Question

What is a type of characterization in which the writer tells the reader what a character is like?

Answer 1

Direct or explicit characterization

Explanation:

An author can use two approaches to deliver information about a character and build an image of it:

Direct or explicit characterization
This kind of characterization takes a direct approach towards building the character. It uses another character, narrator or the protagonist himself to tell the readers or audience about the subject.

Indirect or implicit characterization
This is a more subtle way of introducing the character to the audience. The audience has to deduce for themselves the characteristics of the character by observing his/her thought process, behavior, speech, way of talking, appearance, and way of communication with other characters and also by discerning the response of other characters.

https://literarydevices.net/characterization/