Characterisation
Direct characterisation is when we explain a character to the audience.
Indirect characterisation is when we give the reader the impression of what the character is
like through their thoughts/feelings, appearance, thoughts/speech and actions.
E.g.
Direct
The boy was crying.
The man was lazy.
Indirect
His trembling bottom lip hung down, his
shoulders shook violently and hot, fat tears
rolled down his cheeks.
He stretched lethargically over his bulging
stomach to reach the remote. He gave up
straining. He lazily picked the crisps from his
teeth with a dirty finger. He’d get it later.
For each of the examples of direct characterisation below, I want you to change it into
indirect characterisation. Rather than stating what they felt/how the moved etc., you will
give the impression of this by explaining it to your reader.
You should be writing at least three or four sentences for each example.
1. The man was feeling nervous about his interview.
2. The toddler was having a tantrum in the supermarket.
3. The boy fancied the pretty girl on the train.
4. The girl found her dad very boring.
5. She felt scared as she watched the horror movie.
6. The little boy was very excited about Santa coming.
7. The woman was very old.
8. The man was very confident.
9. The student was very tired in class.
10. The boy was very embarrassed.
We will go through your responses to these in class on Monday.