What's a character sketch?
http://grammar.about.com/od/c/g/Character-Sketch.htm
A character sketch is a written description or analysis of a character in a story, play, or novel. It helps to understand the personality, traits, and motivations of a character by examining their actions, dialogue, thoughts, and relationships with other characters.
To create a character sketch, follow these steps:
1. Read the text: Start by thoroughly reading the literary work in question. Pay attention to the details and clues provided about the character you want to analyze.
2. Note physical appearance: Observe how the character is physically described. Take note of their height, weight, hair and eye color, as well as any distinctive features or mannerisms.
3. Analyze personality traits: Identify the character's personality traits through their actions, thoughts, and dialogue. Consider how they behave in different situations, how they treat others, and what their motivations might be.
4. Examine relationships: Analyze the character's relationships with other characters. Look for patterns in their interactions and how they are perceived by others. Note any conflicts, alliances, or changes in relationships over time.
5. Consider background and history: Explore the character's backstory and history to understand their motivations and behavior. Look for information about their family, past experiences, and significant events in their life.
6. Look for symbolic elements: Recognize any symbolic elements associated with the character. Symbols can offer deeper insights into their personality or serve as metaphors for their role in the story.
7. Organize your findings: Create an outline or a chart to organize the information you have gathered. Divide it into sections like physical appearance, personality traits, relationships, background, and symbolism.
8. Write the character sketch: Use your notes to write a detailed description of the character. Start with a catchy introduction that provides essential information, then delve into the various aspects you have analyzed. Support your observations with specific examples and quotes from the text to provide evidence for your analysis.
Remember, a character sketch is not a mere summary of the character's actions but an in-depth analysis of their traits, motivations, and relationships. It helps readers to gain a comprehensive understanding of the character and their role in the story.