Direct characterization is a literary device used by authors to describe a character in a straightforward manner, as if telling the reader directly. It involves specific details about a characters appearance, motivation, job, passions, and/or background, but inhibits the reader from drawing their own conclusions about the character. Direct characterization is also known as "explicit characterization". It is a type of literary device used to tell conclusive details about a character to the reader with little or no ambiguity.
Direct characterization is the opposite of indirect characterization, which is when an author reveals a character's personality through their actions, thoughts, and dialogue, allowing the reader to draw their own conclusions about the character.
Direct characterization can enhance any story, but it can also hinder it if not handled properly. It is a key skill mastered by the most accomplished of authors, as it is a powerful weapon in any writer's arsenal.
