By Molly Frazier
Even though Mr. Stutts has already given a lecture on characterization and its methods and the different types of characters, I always find it helpful to have a lecture summarized in a paragraph or so, as opposed to merely having jotted notes. Hope that this proves useful to the rest of the class!
Characterization, as defined by dictionary.com, is “1. portrayal or description; 2. the act of characterizing; and 3. the creation and convincing representation of fictitious characters.” And as defined by Mr. Stutts, characterization is “The techniques used by the writer to portray the people (characters) in a story.” There are many different ways of going about characterizing one’s characters. The author can use description to help give the reader a clear view (literally) of what the character is like by describing the character’s personal appearance, their actions (a few adverbs never hurt anyone), and their personality. Dialogue also serves to help characterize, especially since dialogue carries the action of the story and the action can have direct or indirect influences upon the character and how they develop (or don’t develop) throughout the story. Interior monologue also serves to develop the character and reveal things to the reader, especially since interior monologues are given by the characters themselves, in first person perspective. Interior monologues can reveal epiphanies that a character has, or merely show how a thought process can change over the character’s conversation with themselves. And it may very well turn out that the author doesn’t want to develop a character past their creation. There are several different types of characters, including dynamic/kinetic, static, and stock. A dynamic character undergoes a change over the course of the story, whereas a static character doesn’t change at all. A certain type of static character is the stock character, which might also be recognized as cliché, since they are easily recognizable in any type of story.
Tags: characterization, characters, Molly Frazier
1 February 2012 at 7:54 pm |
To me, characters are the most interesting (and perhaps the most important) aspect of fiction writing. While I love a good, developed plot full of twists and turns, I believe that characters can drive a story in ways that plot, no matter how developed, simply cannot. Because of humans’ fascination with each other and because of the role that relationships play in life, a story that contains well developed characters has the ability to capture the reader more easily than a story with only a complex storyline.
1 February 2012 at 9:54 pm |
I agree that characterization is one of the most important aspects of a story, especially a short story because the audience has to get to know the character quickly! There have been so many characters I have fallen in love with in short stories and novels, even if there character isn’t morally “good”. I believe you can enhance any kind of plot by characterizing creatively.