Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Character Sketch
Basics in a Box
Character Sketch at a Glance RUBRIC Standards for
Writing
physical description persons action and speech mannerisms of person
A successful character sketch should
present a vivid picture of the personality and physical appearance of a person establish a dominant, or main, impression of the person reveal the writers response to the person include dialogue, mannerisms, description, and other devices that show rather than tell what the character is like place the character in a context that contributes to the readers understanding of the character have a clear organizational structure and a strong conclusion
Prewriting
A writer must learn to deepen characters, trim writing, intensify scenes. Richard North Patterson
Prewriting
Whom do you want to write about?
You can choose someone you know well. You might consider an interesting
have only casually observed but whose actions are unusual or revealing.
1. Explore your feelings. How do you feel about the person? What tone will you use to convey your feelingsdetached, admiring, humorous, serious?
2. Create mental images of the person. Mentally replay scenes in which your character speaks, moves, and interacts with others. Which details stand out?
3. Place your character in a setting. Describe the person in a time and place that will reveal his or her personality. Which setting will best show how your character interacts with others? Which setting will reveal your characters inner self? 4. Create a dominant impression. What is the main impression you want to give? What descriptions and incidents involving the character will best create this impression?
Drafting
The best part of writing a character sketch is
Drafting
Show rather than tell.
Drafting
Grab attention early but save the best for last. Draw in your audience by starting with an interest ticklera funny incident or a
Revising
In a character sketch, carefully chosen words add clarity and vigor to description. Specific verbs can bring the action to life. Specific modifiers can paint vivid pictures of how things look, smell, sound, taste, and feel.
Pronouns help present ideas clearly and help prevent unnecessary repetition. Make sure your pronouns agree with their antecedents in number (singular or plural) and gender (masculine, feminine, or neuter) and are the right case (nominative, objective, or possessive).