Writing Assignment: Describe Yourself

by Randy Murray on June 18, 2010

If your goal is to become a better writer, you need to practice. Here’s your writing assignment for today: write a short piece describing your physical appearance.

Description is a key skill for writers to master. Turning your powers of observation on yourself, being able to honestly and accurately provide a picture of how you appear using only words is difficult, but can be reveling.

This exercise, in particular, is one that you should turn over to a trusted reader who has met you in person so they can read your work and tell you how accurate you are.

Here’s my example:

When I look purposefully into the mirror I know what I see isn’t what others see. A random glance at my reflection or a candid photo lets me say, “Ah, there you are!”

I think of myself as solid, stocky perhaps, of average height, bald on top, hairy everywhere else, smiling and pleasant. But that random glance shows something different. Short, wide, gray, and intense. I know, especially when I wear a suit and tie and sit across a desk, I can be intimidating, but it always surprises me to hear it from someone else. I thought I was the mischievous joker, the friendly listener. When I do catch the real me in the mirror I see the critic, the thinker, someone stronger and more powerful than I feel - heavy in pounds and intent.

Who is that guy?

You may leave your completed assignment in the comments section below.

Click here to view and complete previous writing assignments.

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