How Authors Describe Characters: Direct vs Indirect Characterization

When taking a reading comprehension test, have you ever been stumped by a question asking about how the author or another character feels about a specific character?

Or perhaps when reading a novel or story, you’re somewhat confused trying to figure out a characters’ personality or motivation?

If you are, then you may not realize that the author is expecting you to use your inferencing skills and use the clues that she is giving you about the characters.

Today we’re going to explore the way authors describe characters; and this is using a literary device called direct and indirect characterization.

We are also going to look at the way an author’s use of characterization may interfere with your reading comprehension,

And you ‘ll have a chance to practice answering test-like multiple choice questions about characterization.