Characterization Notes

1. Characterization Notes

2. What is Characterization? • These are terms that apply to characterization, which is defined as: • the methods by which a writer creates people in a story so that they seem actually to exist. • These methods bring characters to life and thus give the story depth and texture

3. Flat Character • a one-dimensional character • embodies one or two qualities, ideas, or traits that can be easily described in a brief summary Round Character • a more fully-developed character • this character is complex, has more depth, and can be difficult to summarize

4. Static Character • a character who does not change during the course of the story Dynamic Character • a character who undergoes some kind of change because of the action of the plot

5. Direct Characterization • when the author directly states a character's traits Indirect Characterization • when an author tells us what a character looks like, does, and says and how other characters react to him or her. • It is up to the reader to draw conclusions about the character based on this indirect information

6. Foils • a character who acts by contrasting another character, revealing that character’s distinct qualities • Foils are not always polar opposites • Protagonist/antagonist • Good guy/bad guy • “Foil” is used in this light as a noun, not as a verb • A character does not “foil” another one, unless he or she “thwarts, hinders, or prevents” the second character in some way