Describing a person – a well-written description of a person can be more than a photograph to the reader. The writer
can show the external (appearance) as well as the internal (character) aspects of the individual.
Guidelines for describing a person:
1. Physical appearance e.g. facial features, height, build, complexion, age
2. Qualities of the person or personality traits – what kind of person is he/she; habits and behaviours
Describing physical features with common descriptive words:
Face Shape - Square, Oval, Round, Narrow, Wide, Chiseled
Skin & Complexion – wrinkled, freckled, tanned, rosy, fresh-faced, pale, fair, spotless, silky, smooth, baby-soft, glowing,
weathered, almond-skinned, mahogany-toned
Eyes - Shape, size, and appearance: large, small, almond-shaped, round, squinty, crinkly, bulging,
Eye color: black, brown, hazel, green, blue, gray
Eye expressions: piercing, mesmerizing, sad, sorrowful, gentle, sympathetic, warm, compassionate, bright, twinkling,
sleepy
Examples: brown-eyed boy, bright-eyed sister, wide-eyed child
Mouth & Lips - Lip shape and size: thin, full, luscious, pouting, pursed, puckered
Mouth expressions: laughing, smiling, beaming, glowing, grinning, frowning, scowling, snarling
Hair - Hair color: black, brunette, brown, chestnut-brown, blond, golden-blond, sand-blond, red, gray, white
Texture or appearance: fuzzy, wavy, curly, straight, silky, neatly-combed, long, short, dull, shiny
Lots of hair: thick, full, lustrous, bushy
Little hair: thin, scraggly, limp, balding
Facial hair - beard, goatee, mustache, sideburns
Adjectives: bearded, stubbly, beardless, clean-shaven, smooth, neatly-trimmed
Body - Build: small, slim, thin, lean, skinny, bony, plump, round, stout, pudgy, full-figured, broad-shouldered, burly,
muscular
Posture: slouch, lean, slump, hunch
Describing personality & character traits with common descriptive words:
Personality traits are the distinguishing qualities of a person. They're what we outwardly observe when interacting with
someone. A character trait is something more deep-seated and cultivated, and aligns with a person’s core values.
Personality - chatty, clever, easy-going, friendly, funny, grumpy, hard-working, kind, lazy, loud, mean, moody, polite,
quiet, rude, selfish, shy, tidy, vain
Character - Integrity, loyalty, sincerity, devotion, patience, determination, persistence, tolerance, optimism, confidence,
honesty, cruelty, selfishness