Methods of Characterization

An author implicitly (indirectly) reveals a character’s personality and traits by describing his/her:

• physical appearance
• speech (both what is said and how)
• actions
• inner thoughts and feelings
• his/her effect on other characters (what they say or how they act)

or the author can just tell the reader what to think about the character (Explicit).

Types of Character

Flat Character – only one or two traits are developed

Round Character – is complex and many-sided

Stock Character – the stereotyped figure who has occurred so often in fiction he/she is immediately known

Static Character – is the same sort of person at the end of the story as he was at the beginning

Developing
Dynamic Character – undergoes permanent change in some aspect of his character, personality, or outlook

Character Foils – characters who contrast so strongly so that the traits of each are emphasized by contrast with those of the other

Protagonist – the central character, who is trying to accomplish something

Antagonist – the force opposing the protagonist

Three Principals of Convincing Characterization

1. A character must be consistent in his/her behavior unless there is a valid
reason for change.

2. Characters must be clearly motivated: we must be able to understand the
reasons for what they do.

3. Characters must be plausible or lifelike.

The feeling created in the reader by a literary work or passage.

Detecting the tone of a story is similar to picking up on tone of voice. It’s not what is being said or done — it’s a matter of how. Tone is how an author expresses his or her attitude about a topic (often through the use of adjectives).

Parody is a form of satire that imitates another work of art in order to ridicule it.

Satire is a literary technique of writing which principally ridicules its subject (individuals, organisations, states) often as an intended means of provoking change.

Type or Write in blue or black ink, one side only, and double space and note page numbers where information can be found in the text. Your project must be put together in the following order:

1. Give a brief summary of the plot. In 1-2 full pages, tell the story. Include 3-5 of the main events and describe what happens at the end.
2. Explain the significance of the title (10-14 sentences). Authors do not choose a title randomly. Usually the title is symbolic in some way.
3. Describe the setting and genre – time period, location, etc. (10-14 sentences) You may also complete this assignment using pictures or models and quotes.
4. Create a character sketch. A character sketch highlights several important characteristics or personality traits of a main character.

Character Sketch Format/Graphic Organizer

Introductory Paragraph: __________________________________________________

Trait #1 _________________________________
Example(s) __________________________________________
____________________________________________________

Trait #2 _________________________________
Example(s) __________________________________________
____________________________________________________

Trait #3 _________________________________
Example(s) __________________________________________
____________________________________________________

Concluding Paragraph: __________________________________________________

5. Create a mandala for three or four main characters. (This may be done in a group.) At the center of the mandala, you should include the title of the novel (underlined) and the name of the author. The first ring should include the names of your characters. The second ring should contain three character traits for each character. The third ring should contain three quotes (including page numbers). Each quote should support one of the traits you have identified. You may also offer support through paraphrasing. The fourth ring should include a theme statement. Outside of the rings, you must create a symbol for each character.
6. Create a theme collage. Select and arrange various images that clearly and thoughtfully represent the theme of the novel. To provide support for the represented interpretation, choose key word and phrases from the novel to appear within the images. As a final component, write a theme statement for the novel and creatively include it in the collage.
7. Choose a controversial issue from the text and take a stand on ONE SIDE of the issue. Write a 1-2 full-page persuasive essay.
8. Make up 5 true & false, 5 multiple choice, 5 matching and 5 short answer test questions for this novel. Put the correct answers on a separate piece of paper.

A literary symbol is something that means more than it is. It is an object, a person, a situation, an action or some other item that has a literal meaning in the story but suggests or represents other meanings as well.

Example: A lion represents courage.

Theme is the underlying comment or idea about life.
• generalization about life stated or implied by the author
• not what happens in the story but what we learn from what happens
• don’t confuse with moral – theme does not pass judgment
• not all stories have a theme

The setting is where and when the story takes place: location, season, time.

The setting can also establish the mood (feeling), and it can influence the characters’ behavior.

An essential setting is essential to the story.

Irony is the difference between appearance and reality.

Dramatic Irony
The reader knows more about the events of a story than a character within it. Characters’ beliefs become ironic because they are very different from reality, and their intentions are likewise different from the outcome their actions will have.

Verbal Irony
The words of a character have a hidden meaning as well as an apparent one.

Situational Irony
There is a discrepancy between what is expected to happen and what actually happens.

Structural Irony
A double level of meaning is continued throughout a work by means of a participant in the story whose judgment is impaired by prejudice, personal interests or limited knowledge.