Direct Characterization 1
What IS direct characterization?
Direct characterization TELLS the audience what the personality of the character is.
What IS indirect characterization? (Definition)
Indirect characterization SHOWS things that reveal the personality of the character.
Give a direct characterization using this indirect characterization: As Mr. Smith walked by families, mothers pulled their children close to their side.
Mr. Smith is dangerous to children.
Daren showed up at the banquet with food stains all over his dress shirt. He sat down, put his feet on the table, and burped loudly. The other people sitting at the table looked at each other but continued eating.
Which trait best describes Daren based on the text?
Rude; uncouth (Answers Vary)
True or false: Direct characterization uses feelings and emotions.
False. Direct characterizations DO NOT use feelings! Feelings are temporary, not permanent.
"The patient boy and quiet girl were both well mannered and did not disobey their mother." Explain what this direct characterization says about the boy and then the girl. Don't think too hard one this one, it's easy!
The boy is patient and the girl is quiet.
What do the S and T stand for in the STEAL indirect characterization strategy?
Speech and Thoughts
Give a direct characterization using this indirect characterization: Kylie's name was called, and she slowly walked up the stage, staring straight at the ground.
Kylie is shy and doesn't like being in front of others.
Diamond spent twelve hours working on her Popsicle stick White House yesterday. Today she noticed that there are bushes in front of the building, so she spent another six hours making bushes out of construction paper.
Which trait best describes Diamond based on the text?
Meticulous; Detailed, Perfectionist
Direct characterization ________ what the character is like. Indirect characterization ________ what the character is like.
Direct characterization SHOWS what the character is like. Indirect characterization TELLS what the character is like.
Give three examples of direct characterizations about Sponge Bob Square Pants. Must be THREE complete sentences!
Sponge Bob lives under the sea! Sponge Bob is hilarious. Sponge Bob's best friend is Patrick.
What do the E, A, and L stand for in the STEAL indirect characterization strategy?
Effect on others
Actions
Looks
Give a direct characterization using this indirect characterization: Samantha sat in front of a mirror looking at herself, "What does he see in me?" She wondered.
Samantha is self-conscious and worried about her looks and what others think of her.
Courtney asked her neighbor if she could borrow an egg to complete a recipe that she had already started. The next day Courtney returned an egg to her neighbor along with a thank you card expressing her sincere gratitude.
Which trait best describes Courtney based on the text?
Polite, Thankful, Courteous
The trusting woman is a direct or indirect characterization?
Direct!
Describe Mr. Simmons directly.
Answers may vary.
When a mother told her son and daughter they were going to spending their summer at camp, the daughter became angry and pouted. The son said, "Hey! It's okay, we can have lots of fun at camp this summer! I love being outside!" What does this indirect characterization say about the son?
The boy is positive, upbeat, etc. All of these are direct characterizations about the son. "Happy" is NOT a direct characterization. "Happy" is a feeling.
Jared got off the train from his small farm village. He was now in the big city. An unshaven man with a trench coat with several holes in it approached Jared and told him that he was a police officer. He then said that he needed to see Jared's wallet. Jared didn't want to get arrested on his first day in the city, so he reached into the front pocket of his overalls and gave the man his wallet. The man promptly ran away leaving Jared with no money.
Which trait best describes Jared based on the text?
Gullible, easily fooled, naive, etc.
When Angela asked her mother if she could go to the party, her mother said that she could not. So Angela asked her father, who said that she could. She then played her parents off one another until she got her way. Angela enjoyed herself at the party.
Which trait best describes Angela based on the text?
Manipulative, Cunning, Clever (Answers may vary)
The little girl stole all her brother's toys little by little. Is this direct or indirect? Why?
Indirect. This statement tells WHAT the character is doing.
True or false: You must infer indirect characterization.
True
Brad spends two to four hours a day grooming himself. This regimen includes an extensive time period during which Brad lovingly admires his appearance in the mirror.
Which trait best describes Brad based on the text?
Vain, Conceited, egotistical, etc.
Direct characterization is explicit, Explicit means:
a. implied
b. inferred
c. stated
Stated
Kelly likes Aaron because they have many things in common. They have formed a great connection and she thinks that Aaron is very handsome, but Kelly wants to date Burt. Even though Kelly has nothing in common with Burt, Burt drives a fancy car and he spends a lot of money. Kelly likes this about him.
Which trait best describes Kelly based on the text?
Materialistic (Gold Digger) Answers may vary.
The man had to duck every time he walked through a doorway. What can be inferred about the man?
He is tall.