Character

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Character

• Character
• A person, animal, or other such object
  represented in a story.

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Characterization

• The methods used by the author to create or
  reveal the characters in a story.
• (Direct or Indirect)

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Direct Characterization

• The method of character development in which the
  author simply tells you what the character is
  like.
• For example, Miss Alice was the nicest person
  you would ever want to meet, is direct
  characterization.

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Indirect Characterization

• The method of characterization that is most
  similar to the way we learn about people in real
  life. Using indirect characterization, the
  author presents the characters personality
  through what he/she says, his/her actions, or how
  other characters relate to him/her. You must
  then draw your own conclusions about the
  character.

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Example of Direct or Indirect Characterization?

• Read the following example of characterization.
  Decide whether it is an example of direct or
  indirect characterization.
• (A) James was one of those people who was
  constantly angry. He looked for trouble wherever
  he went, and he usually found it.

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Example of Direct or Indirect Characterization?

• Stanleys eyes blazed as he surveyed the room.
  The corners of his mouth pointed in a decidedly
  southerly direction. Carol moved aside as he
  stalked past her.
• Look out for Stan, she whispered to Bart.
  Hes in another one of his moods. Id stay far
  away if I were you!

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Description A is an example of direct
characterization.

• The author comes right out and tells you that
  James was always angry, and that he was looking
  for a fight almost constantly.

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Description B is an example of indirect
characterization.

• We can tell from his angry eyes, frowning mouth
  and the way he walked that he is angry. We can
  also see that others are somewhat frightened by
  him by observing their reactions. Carol moves
  aside and warns Bart to avoid Stanley.

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• Which method is more effective in developing the
  character? Why do you think so?

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Methods of Characterizationcreating believable
characters
INDIRECT DIRECT
-physical appearance -the narrators direct comments about a character
-speech, thoughts, feelings, or actions of the character
-speech, thought, feelings, actions of other characters
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Types of Characters

• Major
• Minor

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Major Character

• The major (main) character in a story is like the
  star of a movie and is central to the action that
  takes place.
• Example Harry Potter and Percy Jackson

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Minor character

• A minor character is one who takes part in the
  action but is not the focus of attention.
• Examples Ron, Hermoine, and Luke

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Types of Characters

• The protagonist (or major/main character) is the
  central figure in the work.
• Harry Potter
• The antagonist is the character or force pitted
  against the protagonist.
• Voldemort

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More types of characters

• A Static Character
• Does not change through the course of the
  action.
• A Dynamic Character
• The one who does change in the story.

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Dont forget the Stock Character

• Stock Character
• A stereotype character that is one found again
  and again in literary works. An example of a
  stock character is that of the mad scientist that
  appears over and over in different works such
  as Dr. Evil, Dr. No, or Dr. Frankenstein.

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Round Character

• A round character is a complex, fully developed
  character.
• Example Edmund and Lucy

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Flat Character

• A flat character is a one-dimensional character,
  typically not central to the story.
• Example The Professor, Seamus Finnigan

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The protagonist is usually

• The central character
• A character the reader can identify with
• Has a rounded personality (we hear what they say,
  what others say about them, we know what they
  think and how they feel)
• A character with a dynamic personality

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Secondary characters are usually

• Static
• Flat

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Character Motivation

• A motive is a reason that explains or partially
  explains a characters thoughts, feelings,
  actions, or speech. If the motives of a main
  character are not clear, then the character will
  not be believable.
• Characters are often motivated by needs, such as
  food and shelter. They are also motivated by
  feelings, such as fear, love, and pride. Motives
  may be obvious or hidden.

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Character Motivation

• There are two types of character motivation
• Intrinsic Motivated to do something by internal
  factors.
• Examples
• I want approval from parents/friends
• I want to feel good about myself
• I want to be a better person
• I want to fulfill personal satisfaction

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Character Motivation

• Extrinsic Motivated by external factors.
• Example
• I want some chocolate
• I want to earn money
• I want good presents from Santa Claus

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Characters Qualities or Traits

• Character Traits
• The personal traits that make up the characters
  personality.
• Example Funny, Intense, Sly, Greedy, etc.

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Dialogue

• Dialogue A conversation between two or more
  people. Dialogue is usually set off by quotation
  marks to indicate a speakers exact words.