“Five For Five”: Five Distinctive Traits for Five “Characters Paper

Can you help me understand this English question?

Directions: The purpose of this assignment is to “paint” a vivid character for your reader using a limited amount of “brushstrokes.” Before we make the jump to fiction, however, I’d like you to use your powers of observation on real people from your own life.

Let’s say you want to describe your best friend to a complete stranger in the most striking manner possible, but let’s also say you can only use five characteristics to do so. On what would you focus? Her clothing? Mannerisms? Quirks of speech? Hobbies? Pet peeves? Personal history? Future plans? It’s more challenging than you might think.

Characters tend to stand out in our imagination when we can both envision their appearance and understand something about their history and motivation. With that in mind, I’d like you to include at least one physical trait, one piece of personal history, and one short- or long-term goal for each person you describe. The final two traits may fall under any of those three categories I just mentioned. Otherwise, you can mention one or two verbal or behavioral tendencies.

Please write the complete name of each “character” (i.e., a real person) you describe and state his or her relation to you (e.g., brother). Whenever possible, elaborate on your character traits with specific examples. For instance, don’t just write “My brother has a bizarre sense of humor” because “bizarre” constitutes abstract description. Using specific, concrete examples, explain how his sense of humor is bizarre. Also, please be sure to color code your characteristics in blue, red, green, and brown. Finally, please remember to type and double-space your responses in a 12-point, standard font 2,050 words

Please remember that you will be choosing five REAL people for this assignment. (My sample of the assignment uses five fictional characters, so I don’t want you to be confused.) You should include at least three of the four categories–history (red), agenda (green), physical appearance (blue), and distinctive habits/mannerisms/behaviors (brown)–for each of your five people.

**I have attached the assignment and example that the teacher included. Please follow directions exactly as stated. Thank you.