Name: ______

Direct vs. Indirect Characterization

1. Define direct characterization.

2. Define indirect characterization.

EXAMPLES OF DIRECT AND INDIRECT CHARACTERIZATION

Direct: She was rich.

Indirect: She wore a ten carat diamond necklace everywhere she went.

Direct: Joe was having fun at the party.

Indirect: Joe couldn't believe it was already 2 in the morning, he didn't want to leave yet.

Direct: Sally is socially awkward.

Indirect: All Sally does when people are around is say weird things that nobody understands.

Direct: The clothes that John wears are outdated.

Indirect: John wore bellbottoms, gold chains, platform shoes, and huge sunglasses to the homecoming dance.

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S.T.E.A.L. Method for Indirect Characterization

Indirect Characterization reveals the personality of a character. There are five different methods of indirect characterization:

Speech: What does the character say? How does the character speak?

Thoughts: What is revealed through the character’s private thought s and feelings?

Effect on others toward the character: What is revealed through the character’s effect on other people? How do other characters feel or behave in reaction to the character?

Actions: What does the character do? How does the character behave?

Looks: What does the character look like? How does the character dress?

Practice #1: Rewrite each of the direct characterization examples as an indirect characterization.

Direct: He smells bad.

Indirect:______

Direct: Eva is clumsy.

Indirect:______

Direct: Terry doesn't like pets.

Indirect:______

Direct: Parker really cares about other people.

Indirect:______

Direct: Sonya is very smart.

Indirect:______

Practice #2: Rewrite each of the indirect characterization examples as direct characterization.

Direct: ______

Indirect: She has such a round tummy that she could roll down a hill like a ball.

Direct: ______

Indirect: Her clothes are torn and look like rags. She has holes in her shoes. Her hair is knotted and tangled and looks like it has not been washed in weeks.

Direct: ______

Indirect: As Mr. Byrd walked by families, mothers pulled their children close to their side.

Direct: ______

Indirect: Kylie’s name was called, and she slowly walked up to the stage, staring straight at the ground. ______

Now create your own examples of direct and indirect characterization. For your indirect examples, you may not use the same type of example from the S.T.E.A.L chart twice.

Direct: ______

Indirect: ______

Direct: ______Indirect: ______

Direct: ______

Indirect:______