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Characterization

Characterization. What defines a character?. Actions (What do they do?) Words (What do they say?) Thoughts (What are their opinions? Feelings?) Physical appearance Expressions. Types of Characters.

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Characterization

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  1. Characterization

  2. What defines a character? • Actions (What do they do?) • Words (What do they say?) • Thoughts (What are their opinions? Feelings?) • Physical appearance • Expressions

  3. Types of Characters • Protagonist: the central character in the conflict even if the reader cannot sympathize with him/her • Antagonist: the force(s) against the protagonist • Round: complex and many-sided; numerous traits • Flat: simple; only one or two traits • Stock: stereotyped figure appearing frequently in fiction (mad scientist, the big bad wolf)

  4. Types of Characters cont’d • Dynamic: one who changes (a significant, permanent change in character, personality or outlook) • Static: a character that stays the same • Foil: a person who sets off or enhances another character by contrast (Batman and Robin; Sherlock Holmes and Watson; a boring character beside a funny one makes the funny one seem more funny)

  5. Methods of Characterization • Physical description • Direct presentation • Indirect presentation

  6. Physical Description • What does the character look like? Style of dress? • How old is the character? • Is the character male or female? • Does the character have any distinguishing features? • What can these attributes tell us about the character?

  7. Direct Presentation • In third person point of view, the narrator describes each character’s appearance, thoughts, feelings and actions . • In first person point of view, the character describes his/her own appearance, thoughts, feelings and actions.

  8. Indirect Presentation • Readers/viewers draw their own conclusions by making inferences based on • Revealing dialogue: • What does a character say? What does that tell us? • What do others say about the character? What does that tell us about that character? • Dramatic or revealing action: • “Actions speak louder than words.” • How does a particular character act? • How others act towards that character? • What do these actions tell us about the character?

  9. Analyzing Character • How can the character be described? What examples support this descriptions? • Is the character round with many characteristics? • Is the character flat with only one or two traits? • Does the character change (dynamic) or stay the same (static)? • What adjectives can you use to describe the character? Evidence from the text? • How does the character grow and change? Does the character experience any epiphanies (major insights)?

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