogue Tagline – the phrase that identifies the speaker of a line of dialogue. In general, it is best to keep your tag line limited to “he said”, she said, he asked, she asked (allowing for difference in verb tense of course.) Adding an adverb or using a vivid verb directs the reader’s attention to the tagline rather than to what the character has said. Let what they say and physical description carry the meaning. Avoid “barked Monte” or “added Russ” … (Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys Syndrome)

13. Ways to Describe People Use as many senses as possible: Smell, Touch, Sight, Hearing, (Taste) Simile/Metaphors: Looked like a reptile Smelled like over-ripe cheese Skittered across the gym floor like a crab Physical features