by Shirley Jackson
Characterization and Point of View

• Think about what kindergarten was like for you.
• Pair with someone at your table and trade experiences.
• Be ready to share with the class.

Short stories are types of narratives that have characters , a setting, and a plot.
– Characters are…
• people, animals, or imaginary creatures that take part in the action of a story.
– The main character is…
• the one important character that the events in a short story are usually centered on.
– Minor characters are…
• the less important characters.

Today we will analyze characters.
We learn about characters in four ways:
1.
A character’s actions
2.
A character’s words, thoughts, and feelings
3.
What other characters say, think, or feel
4.
Other characters’ actions

• Today we will read a short story called
“Charles.”
• Listen carefully as I model my thinking aloud about how a reader learns about a character in this text.

I DO
Characterization
“When I was introduced to the character of Laurie I learned about him in several ways…”
Text
“The day my son Laurie started kindergarten he renounced corduroy overalls with bibs and began wearing blue jeans with a belt; I watched him go off with the girl next door, seeing clearly that an era of my life was ended, my sweet voiced nursery-school tot replaced by a long-trousered, swaggering character who forgot to stop at the corner and wave goodbye to me.”
Think aloud
I learned that he changed the way he dressed. This probably means that he wants to be thought of in a different way.

WE DO
Characterization
Characterization Chart
Character Action Feelings Words Character
Traits
Laurie
Using bad grammar
Rebellious, excited
“Isn’t anybody here?”
Defiant, independent

YOU DO
Characterization
As you read “Charles,” you will complete a
Characterization Chart like the one below.
Draw this chart in your journal.
Character Action Feelings
Laurie
Using bad grammar
Rebellious, excited
Words Character
Traits
“Isn’t anybody here?”
Defiant, independent
Charles
Laurie’s mother
Laurie’s teacher

• Point of view is the perspective on the narrator in a story.
• From what point of view was “Charles” told?
• How would the story be different if told from
Laurie’s point of view? His teacher’s?

What did I learn ?
Use examples from your Characterization Chart to discuss what you’ve learned so far about character traits with your elbow partner.