CHARACTERS AND
CHARACTERIZATION
NOT ALL CHARACTERS
ARE PEOPLE
• In fiction, characters can be any
psychological presence or personality
– depending on the genre
• Animals
• Robots
• Aliens
• Artificial intelligence
• Magical beings
• Spirits/ghosts
• Even objects (think “Beauty and the
Beast”)
CHARACTERIZATION
• Characterization is the many ways
that characters are presented for
the reader: actions, thoughts,
dialogue, what others say about the
character.
• Characterization is anything that lets
the reader get to know your
character.
HOW TO CREATE
CHARACTERS
• The narrator can describe the character
directly:
• “She was tall and muscular, but with dark eyes
and a soft voice”
• Other characters can describe her
• To another character
• To himself (thoughts)
• The character can describe herself
• To another character
• In thoughts
FLAT VS. ROUND
CHARACTERS
• The depth with which the character
is presented determines whether the
character is ‘round’ (deep) or ‘flat’
(shallow)
ROUND CHARACTERS
• Round characters are fully developed by
an author, physically, mentally, and
emotionally, and are detailed enough to
seem real.
• Rarely can more than a few characters be
‘round’
• Too much detail, time spent in
development, etc.
• Stereotypic characters are efficient
• Usually only main characters are round
FLAT CHARACTERS
• Flat characters are distinguished by
their lack of detail and depth.
• Supporting characters are usually
flat, as most minor roles do not
require a great deal of complexity.
• Characters in plot driven stories tend
to be more flat.
STOCK CHARACTERS
• A number of stereotypical, or "stock"
characters, have developed throughout
the history of drama.
• Think of school: the jock, the nerd, the
prom queen
• Stock characters are most often flat
characters, though sometimes they can
“break their mold” to become more
dynamic
• Stock characters are defined more by
their role in the narrative than by their
personality.
WHAT MAKES A GOOD
CHARACTER?
• Readers must be able to relate to
him and care what happens to him
• One of the most important influences
over the emotion generated in
reading a narrative is whether the
audience members can identify with
the characters
WHAT’S IMPORTANT
• Empathizing with characters is definitely the
key.
• Great stories have characters that seem real,
characters you can't stop thinking about.
• They have flaws – no one is perfect and
having a character that is too good to
believe will likely cause your reader to balk
• Don’t be afraid to reveal your character –
“warts and all”
WHAT MAKES A GOOD
CHARACTER?
• The character takes action based on
some motivation (desire)
• They don’t simply exist to further the plot
• They don’t just “react” to events – they
take action
• Their motivation drives them forward
WHAT MAKES A GOOD
CHARACTER?
• Whatever strengths, weaknesses,
personality quirks the character has,
he/she has them in abundance – they
are more than just a single trait
• They are not one dimensional
• Good guys have faults – more than one
• Bad guys have redeeming qualities