The correct answer is D. The way an author describes or conveys a character's traits
Step-by-step explanation:
The word characterization in literature refers to the way characters are constructed and presented to the reader, this means the way the readers gets to know the physical, emotional and personality traits of a character during a story or literary work, in this way, the reader can know and understand all the features of a character. In general terms, the writer can describe the character by using two different approaches these are describing the character directly through words, especially adjectives (Direct characterization) or presentong the character behavior and actions that suggest the character is in some way (Indirect characterization). Thus, the phrase that best defines characterization is the way the author describes or conveys a character's traits as characterization is about letting the reader know how a character is.