Characterization
How a reader determines the traits of the characters in the story. The writer will rarely out right
tell you the type of person the characters are. You have to be a detective and figure it out. Please
make sure you KNOW the following seven methods.
Methods of Characterization
1. Words of character: what the character says to others and internally
2. Actions of character: what they do – is it good, bad, indifferent
3. Thoughts and feelings of character: what makes the character happy, sad. How do they
feel about certain subjects.
4. Appearance: How and why do they look the way they do?
5. Comments by other characters: What do others say about the about the character? Are
they concerned, are they annoyed, do they wish the other character would go away?
6. Comments by narrator: What does the narrator tell you about the character? What can
you learn from the direct narration?
7. Actions of others toward character: are others nice, mean, apathetic. How do others
treat the character.