168 / Types of Writing
STEP 3: Prewriting—Showing Your Reader
The most important part of writing an effective character sketch is showing, not tell-
ing, about your subject. Ask yourself at every sentence, “Am I telling, or am I show-
ing?” If you write Richard loved his grandchildren, then the reader must simply take
your word for it. Instead, show that Richard loved his grandchildren. Write some-
thing like this:
Richard always met his grandchildren at the bus stop after school. Even at 72,
he was spry enough to bat balls, throw Frisbees, and play a short game of bas-
ketball. But when he met us at the bus, he always had some new trick to show
us—a wooden top that would spin for minutes without toppling, a wooden
doll-like creature that would climb a pair of ropes, a wooden man that turned
flips. Always wooden. Carved and sanded and assembled in his cluttered little
shop. Then he gave them to whichever grandchild seemed to show the greatest
fascination with the trick of the day.Not once does the writer say that Richard loved the grandchildren, but readers know.
Select a situation in which you can best show your chosen character to readers.
STEP 4: Prewriting—Choosing a Means of
Characterizing
You can show, rather than tell, about a character by using one or a combination of
means. Consider any or all of these options:
Description. To help the reader see and know the character, describe any significant
features about him or her or the surroundings of the sketch. Indirect description
can be more effective than direct description. And remember, even in the course of
describing, to show rather than tell. [See Chapter 10, Description.]
Weak
Telling: He was sloppy.
Better
Showing: He dragged his sleeve through the spaghetti sauce.Action. Rather than tell readers about the character, show the character in action.
By watching people’s behavior, we can learn about them.
Weak
Telling: She was glad to see me.
Better
Showing: When she saw me, she ran, arms open, to give me that wonderful
bear-hug hello.