Final answer:
The best example of characterization among the provided options is C, which shows a character's behavior revealing personality traits and motivations. Characterization is a literary tool used to convey information about the characters in a story through their actions, descriptions, and dialogue.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the concept of characterization, which is the process by which authors convey information about characters in literature. It involves developing characters through actions, descriptions, dialogue, and reflection. Understanding characterization is essential for readers to imagine the characters as real people and for them to become more engaged with the narrative, whether it's fiction or nonfiction.
In the provided examples, the best example of characterization is option C: "John made sure to laugh at jokes that weren’t funny and to listen to people’s stories about their boring jobs and families." This sentence indirectly reveals character traits through behavior, suggesting that John is a person who wants to be polite or fit in, even if it means being insincere. Such behaviors can hint at deeper aspects of a character's personality or their motivations, making this a stronger example of characterization than the other options, which simply describe actions without deeper insight into the characters.
In literary analysis, watching for these subtle details can unveil the complexity of characters, much like examining how characters interact with their settings or how they respond to certain events. Through careful observation and attention to detail, readers can appreciate the nuances of literary character development.