Question

what a character
direct and indirect characterization practice
directions: read each passage carefully, and complete the chart below.

• highlight clues or statements in the passage that tell you what the character is like.
• describe the physical or personality trait that the author revealing about the character.
• write whether the passage is an example of direct characterization, indirect characterization, or both.

characterization is the way an author develops a character, or reveals who characters are and what they are like.

direct characterization – the writer makes direct statements about a character.
example: max was a gifted musician.

indirect characterization – the writer gives clues and depends on the reader to draw conclusions (infer) about the character’s traits.
example: max could play almost any instrument and never failed to draw an admiring crowd when he did.

passage	what it reveals about the character	direct / indirect / both
1. squeaky was a skinny girl with a squeaky voice – which, of course, is how she got her nickname.
2. tabitha could see the new girl struggling to find her way to her next class. remembering what it felt like to be the new kid, she went back, extended her hand to the girl and said, “hi, i’m tabitha. need some help?”
3. aaron leaped from the plane without so much as a moment’s hesitation. although he was extremely fit, it was more difficult than he had expected to hold his arms at his sides and arch his body into a steep glide. skydiving was as exciting as he had hoped.

Explanation:

1. For the first passage (Squeaky):

The passage directly states Squeaky's physical traits (skinny, has a squeaky voice) and how she got her nickname. This is direct characterization as the author makes a direct statement about the character's physical attributes.

The passage shows Tabitha's actions (going back to help the new girl, extending her hand, offering help) and her thoughts (remembering what it was like to be new). From these clues, we infer she is kind and empathetic. Since the author doesn't directly state her traits but gives clues, it's indirect characterization.

The passage describes Aaron's action (leaping from the plane without hesitation) and his physical state (extremely fit, finding the glide difficult). We infer he is brave (leaping without hesitation) and physically fit. The author gives clues through actions and physical details, so it's indirect characterization. Also, the statement "Although he was extremely fit" is a direct statement about his physical trait, while the action of leaping is indirect. So it has both direct (about his fitness) and indirect (about his bravery from the leap) elements.

Answer:

• What it reveals about the character: Squeaky is skinny and has a squeaky voice (which led to her nickname).
• Direct / Indirect / Both: Direct

2. For the second passage (Tabitha):