Which term refers to how a character is depicted through their thoughts and actions?

The term that refers to how a character is depicted through their thoughts and actions is indirect characterization. This literary technique allows a reader to infer a character’s personality and traits based on what the character does, thinks, and says, rather than through explicit descriptions provided by the narrator. For example, if a character displays kindness through their actions, such as helping others or expressing empathy in their thoughts, the reader is meant to understand that this character is compassionate without being directly told so.

Indirect characterization enriches the narrative by allowing readers to engage more deeply with the text, encouraging them to interpret the character’s motives and feelings based on their behavior. This creates a more immersive and interactive experience as readers piece together information to form a complete picture of the character's personality.

Direct characterization, on the other hand, involves straightforward statements by the author about a character's traits, while a character arc refers to the transformation a character undergoes throughout a story. Character analysis encompasses the examination of various elements of a character, including their behavior, motivations, and development, but does not specifically refer to the method of depiction through thoughts and actions.