Intro to the Profile Essay

1. The Profile
Assignment

2. Everyone is the hero of their
own story.

3. Choose
someone
unrelated to
you and…

4. …find out
who they
are and…

5. …how
they got
that way.

6. Who makes a good
subject?
Access—interview, time, willingness
A hook—something to build on
Something to teach us—wisdom,
experience

7. Who is off-limits?
Realtives—sorry Mom!
Unavailable—interview is due by Sep 10th
Too dangerous to interview

8. Let’s start
In groups of 4, brainstorm four people
who you know who might make great
profile subjects. Give out contact info if
you feel comfortable with that.

9. Why am I
giving this
assignment?

10. First Writing Practice
Choose a Writing Upgrade
Understand Someone Else

11. Profile
Essays
Must
Contain…
Physical Description of Subject
Stories about the Subject
Quotes from people who know
the Subject
Thoughts on what is significant
about the Subject
Dialogue or quotes from the
Subject

12. Prepare an interview log
Questions you plan to ask
Place to record observations/
descriptions
Contact info for supporting characters

13. Describe
Tony Iommi

14. Practice Describing