Everyone is a character, each in her own way.
A character sketch is a short scene in which you describe a character to the audience. There are traditionally two methods that you can use to do this; you can make a list of all the important characteristics the reader should know or you can write a short scene that shows the reader who this character is. While the former is easier, the latter is much more engaging and likely to keep your reader interested.
Instructions
1. Describe the character's physical appearance. Keep in mind that your word choices can also set the tone for how that description is perceived. For instance, you could say, "She was an attractive woman with short red hair." That gets the point across. Alternatively you could say, "The girl was a firecracker, her fiery mane cut short like that of a Celtic goddess of war." Both descriptions give the reader certain images; the second adds a bit of symbolism to give insights to the character's personality. Basic features, including eye and hair color, skin tone, voice and any scars or tattoos are important. As a rule, don't bother with specific items of clothing unless they are truly important for the perception of the character.
2. Set the place where this scene is happening. The setting can put the character in perspective, drawing comparisons and giving the reader more insight. Lines like, "His office looked like it had once been noble and clean, but it had faded with age and the weight of decisions made, just as its occupant had." This example draws a parallel between a once classy and fresh office that has fallen into disrepair and the person using it. That person could be a private detective, a lawyer or anyone who would need a front for public business.
3. Write dialogue for the character. The way the character talks, as well as the tone of voice and word choice, helps make the person. For instance, if your character speaks with a faint French accent, then that can help the reader perceive the character as an individual. If the character is from an uneducated background, occasional poor grammar and avoiding bigger, more complicated words is almost a requirement. Those from a military background might speak in a clipped, straightforward style, while those who are gregarious or who work in politics might be able to speak smoothly and to fit into any situation. Listen to people talk, and bring different styles out in your writing.
4. Cover all other areas that are important for understanding the character. Things like personality, likes and dislikes, opinions, profession and any other information that a reader would need to understand who this character is. Noting that a character carries several pens and has an ever-present notebook or seeing a press pass that's always handy is a good way to tell that the character is a reporter. Describing how a character reacts to certain situations is another way to express how that person feels about the world and how the reader should perceive that person.
