Short Essay #1

Writing Workshop

Descriptive Writing

Short Essay #1 : Character Sketch

As Hemingway said, description is the backbone of great prose. Description helps the reader see a picture of a subject—and thus better understand it. This is an exercise in using showing language. Therefore, I ask that you limit the use of “telling language.”

Guidelines: Write a portrait. This can be a person from real life or fictional.
• Use active precise verbs that help the reader SEE your subject.
• Use concrete, precise nouns so the reader can, again, see what you are describing.
• Include little or no exposition (telling statements) or background; save that for later.
• What point of view will you take? First person? Third person? Third person omniscient?
• Place your subject in a setting (describe this as well).
• Focus on a specific moment; keep it to only a minute long. Film them with words. Make sure that your portrait represents them and their character.

Avoid dialogue—we’ll incorporate that later.

This short essay should be around 250-300 words— please double space and use 12 point font.  Please have an electronic version of the essay and bring a hard copy to class.

Bring this character to life on the page.