English First Additional Language - Term 1 - Week 2

Think about your favourite series on TV, maybe set in Mamelodi or Umlazi. The characters—like Lerato hustling to school during load-shedding—make you care about what happens next. In stories, characters are the people, animals, or even objects that drive the action. For example, in a short story set in Khayelitsha, Sipho might be a minibus taxi driver trying to support his family. The choices he makes, the way he speaks, and how he reacts to challenges reveal who he is. Understanding characters helps you connect with the story and answer exam questions that ask, 'Describe the main character’s personality.' Don’t confuse character (the person) with characterisation (how the writer shows what they’re like)—that’s a common mistake. Remember: character is who, characterisation is how.

Imagine Ahmed’s teacher says, 'Ahmed is honest.' That’s direct characterisation—the writer tells you exactly what the character is like. But if Ahmed refuses to cheat during a test, even when his friends do, the writer is showing you through actions. That’s indirect characterisation. In South African stories, writers often use both. For example, 'Thandi is generous' (direct), or 'Thandi shared her last vetkoek with a hungry child' (indirect). In the NSC exam, you’ll be asked to give evidence for your answers. Don’t just say, 'Sipho is brave.' Prove it: 'Sipho is brave because he stood up to the gang in Soweto.' A common misconception is thinking only what a character says is evidence. Actions, thoughts, and what others say about them also count.

Picture a story where Lerato always helps her neighbours during water cuts in Polokwane. Her kindness isn’t just a trait—it shapes the plot. Because she helps, people trust her, and she’s chosen to lead a community project. Characterisation affects how we understand the story’s message. If a character changes—like Sipho learning to forgive after a fight—it’s called character development. In exams, you might be asked, 'How does Thandi’s character influence the outcome?' Always link the trait to the story’s events. Don’t just list adjectives; explain the effect. Many learners lose marks by repeating the same trait or not linking it to the plot. Always ask: How does this trait change what happens?

Step 1: Read the sentence: 'Sipho was a determined young man.' Step 2: Identify what the writer is doing. The writer is telling us directly about Sipho’s personality, without making us guess. Step 3: State the technique. This is direct characterisation because the trait is named outright in the text. Step 4: Give the answer. The sentence uses direct characterisation to show Sipho is determined. You can quote this as evidence in an exam. Step 5: Check your logic. If you can replace the sentence with 'Sipho is [trait],' and it still makes sense, it’s direct characterisation. This method is often used to quickly establish a character’s qualities, especially in short stories where space is limited.

Step 1: Read the passage: 'Thandi waited for everyone to eat before taking her share.' Step 2: Ask what this action shows. Thandi is considerate and puts others first, even when she might be hungry herself. Step 3: Identify the technique. The writer shows Thandi’s trait through her actions, not by telling us directly. This requires the reader to infer or deduce the character’s qualities based on behaviour. Step 4: Answer. This is indirect characterisation; Thandi’s actions show she is considerate. In an exam, you would quote this action and explain what it reveals about her. Step 5: Double-check. If you have to work out the trait from what the character does, says, or thinks, it’s indirect characterisation. This method makes stories more realistic and engaging for readers.

Question: In a story, Ahmed fixes his neighbour’s broken fence without being asked. Is this direct or indirect characterisation? Let’s think: Did the writer tell us Ahmed is helpful, or show it through his actions? The answer: Indirect characterisation, because Ahmed’s actions reveal he is helpful without the writer stating it directly. Now you try: 'Lerato is always honest,' the story says. Is this direct or indirect? Think about whether the writer is telling you or showing you. Answer: Direct characterisation, because the writer tells you directly that Lerato is honest. Remember to always check if you have to infer the trait or if it’s stated.

Question: Sipho refuses to join a protest because he fears violence. How does this trait affect the story? Think: What happens because Sipho is cautious? Model answer: Sipho’s caution keeps him safe, but he misses out on supporting his friends, which might affect his relationships. Your turn: Thandi forgives a friend who betrayed her. How does this trait affect the story? Think about the consequences of forgiveness in friendships. Answer: Thandi’s forgiveness helps repair their friendship and brings peace to their group. Always link the character’s trait to the story’s events or outcomes for full marks.

1. List two ways a writer can show what a character is like. For example, through what the character says or does. 2. Identify if the following is direct or indirect characterisation: 'Ahmed is hardworking.' Explain your answer. 3. Name the difference between character and characterisation. Give a short example for each to show you understand.

1. Give an example of indirect characterisation from a story you know, and explain what trait it reveals. 2. Describe a character trait of Lerato using evidence from a passage. Write a full sentence with a quote or paraphrase. 3. Explain how Sipho’s bravery changes the outcome of a story. Make sure to link the trait to the plot or resolution.

1. Analyse how Thandi’s characterisation helps develop the theme in a story set in Durban. Use evidence and explain the link to the theme. 2. Compare the use of direct and indirect characterisation in a given extract. Give examples of each and explain their effect. 3. Justify why understanding characterisation is important for answering Paper 2 exam questions, using your own words and an example.

• Sipho helped his neighbour carry groceries.
• Thandi is a generous person.
• Ahmed smiled at the children.
• Lerato waited patiently in the queue.

Answer: Thandi is a generous person.

Direct characterisation tells you the trait directly, using explicit words. The other options show actions, not direct statements, so they require you to infer the trait.

• Character is a person; characterisation is how they are described.
• Characterisation is a person; character is how they are described.
• Both are the same thing.
• Character is only found in novels.

Answer: Character is a person; characterisation is how they are described.

Many confuse the two. Character is the person or figure in the story, while characterisation is the method the writer uses to reveal what the character is like. Knowing this difference is key for answering exam questions correctly.

• Describing a character’s thoughts.
• Showing a character’s actions.
• Telling the reader the character is kind.
• Revealing what others say about the character.

Answer: Telling the reader the character is kind.

Telling the reader a trait is direct characterisation, not indirect. Indirect methods require the reader to infer traits from thoughts, actions, or what others say. This distinction is often tested in exams.

• 2 marks
• 4 marks
• 10 marks
• 20 marks

Answer: 4 marks

Short character questions in NSC Paper 2 are usually worth 2-4 marks, requiring evidence and explanation. Longer essays can be 10 or 20 marks, but those are for full literary essays, not short character questions.

• It forces readers to think and infer traits.
• It makes stories shorter.