Writing a Characterisation (Terminology)

What's characterisation?

• All the means (e.g. dialogue, behaviour, physical description, thoughts, feelings, reaction to character's behaviour etc.) an author uses to develop protagonist's character.

• The direct description (e.g. through direct seech, pictures etc.) of a main character by other minor characters and the author him/herself.

• The indirect description (e.g. main protagonist's thoughts, feelings and behaviour etc.) of a minor character by the main character only.

What's a character?

• A protagonist (e.g. person, animal etc.) that tells the story.

• A protagonist (e.g. person, animal etc.) that moves a story forward.

• A protagonist (e.g. person, animal etc.) that creates an atmosphere.

What's the main character called?

• protagonist / hero / heroine

• antagaonist / villain

• minor character / sidekick

What's another important character who is in conflict with the protagonist called?

• main character

• minor character

• antagonist

How do you call a character that hasn't got any depth and doesn't develop much?

• low character

• flat character

• surface character

How do you call a character that is described in detail and develops over time?

• full character

• round character

• circular character

What's indirect characterisation?

• The reader discovers the protagonist's character by reading the blurb.

• The reader discovers the protagonist's character by reading direct descriptions of the author and other minor characters.

• The reader discovers the protagonist's character by interpreting his/her thoughts, feelings, words and behaviour. Often things are left unsaid to make the reader draw his/her own conclusions.

What's direct characterisation?

• The author (and other characters) describe the protagonist explicitly to the reader (e.g. appearance, traits). Few things are left for interpretation.

• The author (and other characters) describe the protagonist implicitly to the reader (e.g. appearance, traits). Most things are left for interpretation.

• The author (and other characters) describe the protagonist implicitly and explicitly to the reader (e.g. appearance, traits).

Which means are used and which information can be given to characterise a protagonist?

• personal data and appearance

• behaviour and traits

• relationships to other characters and dialogues

• role / function in the story

• character's development over the course of the story