Writing a story allows you to create an entire world of your own. To do that, though, you'll need to use a variety of narrative techniques--methods that authors use to make a story "work" in a way that is interesting to readers. These methods include the use of dialogue and description and the development of characters. One of the most important narrative techniques is characterization--the way authors communicate information about a story's main characters. The characters in your story might do wonderful, exciting, amazing things--or they might be mean, selfish, or cowardly. Readers should see these traits in action as your characters face conflicts, overcome obstacles, and finally, achieve their dreams--or not.
How do you let readers know who your characters are and what they’re like? There are four sources of information that help readers grow to understand and care about characters:
| what the author says directly about a character |  |
| what a character does |  |
| what a characters says |  |
| what characters say about each other |  |
Let's look at an example of how these techniques can give clues about a character.
Suppose you’re writing a story about a character named Dev. Dev’s mother asks him to help out at the local nursing home where she works. As the writer of a story about Dev, you would get to choose what Dev does next. Use the tabs below to think about some ways Dev could respond to his mother's request. What kind of character is suggested by the behavior on each tab?
Response 1
Response 2
Response 3
What does the writer say? Dev quickly agreed. He was always looking for ways to record some extra volunteer hours for his college applications.
What does Dev do? On his way out the door, Dev picks up his guitar.
What does Dev say? "Sure, Mom, happy to help. I'll play some songs on my guitar"
What do others say about Dev? "Dev's such a good kid, I know he'll help out."
What kind of character do these responses create?
This Dev appears to be kind and helpful. Some readers will like him right away, and others will think he’s too good to be true—or real.
What does the writer say? Dev felt a curl of fear deep in his stomach. Dev had never been a very social person, and meeting strangers made him anxious.
What does Dev do? He hides in his room until his mother leaves for work.
What does Dev say? "Geez, Mom, all those people--maybe I can do it tomorrow. Or the next day."
What do others say about Dev? "I'll ask him, but it's hard for him to be around people he doesn't know."
What kind of character do these responses create?
This Dev comes off as very shy. The reader will expect him to try to overcome his fears.
What does the writer say? Dev was furious that his mother would ask him to do this. She knew he had plans with the guys! Sometimes Dev felt that his mother wanted him to be somebody else.
What does Dev do? He throws a fit and refuses to do it.
What does Dev say? "Aw, come on, I've got more important things to do."
What do others say about Dev? "My son wouldn't be interested in working with older people."
What kind of character do these responses create?
This Dev appears to be selfish, childish, and even mean. Many readers will dislike him until the writer shows his better side.
