I’m a writer blog

Guidelines for writing Poems, Stories and Tales

Characterisation: How to make it evident that a character’s flawed perspective is intentional?

Asked by: Christine Walker

How do you make a character flawed?

Tips for using different types of character flaws better

  1. Explain your character’s flaws. Whatever your characters’ flaws, explain them. …
  2. Make the flaw fit the character. Make the flaw seem reasonable to your character. …
  3. Find additional character flaws as you draft.

What is a character flaw in literature?

A character flaw is a trait that prevents a character from being perfect. Sometimes this fatal flaw leads to a character’s demise or at least undercuts their character strengths and presents a prominent setback they must overcome.

What are some common character flaws?

Other Common Character Flaw Examples

  • arrogance – haughty self-importance.
  • aversion – avoidance of certain fears like spiders or snakes.
  • cowardice – timid, afraid to face danger.
  • disturbed – having a mental illness, being delusional or neurotic.
  • dishonest – a liar; compulsive liar or lies in an important situation.

How do you write Characterisation?

To create characterization in fiction or non-fiction,

  1. Tell the reader directly what a character’s personality is like: …
  2. Describe a character’s appearance and manner: …
  3. Portray a character’s thoughts and motivations: …
  4. Use dialogue to allow a character’s words to reveal something important about his or her nature:

What are the 4 types of characterization?

An acronym, PAIRS, can help you recall the five methods of characterization: physical description, action, inner thoughts, reactions, and speech.

How do you analyze characterization?

Being mindful of subtle hints, like mood changes and reactions that might provide insight into your character’s personality, can help you write a character analysis.

  1. Describe the Character’s Personality.
  2. Determine the Character Type of Your Protagonist.
  3. Define Your Character’s Role in the Work You’re Analyzing.

What are the 5 elements of characterization?

Indirect characterization uses five different methods that combine different elements to reveal a character’s personality. To remember these five elements, simply remember the acronym STEAL, which stands for speech, thoughts, effect on others, actions and looks.

What literary devices reveal characterization?

Characterization of Personality Types. As a literary device, characterization is perhaps one of the most powerful. Writers use similes, metaphors, personification, and more to build a story.

What are the 8 methods of characterization?

Terms in this set (8)

  • Physical Description. The first method of characterization, and the most common. …
  • Name Analysis. …
  • Attitude/appearance. …
  • Dialogue. …
  • Thoughts. …
  • Reactions of Others. …
  • Action or Incident. …
  • Physical/Emotional Setting.



Which method of characterization is most effective?

In general, indirect characterization is better for reader engagement; it encourages them to use their imagination more, which makes the story and characters more personal to them. However, some details are too important for subtlety, which is why direct characterization is crucial when first describing a character.

What are the two main types of characterization?

There are two types of characterization in fiction writing:

  • Indirect characterization.
  • Direct characterization.

What are the two approaches of characterization?

There are two types of characterization in fiction writing: Indirect characterization. Direct characterization.

How do you describe characterization of a character?

Here’s a quick and simple definition: Characterization is the representation of the traits, motives, and psychology of a character in a narrative. Characterization may occur through direct description, in which the character’s qualities are described by a narrator, another character, or by the character him or herself.



How is characterisation achieved?

In writing, characterization is achieved through dialogue, actions, and descriptions. In visual mediums, characterization is still achieved through dialogue, actions, and descriptions, but it can also be achieved through costuming, hair and makeup, etc.

How is characterization presented in the story?

Characterization is the process by which the writer reveals the personality of a character. Characterization is revealed through direct characterization and indirect characterization. Direct Characterization tells the audience what the personality of the character is.

What method of characterization is used when it features how the character behaves throughout the story?

Indirect characterization through actions

You can also learn about a character by what he or she does and how the character behaves.

How do you improve characterisation in drama?

Five ideas for building and developing a character and making it your own



  1. (1) Look for clues in the script. …
  2. (2) Create a character CV. …
  3. (3) Base your character on someone famous or someone you know in real life. …
  4. (4) Voice. …
  5. (5) Character traits.

What are the types of characterization?

There are two major types of characterization commonly used in written works: direct characterization and indirect characterization.

Why is characterisation important in drama?

That role has personality traits, qualities and specific characteristics which form its character. Without successful characterisation you can’t embody the role and bring that person to life in a three-dimensional way.

Is characterisation a technique?

Characterization is a literary device that is used step-by-step in literature to highlight and explain the details of a character in a story. It is in the initial stage in which the writer introduces the character with noticeable emergence.