Direct & Indirect Characterization

Writers reveal character directly (explicit statements about a character) or indirectly (through actions, dialogue, thoughts, and how other characters react to them).

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Overview

Direct characterization tells the reader outright ('She was generous'). Indirect characterization shows through action, speech, and reaction, requiring the reader to infer traits — this is usually the richer, more heavily tested form on the AP Lit exam.

Practice Quiz

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A character is never explicitly described, but the narrative shows her giving away her last coin to a stranger. This is an example of: