CHARACTER ANALYSIS
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Character
Sketch
Describing a character . . .
Drawing isn’t the only way to create a portrait. You
can also create a portrait using words—in a
character sketch. For example, in A Christmas
Carol, the reader forms an image of Scrooge’s
personality based on what he looks like, what he
says, what he does, and how others behave toward
him.
Character
Sketch
Describing a character . . .
Character sketches appear in many genres, from
poetry to fiction to news stories. They can help your
audience feel like they truly know your character.
Basics in a Box
Character Sketch at a Glance
RUBRIC
A successful character sketch
should
person’s actions and
speech
physical description
STANDARDS
FOR WRITING
mannerisms
of person
• present a vivid picture of the
personality and physical appearance
of the person
• give a main impression of the person
• include dialogue, mannerisms,
descriptions, and other devices that
show, rather than tell, what the
character is like
Main Impression of
Subject
writer’s feelings
about the person
surroundings
other people’s
reactions to the
person
• reveal the writer’s response to the
person
• have a clear structure, a strong
beginning, and a strong conclusion
Writing Your Character Sketch
1 Prewriting
Whom do you want to write about?
 Start by thinking about your favorite
character in the play.
 Jot down as many details about this
character as you can.
Planning Your Character Sketch
1. Explore your feelings. Why is this person
significant to the play? What details or incidents
can you describe that show why he or she is
important.?
Planning Your Character Sketch
2. Create mental images of the person. Try
picturing your subject in his or her usual
surroundings. How does your subject act,
speak, and look? Make a chart like this one to
record details.
Personality Characteristics
Physical
What subject says
What subject
does
How others
react
Planning Your Character Sketch
3. Place your character in a setting. Describe the
person in a time and place that will reveal his
or her personality. Your character is attending
a party and will reveal his/her personality
through comments about the people, the times,
and his/her significance in the play.
Planning Your Character Sketch
4. Decide on your main impression. What
impression do you want your audience to have
about the person? Which details from your chart
best create this impression?
Writing Your Character Sketch
2 Drafting
As you write your first draft, try to visualize
the person. Focus on the main impression you
want to create. Get your ideas down on paper.
You can go back and revise your work later.
Writing Your Character Sketch
2 Drafting
Show, Don’t Tell
Good character sketches include plenty of
details that help readers visualize. Instead of
telling readers everything about your subject,
use examples and dialogue that show what your
subject is like. For example, in A Christmas
Carol, Scrooge refuses to give Christmas tips to
his servants or his employee. Readers can see
for themselves that Scrooge is stingy.
Writing Your Character Sketch
2 Drafting
Organizing Your Draft
One way to draft your introduction is to grab
your audience’s attention with a curious detail or
quote. Develop your subject’s personality in the
body of the essay. Your ending should leave
readers with a clear picture of your subject and
how you feel about him or her.
All of these parts should be balanced and
connected by effective transitions and unified
ideas.
Writing Your Character Sketch
3 Revising
TARGET SKILL
WORD CHOICE
Carefully chosen verbs and adjectives can
bring a character to life. Specific words help
to create vivid writing.
Writing Your Character Sketch
4 Editing and Proofreading
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Transition Words
Paragraphs
Punctuation
Specific Word Choice
Voice
Spelling
Writing Your Character Sketch
4 REVISE
 Read your essay out loud.
 Listen to it.
 Have your writing partner read it.
 Does it sound convincing and realistic?
 Will the audience be convinced?
Writing Your Character Sketch
5 Reflecting
FOR YOUR WRITING FOLDER
What did you learn while doing this assignment?
How did writing this character sketch change the
way you look at people?