Characterization (→ CONTEXT 21 p. 293 + Glossary)
Useful expressions
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His/her character is revealed by his / her appearance / words / feelings / behaviour / actions
/ interactions with others / author`s comments / …
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The protagonist is characterized as / is portrayed as / appears to be …
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This behavior clearly indicates / proves that…
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The basic traits / features of his / her character are / become apparent when…
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The author depicts / portrays / describes him / her as… (with attention to detail / realism)
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The author gives a faithful / detailed / impressive / vivid depiction / portrayal /
characterization of…
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The author provides / supplies / conveys a portrait of a …realistic… person
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… is a flat / round / static / dynamic character / …can be regarded as the antagonist…
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… stands in clear contrast to…
Adjectives to describe character traits
abnormal – aggressive - affectionate – arrogant – attractive – balanced – boastful - brave –
cheerful – confident – confused – courageous - cute – cynical - deceitful – decent – desperate –
devastated – desolate - devoted – disloyal - easy-going – efficient - eloquent – emotional enthusiastic – even-tempered - exhausted – fearless – fragile – frightened - frustrated – generous
– good-looking – good-natured – gorgeous – grown-up – happy-go-lucky- handsome – hardworking – honest – hopeful –humorous – impatient – impolite - impulsive – insecure - insensitiveinsincere – intemperate - irritable (reizbar) - just – lonely – likeable - loveable – loving – modest –
narrow-minded - noble – obstinate (eigensinnig) - patient – patriotic - plain – promising – puzzled –
quarrelsome – reckless – ruthless (rücksichtslos) - reliable – repulsive –reserved - respected –
ridiculous – self-assured (selbstbewusst) – self-centred (ich-bezogen) - self -conscious – self-controlled
- self-possessed – sensible (vernünftig) – sensitive (empfindsam) - slim – sympathetic – tanned –
terrified – thorough – thrifty - tough – troubled – trustworthy - uncertain – understanding –
unpredictable - unrealistic – unreliable – upset (aufgeregt) - vicious – violent - well-liked – worn-out
- worried