I undertook some research, and along with my professional understanding of intelligence (IQ testing is a regular part of my practice in schools), I considered it in terms of character development. Well, you’ve come to the right blog post. Sure, you can slip in their above average IQ scores as they munch over breakfast, or point out they have seven PhD’s, but what if your character is an adolescent? Or what if they live on the planet X where IQ tests aren’t used because the sentient species have acknowledged the limitations of cognitive testing? The key as a writer is to create a character who presents as intelligent in a plausible manner. In the landscape of writing, this is a trait you can harness to add layers to your character.Īlthough every psychologist who has endeavoured to define intelligence has come up with their own definition, intelligence is broadly understood as the ability to perceive or infer information, and to retain it as knowledge to be applied towards adaptive behaviours within an environment. Intelligence is attractive, and a trait we see in many a hero (and villain in fact). I’m not going into the evolutionary theories for this (including that intelligent men have a higher sperm count and women intuitively understand this and so are drawn to them), so you’ll have to take my word for it. In fact, if you’re a sapiosexual, you find intelligence as the most sexually attractive feature in a prospective partner. Glowing with satisfaction, he pinned the flower to his breast pocket.Although the concept of intelligence and what exactly it means for a person to be intelligent are the subject of considerable controversy and debate, it’s widely accepted that intelligence is valued in our society. He considered the flowers for a few seconds, then snipped the largest flower from the shrub. With the seedlings content, he turned his attention to a bed of roses. He retrieved secateurs from his pocket and clipped at the fragile seedlings with a dexterity and tenderness that would have been more likely from a grizzly bear. Instead, he delicately watered each one, giving just enough water. In his mind, he saw the man drowning the seedlings before crushing them with well meaning clumsiness. His fingers barely fit through the green, plastic handle of his watering can.Īs he approached a row of plants, Jake held his breath. His biceps strained against the frayed sleeves of his cardigan while his legs bulged in a pair of tweed trousers that would age anyone by at least ten years. His lined forehead and distinguished moustache hinted at his age, yet he radiated an unnatural youthfulness. Instead, he delicately examined the plant with a tenderness that would have seemed more likely from a grizzly bear.Ī grey haired man strode back and forth between the green-house and kitchen sink. The man looked like he should have snapped the delicate shoots with well meaning clumsiness. He reached out to one and took the sprout between his fingertips, making Jake cringe. Jake watched as he approached a row of plants. Despite sporting grey hair and what appeared to be an ancient cardigan with a rose corsage on the breast pocket, he possessed a build that would shame a boxer. Could somebody tell me which one tells you more about the character/shows more?Ī man paced back and forth between the green-house and the kitchen sink, watering can in hand. I've tried to re-write a section of a story with showing, rather than telling. Or, characterize another (minor) character as jealous of that character's long, blond hair, etc.įor more on this, see "Stein on Writing". If you want to show that a character is blond, place them in a room with darker haired people, and point out juxtaposition and how they stand out. For example, if he is an exceptionally quiet man, despite his threatening size, then showing is far more effective than just telling that, "Frank was quiet, despite his impressive height." This is especially important, if Frank has other characteristics that play into (or against) his physical size. Or you cant juxtapose the character to the height of another, more minor character something like, "Frank dwarfed the poor man standing helplessly next to him at the bus stop." However, for key points of characterization, you can almost always show, rather than tell.įor example, if the character is tall, he can duck or bump his head on a doorway. As has been pointed out, there are times when telling is just fine.
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