AVU SHORT STORIES Characterisation Character The best short

AVU SHORT STORIES Characterisation

Character The best short stories: focus on a small number of characters: a main character and one or two others develop their characters by showing rather than telling what they are like present their main character with a dilemma, known as the turning point

Focus on Character Consider what you learn about the various aspects of your main character: Background Appearance Personality Relationships Likes/dislikes Hopes/fears

How is Character Revealed? Consider what you learn about your main character from the following: What the character does What the character thinks What the character says What other characters say about him/her

What Characters Say Dialogue can show character traits like Fear or shyness can be shown with ‘h-h-hesitate’, ‘um’, ‘er’. Power or confidence can be shown when speech begins with imperative verbs (bossy verbs): ‘Go!’ ‘Stay. ’ ‘Speak up!’ It can even come through: the use of synonyms for ‘said’. There is always a more interesting word, e. g. ‘boomed’, ‘ranted’, ‘exploded’, ‘chirped’. The tone/quality of his voice: timid, grave, agitated.

Indirect Characterisation Indirect Characterisation shows things that reveal the personality of a character. There are five different methods of indirect characterisation: Speech - What does the character say? How does the character speak? Thoughts - What is revealed through the character’s private thoughts and feelings? 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? Actions - What does the character do? How does the character behave? Looks - What does the character look like? How does the character dress? Use the mnemonic device of STEAL to remember the five types of indirect characterisation.

Fill in this grid for your main character Character’s name …………………. . Summary of life to date Personality Values/beliefs relationships What we know Evidence – quote (actions, speech, appearance)