Highpoint 2B Unit 3 Character Sketch

Highpoint 2B Unit 3 Character Sketch

Name: ______

·  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 you had with him or her. 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. Then simply tell what happened as you spent time together. From time to time, describe the person's gestures or facial expressions. It is important to put words into the person's mouth in direct quotations.

·  As you work on this paper, 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.

Highpoint 2B-Unit 3 – Character Sketch

Brainstorming

Part 1: Personality Traits

1.  With your partner, think about personality traits (the way people act). Make a list of adjectives you can use to describe someone’s personality. (ex. happy, sad, angry, talkative, energetic)

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2.  Add at least 8 adjectives you hear in the class discussion to your list.

Part 2: Choosing someone to write about.

1. Think about people in your life you can write about. The person needs to be a real person who you know. They need be someone you know a lot about! With your partner write down ideas of people who you could write about.

2. Now circle three of the people you wrote above. Choose the people you would most enjoy writing about. They should be interesting. Try to choose people that you know very well and have good stories about. Now, think about each person and fill in the chart below.

3. Now look at the three people you have chosen. Who will be the most interesting to write about? Place a star next to that person. Now, write a description of what that person looks like in the space below. Use at least 2 similes.

C. Sanchez, Belvedere MS

C. Sanchez, Belvedere MS

Highpoint 2B-Unit 3 – Character Sketch Outline

Paragraph #1

Main Idea:

(This sentence should introduce the person you are going to write about. It should explain how you know that person and why they are important in your life. Ex. When I was born I was lucky enough to be given the most amazing mother in the world and she is the most important person in my life. )

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Details:

(The details should describe what the person looks like, sounds like, and smells like. There should be at least 2 similes/metaphors and the reader should be able to picture who you are writing about.)

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Paragraph #2

Main Idea:

(Using one of the personality traits from the character map, write a sentence using a superlative clause to introduce your paragraph, ex. My mother, Carol, is the kindest person in the world.)

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Details:

(Tell the a story that describes one event that illustrates the personality trait you chose. Use descriptive adjectives and strong verbs! The reader should be able to visualize the event!)

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Paragraph #3

Main Idea:

(Using one of the personality traits from the character map, write a sentence using a question and answer to introduce your paragraph, ex. Do you know who is the kindest person in the world? It is my mother.

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Details:

(Tell the a story that describes one event that illustrates the personality trait you chose. Use descriptive adjectives and strong verbs! The reader should be able to visualize the event!)

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Paragraph #4

Main Idea:

(Using one of the personality traits from the character map, write a sentence stating your opinion to introduce your paragraph, ex. I believe that my mother is extremely kind.

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Details:

(Tell the a story that describes one event that illustrates the personality trait you chose. Use descriptive adjectives and strong verbs! The reader should be able to visualize the event!)

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Highpoint 2B – Unit 3 - Character Sketch

From First Draft to Final Draft

Step 1: First Draft

Take the outline you have written and write a first draft on white lined paper. Skip lines and try to make your writing as exciting as possible. Use strong verbs and interesting adjectives! Don’t worry too much about spelling and grammar, just get your ideas down! Remember to write neatly because someone else will have to read your paper.

Step 2: Editing and Revising

Step 1: Read your paper out loud to yourself. Listen for mistakes. Fix the mistakes as you come across them. Write down two examples of mistakes you heard.

Step 2: Exchange papers with a partner. Read your partner’s paper out loud to them. Work together to fix mistakes as your hear them. Write down two mistakes you fixed during this activity.

Step 3: Reread your partner’s paper more carefully this time. Look for problems with capitalization, spelling, run-on sentences, and grammar. Fix any mistakes that your see. Ask your partner anything you are confused about.

Step 4: Using your synonym worksheet and your dictionary, go through your partner’s paper. Circle three words that are boring words. Write a new, more exciting word above their old word.

Step 5: Fill in the following chart about your partner’s work.

Comments about your partner’s paper
Things I Liked
Things that should be changed
Things I didn’t understand
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Step 6: Read over the changes that your partner made. Now look at the questions underneath and ask yourself the following questions!

Answer the following questions before writing your final draft: If you don’t have an answer or the answer is no, it is time to go back and rework your essay!

Ideas and Content

* What is my topic?

* Is my paper clear?

* Did I try to make my writing come alive?

* Do I have enough details?

* Do I have a good beginning, middle and end?

* Does my reader understand what I am trying to say?

* Do I have an organization?

* Do I have enough ideas?

Organization

* How does my topic start?

* Are the details in order?

* Is my paper easy to read?

* Is my paper in time order?

* Does my writing have a good beginning?

* Are all the details in the correct sequence?

Voice

* Is this interesting to me?

* Did I say everything I wanted to?

* What did I like the most?

* Did my readers feel like they heard my voice?

* Do I like what I wrote?

* Am I comfortable with what I wrote?

* How do I want my readers to feel?

Word Choice

* Did I use different or interesting words?

* Have I used any exciting words?

* Did you use vivid vocabulary?

* Does your writing flow?

* Do you have descriptive words?

* Did I grab my readers attention with my words?

* Are my words in the right place?

Sentence Fluency

* Did I use a lot of sentences?

* Did I use complete sentences?

* Did I use correct sentences?

* Do my sentence beginnings have big and different ideas?

* Do my sentences make sense?

* Did I complete what I was trying to say?

* Did I start my sentences differently each time?

* Does my paper sound smooth as I read it aloud?

* Did I use some long and some short sentences?

Conventions

* Do my words have spaces between them?

* Does my title go with my story?

* Does my punctuation show my sentence expressions?

* Do I have spelling errors?

* Do I have the correct capitalization in my sentences?

* Can people understand my writing?

* Does my paper have a main idea?

* Is my paper understandable?

* Did I use correct punctuation?

* Did I use commas where I need them?

Step 3: Final Drafts

Now it is time to write your final draft. This draft will be graded and needs to be your very best work! The final draft should be in the format you see on the next page. You can be as creative as your would like to with your pictures and decorations. Do you very best and make sure you are proud of the work you turn in!!

ü  Capital Letters

ü  Ending punctuation

ü  Clear sentences

ü  No Run-Ons

ü  Main Idea sentences

ü  Supporting Details

ü  Strong, Interesting words

ü  Did you show, not tell?

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C. Sanchez, Belvedere MS