Advanced Composition – Character Sketch Essay
When Jerry Springer walks into the NBC building in Chicago, where he tapes his show, The Jerry Springer Show, his head is down and his shoulders are rolled forward. He lopes forward, moving surprisingly quickly over the linoleum, not looking anyone square in the eye. He is the very picture of the vacationing Southern California used-car salesman. He is wearing nice blue-jeans, clunky black loafers, a nice leather jacket and smudged glasses. His hair is still wet from his morning shower. He is keeping to himself. He isn’t saying much. Then he rounds a corner, and up comes his head, up comes a smile, up comes his voice. Now he is Jerry Springer, the Jerry of “Jer-ry! Jer-rey!,” of exposed breasts, of your girlfriend who is actually a boy. (Erik Hedegaard, Rolling Stone, May 14, 1998)
The above passage attempts to capture a distinctive person and communicate his essence to the reader. It’s a combination of physical traits, actions and attitude. In this short excerpt we get a sense of the character right away, and while this writer only had the space of one paragraph in which to operate, you’ll have an entire essay. So, capture a character on paper…kind of like a portrait on a canvas, but movin’ and stuff.
Select a distinctive person & brainstorm everything you know about him or her
Provide a physical description of this person, picking out a few distinctive physical details and focus on these (don’t simply list traits; paint a picture)
Focus on a particular action this person might be engaged in, or focus on a particular moment that illustrates who this person is
Through the combination of the above elements, convey an encapsulating impression of this person and the effect s/he has on you or others (don’t simply state that “she makes you feel loved,” or that “he’s a cold, heartless boss” – remember to show us rather than tell us!!)
Concentrate on grabbing the reader’s attention at the outset & leaving a powerful impression at the conclusion (remember the “medieval marketplace”)
Try to “paint” this character so well that the reader could see and possible respond to him/her
Advanced Composition – Character Sketch Essay Evaluation
Ideas & Content (20 points)
Topic is narrow & manageable
Relevant, telling, quality details go beyond obvious
Reasonably accurate details
Writing from experience/ ideas fresh & original
Reader’s questions are anticipated & answered
Demonstrates Insight
Organization: (10 points)
Powerful intro invites reader in
Powerful conclusion leaves reader pondering
Thoughtful/effective transitions
Logical & effective sequencing/arrangement
Pacing is well controlled/services effect
Flow is smooth & unnoticeable
Voice: (10 points)
Reader feels strong interaction with writer
Writer willingly takes risk
Tone & voice add appropriate flavor
Writing is honest, personal/reflects strong commitment
Word Choice: (20 points)
Words are specific & accurate
Words, phrases create pictures & linger in reader’s mind
Natural language/Not overdone, over the top
Striking language catches reader’s eye/ear
Lively verbs, precise nouns, vivid modifiers
Precision is obvious
Sentence Fluency: (20 points)
Sentences enhance the meaning
Sentences vary in length & structure
Purposeful & varied sentence starts
Creative & appropriate connectives
The writing has cadence, pace, flow
Conventions: (10 points)
Correct spelling
Correct punctuation
Correct grammar & usage
Sound & effective paragraphing
Conventions deftly manipulated for stylistic effect
Presentation: (10 points)
Typed appropriately
Proper title page
Engaging title
TOTAL: