AP English Literature and Composition 2025 – Free Literary Terms Practice Test and Study Guide

Characterization is the process that involves revealing a character's personality through various means, such as their thoughts, actions, speech, and interactions with other characters. It can occur directly, when the author explicitly describes the character's traits, or indirectly, when readers infer personality traits from the character's behavior and dialogue. This layered approach allows readers to form a more nuanced understanding of the character and their role within the narrative.

Exposition, while important for setting the scene and providing background information, does not primarily focus on character development but rather on giving context to the story's events. Imagery refers to the use of descriptive language that appeals to the senses, enhancing the visual experience of the narrative but not specifically aimed at character portrayal. Motivation pertains to the reasons behind a character's actions, which is a component of characterization rather than a standalone process for revealing personality. Thus, characterization is the most comprehensive term for this particular process.