Personality profile -- common elements
First interview subject in class, using the course packet as a guide. While interviewing and writing the profile, keep these elements of the personality profile in mind.
- Lead anecdote.
- Try to listen for a story that best exemplifies the individual's achievements, personality or character. This should represent what distinguishes this person from others.
- You may consider writing about the person in an interesting setting: workplace or other.
- Be descriptive. Show, don't tell.
- Generalize.
- Now that we have introduced the anecodote it is essential to expand on the idea.
- Why is this relevant, the reader may wonder.
- This requires a basic and brief summary of the individual's character and how the anecdote reflects these traits.
- Amplify.
- How are these traits reflected in contemporary work or other accomplishments?
- Wart.
- Not everyone is perfect and if your story sounds like a promotional piece it is time to introduce a wart.
- The wart simply reflects the subject's shortcomings usually in a benign manner. "While some may consider..." for example.
- Warts can also address more grave considerations, such as issues with addiction, health, failures (personally and professionally).
- Flashback.
- How did the subject get to where they are today?
- Usually a 2-3 paragraphs should summarize their life and acheivements chronologically.
- Future.
- What are the subject's hopes, goals and plans for the future.
- Close anecdote or quote.
- Your closing should neatly conclude your story with either an appropriate quote or anecdote.
- There should be a theme or focus of your story by now and this should serve as a reinforcement.
- Perhaps this will reference the lead anecdote to tie the story together.