characterisation

Everyday

1. The way a writer or actor shows what a character in a story is like. tree →
2. (formal) A description of the main qualities of someone or something. tree →

In the lessons

In English lessons: how an author creates characters through speech, actions, thoughts and how others react. Exam language: «comment on the writer's characterisation of the villain». Science (formal): characterisation of a material describes its properties.

Examples

• The author's characterisation of the giant makes him kind as well as scary. tree →
• We studied characterisation in our reading lesson. tree →
• Good characterisation makes readers care about a hero. tree →
• The actor's characterisation of the king was brilliant. tree →
• That is an unfair characterisation of my friend. tree →
• Use dialogue to help your characterisation. tree →
• The subtle characterisation of the various occupations reaches a high level of artistic merit. tree →

Note

UK spelling -isation; US -ization. Verb: characterise/characterize. Do not confuse with «character» (the person in the story).