Character Development /
Characterization
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT is used to add detail to a character’s personality throughout a story.
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