CHARACTERISATION
DEFINITION (Write your definition)
INQUIRY QUESTIONS:
* How does characterisation affect the reader? (Consider positioning, impressions and relatability)
* How and why do characters change?
The nature and development of a character is revealed through the following techniques:
Direct Characterisation: the author tells the audience about the personality of the character with direct description.
Indirect Characterisation: shows things that reveal the personality through 4 methods, the character's- Speech, Thoughts, Actions & Relationships (STAR)
BUILDING A CHARACTER- to help create the character think of the following:
§ Back story- Where did they come from? What was their childhood like? How did this affect them?
§ Looks- Distinguishing features, how did they receive this? How does it affect them?
§ Personality- Is your character sociable? Brainstorm all traits that make someone sociable. Are
they self-conscious? Do they get angry easily etc?
INQUIRY QUESTIONS:
* How does characterisation affect the reader? (Consider positioning, impressions and relatability)
* How and why do characters change?
The nature and development of a character is revealed through the following techniques:
Direct Characterisation: the author tells the audience about the personality of the character with direct description.
Indirect Characterisation: shows things that reveal the personality through 4 methods, the character's- Speech, Thoughts, Actions & Relationships (STAR)
BUILDING A CHARACTER- to help create the character think of the following:
§ Back story- Where did they come from? What was their childhood like? How did this affect them?
§ Looks- Distinguishing features, how did they receive this? How does it affect them?
§ Personality- Is your character sociable? Brainstorm all traits that make someone sociable. Are
they self-conscious? Do they get angry easily etc?
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/0/6/26060218/1390777671.jpg)
TASK 1
Write a direct description for one of the characters
TASK 2
Using STAR build your character
Write a direct description for one of the characters
TASK 2
Using STAR build your character
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT is the change that a character undergoes from the beginning of the story to the end.
Type of Characters: (*Read the examples and provide a definition for the character type)
Dynamic/Developing Character
Example: Ebenezer Scrooge, in A Christmas Carol by Dickens, was very stingy with his money. He worked his employees very, very hard for little pay. After his experiences with the ghosts that visited him, he changed his ways, paying his employees a more than fair wage, providing days off work and actually giving gifts.
Flat/Static Character
Example: Lurch, the gloomy butler in The Addams Family. He is tall and lanky with a blank expression on his face. He has a deep voice and often communicates with simple, inarticulate moans and his trade mark line 'You rang'.
Archetype/Stock Character
Example: a 'dumb' jock, a shushing old librarian, a ruthless business man, a 'blonde' shiela
Well-Rounded Character
Example: 'The Commandant', Bruno's father in The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas. He is a loving and caring father to his children and a high ranking officer in the Nazi regime that puts forth the orders for the extermination of Jews.
Type of Characters: (*Read the examples and provide a definition for the character type)
Dynamic/Developing Character
Example: Ebenezer Scrooge, in A Christmas Carol by Dickens, was very stingy with his money. He worked his employees very, very hard for little pay. After his experiences with the ghosts that visited him, he changed his ways, paying his employees a more than fair wage, providing days off work and actually giving gifts.
Flat/Static Character
Example: Lurch, the gloomy butler in The Addams Family. He is tall and lanky with a blank expression on his face. He has a deep voice and often communicates with simple, inarticulate moans and his trade mark line 'You rang'.
Archetype/Stock Character
Example: a 'dumb' jock, a shushing old librarian, a ruthless business man, a 'blonde' shiela
Well-Rounded Character
Example: 'The Commandant', Bruno's father in The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas. He is a loving and caring father to his children and a high ranking officer in the Nazi regime that puts forth the orders for the extermination of Jews.
CHARACTER FUNCTION (Match the term to its
definition)
1. Protagonist A) a character that is used to enhance another character through contrast.
Cinderella’s grace and beauty as opposed to her nasty, self- centered
stepsisters.
2. Antagonist B) the principle figure in the story
3. Confidante C) the character with whom the protagonist is engaged in a struggle.
4. Foil D) someone in whom the central character confides, thus revealing the main
character’s personality, thoughts, and intentions. Example: Melvin Sanders is a detective on the trail of a serial killer.
He travels with his pet dog, a pug named Chops. Instead of listening to
the radio, Melvin talks to Chops, telling him his theories about the serial killer and his
concern he may never discover the killer’s identity.
TASK: In real life as the protagonist, who would be your antagonist, confidante & foil. Provide an explanation as to why. Don't forget to describe your character also.
1. Protagonist A) a character that is used to enhance another character through contrast.
Cinderella’s grace and beauty as opposed to her nasty, self- centered
stepsisters.
2. Antagonist B) the principle figure in the story
3. Confidante C) the character with whom the protagonist is engaged in a struggle.
4. Foil D) someone in whom the central character confides, thus revealing the main
character’s personality, thoughts, and intentions. Example: Melvin Sanders is a detective on the trail of a serial killer.
He travels with his pet dog, a pug named Chops. Instead of listening to
the radio, Melvin talks to Chops, telling him his theories about the serial killer and his
concern he may never discover the killer’s identity.
TASK: In real life as the protagonist, who would be your antagonist, confidante & foil. Provide an explanation as to why. Don't forget to describe your character also.