OSCAR is an acronym designed to help readers understand direct and indirect characterization. Through the use of OSCAR, as a reading and writing strategy, readers are asked to think and write about the different ways they learn about a character.
As readers interact with a story, relevant information about important characters is revealed through direct and indirect characterization.
Direct Characterization most often occurs when the author specifically reveals traits of the character to the reader. When the author or narrator explicitly states something about the character, this is direct characterization. Here, the reader can learn a character's thoughts, feelings, physical characteristics, or motivations.
Indirect Characterization is when the reader learns about the character indirectly. The reader has to infer or assume information about the character based on interactions that are not straightforward. For example, indirect characterization can be learned through: a character's dialogue, how other characters see them, their actions, how they treat others or their relationships, and how they treat themselves or view their overall place in the world.
Can you guess which example is direct characterization and which is indirect?
| EXAMPLE | ANSWER |
|---|---|
| "I watched Aaron as his face turned white, and his hands began to shake as they hovered over the phone." | Indirect characterization: The reader assumes that Aaron is upset because his face turned white, and his hands were shaking. When the reader assumes or infers information based on what they read, it is indirect characterization. |
| "Stephanie is a tall, beautiful woman with amazing artistic abilities." | Direct characterization: The reader is explicitly told that Stephanie is a tall, beautiful woman. It was said in a direct, straightforward way. |
| "Hey Sarah, thanks for lending me that outfit; it must have been expensive." | Indirect characterization: Nothing is stated about Sarah. Instead, the reader infers information about her through the dialogue. For instance, when her friend thanks her, it suggests that she is a good friend. Also, when her friend mentions that it must have been expensive, the reader could assume that Sarah has money, or is very generous. |
| LETTER | DEFINITION |
|---|---|
| O - Other Characteristics | What do other characters say about the character? |
| S - Speech | What does the character say about others or themselves? How can we infer meaning and traits from what a character says? |
| C - Physical Characteristics | What does the character look like? What descriptive words are used to describe them? |
| A - Author's Attitude | How does the author feel about this character? |
| R - Reader's Reaction | How do you, as the reader, feel about the character? |
When reading a novel, small attributes and details frequently become important as the plot progresses. By creating a character map in Storyboard That, readers can record subtle information, helping them follow along and catch the nuances that make reading more enjoyable!
Choose a novel or short story that contains three or more characters.
Copy the OSCAR template.
Replace the “NAME” placeholder with the name of each character.
While reading, look for each type of characterization OSCAR style. Write direct quotes that answer each letter of the mnemonic device. These direct quotes will show the use of indirect or direct characterization.
Before completion, choose a Storyboard That character to portray each character from the novel. Using the drag and drop feature, place them in the box to the left. You can even add a background, like in the example below!
When readers have completed their storyboard, they should think and write about the direct and indirect characterization, based on the recorded evidence.
Using their answers to OSCAR, they should ask and answer the following questions:
What do you know about the character? How do you know that?
Who are they?
How do others see them?
How do you, as a reader, see them?
Why do you think the author feels (insert adjective) about that character?
Check out these OSACR activities from our guides on The Fault in Our Stars, The Minister's Black Veil, and The Color Purple.
Understanding characterization can greatly improve your child's reading comprehension and analysis skills in several ways:
The types of characterization used by an author can greatly impact a story's plot and theme. Direct characterization, where the author explicitly tells the reader about a character's traits and qualities, can be used to establish the basic details about a character, such as their name, age, and physical appearance. It can also be used to reveal more specific information, such as the character's occupation, personality, and beliefs. This information can help to move the plot forward and can also give insight into the story's themes. For example, if a character is presented as kind and generous, this may suggest that themes of compassion and empathy are important in the story.
Indirect characterization, on the other hand, requires the reader to infer a character's traits and qualities based on their actions, behavior, and dialogue. This type of characterization can be more subtle and complex, and can often reveal more about a character's personality and motivations than direct characterization. For example, if a character is shown to be constantly lying, this may suggest that themes of deception and manipulation are present in the story. Similarly, if a character is shown to be conflicted about a decision, this may suggest that themes of morality and decision-making are important.
Overall, the type of characterization used by an author can greatly impact how a reader understands and interprets a story's plot and themes. By carefully crafting their characters and using both direct and indirect characterization, authors can create a rich and nuanced world that draws readers in and encourages them to think deeply about the story's themes and messages.