The word character sketch means a rough-and-ready rendering or thumbnail portrayal of an individual, capturing, in brief, that person’s physical characteristics, psychological attributes, and the like. The brief descriptions often capitalize on the more unusual or humorous aspects of the person’s character. Character sketches are usually identified by irony, humor, exaggeration, and satire. The term originates in portraiture, where the character sketch is a common academic exercise. The artist performing a character sketch attempts to capture an expression or gesture that goes beyond coincident actions and gets to the essence of the individual.

In composition, a character sketch is a brief description in prose of a particular person or type of person. The ultimate goal of a writer is to take these character sketches and use them to craft a wonderfully engrossing, character-driven work of fiction.

In an early-20th-century textbook, C.M. Stebbins noted that the character sketch is “a form of exposition which has a deep human interest. . . . It calls not only for an explanation of the qualities of character and the manner in which they manifest themselves, but it demands or perhaps is, a description of the nature of the individual”.

In later literature, a character sketch became a short story or narrative presented without significant action or plot, as the purpose of the writing is solely to present a character at his or her typical. Character sketches of this sort are also frequently found in journalism and regionalist humor (e.g., sketches of “Big John” or “the country rube” or “the wise Squire”). Each of these attempts to delineate a model of a type (a category of person) rather than a realistic person.

A sketch is a starting point. In the visual arts, artists carry around sketch pads to practice and develop the fundamental skills of their craft with the aim of producing paintings that seem to jump off the canvas, or sculptures that seem to move in just the right light. The same is true for authors who use character sketches. Writers use this tool to develop and rehearse one of the fundamental skills of their craft—characterization. However, the final goal is not to have a notepad full of character sketches. An author should get to know his or her character through this practice.

While not everything that an author writes in a character sketch must be included in the novel, the author should develop an in-depth and all-encompassing knowledge of every facet of the character’s personality in order to create a consistent and engaging persona. Answering questions about your character’s physicality is the first step in creating a fully realized character.

What the Character Wants, this is the most important part of the character sketch. Your character, whether a good guy, bad guy, or antihero, needs to want something. This can also be expanded to include little details that will make your character stand out. Consider not only what their biggest desire is that moves the story forward, but also their hobbies, likes and dislikes, and what they want out of each relationship.

Well-Defined Personality Traits, having well-defined personality traits helps enormously with consistency. Physical Description. Differences in physique can bring with it dynamics of intimidation or protectiveness. Attractiveness can bring sexual tension. Even moving beyond relationships between characters, physical descriptions can make your characters stand out.

Authors, eager to explore the in-depth psychology of their written subjects, might discount these details as unimportant and base. But it is often these very details that lead to conflict or are the means through which we explore a character’s psychology.