CHARACTERIZATION 7 th Grade ELA CHARACTERIZATION Characterization refers

CHARACTERIZATION 7 th Grade ELA

CHARACTERIZATION Characterization refers to the ways in which the author reveals characters to readers.

DIRECT CHARACTERIZATION Direct Characterization occurs when the author plainly states character traits. Example: “I have light-brown, almost-red hair and greenish-gray eyes. ”

INDIRECT CHARACTERIZATION Indirect Characterization occurs when the author makes the reader figure out (infer) character traits based on the v Character’s Actions v Character’s Private Thoughts v Dialogue/Speech v Other Characters’ Actions/Reactions

INDIRECT CHARACTERIZATION Example: “Darry jammed his fists in his pockets. ‘They didn’t hurt you too bad, did they? ’” v Through Darry’s action (jamming fists in pockets) and speech (“they didn’t hurt you…”), we can infer that he cares for Ponyboy and is worried about him.

PRACTICE 1. “…but for some reason, Darry seems to like being teased by Soda. ” (Ch. 1) 2. “Two-Bit Mathews was the oldest of the gang and the wisecracker of the bunch. ” (Ch. 1) 3. “He (Dally) was tougher than the rest of us – tougher, colder, meaner. ” (Ch. 1) 4. “That’s an original and lovely name. ” (Cherry – Ch. 2)

CHARACTER ANALYSIS Directions Character Choices 1. Ponyboy 2. Darry 3. Sodapop Choose a character from the list. Complete one side of the chart for this character. Find examples of direct and 4. Cherry indirect characterization that 5. Johnny help us get to know that character in the first few chapters.