Direct and Indirect Characterization

The difference between direct and indirect characterization is the same as the difference between telling and showing. One is simply the the author telling the reader what the character is like. The other is where the author shows what the character's like.

So an example of the former might be:

Peter was very lazy, and would never shift himself more than was absolutely necessary.

The same information, given indirectly, might be:

Peter was bored with the TV programme, but the remote control was inexplicably across the room, so he just watched it anyway. Jan'd be in soon, and she could fetch it for him then.

Just as with Show, don't tell try to use indirect characterization as much as you can as that draws a vivid picture in the reader's mind (which is what you are always, always aiming for). There are times, however, to use direct characterization (e.g. for a minor character, or to portray a minor trait), and it's part of your judgement as a writer as to when you're going to use that.

Return from Direct and Indirect Characterization to Character Creation Return from Direct and Indirect Characterization to Home