Great Person Description Writing Tips:

This passage is going to give you some tips on how to write out a description story of your main
character from any story you write.

For a start, I am going to share with you how to build a headline using the “powergirl” nickname, along
with an eye-grabber, and summarizes the piece in the briefest and boldest of ways. People are more
likely to click on an article if they can grasp the subject immediately. They often skip over stories that
have confusing or unclear headlines.
*For this entire passage, we will be using Naomi Kutin, the “Supergirl” as examples for each of my tips.
Naomi is a female competition weight lifter, for your information.

Let’s give an example of that.

Next, the strategy behind the ledes, or openings, was first to play into the nickname by calling (the
person) something that was in contrast with the nickname. (For example, if the person you are talking
about have other extraordinary abilities, you could first call him/her a “mere mortal”.) Second, you must
use a quote from the person him/herself immediately, before even explaining the article. The hope is
that (the person’s) own voice will draw the reader further in. After all, the reader is meeting someone
whom you only know a few things about. But the quotes should be grabber words, so hopefully the
reader would want to know more and would read on.

Now, you must reveal the nickname, that is, to explain the reason behind the nickname: (The person’s)
habits, profession, ability... The best way for the nickname to be revealed, is to simply describe a
(critical) situation where (the person’s) ability behind the nickname is showcased. Further playing into
the charm of the nickname, an ordinary kid suddenly becomes larger than life. Let’s give an example
with the nickname “Supergirl”:

During weekend powerlifting competitions, when the crowd is revved up and

that bar is loaded with hundreds of pounds — Naomi squats 321 pounds and dead
lifts 365 pounds — she turns into Supergirl.

One main goal in profiling people is to show — through description, quotes and details — how they are
unique, in the topic of his/her nickname.

Carrying on, the next thing to do was for the narrator (you) to get out of the way and have another minor
character (IN THE STORY) to explain more about your main character. Rather than making the main
character telling the readers about him/herself, or you (the author) singing her praises, it feels stronger
to let someone else herald your subject. Let’s give you another example with the same “Supergirl” stuff:

“This is Naomi Kutin, the strongest teenager in the world in both the squat and the
dead lift,” said the announcer, Geno Biancheri, the charismatic tournament M.C.
known as the Pirate of Powerlifting for his heavy metal ringmaster style.
 Naomi squatted more than 300 pounds in a preliminary lift. “That’s twice her body
weight, as her opener,” Mr. Biancheri said.

The minor character I am talking about can be anyone associated in the main character’s life: Mom, dad,
friends, teacher... The idea is that you must master the skill of presenting your character’s skill and

I know. It’s always tricky to select the best quotes. You try to pick ones that add something new to the
story, not just back up what you’ve already written.

Here, I went with the “stage fright” quote because it lends a little-kid vulnerability to this athlete who
has a “brave” nickname in a very macho sport. You can almost picture the two scenarios — getting
nervous before a school play, but being blasé about lifting hundreds of pounds and competing against
adults in front of big crowds.