How to Write the Character Sketch

A character sketch is an analysis.

• Define analyze. What does it mean to analyze something?

• Explain what it means to analyze a character in a book. What exactly would you do?

Analysis means breaking into parts to determine meaning

• Identify relevant character traits.

• Collect data that supports those traits

• Interpret data• Formulate a

statement about the meaning.

Why write a character sketch?• To understand a

character better• To think about

what role the character played in fulfilling the author’s message/theme of the novel.

Writing about character

Writing about a character, whether fictional or real, involves noting and analyzing a character’s – personality– actions– thoughts and feelings– motives

Writing about character• A character’s personality traits• A character’s physical appearance and

name• A character’s actions• A character’s choices• A character’s speech• A character’s thoughts and feelings• A character’s past• A character’s comments about others

A character’s personality traits

• Traits refer to one’s attitudes or behaviors that reflect personality qualities.– a character may be curious,

brave, cold, loving, aggressive, open-minded, or naïve.

• Personality traits are also qualities that make us find people likeable, lovable, etc.

A character’s appearance & name

• Physical appearance is important if it brings out a person’s unique personality qualities, culture, traditions, or influences.– His warm green eyes lead me

right to his soul.• A name is often significant as it

may reveal information about one’s family background, tradition, influences, or personality traits.

A character’s actions• Remember the old cliché “Actions

speak louder than words.”• A character’s behavior (actions)

is usually motivated by his or her attitudes and values.

• By examining potential reasons behind the actions, you can reveal a great deal about the inner world of a character.

A character’s choices• The choices people make regarding how

they deal with obstacles, resolve conflicts, or overcome difficulties reveal character strengths or weaknesses.

• We make judgments about people based on the choices they make every day.

A character’s speech

• Based on what he/she says and how he/she says it, you can determine important qualities.– He/she is unhappy, selfish, sarcastic, or

domineering, uneducated.• The choice of words spoken can also

reveal important information about the character’s age, education, culture, and values.

A character’s thoughts & feelings• The saying “A penny for

your thoughts” shows how much we wish to know others’ inner worlds.

• By sharing their thoughts and emotions, people often reveal a great deal about themselves—motives and qualities.– love, hate, fear, revenge,

etc.

A character’s past• Setting of one’s upbringing

is important; we are the products of our early environment.

• Significant past experiences influence who we are and shape our personalities.

• Family background may also be important as it reveals values and traditions that are passed on from generation to generation.

A character’s comments about others

• What people say about others often reveals important information about them as well. – How judgmental are they? How supportive?

The Character Sketch

Organization

Introduction

• Introduce the character in a creative way.– Begin with a colorful hook.– Take the reader to the time and setting

where you met your character.• Introduce major personality traits to be

developed and supported in the body. • Formulate a statement about why this

individual is significant enough to you to write about. (Central idea)

Body• First, you may want to touch on

background of the character and his relationship to other character in the novel.

• Next, develop and support each personality trait you mentioned in the introduction.

• Provide incidents, actions, and behaviors to support your character’s qualities.

• Make sure you develop at least one full paragraph per personality trait.

What to watch for. . .• Do not just tell what a person is

like; show qualities through the use of incidents.

• Do not describe a story or event without drawing some conclusion about your character.

• Avoid developing points about a character that you did not list in the introduction.

Conclusion• Tell the reader why you are writing about this

unique character. This is a so what statement.• Consider discussing why this individual is

significant to you—if at all.• You may want to share how this person has

influenced you--positively or negatively.• Consider what role the character played in

fulfilling the author’s message/theme.• You definitely want to write about if this

character changed or grew during the novel

Summary• Introduction

– Begin with a colorful hook creative; – Discuss significance of individual– Provide background information about the

character. • Body

– Use a transition to bring you from your introduction to your first body paragraph

– Develop each personality characteristic• Conclusion

– Discuss why this individual is significant to you or how he or she has changed.

Now it’s your turn!