2. Theory – Characterisation

Theory – Characterisation

1. How do we develop characterisation?

When analysing characterisation, you can compare and contrast characters, highlight how  certain character traits (like strengths or flaws) drive the narrative, or point out how characters  develop meaningfully throughout the story. 

1. What does the character say? 

Characterisation is the way authors convey information about their characters. Characters make stories compelling and draw readers into the story. The characters’ desires drive the events of  the narrative.

2. How do characters interact with each other?

A character’s relationships can tell us about what they are like. Often, relationships and how  they develop are central to the plot.

Characters can be isolated or sociable. Neither quality is inherently “good” or “bad” in a story.  Sometimes, an isolated character can be mocked as a “loner”, but they could also be framed as  an individualist whom others misunderstand. Likewise, sociable characters can appear socially adjusted and friendly, or they can serve as an underserved popular antithesis to an  individualist. 

3. Narration (third person omniscient narrator)

The third person omniscient narrator will describe the thoughts and feelings of characters in the story.

4. Symbols

What characters wear (clothes, accessories) can become a symbol to represent personality, or relationships with other characters.

2. What is the difference between direct and indirect characterisation?

1. Direct characterisation is when you simply tell the reader
   
2. Indirect characterisation is when you reference a particular characteristic, speech, behaviour(gestures, actions, thoughts) to show the reader. E.g. if a character is grumpy, describe him doing everything angrily

Indirect characterisation is often the more interesting/realistic way of presenting a character. After all, you don’t get to know someone just by them telling you about themselves! Often it’s what you notice/pick up. In a similar way you want to leave clues for the reader to figure out the character for themselves!

3. How can we use dialogue to support characterisation?

Dialogue is an effective tool in story writing when used correctly. Your story certainly doesn’t HAVE to have dialogue, but it can be nice when your characters speak to each other or even to themselves. 

There a number of really great things about dialogue:

• Effective use of dialogue can help develop a character’s voice/personality/ background (particularly if writing in 3rd person): do they use slang? Are they formal or casual? Does this change depending on who they’re with? Do they ask a lot of questions? Do they talk a lot or very little?

• Dialogue can also develop relationships. Depending on how two characters talk to each other you can establish what their relationship is: how close they are (are they open to each other?), who’s in charge (interrupting/commanding), whether they like each other (friendly or hostile language) and more!

• Dialogue is also a great exposition tool. It can reference a backstory/other things outside the narrative or express a message/meaning (for the reader). It is a way of ‘telling’ things more explicitly, without breaking the reader’s immersion in the narrative too much.

HOWEVER dialogue also has its weakness: 

• Too much dialogue takes away from the rest of your story. It primarily hinders plot development, characterisation and establishing your setting. Obviously it is best to limit dialogue as much as possible. Alternatively, try interspersing characters’ conversations with descriptions of what the characters are doing/how they’re physically reacting to each other.

• Essentially like a story with too much time spent on action, explaining plot or developing a wider context (like a fantasy setting), dialogue can take up a lot of space! And it reduces the number of other things you can do with your story!