What Makes a Character Believable?

What Makes a Character Believable? Feature Menu Character Traits Characterization Characters and Motivation Types of Characters Characters in Conflict Your Turn

Character Traits A trait, or special quality, defines a person’s character. A person might be artistic athletic studious shy hardworking What additional traits might describe someone?

Character Traits A story’s characters, like the people you know, also have traits. funny strong daring [End of Section]

Characterization A writer shows you what characters are like through characterization. There are two kinds of characterization: direct characterization indirect characterization

Characterization In direct characterization, the writer tells readers what a character is like: Evan was an original. At the age of sixteen, he’d started his own Internet music business. He was ambitious and had good business sense. Evan was an original. At the age of sixteen, he’d started his own Internet music business. He was ambitious and had good business sense. In this example, the writer tells us directly that Evan, unlike many kids his age, is interested in running a successful business.

Characterization Inindirect characterization, the writer shows what a character is like. The writer describes: • appearance, • dialogue, • private thoughts, • actions, and • others’ responses. When a writer uses indirect characterization, we see the character in action.

Characterization creative relaxed, fun-loving professional, serious artistic Indirect Characterization: Appearance A character’s appearance—physical features, clothing, and general behavior—often provides insight into the character’s personality.

Characterization Indirect Characterization: Appearance In the following passage, notice details about the character’s appearance. A figure appeared at the edge of the park, a boy none of the regular players had seen before. He stood there, watching the group on the basketball court. The new kid wore an old jersey and baggy shorts. His basketball shoes—the expensive kind—were scuffed and worn. He watched the players closely, bouncing the ball he’d brought with him with a rhythmic thud, thud, thud. A figure appeared at the edge of the park, a boy none of the regular players had seen before. He stood there, watching the group on the basketball court. The new kid wore an old jersey and baggy shorts. His basketball shoes—the expensive kind—were scuffed and worn. He watched the players closely, bouncing the ball he’d brought with him with a rhythmic thud, thud, thud. What does his appearance suggest about the new kid?

Characterization Indirect Characterization:Dialogue Dialogue—what characters say to each other—reveals a lot about their personalities. Pay close attention to what characters say, as well as to how they say it. What a great idea! What a silly idea! How would you describe each of the characters above? What clues tell you about what each character is like?

Characterization Indirect Characterization:Dialogue Read the following passage, noticing both what the characters say and how they say it. “Isn’t it great?” Kate said, her eyes shining. “I made the lead in the spring play! Of course, I knew I would.” “Congratulations,” Maria said. She smiled at her friend. Kate smirked. “You’re not jealous, are you?” “Of course not. I’m happy for you,” Maria replied. “Besides, I’m going to help design the costumes.” “Whatever,” said Kate with a shrug. “Isn’t it great?” Kate said, her eyes shining. “I made the lead in the spring play! Of course, I knew I would.” “Congratulations,” Maria said. She smiled at her friend. Kate smirked. “You’re not jealous, are you?” “Of course not. I’m happy for you,” Maria replied. “Besides, I’m going to help design the costumes.” “Whatever,” said Kate with a shrug. “Isn’t it great?” Kate said, her eyes shining. “I made the lead in the spring play! Of course, I knew I would.” “Congratulations,” Maria said. She smiled at her friend. Kate smirked. “You’re not jealous, are you?” “Of course not. I’m happy for you,” Maria replied. “Besides, I’m going to help design the costumes.” “Whatever,” said Kate with a shrug. What does this dialogue show about Kate’s character? What does it show about Maria’s character?

Characterization Indirect Characterization:Private Thoughts Characters’ private thoughts can reveal a lot about who they are. I just know I’m going to get in! I’d love to go to this college. I’m really nervous about this interview.

Characterization Indirect Characterization:Private Thoughts As you read the following passage, pay attention to the character’s private thoughts. Alex sat in the hard plastic chair, waiting for his name to be called. He clutched a driver’s manual. I know all the rules, Alex thought. I’ve almost memorized the whole manual. I’ll do fine on the test. Still, his foot tapped nervously. Alex didn’t like tests. What if he was the last of his friends to get his learner’s permit? Alex sat in the hard plastic chair, waiting for his name to be called. He clutched a driver’s manual. I know all the rules, Alex thought. I’ve almost memorized the whole manual. I’ll do fine on the test. Still, his foot tapped nervously. Alex didn’t like tests. What if he was the last of his friends to get his learner’s permit? What do Alex’s thoughts reveal about what he wants and what he fears?

Characterization adventurous competitive helpful Indirect Characterization: Actions Characters’ actions—the things they do and how they do them—say a great deal about them.

Characterization Indirect Characterization: Actions As you read the following passage, take note of the man’s actions. The man wore jeans and a black turtleneck. He ran along the darkened street, darting from one shadow to the next, avoiding the streetlights’ beams. When the courthouse clock struck midnight, he froze, pressing himself flat against a wall. The last chime faded. The man crept along the side of the building until he came to a window. The man wore jeans and a black turtleneck. He ran along the darkened street, darting from one shadow to the next, avoiding the streetlights’ beams. When the courthouse clock struck midnight, he froze, pressing himself flat against a wall. The last chime faded. The man crept along the side of the building until he came to a window. What do this character’s actions suggest about him?

Characterization disapproval approval mistrust Indirect Characterization: Others’ Responses How other characters react also helps readers understand what a character is like.

Characterization Indirect Characterization: Others’ Responses Notice how the characters below react to each other. Mr. Lopez strolled through his neighborhood on his way home from work. Mr. Adams, who was sitting on his front porch, smiled and waved. At the corner grocery store, old Mrs. Ortiz was struggling with two big brown bags. “Mr. Lopez,” she called, “would you mind helping me?” Mr. Lopez took both bags in his arms and walked Mrs. Ortiz home. “Thank you,” she said, patting his arm. “You’re a life saver.” Mr. Lopez strolled through his neighborhood on his way home from work. Mr. Adams, who was sitting on his front porch, smiled and waved. At the corner grocery store, old Mrs. Ortiz was struggling with two big brown bags. “Mr. Lopez,” she called, “would you mind helping me?” Mr. Lopez took both bags in his arms and walked Mrs. Ortiz home. “Thank you,” she said, patting his arm. “You’re a life saver.” What do the reactions of Mr. Lopez’s neighbors suggest about him?

Characterization What does Gaby’s appearance suggest about her? Quick Check Gaby looked up at the steep, high cliff. Her eyes widened. “Are you okay?” asked Mark. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” “I’m fine,” said Gaby. “I can’t wait to climb up there.” She glanced at the cliff again and shuddered. “You’d better put on your equipment then. Everyone else is ready to get started.” “I’ll do it right away,” Gaby said, but she stood where she was, staring at the cliff. What does Gaby’s speech indicate about her? Gaby’s speech doesn’t agree with her appearance. What might this suggest about her character?

Characterization Quick Check What do Gaby’s inner thoughts suggest about her? Gaby’s hands shook as she put on her rock-climbing harness and helmet. She imagined how it would feel to be high above the ground, clinging to a cliff. She felt sick to her stomach. She’d told her friends she’d love to go rock-climbing with them, but now she was wishing she’d stayed home. [End of Section]

Characters and Motivation Writers make characters believable by revealing what motivates them to act as they do. If you’ve ever wondered . . . Why did the character do that? you’ve thought about motivation.

Characters and Motivation desire goal motivation Motivation comes from a character’s desires or goals. + =

Characters and Motivation To understand what motivates a character, answer this question: What does the character want?

Characters and Motivation Friends might motivate each other to study. A cheering crowd might motivate an athlete. A mother might motivate her child to do chores. Character motivation often involves other characters.

Characters and Motivation Quick Check What does Levon want? What are his motivations? Levon stood in the wings, waiting for his cue to go on stage. His heart pounded, and his stomach felt like it was turning somersaults. His mouth was so dry that he knew the words would never come out—if he could remember his lines. When he’d heard that Deb was trying out for the school play, he’d gone to the auditions, too. Then he got a part and she didn’t. It was too late to back out. Everyone in the cast was counting on him. [End of Section]

Types of Characters The protagonist is a story’s main character, the focus of a reader’s attention. A protagonist • often is complicated and contradictory, like a real person, • has both strengths and weaknesses, and • drives the story’s action.

Types of Characters The antagonist blocks or tries to block the protagonist from getting what he or she wants. The antagonist may be • another character • a nonhuman force

Types of Characters Critics often refer to fictional characters as flat,round, or stock. Flat characters have just one or two traits. grumpy grouchy They can be described in a word or two.

Types of Characters Round characters have many different traits. stylish studious mischievous shy Like real people, they have more than one side to their personalities.

mad scientists whacky professors meddling neighbors clumsy sidekicks Types of Characters A stock character fits our preconceived notions of a “type.” Stock characters are often familiar to us:

Types of Characters Quick Check Which character is the antagonist? How do you know? Sheila paused, lifting her oar from the water and into the canoe. Seated behind her, Twyla coughed. “What’s wrong now?” Sheila muttered, “We should head back to where we started.” “No,” Twyla said sharply. “We need to paddle over to where we had lunch, so I can find my camera.” Sheila snorted. “I don’t see what’s so important about that camera.” [End of Section]

Characters in Conflict Conflict is the struggle at the heart of every story. Many conflicts result from the opposing desires of a protagonist and an antagonist. To understand what’s behind a conflict, answer this question: “What do the characters want?”

Characters in Conflict • the society in which the protagonist lives • a force or aspect of nature. • another character or group of characters External conflict occurs between a character and some outside force:

Characters in Conflict needs desires emotions Internal conflict occurs when a character must make a difficult decision or wrestle with his or her own feelings. The character may struggle with opposing

Characters in Conflict Quick Check With what internal conflict is Hannah wrestling? “Hannah, are you coming with us to the movies on Saturday afternoon?” Linda asked. “I can’t,” Hannah said, “I have to visit my grandmother at the nursing home.” “Oh, come on. It’ll be fun. You can visit your grandmother some other time.” Hannah felt torn. She enjoyed spending time with her grandmother, and she knew how much Nana looked forward to her weekly visit. Still, she didn’t want to miss out on having fun with her friends. What external conflict does Hannah face? [End of Section]

Analyze Character appearance speech effect on others actions YourTurn Think of a famous person. Write a paragraph describing him or her, using at least three methods of indirect characterization. Describe the person’s appearance, actions, speech, or effect on others. Do not use the person’s name.

Analyze Character YourTurn After you’ve finished writing, exchange your character description with a classmate. • Do you recognize the person your classmate has described? • Why or why not? • Based on your classmate’s response, would you change your own characterization?

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What Makes a Character Believable?