Which description is an example of direct characterization?
A The actress waltzed onto the stage without even glancing at the thousand-member audience.
B Dana gazed lazily out the window as her chemistry teacher handed out the semester exam.
C Amir had a laugh that would bubble through the room, infecting those around him with giggles.
D The puppy shivered uncontrollably as he entered the veterinarian’s office.
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is C: Amir had a laugh that would bubble through the room, infecting those around him with giggles.
Explanation:
Direct characterization occurs when the author explicitly describes a character’s traits, feelings, or behaviors, usually through straightforward statements. In this case, the sentence directly describes Amir’s laugh and how it affects others. The author doesn’t leave any room for interpretation about what Amir’s laugh is like; it’s described as something that “bubbles through the room” and causes others to giggle. This is a clear, direct description of Amir’s personality and the impact of his laugh on those around him.
Let’s briefly analyze the other options:
- A: “The actress waltzed onto the stage without even glancing at the thousand-member audience.” This is an example of indirect characterization. The reader infers that the actress may be confident or perhaps arrogant based on her behavior, but the text doesn’t directly state any of her traits.
- B: “Dana gazed lazily out the window as her chemistry teacher handed out the semester exam.” This also describes behavior indirectly. It suggests Dana may not be focused or perhaps feels indifferent, but her personality isn’t directly stated.
- D: “The puppy shivered uncontrollably as he entered the veterinarian’s office.” This shows the puppy’s reaction to a situation but doesn’t directly explain the puppy’s personality. It’s an example of indirect characterization where the reader might interpret the puppy’s fear or anxiety from the shivering.
Direct characterization tells the reader something about the character explicitly, whereas indirect characterization allows the reader to infer traits from actions, speech, or other elements of the story.