Authors have several different ways to develop characters in a novel. How can an author can develop a character?

Responses

They can state something about a character directly or describe their appearance.
They can state something about a character directly or describe their appearance.

They can show a character in action and describe how others respond.
They can show a character in action and describe how others respond.

They can develop characters through dialogue.
They can develop characters through dialogue.

All of the above

All of the above. An author can use a combination of direct description, actions, reactions from other characters, and dialogue to develop a well-rounded and fully-realized character in a novel.