THE CHARACTER SKETCH WHAT IS A CHARACTER SKETCH

THE CHARACTER SKETCH

WHAT IS A CHARACTER SKETCH? Highlights of important characteristics or personality traits of a person Supporting evidence of each trait Readers should be told enough so that they feel they may know the person

WHAT CAN READERS LEARN THROUGH A CHARACTER SKETCH? Age Gender Appearance Behavior Values Education Character Vocation

HOW ARE CHARACTER TRAITS PRESENTED? Actions Other Characters Dialogue Character Traits Behaviors Thoughts

HOW TO BUILD A CHARACTER SKETCH Topic Sentences Trait #1 � Supporting Trait #2 � Supporting evidence/examples Trait #3 � Supporting evidence/examples Concluding Sentences

EXAMPLE Topic sentence: Liz is a true best friend. Trait #1: Supports me! Example: encouraged me to go up North, “develop sense of adventure” Trait #2: Always wants my honest opinions Example: wanted to know what I thought about her sister being mad Trait #3: So much fun! Example: watching movies, eating popcorn, cheese, crackers, and lots of chocolate Conclusion: Now lives far away, but still love to talk to her on the phone

My friend Liz is a true best friend. She always supports me in everything I want to do. When I wanted to go up North, she said she thought it would be a great experience, and that it would help me develop my sense of adventure. Not only is Liz a great supporter, she also trusts me to give her my honest opinion and wants me to tell her exactly how I feel. When she was upset with her sister one time, she asked what I thought about it. I said she should wait, and then she would find out the real reason why her sister was mad at her. And it happened just that way! She knew she could trust me. Liz can be a barrel of fun!. I really like when she does silly things. One night, we rented three movies and watched all three while we ate popcorn, cheese and crackers, and a whole box of chocolates. We gabbed about everything and even imagined what it would be like to live like some of the characters in the movies. Since my best friend is now living over 500 miles away, I miss all the laughter she brought to my life and the times I could ask her opinion of things that troubled me. Thankfully, I can still hear the sound of her voice and ask her opinion on the telephone!

My friend Liz is a true best friend. She always supports me in everything I want to do. When I wanted to go up North, she said she thought it would be a great experience, and that it would help me develop my sense of adventure. Not only is Liz a great supporter, she also trusts me to give her my honest opinion and wants me to tell her exactly how I feel. When she was upset with her sister one time, she asked what I thought about it. I said she should wait, and then she would find out the real reason why her sister was mad at her. And it happened just that way! She knew she could trust me. Liz can be a barrel of fun! I really like when she does silly things. One night, we rented three movies and watched all three while we ate popcorn, cheese and crackers, and a whole box of chocolates. We gabbed about everything and even imagined what it would be like to live like some of the characters in the movies. Since my best friend is now living over 500 miles away, I miss all the laughter she brought to my life and the times I could ask her opinion of things that troubled me. Thankfully, I can still hear the sound of her voice and ask her opinion on the telephone!

YOUR TURN! Choose your topic person. Fill in the graphic organizer Pair up. Talk to each other about who you are going to write about. Ask questions about your partners subject (who they are writing about). Independently complete your organizer and write a rough draft. Pair up again – proofread, edit, clarify Any time left? Revise, correct, write some more! Finish up for homework