What is indirect characterization, and how can you recognize it in a text?

• A. Indirect characterization reveals a character's traits through actions, dialogue, thoughts, effects on others, and appearance rather than by direct statement.
• B. Indirect characterization uses the narrator's explicit adjectives about the character.
• C. Indirect characterization only appears in poetry.
• D. Indirect characterization is the same as a character's backstory.

Answer: (A)

Indirect characterization is when you learn a character’s traits from what they do, say, think, how others react to them, and how they look, rather than being told directly. You can recognize it by noticing moments where the author shows who the character is through actions, dialogue, inner thoughts, and the impact they have on others. A handy way to remember is the STEAL idea: Speech, Thoughts, Effects on others, Actions, Looks. For example, if a character stays late to finish a project and helps a coworker without being asked, you infer diligence and generosity from those actions rather than hearing someone describe them as diligent and kind. Indirect characterization isn’t limited to poetry, and it isn’t the same as a character’s backstory, which is about past events rather than traits revealed in the moment. This is why this description best captures how traits are shown rather than stated outright.