Process
by which an author
reveals the personality of
characters
Characterization is revealed two
different ways
o Direct
o indirect
 Smart
 Picky
 Sneaky
 Talented
 Timid
 Wise
 Stubborn
 Silly
 Rude
 Thoughtful
 Friendly
 Thankful
 Polite
 Active
 Sarcastic
 Fearless

The author TELLS the reader what the personality of the
character is.
The wise and
talented Will
Turner was very
skilled in sword
fighting.
The author TELLS us that Will is wise, talented, and skilled.
 SHOWS
things that reveal the personality of a
character. The most common!!
 There are 5 methods … remember STEAL
o Speech
o Thoughts
o Effects on other characters (What others think
about a character)
o Actions
o Looks
Let’s look at
The Cat in the Hat
to discover how
Dr. Seuss used
INDIRECT
CHARACTERIZATION
to reveal the cat’s
character.
Many of the words spoken by the cat at the
beginning of the story have an upbeat
connotative meaning. For instance, the cat
says to the children, “But we can have / lots
of fun that is funny.”
This reveals that the cat’s character is
an upbeat character that likes to have
fun.
“So all we could do was to Sit! Sit! Sit! Sit! And we did not like
it. Not one little bit.”
These thoughts reveal that the character (narrator)
is not happy about his current situation.
The scowl on the fish’s
face reveals that he
thinks the cat’s behavior
is outrageous and
dangerous; thus,
supporting the evidence
that the cat’s character is
reckless, outrageous, and
dangerous.
The cat engages in “Up-up-up with a
fish” and releases 2 “things” that
proceed to fly kites inside the house.
These outrageous and
dangerous activities reveal that
the cat’s character is not
concerned with rules and
appropriateness.
Throughout most of the
story, the cat has as
smile on his face,
regardless of his
outrageous behaviors
and the mess he is
making.
This reveals that he is not apologetic for his behavior and
doesn’t care that he is making a mess.
Using your graphic organizer,
complete the chart about
one character from the play
and Shakespeare’s use of
DIRECT and INDIRECT
characterization.
Characterization
What is characterization?
Process by which an author reveals the personality of characters
Revealed in 2 different ways
INDIRECT
DIRECT
Author TELLS
the reader
What the
personality of
the character
is
Speech
Actions
Thought
Looks
Effects: (What
others think about the
character)
Characterization
What is characterization?
Process by which an author reveals the ___________________of characters
Revealed in __________ different ways
___________
Author
_______the
reader
What the
personality of
the character
is
____________________
____________
____________
____________
_____________
What
________think
about the char
rater
Main Character of ________________
________________
DIRECT
List examples & CITE from
text!
INDIRECT
List examples & CITE from text! At least 1 of each!
Speech
Thoughts
What others think
Actions
Looks