A Portrait in Words
Prose and Poetry Project

In this project you will get a chance to create "portraits in words" about a person who really stands out in your life. These word portraits will include a character sketch along with poetry about the character traits of your person.

Step One: Pick someone who not only stands out in your life but someone who you know a lot about. This person can be a family member, a friend, or someone you know from the news. In any case, this must be a real person who is alive today.

Step Two: Write a character sketch about this person. Your character sketch will consist of five paragraphs: an introduction which will state the three character traits you will discuss, a paragraph on each character trait giving facts and details to support each trait, and a conclusion that summarizes the person as well as what you think about them. (You will need to use the normal writing steps: brainstorm, rough draft, self-edit, and final. Your final must be hand-written.)

Step Three: Find poems that "match" each trait. You will have to search poetry resources (anthologies, collections, Internet sites, etc.) and find three different poems for each of the character traits you discussed. This means three different poems times three character traits for a total of nine different poems. The poems are about the character trait, not about the person. Once you have found these poems, you will have to copy each poem using your best handwriting and in blue or black ink. Also, you have to illustrate each of these poems. Your illustrations can be done in any style but must "fit" the poem.

Step Four: Write your own poems! Using the styles of the poems you collected as a basis, now write one poem for each character trait…for a total of three poems. Your poems can be in any style and your final copy of each poem also must be illustrated. (You will need to use the normal writing steps: brainstorm, rough draft, self-edit, and final. Your finals must be hand-written.)

Step Five: Putting it all together. When you are done with all the above steps, you need to put everything together in order and in a neat fashion. Your writing pieces must include all the writing steps mentioned as well. You can use a folder, a three-ring notebook, or other type of binder.

Totals: To summarize… you will write one (1) character sketch, collect/copy/illustrate nine (9) different poems – three (3) for each character trait (3x3=9), and write/illustrate three (3) poems – one for each character trait. All of which is put together neatly and in order in a folder or binder.

Due dates, etc: You will be given lots of time in class to work on this project, but you may also work on this during recess and at home if you choose. There will be poetry anthologies/collections in the room but you will probably have to find your own resources as well. This project is due at the end of your class time on Friday, April 25th.

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A Portrait In Words Project
Scoring Rubric

Name _________________________________________

Character Sketch (Up to 30 Points) Total Points ____________

Your character sketch shows organization into five paragraphs: introduction, three character traits, and a conclusion. You have provided details about each trait that help the reader understand the person you are writing about. Finally, your sketch shows good paragraph and sentence development as well as no errors in CUPS. (You have used the normal writing steps: brainstorming, rough draft, self edit, and final – and all these steps are included with your final.)

Poem Collection (Up to 30 Points) Total Points _____________

Your collection contains nine different poems, three for each character trait. These poems have been copied using your best handwriting in blue or black ink. Finally, you have illustrated each poem and these illustrations "fit" the poem.

Your Poetry (Up to 30 Points) Total Points ______________

You have written three different poems, one for each character trait. Your poems are in any style and show strong development in their portrayal of each character trait. (You have used the normal writing steps: brainstorming, rough draft, self edit, and final – and all these steps are included with your final.)

Organization (Up to 10 Points) Total Points _____________

You have put everything together neatly in a folder or a binder and in this order: character sketch, poems collected, and poems you wrote. You have also included all the writing steps for the character sketch and the poems you wrote.

Total Possible Points – 100. Your Total Points ______________