What technique is often used to evoke empathy in characters?

The technique of providing backstory or depth to characters' motivations and struggles is crucial for evoking empathy in readers. When authors offer insight into a character's past experiences, challenges, and inner conflicts, they create a more tangible and relatable figure. This depth allows readers to understand why a character behaves in certain ways and to feel compassion for their circumstances. As a result, the reader can connect emotionally, investing themselves in the character's journey and potential growth.

In contrast, while detailed settings can enhance a story's atmosphere, they do not inherently provide insight into a character's emotional state or motivations. Complex vocabulary may enrich the language of a text, but it does not automatically foster an emotional connection between the reader and the characters. Similarly, intricate plot twists can engage the reader's mind but may distract from the emotional depth necessary to build empathy, rather than directly contributing to the understanding of a character's emotional experiences.