Write at least 20 words of your own using characterisation.
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Examples of Characterization
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Characterization is the process through which an author reveals a character's personality. It's a gentle unfolding of a woman's confidence or a man's brilliant mind.
We see this in plays, novels, TV shows, movies, poems, and any other format that involves the creation of a character. Examples of characterization come forth in a character's thoughts, words, deeds, appearance, and more.
Direct vs. Indirect Characterization
Writers reveal a character's personality through direct characterization, indirect characterization, or a combination of both. You'll see that, in direct characterization, the author comes right out with it and labels the character in a certain way. Indirect characterization is far more subtle.
Direct Characterization
With direct characterization, the author will tell you in precise words what the character is like. For example:
The confident woman strode into the pub and took the usually shy Seamus by surprise. Despite his generally reserved nature, he got up the nerve to offer her his seat at the bar.
When we read this, we know right away that the female lead character can saunter into a room without a drop of fear. Likewise, we imagine the male lead is usually shy, keeping to himself. There's no guessing about their inherent natures.
Indirect Characterization
Indirect characterization is a little bit more subtle. It's not something we learn straight away in one, short passage. There are five ways a writer might reveal someone's character indirectly:
Actions - How does the character behave? Is he or she rash and spontaneous? Or, is he or she quiet, reserved, and slow to making any sort of change?
Effects - How is the character received by other characters? Do people gravitate toward him or her? Or, do they scatter to the wind when they know they're making their way toward them?
Looks - How is the character described? Is he or she well-polished, wearing the finest of frocks? Or, are they more free-spirited, taking on the mood of a hippie?
Speech - What type of dialogue is created for the character? Do they stutter and stammer in sheepish tones? Or, are they regal, commanding the attention of the room whenever they speak?
Thoughts - If an author is omniscient, or able to relay every character's thoughts, then we can learn a lot about the character through their thoughts. Do they go home and brood angrily by the fire? Do they worry and wonder through their days, hoping they haven't offended a soul