Characterisation
How authors build characters
Finding Grace | Alyssa Brugman
Lesson 1: What is characterisation?
LESSON 1 · LEARNING GOALS
What will we learn today?
1
Review
Review Plot Structure
2
Define
Know what characterisation means and why it matters in any novel.
3
Identify
Spot the TWO main types: direct and indirect characterisation.
4
Apply
Find examples of characterisation in Finding Grace.
Recap: The Narrative Arc - Plot Structure
Before we build characters, we must remember where they live: the Plot Architecture / Plot structure
Every great character travels through specific stages of tension. Without these stages, a character has nowhere to go and nothing to overcome.

Remember
The Climax isn't just an action scene; it's often the moment where a character's true nature is most revealed.
Reviewing the Arc
Answers on the next slide...
Place the stages of the narrative arc in the correct chronological order.
Exposition
Rising Action
Resolution / Denouement
Climax
Reviewing the Arc
Place the stages of the narrative arc in the correct chronological order.
01
Exposition
02
Rising Action
03
Climax
04
Resolution / Denouement
Key Vocabulary
Characterisation
How an author reveals a character's personality and traits.
Motivation
The internal or external reasons behind a character's actions.
Protagonist
The main character who drives the action and faces the central conflict.
Archetype
A universal pattern or character type that recurs across literature.
The Hook: Showing vs Telling
Which is more powerful?
  1. "John was a very angry man."
  1. "John's knuckles whitened as he gripped the steering wheel, his jaw clenched so tight deep lines formed around his mouth."
Why does the second sentence make us feel John's anger instead of just knowing it?
WHAT IS CHARACTERISATION?
The way an author builds a character

Characterisation is the way an author creates and develops characters — showing us who they are, what they want, and why they act the way they do.
Why does it matter?
Characters drive the plot — what they want creates conflict.
We connect with characters emotionally — we care what happens to them.
Characters carry the novel's themes — they show us ideas about life.
In Finding Grace, understanding characters helps us understand the novel's message about empathy and dignity.
TWO TYPES OF CHARACTERISATION
Told vs. Shown
DIRECT
The author TELLS you directly what a character is like.
Example:
"Rachel was stubborn and always thought she knew best."
Straightforward — but less interesting than showing.
INDIRECT
The author SHOWS you — through actions, words, thoughts, and how others react.
Example:
"Rachel opened the box again, even though she knew she shouldn't."
More powerful — we work it out for ourselves.
Direct vs Indirect Characterisation
DIRECT
Explicit Telling
Author states traits directly.
Example: 'She was an honest, hardworking student.'

🔑 Key point
Fast, but can be less engaging for readers.
INDIRECT
Implicit Showing
Reader infers traits via S.T.E.A.L.:
  • Speech
  • Thoughts
  • Effect on others
  • Actions
  • Looks

🔑 Key point
Engages readers through observation.

How Authors Master Characterisation
Watch how professional writers use specific descriptive details and narrative voice to distinguish their characters and make them feel 'real'.
What is S..T.E.A.L? → woRKSHEET
S.T.E.A.L - what does this reveal about a character?
The Big Idea
Authors don't just tell us what a character is like — they show us through carefully crafted details. S.T.E.A.L is a framework for decoding those clues. Great readers learn to spot them; great writers learn to use them.
Speech
What a character says — and how they say it — reveals personality, values, and relationships.
Example: A character who speaks in short, clipped sentences may be hiding something.
Thoughts
Access to a character’s inner monologue shows their true feelings versus what they present outwardly.
Example: A character who smiles but thinks, “I can’t stand being here,” reveals inner conflict.
Effect on others
How other characters react to or feel about someone tells us a lot about their influence and presence.
Example: If people go quiet when a character enters the room, they likely hold power or fear.
Actions
What a character does, especially under pressure, is the truest indicator of who they are.
Example: A character who gives their last food to a stranger shows selflessness.
Looks
Physical appearance, clothing, and body language can reflect personality or circumstance.
Example: A character with paint-stained hands and wild hair suggests a passionate, creative nature.
Activity 1 - Direct or Indirect
Finding Grace
Meet the key characters
Rachel
Protagonist & narrator
18 years old. Just finished school. Thinks she knows everything — at first. Hired to care for Grace. Changes a lot over the novel.
Mr Preston
Solicitor & Grace's protector
Mysterious. Hired Rachel. Deeply devoted to Grace. His true connection to Grace is revealed slowly — adding moral depth.
Grace
Brain-injured woman
Cannot speak. Seems passive at first. But through "the spooky box" we discover she was confident, ambitious and complex before her accident.
Hiro
Rachel's university friend
Quirky and confident. Acts as a foil to Rachel — his self-assurance highlights her insecurities and helps her grow.
LESSON 1 ACTIVITY
Direct or Indirect?

Read each quote from Finding Grace. Decide: is it DIRECT or INDIRECT characterisation? Write your answer and explain HOW you know.
"Grace had a brain injury. That's just how she was."
Think: Who is telling us this? Directly?
"She was particularly obstinate about not making coffee."
Think: Told or shown?
"Rachel opened the spooky box and read every letter twice."
Think: What does this action show about Rachel?
"Mr Preston visited every Sunday without fail."
Think: What does this action reveal?
WORKSHEET - SPEECH
Speech - The Challenge of Grace
Rachel’s Speech — Examples from the Novel
WORKSHEET - THOUGHTS
Thoughts in Finding Grace
Rachel’s Thoughts — Examples
What does this moment reveal about how Rachel’s thoughts about Grace have changed? What does it suggest about Rachel’s character development? Jot down some dot points in the space below.
WORKSHEET - EFFECTS
Effect Examples from the Novel
What does Mr Preston’s belief in Grace reveal about her character? What does his dedication tell us about the effect she has on the people who loved her?
This is revealed through others’ memories of Grace. What does this detail show us about who Grace was? What effect did her personality have on her colleagues?

WORKSHEET - actions
Action Examples from the Novel
What does this action reveal (show) about Rachel at this point in the novel? Is it simply carelessness, or does it reveal something deeper about her attitude toward Grace?

SCAFFOLD on the next page

Compare this action to the bathtub incident. What has changed? What does this shift in action reveal about Rachel’s character arc?

WORKSHEET - LOOKS
Appearance Examples from the Novel
The opening line introduces Grace through her condition rather than her appearance. What does this choice (to focus on Grace's condition rather than what she looks like) reveal about how Brugman wants us to first see Grace? What is the effect on the reader?
This is a description of the pre-accident Grace. What does this appearance-based description reveal? How does it contrast (how is it different) with the Grace Rachel sees every day?

Scaffolded on the next page
Motivation: The Engine of Plot
Why do they do it?
Characters don't just exist; they want. Motivation is what pushes a character into the 'Rising Action' of a plot.
  • Internal: Personal growth, overcoming fear, seeking love.
  • External: Surviving an apocalypse, winning a race, saving a friend.
Plot is no more than footprints left in the snow after your characters have run by on their way to unbelievable destinations. — Ray Bradbury
The Secret to Great Characters — Characterization Explained
Character Types
What kind of character are they?
Protagonist
The MAIN character. The story follows them. Usually changes.
e.g. Rachel — our narrator, changes throughout.
Antagonist
Creates CONFLICT or obstacles for the protagonist.
e.g. Grace's sisters — they get in the way and treat Grace badly.
Dynamic
CHANGES during the story — grows, learns, or breaks down.
e.g. Rachel — her whole attitude changes by the end.
Static
STAYS THE SAME — doesn't develop. Often supporting characters.
e.g. Grace's sisters remain selfish throughout.
Foil
CONTRASTS with another character, making their traits stand out more.
e.g. Hiro's confidence makes Rachel's insecurity clearer.
Round
COMPLEX — has many layers, like a real person. Surprising and human.
e.g. Grace — once we discover her past, she is fully human.
ANALYSE TEMPLATE
How to ANALYSE a character — step by step

To ANALYSE means: break something down and explain HOW it works and WHY it matters.
1
Make a CLAIM
In Finding Grace, Brugman characterises [character] as [trait].
2
Give EVIDENCE
This is shown when [quote / action / moment from the novel].
3
EXPLAIN the technique
Brugman uses [direct / indirect characterisation / STEAL technique] here.
4
Explain the EFFECT
This tells the reader that [what we understand about the character].
EVALUATE TEMPLATE
How to EVALUATE a character technique

To EVALUATE means: judge how WELL or EFFECTIVELY something works — and say WHY.
1
State your JUDGEMENT
Brugman's characterisation of [character] is [effective / powerful / complex] because...
2
Explain HOW it's done
By using [technique], the author is able to [what it achieves].
3
Connect to THEME
This is significant because it develops the theme of [theme, e.g. empathy / dignity / growth].
4
Give YOUR VIEW
Overall, I think this technique is [effective / subtle / surprising] because it [makes the reader feel / realise / question]...
WORKED EXAMPLE
Analyse response — annotated

Question: How does Brugman characterise Rachel in chapters 9–17?
In Finding Grace, Brugman characterises Rachel as a curious and growing young woman. This is shown when Rachel opens the spooky box and reads Grace's old letters repeatedly. Brugman uses indirect characterisation here — Rachel's actions reveal her character without the author stating it directly. This tells the reader that Rachel is beginning to see Grace as a real person, not just a job — an early sign of her empathy developing.
CLAIM
EVIDENCE
TECHNIQUE
EFFECT
Your turn — write a response

Use the ANALYSE template on your worksheet to respond to this question:
How does Brugman characterise Grace in chapters 18–25? Use the ANALYSE steps. Include at least ONE quote or specific moment.
Hints to get you started:
  • Think about what Rachel calls Grace — 'Snow White' vs 'turtledove'. Why does it change?
  • What does Mr Preston's care for Grace tell us about who she was?
  • How does Grace's 'spooky box' reveal her character indirectly?
WRAP UP — TWO LESSONS OF LEARNING
What do you now know?
1
Characterisation
The way an author builds and reveals who a character is — through what is said, done, thought, and shown.
2
Direct vs Indirect
Direct = TOLD. Indirect = SHOWN. Most skilled authors prefer indirect — it's more powerful and involves the reader.
3
Character types
Protagonist, antagonist, dynamic, static, foil, round. Each type serves a purpose in the story.
4
STEAL method
Speech, Thoughts, Effect on others, Actions, Looks. Use these to find evidence of characterisation.
5
How to Analyse
Claim → Evidence → Technique → Effect. Always explain HOW and WHY, not just WHAT.
6
How to Evaluate
Judge HOW EFFECTIVELY the technique works. Connect to theme. Give your own reasoned view.