<p> Characterization</p><p>Definition: the act of creating and developing a character. Authors use two major methods of characterization—direct and indirect.</p><p>Direct: a writer states the character’s traits or characteristics</p><p>Example: Laurie is a small girl with curly blond hair and lots of freckles.</p><p>Indirect: a writer depends on the reader to draw conclusions about the character’s traits. Look at:  character’s words  character’s actions/behavior  character’s thoughts  what others say about the character</p><p>Example: Anita thought that she could win the race if she really tried hard and practiced on a daily basis. Her friends always said Anita was a confident and hardworking person.</p><p>Characters: a person or an animal that takes part in the action of a literary work. </p><p> Main character: most important character in the story, poem, or play.</p><p> Minor character: one who takes part in the action but is not the focus of attention.</p><p>Protagonist: the main character in a work, who may be male or female, heroic or not heroic.</p><p>Antagonist: a neutral term for a character who opposes the leading male or female character.</p><p>Types of Characters</p><p>1. Flat character: is one-sided and often stereotypical 2. Round character: is fully developed and exhibits many traits—often good and bad 3. Dynamic character: one who changes or grows during the course of a story 4. Static character: one who does not change at all during the story</p>