characterization
the process by which an author reveals the personality of a character
direct characterization
when the author TELLS the reader what the personality of the character is
character motives
the reason's for a character's actions,
indirect characterization
when the author SHOWS things that reveal the personality of the character
character traits
a character's original qualities shown through how they act, what they say, and what others think about them
major characters
characters that are vital to the development and resolution of the conflict
minor characters
characters that serve to complement the major characters and help move the plot events forward
protagonist
the main character; the one you root for
antagonist
also a main character, but one who is in opposition to the protagonist
round character
a character who demonstrates many character traits and who develops or changes in the course of the story
flat character
a character that, having only one or two traits, is easily described and one-dimensional
static character
a character that does not change from the beginning of the story to the end
dynamic character
a character who grows, learns, or changes as a result of the story's action