How to write a characterization
Characters can be presented in two ways:
a) direct (explicit) characterization: the narrator or a character tells the reader what sort of
person a character is
b) indirect (implicit)characterization: the reader has to draw conclusions about what the
character is like by what the character says or does
Step 1
Make a grid and note down:
• what the narrator or other characters say about the character you are dealing with
• what the character says about him- or herself
• the character’s outward appearance (e.g. what he or she looks like)
• the character’s behaviour (e.g. what he or she says, thinks or does)
add the lines from the text so that you can find the passages later more easily
Step 2
From your notes
•
draw conclusions about the character (e.g. what kind of person is he or she?) from
what he or she says, thinks or does find appropriate adjectives
write the adjective into the second column of your grid next to the information
from the text
Step 3
Write your introduction with
• the character’s name
• the role he or she plays in the story (protagonist; antagonist; main / minor
character)
•
Step 4
a general statement about the character
Write your main part with details about the character:
•
outward appearance
begin with his or her most prominent features and then follow with minor ones
(but they should be relevant)
• direct information about him or her (see step1)
• your conclusions from the character’s behaviour (see step 2)
don’t forget to give reference from the text (lines and examples) to prove your
statements
follow the basic structure for every character trait:
name it! – quote it! – explain it! (the order can be changed)
Step 5
Write your conclusion (the result of your analysis!)
• summarise what the reader learns about the character
• state whether the character has developed or stayed the same during the plot
don’t add any new aspects here!