b.through the writer’s statements about the character
What direct characterization is is when the author blatantly/obviously/directly tells readers about traits of a character. This does not leave anything for readers to interpret as typically readers will infer characteristics about a character based upon a character’s actions, thought, or words. However, direct characterization will have the author say something about a character like, “He always had a soft spot for anything sentimental and would always speak politely to older people because he wished others would one day treat him with respect when he got old.”