Characterization is the
process by which the writer
reveals the personality of a
character.
We reveal our character
through direct
characterization and indirect
characterization.
When the author tells the
audience what the personality
of the character is.
Shows things that reveal the personality
of a character in one of these ways:
What does the character say?
 How does the character speak?


What is revealed through the character’s
private thoughts and feelings?
What is revealed through the character’s
effect on other people?
 How do other characters feel or behave
in reaction to the character?

What does the character do?
 How does the character behave?

What does the character look like?
 How does the character dress?

You can TELL what the character is
like (your worksheet assignment)
You can SHOW how the character is
(the acting exercise we’re doing
next week)
Type of Indirect
Characterization
Examples: Direct Characterization
Explanation: Indirect Characterization
Speech
Sugarcoats her concerns about her
eccentric family; eager to please the
Kirbys with nervous interjections; upset at
breaking up with Tony.
Alice is very comfortable in her own family, she is happy
around them, so when she is sad it is very unusual. Her
voice will drop in register and become softer and more
introspective. Around the Kirbys she is nervous, so her
dialogue may come more rapidly and higher-pitched.
Thoughts
”I love you dearly, Tony, but I love them
too”; she spends time alone in her room
shutting people out while she thinks how
to react to the dinner party
Alice is constantly torn between her love for her family
and their quirks and her love for Tony and a “normal”
life.
Effect on others
Devoted to her family; love shown for and
from her family; Tony tricks his parents to
allow them to see who she really is; Tony
will do anything to keep her
Her family will do anything for Alice, including letting her
go away from home. They feel bad for having
embarrassed her and don’t know how to help make
things right.
Actions
“Small nervous flutter”; plays hostess for
Tony after date; checklist for the dinner
party; trying to smooth out first impressions
with Kirbys; packing up a suitcase
Alice is excited for her developing relationship with Tony
and it puts her in a state of nervous energy. She works to
make things go smoothly and doesn’t sit still for long.
She is determined and will do what she believes is best.
Looks
”Lovely, fresh”; in love; upbeat with
shoulders high; at the end of the play
dejected and sad
Alice moves in a sort of love-daze through everyday
actions. She stands tall and proud. As the play goes on
she pulls energy inward and her posture breaks and she
fears looking directly into others’ eyes.
Write up a 30-second narration based on
the explorations discovered in the Guide.
 Type this up and print it out.
 Create a costume for your character
 Prepare a 30-second “slice of life”
presentation of your character doing
something everyday or something
inspired by the storyline of the play.
 Be prepared to perform in costume while
the narration is read.
