English Enhanced Scope and Sequence
Lesson Skill: Understanding indirect
characterization
Strand Reading--fiction
SOL 6.5
7.5
8.5
Materials
• Television show, short story, or fiction film that presents at least two contrasting
characters
• Copies of the Says, Does, Thinks: Character Traits Revealed! worksheet
Lesson
Direct characterization. The writer makes direct statements about a character's personality and
tells the reader or viewer what the character is like. Direct characterization tells the reader or
viewer.
Indirect characterization. The writer reveals information about a character’s personality
through that character's words, actions, and thoughts, along with other characters’ responses
to that character (what they say and think about him/her). Indirect characterization shows the
reader or viewer.
1. Review the various definitions of the word character, and list them on the board for
students to record. Ask them to name some of their favorite characters from literature, TV
programs, or films. Ask why these characters are favorites. What are the character traits
of these persons that make them so appealing?
2. Ask how the reader of literature or viewer of TV programs or films learns the character
traits of a character. Students should respond that we learn character traits by what the
author tells us, either directly or through the words of other characters (direct
characterization). Beyond that, we learn character traits by what a character does, says,
and thinks (indirect characterization). Therefore, characterization is defined not only by
what is said or told directly about a character, but also by what the character’s words,
actions, and thoughts show, just as in real life.
3. Distribute copies of the Says, Does, Thinks: Character Traits Revealed! worksheet. Tell
students that they will be watching a video in order to observe and analyze a particular
character. Assign half of the class to observe one character and the other half to observe
another character. Instruct students to watch carefully and simply write in column one at
least five examples of things their assigned character says, does, or thinks. Tell them not
to complete column two while watching. If necessary, stop after the first few minutes to
model filling out an example for each character so as to ensure that students understand
the task.
