Final answer:
Indirect characterization uses a character's words and actions to show personality traits, contrasting with direct characterization where traits are directly described.
Step-by-step explanation:
The method of developing characters that relies on descriptions of a character's words or actions to show the character's personality traits is known as indirect characterization. This technique contrasts with direct characterization, where the narrator directly describes the character's traits to the reader. Indirect characterization builds a character through their speech, actions, and interactions with other characters, allowing readers to infer what the character is like.
For example, a character who is generous may be shown through actions of giving to others without expecting anything in return. The way characters speak, their physical actions, and their thought processes can all be used to reveal their personalities and grow as individuals within the narrative, often making them more relatable and compelling to readers.