Character Sketch:
Introduction and
Conclusion
Ms. Marshall
14
Character Sketch:
Introduction and Conclusion
September 12, 2011
• Warm Up: You have spent the last several
class periods experiencing the writing process
while creating your vision of a hero. Why is
your hero a hero? What makes a hero?
Answer in a paragraph or more.
• Today’s objective is to write the introduction
and conclusion to our character sketches.
14
Introduction
• What makes a good introduction?
• Should grab the reader’s interest
• Introduce your topic “A Hero”
• Show enthusiasm for your subject
• Connect with your true feelings about
what a hero should be
14
A Good Beginning
• Consider one of the following approaches.
• Start with an interesting detail stated in an exciting way.
• Ashes filled the air when I was around the campfire. Crackle, crackle it
went.
• Start with dialogue or a saying.
• It was Ralph Waldo Emerson who said that “A foolish consistency is the
hobgoblin of simple minds.” He said it almost 200 years ago, but perhaps
it bears repeating today to our senators and congressman who act as
though our country can continue to spend money it does not have.
• Sound, repetition, and simile.
• Screech, screech, screech! The first time we tried to play the recorders it
sounded like a lion running his claws down a chalkboard.
14
Conclusion
• What should a conclusion do?
• Clearly signal that your description is
complete
• Leave the reader with a final idea or
image
• Make a final statement about what a
hero is
Endings
14
• Consider one of the following approaches.
• Advice
• If you cannot swallow and your throat is puffy, then you have strep.
You should get lots of rest. And get a shot because the shot will make
you better faster than the medicine.
• Lesson
• I learned that I shouldn’t lie because it gets me into worse trouble. In
the future I’m not going to lie. If I have a problem, I’m going to tell
someone about it, and ask for help.
• Main idea
• Chores aren’t the worst but they’re definitely not the best!
14
Reflection and
Homework
• Reflection:
• Did you choose one of the suggested approaches
for your beginning or ending? Explain.
• What areas do you want to work on in your
character sketch tonight?
• 15 Homework
• Final revision on your character sketch
• Use the checklist and the rubric