- Reviewed techniques that create well-developed characters.
- Reviewed the character sketch assignment.
- Brainstormed using the question connected to the character sketch.
- 3 copies of the rough draft of the character sketches are due in class for peer review on 10/13. Students will receive a homework grade for having 3 complete copies of their rough draft. Students who leave class to print out copies will not receive homework credit.
- The character sketch is attached below:
THE CHARACTER SKETCH
Descriptive Writing/ 100 points
When you write a character sketch, you are trying
to introduce the reader to someone. You want the reader to have a strong mental
image of the person, to know how the person talks, to know the person's
characteristic ways of doing things, to know something about the person's value
system. Character sketches only give snap shots of people; therefore, you
should not try to write a history of the person.
A good way to write a character sketch is to tell a little story about one encounter. If you do that, you could describe a place briefly, hopefully a place that belongs to the person you are describing, focusing on things in the scene that are somehow representative of the person you are describing. Describe how the person is dressed. or facial expressions. From time to time, describe the person's gestures to put words into the person's mouth in direct quotations.
As you work on this sketch, you should decide what kind of emotional reaction you want the reader to have in relationship to this person. What kind of details can you select to create that emotional reaction? Avoid making broad characterizing statements; instead, let the details you give suggest general characteristics. Let the reader draw her own conclusions
Example Sketch
Eudora Welty’s Sketch of Miss Duling
Your Assignment
Write a character sketch. Avoid telling everything
about the person, instead, select two or three outstanding traits to illustrate
with incidents and examples. Use description to convey the impression.
You may use first person or third person.
You may find it helpful to follow the pattern of
the model by beginning with an incident showing the person performing a typical
action or having an interaction with a minor character. Remember we understand
character through showing details and dialogue is a form of showing too.
Is it important that the reader see the person? If
so, give details of physical appearance. After finishing the sketch, reread it
to be sure that it creates a vivid impression, making any revisions that you
feel will make it more effective
Paper
Requirements:
Ø Typed
Size 12 Font, Standard Margins (1 inch all sides)
Ø 2 pages
Pre-writing
Questions
1. What purpose does this person have in your story?
2. What places or objects are associated with this character? How do these objects or places help us understand the character?
3. What do other characters think of this person? What might other people say about him/her?
4. What are your character’s motivations? How did the character develop these motivations?
5. Picture this person. Describe him/her in as much detail as you can. Include facial features, physical appearance, clothing, manner of speech.
6. How does his/her appearance reflect his/her personality?
7. When you picture this person, what do you think of him/her doing? Include descriptions of facial expressions, gestures, etc.
7. When you hear this person, what do you hear them saying?
8. What are unusual habits, traits, interests, etc. of this person?
9. What minor character might help you enhance this character’s traits?
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