Point of View and Characterizatio n How authors use these to mold their writing
Dec 28, 2015
Point of View andCharacterization
Point of View andCharacterization
How authors use these to mold their writing
How authors use these to mold their writing
“Point of view is the most complex element of
fiction…It is a relationship among writer, character,
and reader.”-Janet Burroway
“Point of view is the most complex element of
fiction…It is a relationship among writer, character,
and reader.”-Janet Burroway
Preface: Types of characters
Preface: Types of characters
Protagonist Who the story is about Often the “good guy” Usually changes with the
climax
Protagonist Who the story is about Often the “good guy” Usually changes with the
climax Antagonist
The character or force who is working against the protagonist.
Often the “bad guy”
Antagonist The character or force who is
working against the protagonist.
Often the “bad guy”
Protagonist examplesProtagonist examples
To Kill a Mockingbird? Atticus Finch
Two Friends? Morrisot and Sauvage
Star Wars? Darth Vader / Anakin Skywalker
To Kill a Mockingbird? Atticus Finch
Two Friends? Morrisot and Sauvage
Star Wars? Darth Vader / Anakin Skywalker
Antagonist examplesAntagonist examples
To Kill a Mockingbird? Bob Ewell – utter disregard for other
people
Two Friends ? The Prussians
Star Wars ? Debatable: could be the Emperor, the
Dark Side, etc.
To Kill a Mockingbird? Bob Ewell – utter disregard for other
people
Two Friends ? The Prussians
Star Wars ? Debatable: could be the Emperor, the
Dark Side, etc.
PART 1: Point of View Basics
PART 1: Point of View Basics
POV is the perspective that a story is told in. How a story is told
JD from Scrubs
Stories are told in first or third person POV.
POV is the perspective that a story is told in. How a story is told
JD from Scrubs
Stories are told in first or third person POV.
First Person POV First Person POV
Told from the perspective of someone involved in the story.
Narrator refers to him/herself as “I”.
Often protagonist of story.
Told from the perspective of someone involved in the story.
Narrator refers to him/herself as “I”.
Often protagonist of story.
Pros: Creates sense
of intimacy with reader.
Story directed at us.
Cons: We only see
that person’s thoughts.
Is the narrator reliable? Are they lying?
Pros: Creates sense
of intimacy with reader.
Story directed at us.
Cons: We only see
that person’s thoughts.
Is the narrator reliable? Are they lying?
Third Person POVThird Person POV
Narrator is not part of story.
Use pronouns like “he, she, his, hers, it,” or “they.”
“Fly on the wall” storytelling Typically
unbiased; neutral narrator
Narrator is not part of story.
Use pronouns like “he, she, his, hers, it,” or “they.”
“Fly on the wall” storytelling Typically
unbiased; neutral narrator
Ex: On his hands and knees, the curator froze, turning his head slowly.
-The Da Vinci Code
Ex: On his hands and knees, the curator froze, turning his head slowly.
-The Da Vinci Code
Two types of Third Person POV
Two types of Third Person POV
Limited Narrator focuses on one
central character.Often protagonist“Inside” character
Omniscient Can see into thoughts and
feelings of all characters “Omniscient” means “all-
knowing”
Limited Narrator focuses on one
central character.Often protagonist“Inside” character
Omniscient Can see into thoughts and
feelings of all characters “Omniscient” means “all-
knowing”
What questions do you have?
What questions do you have?
Part II: Characterization
Part II: Characterization
Direct, indirect, typesDirect, indirect, types
What is characterization?What is characterization?
Characterization is the act of creating and developing a character.
Characterization is the act of creating and developing a character.
Direct Characterization Direct Characterization
In direct characterization, the author directly states a character’s traits.
In direct characterization, the author directly states a character’s traits.
Ex: “Part con man, part practical joker, and part Don Juan.”
Ex: “Part con man, part practical joker, and part Don Juan.”
Indirect Characterization Indirect Characterization
Indirect characterization is when a character’s personality is shown through his or her actions, thoughts, feelings, words, and appearance, or through another character’s observations and reactions.
Indirect characterization is when a character’s personality is shown through his or her actions, thoughts, feelings, words, and appearance, or through another character’s observations and reactions.
Ex: Harpo puzzle by Shug. One reason is she say whatever come to mind, forgit about polite.-The Color Purple
Ex: Harpo puzzle by Shug. One reason is she say whatever come to mind, forgit about polite.-The Color Purple
What conclusion can you make about Shug?
What conclusion can you make about Shug?
That she is shy That she is opinionated That she is married That she likes Harpo
That she is shy That she is opinionated That she is married That she likes Harpo
Round & Flat CharactersRound & Flat Characters
Round characters show many different traits: Faults as well as virtues
Flat characters are only seen one way throughout the story
Round characters show many different traits: Faults as well as virtues
Flat characters are only seen one way throughout the story
Round CharactersRound Characters
Who might you think of that shows different traits?
Scout from Mockingbird Montagues and Capulets
from Romeo & Juliet Bart Simpson
Who might you think of that shows different traits?
Scout from Mockingbird Montagues and Capulets
from Romeo & Juliet Bart Simpson
Flat CharactersFlat Characters
Who might you think of that shows only one purpose throughout a story?
Jem from Mockingbird Tybalt from Romeo &
Juliet Milhouse
Who might you think of that shows only one purpose throughout a story?
Jem from Mockingbird Tybalt from Romeo &
Juliet Milhouse
Dynamic and Static Characters
Dynamic and Static Characters
Dynamic characters develop and grow during the course of the story. Ex: Harry Potter Ex: Scout; Jem
Dynamic characters develop and grow during the course of the story. Ex: Harry Potter Ex: Scout; Jem
Static characters do not change. Ex: Lord
Voldemort Ex: Atticus
Static characters do not change. Ex: Lord
Voldemort Ex: Atticus
ReviewReview
First person pros/cons Third person pros/cons Protagonist V. Antagonist What is characterization? Direct V. Indirect
Characterization Round V. Flat Characters Static V. Dynamic Characters
First person pros/cons Third person pros/cons Protagonist V. Antagonist What is characterization? Direct V. Indirect
Characterization Round V. Flat Characters Static V. Dynamic Characters