Today, we learned about the two types of characterization: direct and indirect characterization. We then applied what we learned by analyzing characters from James Baldwin’s “The Rockpile” using the STEAL method: Speech, Thoughts, Effect on Others, Actions, and Looks. Now, apply characterization to yourself. If someone were using the STEAL method to characterize you, how would they describe you? Select all parts of STEAL and explain what they reveal about your personality. Use specific examples. For example, what do your actions reveal about you? What does the way you speak reveal? How do you affect others? What might your thoughts or appearance communicate about who you are?

 mmm i'm not really a big fan of this one unfortunately, too personal for my taste, sorry mr. rease :/

Prompt Response
I'm going to be basing this paragraph off what people tell me. Lots of people tell me that my speech patterns really depend on who I'm talking to, which I guess gives me the impression that I adapt who I am to the people I'm around, making me less authentic. But, I'd say that's far from the truth, because my journey is to fight for one's authenticity. Lots of people say I move timidly with lots of extrovertedness, which reveals how in reality I suck at interactions and socializing, but I push through it to be as sociable and fun to be around as possible. Lots of people say that they feel like it's easy to be around me because of how I'm so flexible, and how I help them through their hard times, which makes me feel happy because that's exactly what I'm trying to accomplish every day; but sometimes, people say I'm intimidating to be around because of the way I dress, since I'm more into grunge and alt fashion, some people said it's hard to cold approach me because the way I look dissuades from that kind of openness that my actions and my behavior demonstrates. All in all, I guess the things that people see me as are a person who's dependable, bright, loud, and resilient, but also just wants to be quiet and introspective at the end of the day because that's who I really am.

Summary
Today (technically Sept. 17th) we reviewed our analyses of James Baldwin's "The Rockpile" and took on a new assignment about applying this STEAL technique with the characters in the story.

Reflection
I had lots of fun reading and analyzing this story since it really said a lot about how things were like in Depression-era Harlem, and some problems that still linger to this day like tense environments growing up, authoritative households, and more. I also love using this STEAL method. I already kind of did it when I analyzed characters, but I think it really put it in a simple frame to understand and now I can articulate my thought process a lot better because of it.

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