How To Describe A Character?
Character descriptions come in two ways – the inward traits and the outward traits
of a character.
Inward traits refer to the personality of the character while outward traits refer to the
appearance.
Describing A Character’s Outward Traits
When describing a character’s outward traits, we describe his or her physical
appearance. Are there any interesting traits of this character’s appearance?Some
common areas to describe are:
1 ) The size of the character
Eg. Towers over all his classmates, big-sized, petite, skinny…
2) The facial features
Eg. Thick eyebrows, wrinkled face, small eyes, rosy cheeks…
3) The way he/she walks
Eg. Walks with a limp…
Writing A Character-Description Introduction
Here are some examples of how you can begin a composition by describing a
character with traits that are relevant to the composition topic.
TOPIC: A KIND ACT
Character: A Poor Beggar
Introduction:
Jason walked past the old beggar. Sitting on the floor next to the MRT station, he
looked pitiful with his clothes torn and tattered. Without hesitation, Jason took out a
dollar coin from his wallet and placed it in the box. The old beggar did not respond
but continued staring blankly at the ground in front of him.
TOPIC: A KIND ACT
Character: An Elderly
Introduction:
Madam Lim loved her plants. Every morning and evening, she could be seen at the
corridor outside her flat, bending over and tending to her precious pots of plants.
She would greet everyone who walked past her. Sometimes, you could hear he r
husky voice humming softly as she watered the plants, her weak hands trembling
under the weight of the heavy watering can.
TOPIC: A BULLY
Character: The Bully
Introduction:
Dexter was a big-sized Primary 5 boy who towered over all his classmates. Looking
more like a teenager with his muscular arms and broad shoulders, he was feared by
many students. His thick eyebrows and menacing eyes made him look as if he was
ready to pounce on anyone who dared to go near him.
TOPIC: A BULLY
Character: The Victim
Introduction:
James was scared of going to school. To him, school was a place of torture and
ridicule. Small-built and skinny, James was the shortest boy in his class. He was also
the quietest. James was a bright student who usually topped his class, but instead of
being confident, James was as timid as a mouse.
Character: A greedy boy
James loved food. He loved it so much that he could not live past an hour without
food. As a result, James had outgrown most of his clothes. His stomach bulged out of
his overly-tight T-shirts. Walking up a few flight of stairs made him pant wearily.
Character: A shy and timid girl
Jaslyn is afraid of everything. From cockroaches to thunders, tiny beetles to noises in
the dark. Every night, she has to sleep with the lights on. She gets easily startled by
little noises. Going to the toilet alone gives her the shivers. She dislikes going out of
the house alone because she is afraid of meeting people.
Character: A bully
Example 1
Alex was a tall boy with messy hair. He towered over his classmates. He would take
other’s lunch money and use it for himself. Everyone was scared of Alex and said he
was as fierce as a lion.
Example 2
Alex is as strong as an ox. He has unkempt hair and his shirt is always tucked out. Alex
towers over his classmates. He is very mean and likes to use vulgarities. He always
demands money from people. Alex is always being scolded by his teachers. Despite
several warnings, he continues to bully others.
Character: A frail old man
Uncle Wolly walked with a limp. He was so old that he had to use a walking stick
when he walked. He had trembling hands and wrinkled skin. His arms were as bony
as skeletons. He always flashed a toothless smile and mumbled a weak “Hello”
whenever he saw me.
Character: A grumpy old lady
Example 1
Mrs Charlotte hated children. She would raise her clenched fist whenever a child
came near her house. She would glare at the person and give him an ice-cold
frown.
Example 2
Mrs Charlotte was as grumpy as a hungry bear. Whenever someone walked past her
house and greeted her politely, instead of replying nicely, she would yell at them to
go away. The worst thing was Mrs Charlotte hated children. She had small fiery eyes
and an ice-cold frown.