Literary terms · AP English Literature, AP English Language, SAT Reading and Writing, ACT Reading
Characterization
Characterization: The methods an author uses to reveal a character's personality, motives and values.
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What it means
Direct characterization tells the reader what a character is like ('she was proud'). Indirect characterization shows it through actions, speech, thoughts, appearance, and how other characters react. Literary fiction relies heavily on indirect methods, asking readers to infer.
Complex characters often show conflicting traits, and the most revealing details are frequently small gestures or choices.
Example
A character insists that her brother's success means nothing to her. The narrator mentions that she keeps a drawer full of newspaper clippings about him.
On the exam
AP Lit prose prompts often ask about a character's complex attitude. Use indirect characterization details as evidence and explain what they reveal.
Lessons and practice questions
Related terms
- FoilA character whose contrasting traits highlight the qualities of another character, usually the protagonist.
- Point of viewThe perspective from which a story is told, such as first person, third-person limited or third-person omniscient.
- Free indirect discourseThird-person narration that takes on a character's thoughts, voice and judgments without quotation marks or tags such as 'she thought'.