Character Sketch

1
Character Sketch

• Descriptive Writing Assignment
• Timed Assessment
• 8.W.1.1 8.W.1.2

2
Who should you choose?

• Someone you admire
• Someone who has had an impact on your life
• A real person that you actually know (not a
  sports personality or other celebrity if you
  invited them to dinner, they would know who you
  are and actually come)
• An adult (person older than high school aged)
• Someone who is living, or who has passed away.

3
What do you include?

• A physical description
• Admirable character traits
• The influence this person has had on your life

4
How do you prepare?

• Consider the character sketch, Mr. Ochoas
  Garden as discussed in class.
• Use a Four Square organizer to plan your
  character sketch essay

5
Use this format
(Physical description) (Character Traits)
(Influence on your life) (Wrap up sentence)
6
Dont forget to include

• Connecting words (First, next, then, finally,
  etc.)
• Details
• Vivid language
• Show, dont tell
• Be specific
• Correct grammar and writing conventions
  (capitalization, spelling, punctuation,
  indenting, etc.)
• Neatness

7
How will you be graded?

• Rubric Weak, Average, Strong
• Organization
• Introduction
• Body (with transitions)
• Details
• Vivid language
• Conclusion
• Ideas and Content
• Presents a vivid picture of the characters
  physical appearance
• Presents a vivid picture of the characters
  admirable qualities
• Reveals in what manner the character has
  influenced the writer
• Conventions No glaring errors, correct
  paragraphing
• Grammar and usage
• Spelling/Capitalization/Punctuation
• How does the writing look on the page?

8
Whats it worth?

• Four Square Organizer is worth 25 points
• Completed essay is worth 30 points
• Total assignment, 55 points

9
Why is the assignment structured this way?

• Many standardized tests use a timed writing
  portion. It is good to practice organizing your
  thoughts and writing a well-constructed paper in
  a specific amount of time
• Four Square is a simple way of organizing
  thoughts in a hurry. The formula almost
  guarantees a well-written paper.
• Writing a character sketch helps you combine what
  you have learned throughout the descriptive
  writing unit using specific language show,
  dont tell appealing to all five senses. It
  also considers what is important to you, as
  discussed in Raymonds Run.
• The timed writing takes the place of a test.
• State standards (8.W.1.1 8.W.1.2) require you to
  be able to write a five-paragraph essay, and edit
  your work.

10
How do you complete the assignment?

• Select your subject.
• Brainstorm the details of your character.
• Fill in the Four Square planner before you come
  to class on Writing Day.
• On Writing Day, bring your completed Four Square
  planner, some paper, and two or three sharpened
  pencils. Also bring an LR book.
• You will write your essay from your planner
  during class time.
• Staple the planner to the essay they are due at
  the end of the period on Writing Day.
• Read LR if you complete your essay early.