Direct and indirect characterization are two important ways writers provide information about characters in a story. Direct characterization is straightforward, while indirect characterization is more complex and includes dialogue, actions, and reactions. Both types should be used together to create well-rounded characters. Showing rather than telling is more rewarding for readers.
There are two main types of characterization commonly used in written works: direct characterization and indirect characterization. Direct characterization is used by an author in the narrative of a work and includes descriptions and commentary that directly describe the nature and appearance of a character. In contrast, indirect characterization occurs outside the narrative and usually includes dialogue, comments others make about a character, a character’s actions, and her thoughts. Both of these types of characterization are equally important, as they can be used by a writer in different ways and to different effects.
Regardless of the types of characterization a writer uses, the process of developing a character in a story is quite important. Characterization, in general, is the process of using different elements to provide readers with information about the characters within a story. These allow the reader to become more attached to certain characters and to better understand the relationships that develop between those characters.
One of the main types of characterization is direct characterization. This is the use of descriptions and direct commentary from a writer, within the narrative of a work, that provide readers with information about a character. A writer can use this type of characterization by writing something like “he was a huge man, with a look as wild as his shrill voice.” This gives the reader direct information about a character and requires little interpretation on the part of the reader.
In contrast, indirect characterization is a somewhat more complicated form of characterization. Indirect characterization occurs within dialogue, through descriptions of a character’s actions and others’ reactions to the character to give readers a sense of “who” characters are in a story. Direct characterization might include something like “he was a rude man,” while indirect characterization might use descriptions of rudeness, like “he sat down abruptly and barked at his food order,” to effectively say the same thing.
Both of these types of characterization are equally important and should be used together by a writer to give readers a greater understanding of the characters. Direct characterization is simple and relevant, but overuse of it can distort the meaning and seem stilted or boring. This boils down to the idea of “showing” rather than “telling” actions and characters. While it may be easy for a writer to simply say “she was a resourceful woman,” it is often more rewarding for a reader to see a demonstration of this resourcefulness and come to understand that the character is resourceful.
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