Types of Characterization
Dynamic Character
A C H A R A C T E R W H O C H A N G E S F R O M
BEGINNING TO THE END OF THE STORY.
T H I S I S A C H A R A C T E R T H A T
FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGES HIS OR HER
PERSONALITY OR VIEW OF LIFE BY THE END
OF THE STORY.
Static Character
A C H A R A C T E R W H O S T A Y S T H E S A M E
THROUGHOUT THE STORY.
A S T A T I C C H A R A C T E R R E M A I N S B A S I C A L L Y
THE SAME THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE
STORY. THE CHARACTER DOES NOT
UNDERGO ANY INTERNAL CHANGES.
PERSONALITY STAYS THE SAME.
Round Character
A C H A R A C T E R W H O I S F U L L Y D E V E L O P E D .
THEY HAVE BOTH GOOD AND BAD TRAITS.
THESE CHARACTERS SEEM REAL.
T H I S I S A M A J O R C H A R A C T E R I N A W O R K
OF FICTION WHO ENCOUNTERS CONFLICT
AND IS CHANGED BY IT.
Flat Character
A C H A R A C T E R W H O I S N O T F U L L Y
DEVELOPED. WE ONLY SEE ONE SIDE OF
THEM.
T H E S E A R E M I N O R C H A R A C T E R S W H O D O
NOT TEND TO UNDERGO EMOTIONAL
CHANGE OR GROWTH. THEY ARE TWO
DIMENSIONAL.
Direct Characterization
 TELLS THE READER WHAT THE
PERSONALITY OF THE CHARACTER IS.
Indirect Characterization
 SHOWS THE READER THINGS THAT
REVEAL THE PERSONALITY OF THE
CHARACTER THROUGH THEIR SPEECH,
THOUGHTS, ACTIONS AND THROUGH OTHER
CHARACTERS.
Dynamic
Round
Flat
Static
Considered the best type of
character development.
Usually the protagonist.
Development is
considered well-done.
Often found in
protagonists in books
for younger children.
Characters cannot be
dynamic and flat because in a
flat character we do not
know enough about them to
recognize a change. If a flat
character seems to change, it
is usually due to poor
writing.
In very simple books,
or in fairy tales, the
protagonist may be flat
and static. Also
appropriate for minor
characters in other
books.