What is Character Development?

Question

I used to know, but kinda forgot. i need to know for a summer reading project.

Thanks : )

Answer 1

Character Development is how a character changes over the course of the novel, short story, etc. and it is typically a change in understanding or development of psychological reasoning rather than something measurable like height or weight.  

Answer 2

First, you can find writing sites on the web that cover this and more.

Second, charater development is showing who the character is through their reactions to plot developments and obstacles in the first and second acts.  Show, don't tell.

   Show the main character in  the first act through the difficult situation, how the character reacts to it, and now what the character wants to accomplish (goal). The character's traits/personality are shown as flawed revealing what is needed to learns to overcome obstacles in the first. The character learns and takes another run at it in the second act and fails at least twice (plot twists can also be included), and the character now clearly see how to develop and respond to continue on the journey to the goal. So plan out your obstacles by seeing who this person is and who this person needs to be to accomplish the goal.  Character using integrity equals a hero.

   Some description can be used in clothing, style of speech or some physical means to show there is an inner change.