Composition
Character Flaw: Personal Narrative
STEP ONE: Identify ONE of your character flaws—a negative character trait has caused you problems
STEP TWO: Select ONE moment in which this flaw reared its ugly head
This is a narrative, so a plot (a series of events) should be evident.
STEP THREE: Write a focused narrative (about 2+ pages) SHOWING the flaw and how it led to, or nearly
led to, an unpleasant outcome in your selected situation.
First Draft Due:_____________
Revised Draft Due:_____________
Final Draft Due:______________
Criteria:
 FOCUS: Zero in on ONE FLAW and ONE MOMENT that displays this flaw
 CONTENT: Several details included to SHOW this flaw and its effects;
Your mission: DO NOT MENTION THE FLAW OR ANY SYNONYM FOR IT IN ANY
PART OF THE ESSAY OTHER THAN THE TITLE. Others’ reactions to you, the setting,
your actions, your words, your thoughts, and your appearance can show your trait.
 STYLE: Varied sentence beginnings, use of a colon and semicolon, vivid and precise words. Use of an
extended simile or metaphor. Use of a colon and a semicolon
 MECHANICS: Deductions for each error (we will discuss this further)
______________________________________________________________________________________
Potential Character Flaw Adjectives
A-B
Aloof
Apathetic
Angry
Aggressive
Arrogant
Afraid
Biased
Belligerent
Boring
Boorish
Bossy
Bad tempered
Bombastic
C-D
Cruel
Cowardly
Careless
Cold
Curt
Closed
Cantankerous
Callous
Cheerless
Combative
Cowering
Constricting
Controlling
Conceited
Complacent
Conniving
Childish
Caustic
Clinging
Cynical
Distant
Dishonest
Deceiving
Disrespectful
Dependent
Dangerous
E-F
Easily
discouraged
Egocentric
Envious
Evil
Exacting
Fleeting
Flagging
Frivolous
Foolish
Fearful
Finicky
Frisky
Flaky
Fickle
G-I
Guarded
Gloomy
Grumpy
Gives up
Gluttonous
Hostile
Hateful
Harsh
Harried
Haughty
Impolite
Inconsiderate
Indecisive
Indifferent
Indiscreet
Inflexible
Immature
Intolerant
Impractical
Indulgent
Ignorant
Insensitive
J-M
Jealous
Lazy
Lying
Limp
Lifeless
Languid
Lax
Malicious
Materialistic
Miserly
Miserable
Mean
Mistrusting
Moody
N-Q
Non-committal
Numb
Naive
Nonsensical
Naughty
Negligent
Opinionated
Obnoxious
Oppressive
Patronizing
Proud
Pessimistic
Petty
Pretentious
Pompous
Petulant
Quarrelsome
R-T
Rebellious
Relenting
Rigid
Resentful
Rude
Reluctant
Rash
Restless
Sanctimonious
Secretive
Sour
Stubborn
Scattered
Spiteful
Selfish
*Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/negative-character-traits.html
Stingy
Self-centered
Self-important
Suspicious
Silly
Scornful
Severe
Shifty
Superficial
Tactless
Thoughtless
Trivial
Timid
Touchy
U-Z
Unreliable
Unsure
Unmotivated
Uncaring
Unfeeling
Unhelpful
Uncooperative
Uncommitted
Uncaring
Unsure
Unenthusiastic
Unbending
Unforgiving
Unfocused
Unfriendly
Ungrateful
Unappreciative
Unkind
Uncaring
Undependable
Unresponsive
Undependable
Undisciplined
Unrestrained
Unsympathetic
Unwilling
Uncouth
Vain
Vulgar
Villainous
Wicked
Wasteful
Weak-willed
Whimsical
Brainstorming.
Choose three different flaws that could apply to you. Define the flaw, think of scenario in which you exhibited
the flaw, explain its negative consequence, and come up with a metaphor you could use to convey the flaw figuratively.
My flaw and its
definition (look it up so
it is precise and specific)
The Scenario—be
specific
Negative consequence
of flaw
Argument with Joe. I was
cleaning the house as he
sat on the couch with the
kids watching television. I
snapped at him, accusing
him of being lazy and
passive in his time with
them.
Made Joe feel bad about
himself; created a negative
atmosphere on one of the
few mornings we get to
spend together; realized
my own hypocrisy and felt
guilty.
example:
sanctimonious: acting selfrighteously or as if one’s
morals are superior to
others’
Extended metaphor
idea (what can you
compare your flaw to or
how can you describe it
figuratively?)
Putting myself on a
pedestal or at a pulpit.
I was no longer vacuuming
my living room; I was
standing behind a pulpit
lecturing my husband on
how he should interact with
his own children.