Which description is an example of direct characterization? a. the teenager clenched the steering wheel, his hands sweaty as the semitruck whizzed past him. b. the actress waltzed onto the stage without even glancing at the thousand-member audience. c. valerie's petite frame was the complete opposite of her larger-than-life personality. d. jeremy rubbed his palms on his pants, hoping the interviewer wouldn't notice his sweaty handshake.

The correct option is C) “Valerie's petite frame was the complete opposite of her larger-than-life personality.” Direct characterization is a literary device in which the author describes the personality and physical traits of a character by using adjectives or phrases in a direct way.  

In the example C, the author directly indicates the character physical trait (petite frame) and compares it to her personality (larger-than-life personality).

The other options do not describe directly the personality or physical characteristics of characters.  

The description that is an example of direct characterization is C. Valerie's petite frame was the complete opposite of her larger-than-life personality.

Direct characterization is a literary device used by an author to describe the characters traits. The author, specifically describes the character with adjectives. He tells the reader, in a straight forward manner, what the character feels, fears or hopes. It is different from indirect characterization because in this one the author suggests the character's traits through dialogues or actions.