Another feature of many good stories is that the characters in them — or at least the main character — are interesting to the reader. If you are interested in a character, you will want to listen to or read the story in order to find out what will happen to this character.

You will be interested in a character if you know a lot about him or her. You may be able to identify with the character or make connections. You may think about how the character is or is not like someone you know. You may wish the character was someone you would like to know or even wish the character was like you.

Authors develop characters in different ways:

• Direct presentation — sometimes a writer will tell you directly what a character is like.

"The quiet girl was very polite and did not disobey her parents."

In this sentence, the author is telling the reader about the personality of this character. She is quiet, polite, and does not disobey her parents.

• Indirect presentation — sometimes a writer will tell you about a character through the character’s actions, words, and the character’s interaction with others in the story.

"Sarah sat quietly while her parents talked to their friends who came for a visit. After awhile, Sarah's mother asked her to bring in something for everyone to eat. Sarah eagerly went and brought in coffee and the dessert she had made earlier."

In this sentence, the author is showing that Sarah is quiet, polite, and does not disobey her parents.