Character Development /

Characterization

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT is used to add detail to a character’s personality throughout a story.

CHARACTERIZATION is the process by which the writer reveals the personality of a character. This process can be done in two ways:

    • DIRECTLY: the author tells the audience what the personality of a character is. For example, "He is vicious."
    • INDIRECTLY: the author shows the audience by revealing things about their personality. For example, "He slaughter innocent people


Characters are revealed by...

DOES - what a character does.

SAYS - what they say OR what others say about them.

THINKS - how they think OR how others think about them.

FEELS - the feelings experienced by the character.

LOOKS - what they physically look like.

There are also different types of characters:

PROTAGONIST

  • the main character
  • the hero or leader
    • ex. Harry Potter
  • NOTE: the protagonist is working towards the goal of the story.

ANTAGONIST

  • the character who opposes the protagonist AND works against the goal of the protagonist.
  • NOTE: antagonists could be the police if the protagonist is a criminal. Antagonist doesn't be "bad guy".

FOIL

  • a character with traits opposite of the protagonist. It is a way to contrast and emphasize the qualities of the protagonist.


ROUND CHARACTER

  • is well-developed throughout the story
  • we learn more about this type of character throughout the story
  • is unpredictable, realistic and unique
  • has many sides to his/her personality



FLAT CHARACTER

  • not well-developed throughout the story
  • we don’t learn much about him/her throughout the story
  • is predictable, unrealistic and stereotypical
  • very one-sided


DYNAMIC CHARACTER

  • changes significantly throughout the story as he/she faces challenges


STATIC CHARACTER

  • does not change throughout the story, even when facing challenges