Profile Essay Assignment
ENG 101
Carter
Fall 2011
The Assignment:
Choose a person, group, place, or activity that you know particularly well and on
which you might have a unique perspective. You’ll need to have at least 2-3 pictures of
your subject. You will use these pictures as part of your essay, referring to them in your
writing.
Your goal is to give the “shape” of this person, group, place, or activity—to help
your reader have a clear picture of your subject. Furthermore, you want to communicate
your subject from your unique perspective. This means you will be selective about
details and decide how to present them so that your reader sees this subject in a particular
way. You need to communicate your point of view on your subject.
As you begin planning your essay, consider the elements of writing profiles that
we discussed and that are also emphasized in Chapter Three of your text:
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Detailed information about the subject (describing)
A clear organizational plan (narrative or topical)
A role for the writer (spectator/detached or participant)
A perspective on the subject (creating a dominant impression)
Also, consider the following questions:
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What is your purpose in writing this profile?
Who is your audience? What do they already know and/or think about
this subject? What information do they need? How can you best/more
clearly present it? What details will help change their perspectives from
where they currently are to where you’d like them to be?
Rough Draft Due: _________________________________________
Final Draft Due: ___________________________________________