The Character Sketch

The Character Sketch

I. Selecting a Subject

II. Creating Description

III. Including Action

IV. Developing a Character_s Speech

V. Including a Setting

Pre-Writing Questions for the Character Sketch

A Person Who Made a Difference

1. Name a person who has made a difference in your life and explain what the difference has been.

2. If the person is a family member, where do you see him/her most often? If the person is not a family member, where did you meet him/her?

3. What do other people think of tthis person? What might other people say about him/her?

4. Picture this person. Describe him/her in as much detail as you can. Include facial features, physical appearance, clothing, manner of speech.

5. How does his/her appearance reflect his/her personality?

6. When you picture this person, what do you think of him/her doing?

7. Describe something special or memorable that happened between you. This should be an incident that shows how this person has made a difference in your life.

The Character Sketch Format, aauthor of Sentence Composing.

First Paragraph (one sentence) Use the answers to your first two pre-writing questions to write the first sentence, but do not reveal the person_s name or identity.

Second Paragraph (several sentences) In the first sentence of this pparagraph, name the person, the person_s relationship to you, and include the information from pre-writing question 3. Then support that topic sentence with selected details from your answers to 4, 5, and 6. Don_t use all your details, just the ones that fit the topic sentence.

Third Paragraph (several sentences) Write another paragraph that uses other details about your person from pre-writing questions 4, 5, and 6. Be sure to include a simile in the first sentence of this paragraph.

Fourth Paragraph (several sentences) Write a paragraph about your answer to question 7.

Fifth Paragraph (one sentence) Write a final paragraph that summarizes why this person is important to you. It should connect back to your first paragraph.

Remember–Show! Don_t Tell! Use action verbs iinstead of linking verbs.

TABOO WORDS: has, had, is are, was, were, be been, a lot

Character Sketch Editing Guide

Answer yes or no. If no, fix!

Write your title here:________________________________

Paragraph 1

a. Is it written in one sentence?______

b. Do you say where you met this person or where you see this person most often?_____

c. Do you tell how this person has made a difference to you?_____

d. You should not use the character_s name!

Paragraph 2

a. Does the first sentence name the person?_____

b. DDoes the first sentence tell the person_s relationship to you?_____

c. Do you adequately describe the character?_____ Physical______ Personality_____

d. Did you use action verbs?_____ List at least two:_____, _____

Paragraph 3

a. Do you have a simile in your first sentence? Write it here:______________________________________________

b. Do you continue to describe the character?________ Physical_____ Personality_____

c. Did you use action verbs?_____List at least two:_____, _____

Paragraph 4

a. Do you describe one event shared by you and the character? _____

b. Do you explain how this event has shown you the importance of your character?_____

c. Did you use words or phrases which appeal to your senses?______ List two:_________, ___________

Paragraph 5

a. Is your final paragraph one sentence? _______

b. Did you restate why this person is important to you?_____

Revision: -Revise sentences with linking verbs. Use strong action verbs:

Her long hair is blonde.

*Her long blonde hair cascades over slim, rounded shoulders.

-Add words or phrases which appeal to your senses.

-Spelling? When in doubt, check it out!

-Blah words? Consult a thesaurus?