In the best of stories, it is actually characterization that moves the story along, because a compelling character in a difficult situation creates his or her own plot.. Karen Bernardo, Characterization in Literature In fictional literature, authors use many different types of characters to tell their stories.
http://learn.lexiconic.net/characters.htm
Two main categories of characters in literature are round and flat. In this lesson, you'll learn the difference between the two, and you can test your understanding with a quiz.
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Definition: Novelist E.M. Forster coined this phrase to describe characters who are fully fleshed out. Unlike a flat character, a round character is written in 3D. We probably have some understanding of a round character's thoughts, feelings, and motivations, and they may also change over the course of the story.
http://www.shmoop.com/literature-glossary/round-character.html
The second main type of character is the static character. Static characters are the opposite of dynamic; static characters do not change. The personality of that character when he is introduced is the same personality when the story comes to a close.
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Every story needs compelling characters. The characters are what give it life. They make the world the author creates real to the audience. These characters need to be believable and convincing. The audience is a great judge at what is consistent with a character's personality and what is not. Great authors are able to create vivid characters with distinct personalities.
http://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-a-static-character-definition-examples.html
There are two main types of characters. The first type is the dynamic character. Authors of gripping stories are able to provide colorful characters that can develop and grow throughout the story. These are the dynamic characters.
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Static-A static character is someone who does not change over time; his or her personality does not transform or evolve. Round-A rounded character is anyone who has a complex personality; he or she is often portrayed as a conflicted and contradictory person. Flat-A flat character is the opposite of a round character. This literary personality is notable for one kind of personality trait or characteristic. Stock-Stock characters are those types of characters who have become conventional or stereotypical through repeated use in particular types of stories.
http://learn.lexiconic.net/characters.htm
Round and Flat Characters Defined. People are quirky. They obsess over little things, fall in love, have strange habits and they're often unpredictable. Round characters in a story, play or novel are simply characters who are most like real people because they have depth. When Shrek says 'Ogres are like onions,' he means that there's more to them than what you see on the surface.
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Round characters are like onions too; they have layers. Imagine you're watching an episode of the original Star Trek. A landing party beams to a hostile alien world. There's Captain Kirk-tough guy, loyal friend, skirt chaser.
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Noun. 1. fictional character-an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story); she is the main character in the novel. character, fictitious character. imaginary being, imaginary creature-a creature of the imagination; a person that exists only in legends or myths or fiction. 1  Facebook.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Flat+character
define flat character
A flat character is the opposite of a round character.  Flat character is a kind of literary personality which is notable for one kind of personality trait or characteristic.