1 Characterization Employing the STEAL Method Mrs Keener

1 Characterization : Employing the STEAL Method Mrs. Keener English 12 Southside High School

2 § Characterization is the Definitions process by which the author reveals the personality of the characters. § There are two types of characterization: § direct and indirect.

3 § Direct characterization: the author TELLS the audience what the personality of the character is. § Example: “Perhaps it had something to Direct Characterization do with living in a dark cupboard, but Harry had always been small and skinny for his age. … Harry had a thin face, knobbly knees, black hair, and bright green eyes. He wore round glasses held together with a lot of Scotch tape because of all the times Dudley had punched him on the nose. ” § This example of direct characterization gives a detailed description of the main character, allowing readers to picture him in their minds.

4 § Indirect characterization is when the author SHOWS things that reveal the personality of the character. Indirect Characterization § “Stop! You’re going to take someone’s eye out, ” exclaimed Hermione. “It’s Levi. Osa, not Levios. A. ” § Here, the author SHOWS that Hermione is a know-it-all, without explicitly stating it.

5 § There are 5 different methods Indirect Characterization of indirect characterization which together make up the STEAL Method of Characterization: § speech, § thoughts, § effect on other characters, § actions, § looks.

6 § Speech-: the exact words of a character give readers insight into that character’s personality. § Example: ““First of all, ” he said, “if Indirect Characterization: Speech you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you’ll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view … until you climb into his skin and walk around in it. ” § This shows readers that Atticus Finch is a compassionate character who is able to extend his empathy to every member of the community.

7 § Thoughts: a character’s thoughts and feelings reveal what the character is really like, as opposed to how he wants other characters to view him. § Example: Frank insisted he wasn’t Indirect Characterization: Thoughts tired or hungry, but really he was both. The long plane trip, with two delays, had left his patience in shreds. However, he didn’t want Aunt Judy to go to any trouble. § This shows readers that Franks is caring and considerate of others, given that he doesn’t want his aunt “to go to any trouble, ” even though he’s tired and hungry.

8 § Effect on Others- What is revealed through the character’s effect on other people? How do other characters feel or behave in reaction to the character? § Example: Michael hugged his mother Indirect Characterization: Effect on Others before he got out of the car. “I’ll call you tomorrow, ” he said. She smiled and replied, “You always say that, and you never do!” He laughed. “Okay, I’ll text, then. ” “You’d better!” She grinned, but her eyes were sad. § This interaction shows readers that the mother loves her son, but she can’t rely on him to communicate as he says he will. The fact that “her eyes were sad” indicates that she doesn’t think he will text.

9 § Actions- What do the character’s actions reveal about his personality, motivation, and situation? § Example: “He stretched out his arms Indirect Characterization: Actions toward the dark water in a curious way, and, far as I was from him, I could have sworn he was trembling. Involuntarily I glanced seaward—and distinguished nothing except a single green light, minute and far away, that might have been the end of a dock. ” § Nick’s description of what Gatsby is DOING, his ACTIONS, demonstrate his overwhelming yearning and desire.

10 § Looks: What do the character’s appearance, clothes, and expressions reveal about the character’s personality? § Example: “Della’s pride was her Indirect Characterization: Looks brown hair, rippling and shining like a cascade of brown water. It reached below her knee and made itself almost a garment for her. ” § This description allows readers to learn about the character’s personality, her pride in her appearance, through the physical description of her hair.

11 § Remember, the difference The Difference between direct characterization and indirect characterization is TELLING v. SHOWING! § Indirect characterizations are like clues about the characters. § There is no mystery with direct characterization because the author gives us the information we need to know!