1. Sensory Details:
* Sight: Describing the character's physical appearance, including their facial features, body shape, clothing, and even their surroundings.
* Sound: How they speak, their tone of voice, accent, any sounds they make, or the sounds of their environment.
* Touch: Describing textures of their clothing, hair, skin, or objects they handle.
* Smell: Any scents associated with them, like perfume, body odor, or the smell of their surroundings.
* Taste: This is less common, but might be used to describe a character's eating habits or the taste of something they are experiencing.
2. Dialogue:
* Word Choice: The words a character uses can reveal their personality, education, and background.
* Grammar and Syntax: The way they construct their sentences can suggest their intelligence, impulsiveness, or other traits.
* Speech Patterns: Use of slang, idioms, or specific accents can add layers to their characterization.
3. Actions:
* Body Language: Describing how they move, their gestures, and their posture.
* Habits: Repeating actions or rituals can reveal deeper personality traits or tendencies.
* Reactions: How they respond to situations, especially under stress, can paint a picture of their emotional makeup.
4. Internal Monologue:
* Thoughts: Giving the reader access to the character's thoughts, fears, desires, and motivations.
* Emotions: Describing their feelings and how they react to events.
5. Figurative Language:
* Metaphors and Similes: Comparing the character to something else can evoke a specific impression.
* Imagery: Using vivid language to create a mental picture of the character.
Examples:
* Sensory Details: "Her eyes, the color of a stormy sea, held a strange, unsettling depth."
* Dialogue: "He spoke in a low, gravelly voice that sounded like rocks rolling down a hillside."
* Actions: "She fidgeted with the silver locket around her neck, her fingers tracing the inscription as if trying to decipher its meaning."
* Internal Monologue: "He felt a pang of guilt, a sharp, twisting sensation in his stomach, for leaving her alone like this."
Important Note:
* Balance is key: Don't overload the reader with too much information at once.
* Choose the right techniques: Consider what information is most important to convey about the character and choose the techniques that will best communicate those details.
* Show, don't tell: Use descriptions and actions to reveal the character rather than simply stating their traits.
Ultimately, a successful verbal portrait is one that feels real and resonates with the reader, creating a lasting impression of the character.