Characterization

What is direct characterization?

• The process by which the personality of a fictitious character is revealed through the character's speech, actions, appearance, etc.

• The process by which the narrator tells the audience what the personality of the character is.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

What is indirect characterization?

• The process by which the narrator tells the audience what the personality of the character is.

• The process by which the personality of a fictitious character is revealed through the character's speech, actions, appearance, etc.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Read the following passage: 
"We did it! We did it! We did it!" Mei boasted, slapping her hand against the table, scattering toast crumbs, knocking aside teaspoons and almost smearing the butter in her zeal. 
"Whoa!" her brohter exclaimed, startled. "Well congratulations!"
Mei stood up and triumphantly strutted around the kitchen, transforming her walk around the breakfast table into a victory parade. 
Her brother laughed, suprised and amused. "Who are you, and what have you done with me sister, Mei?" he teased. 
Based on the passage, what can you infer about the main character Mei? 

• Mei is outgoing and loud
• Mei is timid
• Mei is not very athletic
• Mei is not usually so boastful and energetic

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.9-10.1

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

Character traits are adjectives that describe the qualities of a character. 
Read the following passage from a story: 
Mercy snorted. She should have known better than to challenge Victoria. Of all Mercy's friends, Victoria talked loudest, ran fastest, and took the most risks. She bragged about the time she convinced her older brothers to spend a weekend building her a fort. Mercy liked to call Victoria "Buster". "Because you are always busting things up," she laughed. Victoria wore the nickname with pride. 
Based on the passage, which of the following is one of Victoria's traits?

• forgetful
• confused
• bold
• shy

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Based on the following description of Dee, which inference can you make about her? “She used to read to us without pity; forcing words, lies, other folks’ habits, whole lives upon us two, sitting trapped and ignorant underneath her voice.”

• She knew how important it was to educate her mother and sister.

• The stories she told were meant to frighten her family and keep them awake at night.

• Dee found many ways to show her mother and sister that she was smarter than they were.

• Because she could read so well, Dee probably would make a fine teacher.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Which inference can you make about Maggie from the following description? “‘How do I look, Mama?’ Maggie says, showing just enough of her thin body enveloped in pink skirt and red blouse for me to know she’s there, almost hidden by the door.”

• Being unsure of herself, Maggie needed her mother to tell her she looked nice.

• No matter what she wore, Maggie always wanted her mother to compliment her.

• Because Maggie was small and thin, she liked to wear bright colors to stand out.

• The door was so heavy that Maggie could not open it herself.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.1

CCSS.RI.11-12.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Dee wanted nice things. A yellow organdy dress to wear to her graduation from high school; black pumps to match a green suit she'd made from an old suit somebody gave me. She was determined to stare down any disaster in her efforts. Her eyelids would not flicker for minutes at a time. At sixteen she had a style of her own: and knew what style was.

In one sentence, characterize Dee based on this evidence.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Maggie will be nervous until after her sister goes: she will stand hopelessly in corners, homely and ashamed of the burn scars down her arms and legs, eying her sister with a mixture of envy and awe.

In one sentence, characterize Maggie based on this evidence.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

How well do you understand direct and indirect characterization?

• I'm good. I don't need any help

• I understand, but still need help

• I need a lot of help

• I'm completely lost

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3