CHARACTER ANALYSIS

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Describing a character . . .Drawing isn’t the only way to create a portrait. You can also create a portrait using words—in a character sketch. For example, in A Christmas Carol, the reader forms an image of Scrooge’s personality based on what he looks like, what he says, what he does, and how others behave toward him.

Character Sketch

Describing a character . . .

Character Sketch

Character sketches appear in many genres, from poetry to fiction to news stories. They can help your audience feel like they truly know your character.

B a s i c s i n a B o x

Character Sketch at a Glance

RUBRIC STANDARDS FOR WRITING

A successful character sketch should

• present a vivid picture of the personality and physical appearance of the person

• give a main impression of the person

• include dialogue, mannerisms, descriptions, and other devices that show, rather than tell, what the character is like

• reveal the writer’s response to the person

• have a clear structure, a strong beginning, and a strong conclusion

Main Impression of Subject

person’s actions and speech

mannerisms of person

physical description

other people’s reactions to the

person

surroundingswriter’s feelings about the person

Start by thinking about your favorite character in the play.

Jot down as many details about this character as you can.

Whom do you want to write about?

Writing Your Character Sketch1 Prewriting

Planning Your Character Sketch

1. Explore your feelings. Why is this person

significant to the play? What details or incidents

can you describe that show why he or she is

important.?

Planning Your Character Sketch

2. Create mental images of the person. Try

picturing your subject in his or her usual

surroundings. How does your subject act,

speak, and look? Make a chart like this one to

record details.

Personality Characteristics

Physical What subject says What subject does

How others react

Planning Your Character Sketch

3. Place your character in a setting. Describe the

person in a time and place that will reveal his

or her personality. Your character is attending

a party and will reveal his/her personality

through comments about the people, the times,

and his/her significance in the play.

Planning Your Character Sketch

4. Decide on your main impression. What

impression do you want your audience to have

about the person? Which details from your chart

best create this impression?

Writing Your Character Sketch

As you write your first draft, try to visualize the person. Focus on the main impression you want to create. Get your ideas down on paper. You can go back and revise your work later.

2 Drafting

Writing Your Character Sketch

Show, Don’t Tell

Good character sketches include plenty of details that help readers visualize. Instead of telling readers everything about your subject, use examples and dialogue that show what your subject is like. For example, in A Christmas Carol, Scrooge refuses to give Christmas tips to his servants or his employee. Readers can see for themselves that Scrooge is stingy.

2 Drafting

Writing Your Character Sketch

Organizing Your Draft

One way to draft your introduction is to grab your audience’s attention with a curious detail or quote. Develop your subject’s personality in the body of the essay. Your ending should leave readers with a clear picture of your subject and how you feel about him or her.

All of these parts should be balanced and connected by effective transitions and unified ideas.

2 Drafting

TARGET SKILL

WORD CHOICE

Carefully chosen verbs and adjectives can

bring a character to life. Specific words help

to create vivid writing.

Writing Your Character Sketch3 Revising

Transition Words Paragraphs Punctuation Specific Word Choice Voice Spelling

4 Editing and ProofreadingWriting Your Character Sketch

Read your essay out loud. Listen to it. Have your writing partner read it. Does it sound convincing and realistic? Will the audience be convinced?

4 REVISEWriting Your Character Sketch

FOR YOUR WRITING FOLDER

5 ReflectingWriting Your Character Sketch

What did you learn while doing this assignment?

How did writing this character sketch change

the way you look at people?