Which statement best distinguishes direct characterization from indirect characterization?

• A. Direct: the narrator never reveals the character's traits; Indirect: it reveals them.
• B. Direct: traits are shown through actions; Indirect: traits are stated explicitly.
• C. Direct: states what a character is like; Indirect: reveals traits through speech, thoughts, effect on others, actions, and looks.
• D. Direct: uses setting; Indirect: uses plot.

Answer: (C)

Distinguishing direct from indirect characterization is about how the writer reveals what a character is like. Direct characterization tells you the trait outright—the author states it plainly, such as “she is brave” or “he is generous.” Indirect characterization shows the trait by presenting clues you infer from the character’s speech, thoughts, how others respond to them, their actions, and their appearance (often summarized as STEAL: Speech, Thought, Effect on others, Actions, Looks).

The statement that best distinguishes them says direct characterization states what a character is like, while indirect characterization reveals traits through speech, thoughts, effect on others, actions, and looks. This correctly captures the explicit versus inferential ways traits are shown.

Why the other ideas don’t fit: direct characterization isn’t limited to traits shown through actions; it can state traits explicitly. Conversely, indirect characterization isn’t about traits being stated explicitly; it’s about clues you must infer from what the character says, thinks, does, how others react, and how they look. And characterization isn’t primarily about setting or plot—those are different storytelling elements used for other purposes.