One Dimensional Character
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Maybe they use it bombastically, as in 'less dimensional than two-dimensional'?
Maybe 2-D characters have names, and 1-D are just the ones who run errands and provide reactions?
Maybe 2-D characters have names, and 1-D are just the ones who run errands and provide reactions?
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A character you can describe using only superficial descriptors, such as 'selfish' or 'evil' or 'wise' or 'kind'. A three-dimensional character is both selfish and selfless, good and evil, wise and foolish, kind and mean, depending on the situation.
A one-dimensional character is defined by one singular aspect of his personality or who exists solely to fulfill one particular, categorical role. [Think of the wise, old mentor who exists solely to teach the main character, be old and wise, and then killed off to give the main character motivation.]
A two-dimensional character has the facade of a real personality, but there is no depth or reason behind it. His goals, wants, and needs are defined, but there is no passion, logic, or believable motivation behind them. He is "flat." [Think of the main character whose clearly a Mary Sue, for whom you could list a bunch of adjectives and descriptors, but really, its quite boring, and whenever there's a plot point where this character must make a decision, you want to throw the book at the wall.]
And a three-dimensional character is, well, like a real-life person. [Think of your favorite character ever who you feel you know like an old friend.]
A four-dimensional character is like a three-dimensional character, but he can time travel. [Think of Dr. Manhattan. Or if you prefer, Dr. Who.]
A two-dimensional character has the facade of a real personality, but there is no depth or reason behind it. His goals, wants, and needs are defined, but there is no passion, logic, or believable motivation behind them. He is "flat." [Think of the main character whose clearly a Mary Sue, for whom you could list a bunch of adjectives and descriptors, but really, its quite boring, and whenever there's a plot point where this character must make a decision, you want to throw the book at the wall.]
And a three-dimensional character is, well, like a real-life person. [Think of your favorite character ever who you feel you know like an old friend.]
A four-dimensional character is like a three-dimensional character, but he can time travel. [Think of Dr. Manhattan. Or if you prefer, Dr. Who.]
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A one dimensional character fufills one function.
A guard guards.
An old wise man gives advice.
A mother mothers.
A firefighter fights fires.
We know nothing more about them and they don't do anything more in our story, than what they were created for.
I hope that helps.
A guard guards.
An old wise man gives advice.
A mother mothers.
A firefighter fights fires.
We know nothing more about them and they don't do anything more in our story, than what they were created for.
I hope that helps.
So does a two-dimensional character have two 'functions', or a function but also a slight personality trait?
The guard who guards, but also has a taste for pornography?
The mother who is also cheating on father?
A firefighter who likes pink bubblegum and chews it on the job?
The guard who guards, but also has a taste for pornography?
The mother who is also cheating on father?
A firefighter who likes pink bubblegum and chews it on the job?
What's with these freakishly basic questions?
A one dimensional character is one whose actions, dialogue, and decisions are justified by only one personality. Or it's just a puppet of the author.
Depending on how well you know the characters, characters can be easy or hard to develop.
However, I also read somewhere that, unfortunately, not everyone can create interesting characters.
A one dimensional character is one whose actions, dialogue, and decisions are justified by only one personality. Or it's just a puppet of the author.
Depending on how well you know the characters, characters can be easy or hard to develop.
However, I also read somewhere that, unfortunately, not everyone can create interesting characters.
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In a forum called Basic Writing Questions, the answer to that should be fairly obvious, Blue. Everyone is a beginner at some point, and I recall you asking your fair share of basic, searchable questions when you first joined. Please give other members the same courtesy.
yes, I agree with you. I'm not trying to be mean or anything, but this is a little TOO basic. I read writing articles about these kind of things instead of posting. there were articles about characters on Vision, there's really no need to post a question like this.
And reading those articles works for you, and that's great. Honest. However, other people learn in different ways, and one of those ways is by asking questions on this forum. It's why we are here. If you would like to link to those articles to provide posters with further information, by all means, do so. But please do not actively discourage them from asking.
Perhaps I should zip it. I was hoping someone noticed the pattern of posts he was making. He actually started 8 other related threads as this, he could have went back to his past posts. There was a second "involve the reader" post that wasn't locked.
Really hope I wasn't too rude.
Never mind. Forget I was here okay?
Really hope I wasn't too rude.
Never mind. Forget I was here okay?
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Blue...there are no basic questions to those who are asking them. Shame on you. You have received hundreds, if not thousands, of replies to your writing questions here.
I didn't mean it. I never called his questions stupid. I mean that they seem so basic, that I wonder why the OP never looked it up.
It doesn't matter anyway. I found threads like these helpful, for some reason.
Again, forget I was here.
It doesn't matter anyway. I found threads like these helpful, for some reason.
Again, forget I was here.
I know you thank people, blue. I got your rep. I just meant that you should be more patient with others who are asking what you deem to be basic questions. We all start somewhere. The fact that you find it basic means that you are growing. Patience for others is a gift that you can give them.
Meanwhile, back on topic ...
Along with the myriad other advice, I like to use the same criteria I would in creating a graphic design: Simpilicity, contrast, white space, balance, alignment.
Simplicity. Approachable, recognizable, immediate. Enemies of simplicyt: clutter and excessive detail. Ways to get there: reduction, regularization and combination.
Contrast. "Differences that make a difference." Think of value, hue, orientation, texture, shape, position, orientation and size. Contrasts means differentiation, emphasis, activity and interest.
White space. As Roger Waters says, "leave a little space." Making sure neither the positive or negative dominate each other.
Balance. Achieving harmony.
Alignment. Where are your characters in the world? Views? More.
Use a checklist for something like this and it will keep characters from being one dimensional.
Along with the myriad other advice, I like to use the same criteria I would in creating a graphic design: Simpilicity, contrast, white space, balance, alignment.
Simplicity. Approachable, recognizable, immediate. Enemies of simplicyt: clutter and excessive detail. Ways to get there: reduction, regularization and combination.
Contrast. "Differences that make a difference." Think of value, hue, orientation, texture, shape, position, orientation and size. Contrasts means differentiation, emphasis, activity and interest.
White space. As Roger Waters says, "leave a little space." Making sure neither the positive or negative dominate each other.
Balance. Achieving harmony.
Alignment. Where are your characters in the world? Views? More.
Use a checklist for something like this and it will keep characters from being one dimensional.
While this is excellent advice for an expert writer, it seems wee complicated and almost overwhelming answer for a basic question. As a new writer I'd now be thinking "how in the world do I clutter a character?"
Flat Stanley's pretty one dimensional and that author's sold a TON of books. It's a very popular series and he's, you know, FLAT.
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No, that's a three-dimensional character. Which is the goal.
A two-dimensional character is just a line sketch--a flat character. Sometimes they're helpful, as when a character appears very briefly ("An angry man shouted, 'He's lying!'") Other times they seem too spare for what's needed.
A one-dimensional character would be a point, but as others have said, it's probably hyperbole for "poorly realized even for a two-dimensional character."
A three-dimensional object has depth. A two-dimensional object is a flat representation of something you can hold in your hand. A one-dimensional object is a point.
Flat Stanley is three-dimensional! Otherwise he couldn't mail himself to his grandmother. Don't be dissin' Flat Stanley!
Good point, Dave.
As always, I refer to this thread first, since it is homegrown and very good and also the reason whi I became a member here.
Next, as others have said, recommend using the search function and sifting through whatever you find. Finally, rather than passing along more anecdotal, here are a few other sources outside AW to help build yourself an answer to this question:
Writing three-dimensional characters (4 parts). Link
Flat character. Link
2D and 3D characters. Link
and
Character Development. Link
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