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how-to-write-a-characterisation

The document provides a comprehensive guide on how to write a characterization, emphasizing the importance of using the present tense and supporting claims with evidence from the text. It outlines the structure of a characterization, including an introduction, main analysis, and conclusion, while detailing aspects to consider such as personal data, appearance, behavior, and relationships. A checklist is also included to help ensure the characterization meets formal and content standards.

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62 views

how-to-write-a-characterisation

The document provides a comprehensive guide on how to write a characterization, emphasizing the importance of using the present tense and supporting claims with evidence from the text. It outlines the structure of a characterization, including an introduction, main analysis, and conclusion, while detailing aspects to consider such as personal data, appearance, behavior, and relationships. A checklist is also included to help ensure the characterization meets formal and content standards.

Uploaded by

silja
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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How to write a characterization

A characterization is a description of all the features that make up a personality and its development.
Useful advice
 Use the present tense!
 Use quotations and evidence from the text to back up your findings.
 Do not use all the information you find in the text but select those pieces of information that
point out something important.
 Sometimes, you will find a direct characterization in the text ( the narrator or another character
tells the reader explicitly what a character is like), but more often, the characters will be
characterized indirectly (implicit characterization the reader interprets a character by what
he/she thinks, says, feels or does, and how he/she interacts with others).
Language Support
Write an introductory sentence that
Introduction

explains who the character is that you name of the character and position in the story
are talking about (name and function of (protagonist, antagonist, minor character, …)
the character; title and genre of the text,
author, year of publication).
personal data: male, female, middle-aged, elderly,
married, single, divorced, widowed, of… origin, …
paragraph appearance: tall, small, pretty, handsome, ugly, fat,
thin, pale, tanned, dull eyes, healthy, sickly, wrinkled,
bony, curly/straight hair, bald, freckled, scarred,
tattooed…
Briefly present the character ( basic ___________________________________________
personal data, e.g. name, age, sex, and positive character traits: amiable, cheerful, open-
outward appearance, e.g. body, face, minded, good-natured, modest, decent, optimistic,
clothes…) – give a general impression of generous, reasonable, brave, considerate,
the character. ambitious…
_______________________________________________________________ negative character traits: bad-tempered, cheeky,
Then analyze the following in detail: showy, violent, narrow-minded, gloomy, mean,
 social background, family, kind of selfish, ruthless, anxious, lazy, shy, insecure…
friends, profession talking about relationships
- to build up / continue / break off a relationship;
 words and speech
Main part

- their relationship is characterized by deep affection


 behavior (towards others) and actions / hostility / suspicion / feelings of…
 feelings and attitudes (thoughts, - the difficult / poor / close / casual relationship
emotions, dreams, fears, …) changes in the course of the story/remains
unchanged until the end
 reaction of others ( social background, drawing conclusions
relationships) - the body language/this action reveals that…
Move from the outward features to the - X’s statement “…” shows / proves that he/she …
inward ones and draw your conclusions - X appears to be / is portrayed as …
about the person’s character and relate - This very character trait becomes apparent in …
your findings to the text by referring to when XY…
specific lines ( quoting). - The development of XY in this scene from [e.g. a
Do his/her character traits or the reader’s coward] to [e.g. a hero] indicates / shows / proves
view of him/her change or develop in the that he is a round character.
story?
paragraph - dynamic character (changing and developing,
with different traits)
Conclusion

Sum up the most important traits you have - static character (unchanging, often stereotypical)
found. You may also point out the - round character (three-dimensional, with
importance of the character for the story. different and changing facets of the personality)
- flat character (one-dimensional, viewed only
from one side, often stereotypical)
Checklist: Writing a characterization

   Explain what is missing or


what exactly could be
improved!

Introductory sentence
The student writes an introductory sentence
which includes the most important
information.

Formal aspects
The student …
uses present tense.
divides the characterization into paragraphs.
uses direct and indirect quotations.

Content
The student refers to the five main
categories of a characterization:
outer appearance.
words and speech.
behavior.
feelings and attitudes.
reactions of others (relationships).

Language style
The student …
uses their own words.
makes use of linking words and connectives.
avoids non-formal words and short forms.
uses a wide range of different expressions.

Conclusion
The student …
points out the importance of the character for
the story.

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