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A 'pen picture' is what is traditionally called a short bio-sketch, or personal sketch. These kind of sketches appear on book jackets. They may be requested as part of an application process. To write the sketch, think about the most important and most interesting things about yourself such as:

  • your age
  • your sex - which does not have to be stated as "I am female" or male. You can often work it in a different way.
  • current marital status, and children
  • if unmarried, is there someone important in your life
  • are you a HS or college student
  • what is your top passion
  • what is your second-top passion
  • what are 5 of your interests
  • what are your top 2 goals
  • what do you really enjoy doing
  • what things do you most dislike
  • you can include something like disability IF you choose to do so, OR if you believe it says something in particular about you.
  • anything else 'very important' about you

The goal is to give a written 'mental picture' of yourself. Generally, the sketch is no more than 5 very short paragraphs, using 1 to 3 sentences per paragraph.

Example for HS Male

Wrestling has been my passion since 9th grade when I won 2nd place for XX High School's Wrestling Team. Now in my Senior year, I plan to attend Yale University next fall.

I help my parents care for my disabled step-brother who is 3 years younger than me. We enjoy camping at a small lake near our house. Each summer, the whole family, including my other brother, two step-sisters, and our dog, George, travel through the southwest. We all love the deserts, except George dislikes cacti.

I enjoy bowling and Skateboarding with my friends and am learning archery. But volunteering for the Para-Olympics throughout the year is my passion.

George and I both dislike Country-Western music; I wish I could join him when he howls in response to it. I also advocate for people facing discrimination and bullying in my school. George and I were both adopted into our great family, he at age 2 and I at age 15 after I spent 5 years in foster care.

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Wiki User

12y ago

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