Characterization: Direct or Indirect

When Layla saw that her classmate was upset, she quietly asked her if she was okay and gave her a hug.

How do we know Layla is caring?

• Direct Characterization

• Indirect Characterization

Johnathon is so sporty. He plays football and baseball and he is the first to get picked for teams in P.E.

How do we know Johnathon is athletic?

• Direct Characterization

• Indirect Characterization

When the new student sat down next to Autumn, she laughed and said, "Did you buy your clothes at Walmart or Goodwill?"

How do we know Autumn is mean?

• Direct Characterization

• Indirect Characterization

Matthew is such a trouble-maker. He got kicked out of Ms. Smith's class twice last week.

How do we know Matthew doesn't follow the rules?

• Direct Characterization

• Indirect Characterization

Miguel was a handsome guy with big, brown eyes that made all the girls swoon.

How do we know Miguel is attractive?

• Direct Characterization

• Indirect Characterization

Lisa tugged at her battered sweater. It was already a size too small, but it would have to last her the winter. She felt a shiver run down her spine as the cold wind blew through a hole in her shoe. She wasn't sure what she wished for more: newer, warmer clothes, or a backpack that wasn't about to fall apart.

How do we know Lisa doesn't have much money?

• Direct Characterization

• Indirect Characterization

Shakespeare is the sweetest cat in the whole world! He is so cuddly and nice.

How do we know that Shakespeare is loveable?

• Direct Characterization

• Indirect Characterization

"No!" the little girl screamed in the store, throwing down the new doll. "I don't want this one! I want that one!" She pointed to another doll high on the shelf. When her mother quietly told her it was too much, she screamed again and began to cry.

How do we know the little girl is spoiled?

• Direct Characterization

• Indirect Characterization