Visual Lesson
Characterization
See how authors reveal a character — infer a trait from the evidence, then sort clues by the STEAL methods.
Tap the evidence to hear it. The author never names the trait — what does Maria show?
What trait does this reveal?
Read the evidence, then tap the trait it reveals.
Characterization is how an author reveals who a character is. Direct tells you outright (“She was kind”); indirect shows you clues and lets you infer the trait — the heart of STEAL.
🗣️ Speech — what the character says.
💭 Thoughts — what they think or feel inside.
👥 Effect on others — how others react to them.
🏃 Actions — what they do.
👀 Looks — how they appear.
What is characterization?
Characterization is how a writer shows readers who a character really is. It comes in two forms. With direct characterization the author simply tells you (“Marcus was generous”). With indirect characterization the author gives you clues — what the character says and does, how they look, what they think, and how others respond — and lets you infer the trait yourself. Skilled writers lean on the indirect kind because “show, don’t tell” makes a character feel real.
The STEAL methods
STEAL is a handy way to remember the five channels an author uses for indirect characterization:
- Speech — what the character says, and how they say it.
- Thoughts — what they think or feel on the inside.
- Effect on others — how the people around them react.
- Actions — what they choose to do.
- Looks — their appearance and expressions.
How to use this tool
- What trait? — Read the short piece of evidence (tap it to hear it read aloud), then tap the trait it reveals. A correct answer turns green; a miss gives a gentle nudge to look again. Flip open the reveal to see the clue turn into the trait — this shows the character is … because ….
- STEAL sort — Five snippets describe one character. Tap a snippet, then tap the STEAL method the author used. Correct cards lock in; a wrong one bounces back so you can try again.
- Use Next or Shuffle for a new character or a fresh set, and the speaker button to mute or unmute.
Why it helps
Inferring a trait from evidence is exactly what strong readers do — and exactly what essay prompts and reading tests ask for. Naming the STEAL method behind each clue gives students the vocabulary to explain how an author builds a character, not just what the character is like. That habit turns vague reactions into precise, text-based analysis they can defend with quotations.
Good for
Best for grades 6–12 — middle and high school reading, literature, and English — and a quick, low-pressure warm-up before writing a character analysis.
Bring it to a lesson
These tools pair with the full curriculum — guided lessons that teach each concept, then send you here to see it and practice.