How to Write a Character Sketch

You have created your characters, now it's time for you to tell your characters story.

Things to consider:

1. Decide how you want to portray your subject. Do you want to emphasize your subject’s personality, appearance, or character? Simply giving an individual’s accomplishments usually isn’t enough to hold a reader’s interest.

2. Write a plot diagram for your story.

3. Complete a sensory chart.

4. Write your rough draft. Don’t be too concerned with spelling, punctuation, or grammar at this stage. Leave plenty of space between the lines for corrections.

5. Read over your first draft silently and then read it aloud. Make obvious corrections. Put it aside and don’t look at it for a few hours or a day.

6. Read your first draft again, putting yourself in the role of a reader. Does it read easily? 

7. Make the corrections and changes that you see should be made. Look for one kind of error or weakness at a time. Here are the main areas in which possible errors or weaknesses might occur:

Mechanics: Check your sketch for errors in punctuation, spelling, sentence construction, and grammar.

Consistency: Is there a logical order in terms of time, plan, importance, complexity, or step-by-step unfolding of the sketch?

Clarity: Have you given enough details so that a reader can picture your subject clearly?

Development: Are the main parts of the sketch put together logically? Does the material grow as the sketch develops?

Total Effect: Do you believe your readers will see, feel, and understand what you have written about your subject? If not, add or remove details so that they will.

8. Give the second draft to someone you respect and ask for frank comments.

9. After the trial reader has read your sketch critically, discuss it with him or her. Make sure you understand any criticisms or suggestions.

10. Rewrite your final draft in light of your trial reader’s critique.