Analyze Character Development

What are character traits?

• physical descriptions
• qualities, such as insecurity or bravery
• places a character has been
• what a character says

What is direct characterization?

• Reactions of other characters give us information we need
• We learn about a character through their physical appearance
• We learn about a character through their thoughts
• An author tells you directly about a character

Indirect Characterization involves...

• Learning about characters through their thoughts and actions
• An author telling us that a character is shy
• An author's comments
• A listing of a character qualities from the author

What character trait is revealed?
After pulling an all-nighter studying, Sarah moved through the dance routine sluggishly.  She was off-beat and missed several moves, but she pushed herself through the routine.

• passionate
• nervous
• tired
• bored

Travis began the school year the same as always.  He never studied or completed his homework.  Each report card showed the same poor grades.  Although his parents encouraged him, by the end of the year, he was still doing poorly.

• round character
• static character
• antagonist
• dynamic character

Even though she loved to dance, Shannon was nervous about joining the dance team.  She tried out and made it, but never said a word to anyone.  At each dance practice, Shannon got a little more comfortable with her team.  By the end of the season, not only did she make friends, but she even taught the team a few dance moves.

• dynamic character
• flat character
• static character
• antagonist

How is the character's traits revealed?
Marcy sat in class, drumming her fingers on her desk.  Thinking back to that morning, she felt remorse over the way she had talked to her mom.

• actions
• thoughts
• statements
• interactions with other characters

Static Characters...

• do not change during the story
• have little or no detail
• have lots of detail
• change during the story

The most important participant in a story.

• Minor Character
• Antagonist
• Protagonist
• Main Character

Dynamic Characters...

• do not change during the story
• have little or no detail
• have lots of detail
• change during the story