This is the combination of ways that an author shows readers what a person in a literary selection is like.

Characterization.

Explanation:

Characterization is the tool employed by the author to portray the distinctive character traits possessed by different characters(appearances, thoughts, manners, etc.)of the various characters that assist the readers to perceive them differently and form opinion accordingly. This equips the author with a paint-brush to paint the characters with different colors and combinations. He uses several ways to portray a particular character i.e. through action, speech, thoughts, etc. It is a literary element of representations of different classes, strata of society through the characters and their actions define their interpretation(positive or negative) among the readers. Thus, the combination of ways to show a person in a literary selection is like characterizing him/her.

that's a lot of reading foo

explanation: