Which writing approach serves to reinforce a character's development throughout a narrative?

Employing consistent character traits is an effective approach that significantly reinforces a character's development throughout a narrative. When a character is depicted with certain traits, readers can observe how these traits influence the character's decisions, actions, and interactions with others. For instance, if a character is consistently portrayed as courageous, this trait may drive them to confront challenges head-on, leading to growth and change as they face their fears or overcome obstacles. This consistency allows readers to form deeper connections with the character and understand their journey.

In contrast, while subplots, multiple timelines, and detailed backstories can enrich a narrative and add complexity, they do not inherently focus on the consistency of character development. Subplots may explore secondary characters or themes, multiple timelines can present contrasting perspectives but might distract from a character's singular development, and backstories provide context but do not guarantee ongoing character evolution in the same way that consistent traits do. Consistent character traits serve as a foundation upon which character development can occur, making this approach central to understanding character growth within a story.