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In _____, the writer simply states a fact about a character.

direct characterization

personal characterization

abstract characterization

indirect characterization

direct characterization

In indirect characterization, the writer simply states a fact about a character.

In order to determine the correct answer, it is helpful to understand the concept of characterization. Characterization refers to the ways in which an author reveals and describes characters in a story. It helps readers to understand the personalities, motivations, and behaviors of the characters.

In this question, the answer lies in recognizing the different types of characterization.

Direct characterization occurs when the writer explicitly provides information about a character. They directly state the traits, qualities, or characteristics of the character in a straightforward manner. For example, the author might say, "Lucy is a kind-hearted and compassionate person."

Indirect characterization, on the other hand, involves the use of actions, dialogue, thoughts, or other factors to reveal information about a character. Instead of directly telling readers about the character, the writer allows them to infer the traits and qualities based on their observations. For instance, the author might show Lucy helping an elderly person, which indicates her kind-hearted nature without explicitly stating it.

Personal characterization and abstract characterization are not recognized terms within the context of literary analysis. Therefore, they do not serve as the correct answer.

Given this explanation, the correct answer to the question is: Direct characterization.