how to write the character sketch
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How to Write the Character Sketch. A character sketch is an analysis. Define analyze . What does it mean to analyze something? Explain what it means to analyze a character in a book. What exactly would you do?. Analysis means breaking into parts to determine meaning. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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How to Write the Character Sketch
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A character sketch is an analysis.
• Define analyze. What does it mean to analyze something?
• Explain what it means to analyze a character in a book. What exactly would you do?
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Analysis means breaking into parts to determine meaning• Identify relevant
character traits.• Collect data that
supports those traits
• Interpret data• Formulate a
statement about the meaning.
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Why write a character sketch?• To understand a
character better• To think about
what role the character played in fulfilling the author’s message/theme of the novel.
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Writing about character
Writing about a character, whether fictional or real, involves noting and analyzing a character’s – personality– actions– thoughts and feelings– motives
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Writing about character• A character’s personality traits• A character’s physical appearance and
name• A character’s actions• A character’s choices• A character’s speech• A character’s thoughts and feelings• A character’s past• A character’s comments about others
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A character’s personality traits• Traits refer to one’s
attitudes or behaviors that reflect personality qualities.– a character may be curious,
brave, cold, loving, aggressive, open-minded, or naïve.
• Personality traits are also qualities that make us find people likeable, lovable, etc.
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A character’s appearance & name• Physical appearance is important if
it brings out a person’s unique personality qualities, culture, traditions, or influences.– His warm green eyes lead me
right to his soul.• A name is often significant as it
may reveal information about one’s family background, tradition, influences, or personality traits.
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A character’s actions• Remember the old cliché “Actions
speak louder than words.”• A character’s behavior (actions)
is usually motivated by his or her attitudes and values.
• By examining potential reasons behind the actions, you can reveal a great deal about the inner world of a character.
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A character’s choices• The choices people make regarding how
they deal with obstacles, resolve conflicts, or overcome difficulties reveal character strengths or weaknesses.
• We make judgments about people based on the choices they make every day.
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A character’s speech
• Based on what he/she says and how he/she says it, you can determine important qualities.– He/she is unhappy, selfish, sarcastic, or
domineering, uneducated.• The choice of words spoken can also
reveal important information about the character’s age, education, culture, and values.
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A character’s thoughts & feelings• The saying “A penny for
your thoughts” shows how much we wish to know others’ inner worlds.
• By sharing their thoughts and emotions, people often reveal a great deal about themselves—motives and qualities.– love, hate, fear, revenge,
etc.
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A character’s past• Setting of one’s upbringing
is important; we are the products of our early environment.
• Significant past experiences influence who we are and shape our personalities.
• Family background may also be important as it reveals values and traditions that are passed on from generation to generation.
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A character’s comments about others• What people say about others often
reveals important information about them as well. – How judgmental are they? How supportive?
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The Character Sketch
Organization
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Introduction• Introduce the character in a creative
way.– Begin with a colorful hook.– Take the reader to the time and setting
where you met your character.• Introduce major personality traits to be
developed and supported in the body. • Formulate a statement about why this
individual is significant enough to you to write about. (Central idea)
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Body• First, you may want to touch on
background of the character and his relationship to other character in the novel.
• Next, develop and support each personality trait you mentioned in the introduction.
• Provide incidents, actions, and behaviors to support your character’s qualities.
• Make sure you develop at least one full paragraph per personality trait.
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What to watch for. . .• Do not just tell what a person is
like; show qualities through the use of incidents.
• Do not describe a story or event without drawing some conclusion about your character.
• Avoid developing points about a character that you did not list in the introduction.
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Conclusion• Tell the reader why you are writing about this
unique character. This is a so what statement.• Consider discussing why this individual is
significant to you—if at all.• You may want to share how this person has
influenced you--positively or negatively.• Consider what role the character played in
fulfilling the author’s message/theme.• You definitely want to write about if this
character changed or grew during the novel
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Summary• Introduction
– Begin with a colorful hook creative; – Discuss significance of individual– Provide background information about the
character. • Body
– Use a transition to bring you from your introduction to your first body paragraph
– Develop each personality characteristic• Conclusion
– Discuss why this individual is significant to you or how he or she has changed.
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Now it’s your turn!