Question

Which statements are examples of characterization? Check all that apply.

Answer 1

Sentences 1, 2, and 4 contain characterization.

Characterization is a literary device that is used to highlight and explain details about a character in a story. This can includes things like the character's behavior, thought-process, opinions and ideas, conversations with other characters, and how others in the story react to the character's personality. There are two different types of characterization.

1. Direct or Explicit Characterization

This approach uses another character, the narrator, or the character themself to tell the reader about the character.

2. Indirect or Implicit Characterization

In this approach, the reader has to determine the characteristics of the character themselves

Of the five statements, three contain characterization:

• “I don’t think your joke is funny,” she huffed, glowering at her friend.
• The tardy bell rang, but he sauntered to class unconcerned.
• She waited patiently as she carefully adjusted the telescope.

The bolded words help us explain the character's behavior, which is why they are considered to contain characterization.

The other two sentences are not considered to use characterization because they describe places or things and not a character.

• The house loomed ominously on the hill; no occupants were visible.
• The town’s laws required that all teenagers be home by 11 p.m.