Characterization is the way a text, film, or other narrative shows what a character is like—their traits, motives, and inner life.
Basic definition
Characterization means representing a person, creature, or other being in a story so the audience can understand who they are and why they act as they do. It is often described as the artistic portrayal of human character or motives, especially in fiction and drama.
Direct vs. indirect
Direct characterization is when a narrator or another character explicitly states what someone is like, such as calling them kind, selfish, or brave. Indirect characterization is when readers infer traits from actions, dialogue, thoughts, appearance, and how others react to the character.
Why it matters
Characterization helps make characters feel believable and complex so readers or viewers care about what happens to them. It also drives plot, because the goals, fears, and decisions of well-developed characters shape the events of the story.
Uses beyond literature
The word can also mean any representation or portrayal of a person, group, or thing, such as a journalist’s description of a public figure. In film and visual media, characterization includes choices like costume, makeup, and performance that signal who a character is.
