CHARACTER SKETCH EXAMPLE FULL

–How does the person smell? Does he or she commonly smell like coffee, for example, or a certain perfume? (I realize I’m sneaking this one in under “Looks,” but a person’s smell contributes, I think, to the overall physical impact.)Ģ. –What are some of the person’s favorite belongings? –Does the person usually carry something, like a wallet or purse, or a phone, or some kind of good luck charm or religious item? –Does the person usually wear a certain piece of jewelry, like a necklace, bracelet, or ring? Describe it. –Is he or she dark-skinned, light-skinned, olive, pale, freckled, or something else? How would you describe their skin? –What does the person usually wear? If pants, what kind? What style shirt? Describe the shoes. –What is the smile like? Big? Shy? Crooked? –Is there anything interesting about the eyes, the eyebrows? Does the person have a moustache or beard? –What is the eye color? The hair color? What is the hair style? –Is the person young or middle-aged, or old? How can you tell? –Are they thin, medium, or stout? Muscular? Small?

–Is the person tall or short, or in the middle?

Give students a few minutes here, and then continue… You can use just one-word phrases or longer phrases, but don’t write whole sentences. As ideas come into your mind, write them down in a big list under the word “Looks.” How does the person look? Write down anything you can about them. Below the person’s name, write “ Looks.” Close your eyes for a moment and picture that person. Write the person’s name at the top of your paper.ġ. Give students plenty of time to write.Ĭhoose a person that you know well – a family member or close friend. Questions for a Character Sketch Brainstorming Session Of course, if this is not possible, simply copy or post the questions for the students. In my experience, a live, whole-class, teacher-led brainstorming works best for this assignment. The key to this lesson is the main prewriting activity, a teacher-guided brainstorming session which yields a trove of details. Of course, the elements of characterization (what a character looks like, does, and says) are highlighted in this assignment after completing this activity, students will more readily recognize characterization techniques in their reading as well.

CHARACTER SKETCH EXAMPLE FULL

And it is only a sketch, not a full story with a developed plot and climax. The Character Sketch is built on sensory details and a basic notion of theme. How often do we really look closely at the people we love? Students are surprised at how many small details they know about a person when they are given time and space to think about it. Usually, these pieces are the most moving ones I get all year. And everyone has someone that they know well, be it a parent, grandparent, sibling, or friend. Why is it so effective? Because the Character Sketch asks students to use their lives, or specifically, the people in their lives, as fertile ground. The result is always the same: strong, detailed, heartfelt writing. I’ve used it in ESL classes and creative writing classes. I’ve used it with all levels of ELA students and a wide range of ages. You’ve heard of the “Never-Fail Chicken” or the “Never-Fail Pie Crust,” right? Well this activity, the “Never-Fail Character Sketch,” NEVER.

Character sketch example