Professional Documents
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Characterization MYP Notes
Characterization MYP Notes
A CRUCI A L PA RT O F MA K I NG A
STO RY CO MPE LLI N G TO REA D.
Characterization
It describes any physical aspects of the character, including hair, height, skin,
how he/she walks, etc.
Describe a character's appearance and manner:
"The Baker, who was an older man with a thick neck, listened without saying
anything when she told him the child would be eight years old next Monday. The
baker wore a white apron that looked like a smock. Straps cut under his arms,
went around in back and then to the front again, where they were secured
under his heavy waist. He wiped his hands on his apron as he listened to her. He
kept his eyes down on the photographs and let her talk."
—Raymond Carver, "A Small, Good Thing"
Thoughts and Motivations
what the character thinks about the world around them. Can only be
analyzed if you are inside the character's head or told what he/she is thinking.
How the character appears to feel about what happens to them in the story.
Portray a character's thoughts and motivations:
"I didn't come to Utah to be the same boy I'd been before. I had my
own dreams of transformation, Western dreams, dreams of freedom and
dominion and taciturn self-sufficiency. The first thing I wanted to do was change
my name. A girl named Toby had joined my class before I left Florida, and this
had caused both of us scalding humiliation.
"I wanted to call myself Jack, after Jack London. I believed that having
his name would charge me with some of the strength and competence inherent
in my idea of him. The odds were good that I'd never have to share a classroom
with a girl named Jack. And I liked the sound. Jack. Jack Wolff."
—Tobias Wolff, This Boy's Life
Dialogue
"Lincoln's shock of black hair, brown furrowed face, and deep-set eyes made
him look older than his fifty-one years. He was a familiar figure to almost
everyone in Springfield, as was his singular way of walking, which gave the
impression that his long, gaunt frame needed oiling. He plodded forward in
an awkward manner, hands hanging at his sides or folded behind his back. His
step had no spring...
"His features, even supporters conceded, were not such 'as belong to a
handsome man.' In repose, his face was '[overspread] with sadness,' the
reporter Horace White noted... Yet when Lincoln began to speak, White
observed, 'this expression of sorrow dropped from him instantly. His face
lighted up with a winning smile, and where I had a moment before seen only
leaden sorrow I now beheld keen intelligence, genuine kindness of heart, and
the promise of true friendship.'"
—Doris Kearns Goodwin, Team of Rivals
What does the character look like? Lincoln has black hair and a wrinkled face. He
looks older than he is, and he appears deeply
sad until he starts talking. He has a particular,
awkward way of walking.
How does the character behave towards He is warm and friendly towards others, and
others? How do others behave toward the others—or at least this reporter—seem to react
character? with fondness and admiration toward him.
What does the character seem to care Lincoln seems to care about and thrive on his
about? interactions with others; he seems less
concerned with his physical appearance.
What adjectives does the author use to The author quotes the reporter as saying when
describe the character's personality? Lincoln interacts with people, he loses his
sorrowful appearance and becomes bright with
"a winning smile," "keen intelligence," "genuine
kindness," and "true friendship."
What does the character think or say? I'm not sure yet what he thinks or says.
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