Which of the following describes a technique used in literature to imply a character's traits without direct description?

The correct choice is characterization. This technique refers to the methods an author uses to reveal a character's personality traits and qualities through their actions, thoughts, dialogue, and interactions with other characters, rather than through direct description. This indirect form of revelation allows readers to infer traits and gain a deeper understanding of the character’s complexities.

For instance, if a character frequently helps others and shows compassion in challenging situations, readers can infer that the character is kind-hearted and altruistic. Characterization gives depth to the characters and often aids in creating a more engaging narrative by allowing readers to draw their own conclusions about the individuals in the story.

In contrast, foreshadowing involves hints or clues about events that will occur later in the plot, which does not focus on character traits. Imagery deals with creating vivid and descriptive visual representations that appeal to the senses, and while it can enhance characterization, it is not a technique for implying traits. Allegory, on the other hand, is a narrative that operates on both a literal and symbolic level, representing broader concepts or moral lessons rather than focusing on character development in the way characterization does.