Degrees of Representation


Which types of represention do you like or dislike?

Why are different types of representation meaningful to you?

If you write, which types of representation do you use? What if your character has multiple identities? What about main characters vs. leads vs. bystanders?

What are the benefits and risks of different types of representation?

Are there more types not listed here?

CharCharChar's (ever evolving) Degrees of Representation

The following list is in order of author effort (research, page time, sensitivity readers and revision), not importance. 

Head Canon: a character's identity is left unspecified, and is able to be headcanoned by fans as having a certain identity 

Implied: a character could be interpreted as having a certain identity 

Word of God: a character has been claimed outside the work as having a certain identity 

Exists: a character is coded or labeled as having a certain identity 

        Turbo Hell: "exists" but is quickly killed

        Non-Nuanced Stereotype: "exists" at a stereotype without making space for nuance

        Sticker Diversity: "exists" but may feel empty, like a last minute decision to add a diverse identity

Integrated: the identity is not focused on, but subtly impacts the character's life in noticeable ways 

Explained: a character defines, or explains an aspect of, having a certain identity 

Reflected: the character has thoughts about their identity, or their identity affects a decision (but isn't a core plot point) 

Impacts: the character's identity has a direct impact on the story 

Central: the character's identity is a core element of the story 


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