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  • A Research Guide
  • Writing Guide
  • Essay Writing

How to Write a Profile Essay

  • Purpose of profile essay
  • How to start
  • Structure and outline

Step-by-step writing guide

  • Profile essay format

Helpful profile essay examples

What is the purpose of a profile essay, how to start a profile essay correctly, checking successful profile essays matters, choosing your profile essay subject, determine the style and tone of your writing, profile essay structure and outline, profile essay mandatory sections.

  • An Introduction. Under ideal conditions, it should contain several sentences and provide background information about the subject.
  • Body Sections. This part should discuss all the points mentioned in the introduction paragraph yet in greater detail.
  • Conclusion. It is where you provide a summary of all the key points.

1. Determining your profile

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2. Choosing your profile essay subject

3. writing an introduction, 4. working on body paragraphs, 5. conclusion part, 6. final editing and proofreading, profile essay formatting tips.

  • Keep information accessible and clear to your readers.
  • Your sentences should not be overly long. Write to the point.
  • The structure of paragraphs must implement topic sentences as you write.
  • Choose your words and phrases wisely to convey the main meaning.
  • Offer details and examples along with key facts or an interview.
  • Offer a summary sentence in each paragraph to make smooth transitions.
  • Write in a focused and enjoyable manner by avoiding overexplaining things.
  • Use creative narration methods to keep things more inspiring.
  • When you are confused, approaching a cheap essay writing service with experienced writers may help you narrow things down.
  • Keep your writing balanced and offer explanations and glossary points for all the elements that may require an additional explanation.
  • 10+ Profile essay examples . These contain free expository and interview examples available free of charge.
  • Profile essay composition examples by Washtenaw Community College.
  • Purdue OWL Writing Lab formatting and writing style guides help.

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How to Write a Profile Essay

  • Posted 21 November 2020
  • By StudySaurus
  • Under Essay Writing
  • Discover a remarkable subject to write a profile essay about. The person can be well-known or somewhat ordinary. The subject is not limited to an individual but can be a location, leisure interest, or occupation. Expand your search beyond the computer and your neighborhood. Do primary source research on the subject to acquire background information. Go to the library and view back issues of local or regional newspapers and other rags or scan online sources.
  • Develop a loose outline based on the subject of your essay. Jot down the header, “Introduction.” Start listing possible details that will be disclosed later from interviews. Title another header as “Body” and note high points that will become the possible climax of the essay. Tie it all up in the “Conclusion” header and brainstorm solid ending possibilities.
  • Compose a list of specific interview questions. They should be open-ended but specific and relevant to your essay. Questions should draw out information not commonly known about the person. Make a list of possible interviewees to broaden the narrative for a multifaceted profile. This includes others in his or her circle or individuals linked to a location or activity.
  • Conduct the interview in a distraction-free zone. Establish a rapport early on to make the interviewee feel comfortable, which will churn out a more productive interview. Lay down a basic groundwork of what topics will be covered, the length of time needed, and the importance of the interview. Next, advance to the main interview. Be sure to take meticulous notes or get permission to tape the interview to transcribe later.
  • Jot down any observations immediately following the interview. Consider the individual’s habits, attitude, and other qualities that were observed. Transcribe and rearrange the interview questions to recount an interesting personal perspective or interpretation. This will become your rough draft.
  • Revise the draft, incorporating important details and factual incidents that were initially missed. Start with an attention-grabbing lead sentence. Ensure that the beginning grabs the reader and pulls him in. Intrigue your audience with an informative main section. Stay focused on your intended approach until the essay’s conclusion, which should give readers a closing impression of the subject and summarize your overall objective.
  • Read the essay aloud. Did you give a visual portrayal? Check that you interweaved dialogue, added physical descriptions in moderation, but used narrative freely.

Tips to Write a Profile Essay

A profile essay vividly presents a subject to the readers. The writing is a combination of objective and expressive: While presenting his observations and analysis to inform the reader, the writer also brings his own personal perspective and interpretations to the essay. A profile essay differs from biographical and autobiographical writing in that it takes newly acquired observation, through research or firsthand accounts; an autobiography or biography is about remembered experiences. The challenge of a profile essay is to gather the information and give it shape in an essay that conveys a main idea; there are several guidelines to aid a writer in doing this.

Choose the Subject Wisely

While profiles of exciting, controversial people are always interesting, even the mundane can be intriguing if the writer examines it closely and offers a distinctive perspective. A writer shouldn’t overlook the quietly remarkable person who seems ordinary on the outside.

Form an Engaging and Informative Plan

A profile essay will most likely be based on at least one interview with the subject, and may also include interviews with those that know the subject. Writers should resist the temptation to organize the essay in the order they ask the questions, as this can make for boring reading. Instead, the answers of the questions should be examined closely for an emerging image of the subject. The responses can then be incorporated into a more complex picture of the subject.

Provide a Vivid Description

A quality profile essay should incorporate a vivid word picture of the subject. Include specific details, such as how the subject looks, talks, dresses, smells and is motivated. Keep straight description, or just cataloging the obvious, to a minimum; instead, use description to give the sense that the subject’s outward appearance reveals inward character traits. Information from others in the essay should serve to describe the subject and not take on its own life.

Convey a Dominant Impression

A profile essay should convey a dominant impression of the subject: the writer’s personal interpretation and insight on the subject and what the writer has gained from observing and researching. Carefully select and arrange details so that they communicate your attitude. This interpretive element is what categorizes the profile essay as a genre and separates it from other forms of narrative and descriptive writing, such as the biography.

Profile Paper Example

“Good evening, Valparaiso. I’m storm shield meteorologist Jacob Van Horn here with a look at your forecast.” Ever since Jake was in grade school, he knew that he wanted to be a meteorologist. However, it wasn’t until high school that he realized his dream could truly become reality. Jake’s interest in weather began when he first watched the movie “Twister,” a collection of National Geographic documentaries provided by his school. With an abundance of hard work and dedication, Jake is working towards earning his bachelor’s degree in meteorology and achieving his dream of becoming a meteorologist.

Since Jake has always been an admirer of the weather, severe storms always brought him a thrill. His interest in weather peaked after an F-4 tornado struck a city near his home in November of 2002. His family drove through Van Wert, Ohio, to see the damage. “Those images will always be in my head,” he recalls.

Although Jake always knew that he wanted to become a meteorologist, it was not until high school when he recognized his full potential. He realized how good he was at science and math and how much he enjoyed each of these subjects. Math and science are a crucial part of meteorology; therefore, Jake decided to “give it a go.”

When it came to deciding upon a college to pursue his meteorology degree, Jake was torn between Purdue University and Valparaiso University. Both schools possessed a great meteorology program, but Jake was drawn to Valparaiso’s small school atmosphere and location. Although Valparaiso was a private university with higher tuition than Purdue, Jake received a presidential scholarship, which aided in paying for his tuition. Getting accepted into a college with an outstanding meteorology program brought Jake one step closer to achieving his dream.

Once college started, there were a broad range of meteorology classes that he had to take. They started as simple, introductory classes and progressed into much more specific classes, such as an aviation weather class to predict things such as turbulence and a tropical class, which not only focuses on hurricanes and tropical storms, but the impact of the ocean on the weather in general. These classes will be beneficial to his future career choice. A meteorologist’s job can be described as making a type of educated prediction. Jake will use what he has learned in his classes, apply that broad knowledge to whatever is happening in the forecast, look at where the weather is coming from, and predict what he believes will happen.

The summer between his freshman and sophomore years of college, Jake was an intern at a local news station, WANE 15. While at his internship, he often assisted the head meteorologist in creating graphics that were used on television. He liked using the graphics system to see what he could create and he also liked communicating to the people about what was going to be happening. Jake said that he was able to learn an abundance of new things that will be useful in his future endeavors. One night, during a large tornado outbreak, he stayed at the station until around 2AM, keeping the viewing areas informed about the potentially dangerous weather conditions. He said that it “was definitely a crazy night.”

When he returned back to campus his sophomore year, Jake was a lab aide for an introductory class, which helps to refresh students on the basics of meteorology. He was also an assistant weather director at the campus television station, which is helping him learn about the broadcasting side of meteorology. He has learned everything from production to graphic-making and even presentation skills on the green screen. Although he did not think he would like being on television, before he began classes, Jake has learned many skills that have opened his mind to the world of broadcasting.

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A Comprehensive Guide to Writing a Profile Essay Sample

Writing a profile essay can be an exciting and rewarding task, allowing you to delve deep into the life and experiences of an individual. Whether you are writing for a school assignment or a professional publication, a well-crafted profile essay can captivate your readers and provide them with a unique perspective on the subject.

In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the entire process of writing a profile essay, from understanding the basics to polishing your final draft. So, let’s begin our journey into the world of profile essay writing.

Understanding the Basics of a Profile Essay

Before we dive into the intricacies of writing a profile essay, let’s first define what it is exactly. A profile essay is a type of non-fiction writing that showcases the life, personality, and achievements of a particular individual.

Rather than simply presenting facts about the person, a profile essay aims to paint a vivid picture, providing readers with insights and anecdotes that go beyond the surface level.

Definition of a Profile Essay

A profile essay is a genre of writing that provides an in-depth portrait of a person, highlighting their unique characteristics, accomplishments, and impact on society. It goes beyond a mere biography or a collection of facts, offering readers a deeper understanding of the subject’s personality, motivations, and experiences.

When writing a profile essay, it is important to remember that the subject is not just a name on a page, but a complex individual with a rich history and a multitude of experiences. By delving into their story, you have the opportunity to bring their narrative to life, capturing the essence of who they are and what they stand for.

Through careful observation and research, you can uncover the hidden layers of a person’s life, revealing their passions, struggles, and triumphs. A profile essay allows you to delve into the subject’s thoughts and emotions, providing readers with a deeper understanding of their journey and the impact they have had on the world around them.

Purpose and Importance of a Profile Essay

Why should you write a profile essay? What is its purpose? The answer lies in the power of storytelling. Profile essays offer a platform to humanize individuals, shedding light on their triumphs, struggles, and contributions.

Through the art of storytelling, profile essays allow readers to connect with the subject on a personal level, evoking empathy, inspiration, and understanding.

By presenting a comprehensive and nuanced portrayal of the subject, a profile essay can challenge preconceived notions and stereotypes, fostering a greater sense of empathy and appreciation for the diversity of human experiences.

It allows readers to see the world through someone else’s eyes, expanding their horizons and broadening their understanding of the human condition.

Furthermore, profile essays have the power to inspire and motivate. By showcasing the achievements and resilience of individuals, these essays can serve as a source of inspiration for readers, encouraging them to pursue their own passions and overcome obstacles in their own lives.

Profile essays also play a crucial role in preserving history and documenting the stories of those who have made significant contributions to society. By capturing the narratives of individuals who have shaped the world in various ways, these essays ensure that their legacies are not forgotten, serving as a testament to their impact and influence.

In conclusion, a profile essay is not just a piece of writing; it is a window into the lives of extraordinary individuals. It allows readers to connect with the subject on a personal level, fostering empathy, understanding, and inspiration.

So, the next time you embark on writing a profile essay, remember the power of storytelling and the importance of capturing the essence of the person behind the words.

Preparing for Your Profile Essay

Before embarking on your profile essay writing journey, it is crucial to lay a solid foundation. Here are a few steps to help you prepare:

Choosing Your Subject

Selecting the right subject is essential for a successful profile essay. Consider individuals who have made significant contributions to their field or community or those whose stories resonate with your interests. Conduct thorough research and ensure their availability for interviews or access to relevant resources.

When choosing your subject, it is important to think about the impact they have had on their field or community. Look for individuals who have achieved remarkable success or have overcome significant challenges. Their stories will provide a rich and compelling narrative for your profile essay.

Additionally, consider selecting a subject who is accessible and willing to share their experiences with you. This will allow you to gather firsthand information and insights that will make your profile essay more authentic and engaging.

Conducting Preliminary Research

Once you have identified your subject, gather background information to familiarize yourself with their life and work. Read biographies, articles, and interviews to gain a comprehensive understanding of their journey. This research will serve as the foundation for your profile essay, guiding your writing process.

During your preliminary research, delve deep into the subject’s background and accomplishments. Explore their early life, education, career milestones, and any notable achievements or awards they have received.

This will provide you with a well-rounded perspective and enable you to highlight the most significant aspects of their life and work in your profile essay.

Furthermore, pay attention to any controversies or challenges your subject may have faced. Understanding the obstacles they have overcome will add depth and complexity to your profile essay, allowing readers to connect with the subject on a deeper level.

As you conduct your research, take notes and organize the information in a way that will make it easy to reference later. This will save you time during the writing process and ensure that you include all the important details in your profile essay.

Structuring Your Profile Essay

Now that you have selected your subject and conducted preliminary research, it’s time to structure your profile essay effectively. Let’s explore the key components:

Introduction to Profile Essay Structure

Your profile essay’s introduction should provide a compelling opening hook to grab the reader’s attention. One effective way to do this is by starting with an intriguing anecdote or a thought-provoking question related to your subject.

For example, if you are writing a profile essay about a renowned scientist, you could begin with a captivating story about their groundbreaking discovery or pose a question about the impact of their research on society.

After capturing the reader’s attention, you should introduce your subject and provide context for their significance. Explain why your subject is worth exploring and why their story is worth telling. This will help the reader understand the importance of the profile essay and create a sense of anticipation for what is to come.

Additionally, it is crucial to set the tone for the essay in the introduction. Consider the overall message or theme you want to convey and make it clear to the reader from the beginning. Whether you want to inspire, educate, or entertain, the introduction is the perfect place to establish the tone and create a connection with your audience.

Body Paragraphs and Their Organization

The body paragraphs of your profile essay should delve into various aspects of the subject’s life, accomplishments, and experiences. To ensure a well-structured and engaging essay, it is essential to organize these paragraphs effectively.

One approach is to organize the body paragraphs thematically. Identify key themes or topics related to your subject and dedicate each paragraph to exploring one of these themes. For example, if you are writing a profile essay about an artist, you could have paragraphs dedicated to their early influences, artistic style, notable works, and impact on the art world.

Another approach is to organize the body paragraphs chronologically. This works well when your subject’s life or journey has distinct phases or stages. You can start with their background and early life, then progress through their career milestones, and conclude with their current endeavors.

This chronological structure allows the reader to follow the subject’s progression and development over time.Regardless of the organizational approach you choose, each body paragraph should explore a specific aspect of your subject.

Provide supporting details, examples, and anecdotes to bring your subject to life. Use vivid descriptions and sensory language to immerse the reader in the subject’s world.

Crafting a Compelling Conclusion

As you approach the end of your profile essay, aim to leave a lasting impression on your readers. The conclusion should not be a mere summary but rather a reflection on the significance of your subject’s life and journey.

Recap the key highlights of your subject’s life and emphasize the most impactful moments or achievements. This will reinforce the main points you want the reader to remember.

Additionally, reflect on the impact your subject has made, not only on their own life but also on others or society as a whole. Discuss the lessons readers can take away from your subject’s story and how it can inspire or educate them.

Finally, end your profile essay with a thought-provoking statement that leaves your audience with something to ponder. This could be a question, a call to action, or a powerful quote related to your subject.

Remember, the goal of a profile essay is to capture the essence of your subject and present it in a compelling and engaging manner. By following these guidelines for structuring your essay, you will create a well-organized and captivating piece that will leave a lasting impact on your readers.

Writing Techniques for a Profile Essay

While structure is crucial, the writing techniques you employ can truly bring your profile essay to life. Here are a few techniques to consider:

Using Descriptive Language

Paint a vivid picture in your readers’ minds by incorporating descriptive language into your profile essay. Use sensory details and descriptive adjectives to create a rich and immersive experience, allowing your readers to visualize the subject and their surroundings.

Incorporating Narratives and Anecdotes

Add depth and personality to your profile essay by incorporating narratives and anecdotes. Share personal stories from the subject’s life or interviews to provide readers with a more intimate glimpse into their character. These narratives can help make the essay relatable and engaging.

Editing and Proofreading Your Profile Essay

Once you have completed your profile essay, your work is not yet done. Editing and proofreading are essential steps to ensure your essay is polished and error-free. Consider the following:

Importance of Revision in Writing

Take the time to review and revise your profile essay. Look for clarity, coherence, and flow. Check for any grammatical or punctuation errors. Revise your sentences and paragraphs to ensure they convey your intended message effectively. Seek feedback from peers or mentors for a fresh perspective.

Proofreading Strategies for a Flawless Essay

Proofreading is the final step before submitting your profile essay. Check for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. Ensure consistency in formatting and styling.

Read your essay aloud to catch any awkward phrasing or unclear sentences. Consider using online tools or enlisting the help of a professional proofreader to ensure your essay is flawless.

In conclusion, writing a profile essay can be a captivating and enlightening experience. By understanding the basics, preparing meticulously, and employing effective writing techniques, you can create a compelling profile essay that resonates with your readers.

Remember, each profile essay is an opportunity to share someone’s story and inspire others. So, embrace the power of storytelling and embark on your profile essay writing journey with confidence.

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How to Write a Stellar Profile Essay?

09 February, 2021

13 minutes read

Author:  Tomas White

A profile essay, or article, is a piece of journalistic-cum-literary writing. The aim is to present factual information on a given topic (person, place, animal, or event) while writing with an individual tone and style. In this article, we will expand on the concept of a profile essay. We will also tackle what a profile is and what purpose profiles serve. Finally, we will present strategies for preparing your research and strengthening your writing technique, as well as offer tips on structure and potential topics.

Profile Essay

What Is a Profile Essay?

A profile essay can be considered a literary piece of writing, in which the writer mainly delivers a descriptive account of a person, place, or event. The goal of the profile essay is to be informative. It usually conforms to standards found in journalism – that is to say, using facts and offering impartial reportage – while conveying this information in a literary style.

profile essay

Literary style means offering more to the reader than a revised press release or stenographed interview. Offer insight and immersion to the reader, show them the layers of character and environment, and run these underlying factual happenings through your individual interpretation of it all. 

The Purpose of Profile Essays

The purpose of a profile essay is to be read and well-received by an audience. It is not an obscure technical writing piece, although it may cover obscure figures or events. In general, profile essays appear in magazines and newspapers – in either their print or digital formats. They also appear in scholarly or trade journals, usually covering rising or established people within these niches.

For the writer, a profile essay is a piece of writing aimed at joining the journalistic and literary style. As mentioned in the previous section, journalistic writing must be factual and rigorously checked for errors. Literary writing has some joy involved in its reading; in what way that joy comes out in ‘writing style’ is up to you.

Ultimately, with those two concepts in mind, the purpose of a profile essay is to get you, the writer, some more work. Profiles are highly prevalent and serve as a fantastic way of adding more pieces to your portfolio, whether you’re a new essay writer or a seasoned pro.

Prepare for your essay

Preparing for a profile depends on how close you are to starting writing. Writers coming to this article with a stretch of time ahead of them have the luxury of doing some background reading that is not directly related to the matter at hand. Finding a good profile essay example has the hidden benefit of looking like a lazy weekend afternoon; get a stack of magazines and read.

Some of the most common places to find quality profiles are The New Yorker, The New York Review of Books, the London Review of Books, Esquire, or National Geographic. Another perspective is to look for writers, head to your bookshelf or local book store, and do some digging. Again, read and make some notes on the qualities you enjoy and dislike in a range of profiles.

Lastly, in terms of reading, examine the differences between an essay or article profiling a person and one that profiles an event.

That form of preparation is more akin to education. It is needed to bolster your understanding of the broad picture and what is essentially the marketplace for your piece of work. 

Preparing for your actual essay, not the skill of writing an ambiguous profile essay, is another matter. The research and reading that are highly relevant to your subject matter will make or break your profile essay. 

To begin with, you must find all profiles of your subject that are in existence and don’t require a transatlantic flight to a dusty library archive – in this instance, simply email the library and ask if they’ve considered digitizing their collection, starting with your desired piece. 

One of the most surefire organization tactics for research is timelining. Start at the beginning; be sure to go into ‘negative digits’ and look at the parent’s history or the town’s history, or anything else that emerges in your research.

After ‘time’ as a category of thinking comes ‘significance.’ What were the defining features of this person’s life, and to what sort of ‘movement’ might they belong? Add this into your timeline research and press on.

Have you selected a person or place that is feasible to contact and ask for a quote or interview? You may also want to reach out to other players in the story you’re telling and see what they have to say on things.

Preparing all this research can get messy and cluttered. The best way to solve this problem is to  follow a system from the start, as mentioned above; time is a great organizer. Also, keep a running bibliography in a separate file on your computer. Keep tabs on everything you’ve read, and be as forensic as possible with maintaining records. Who knows what might happen in the future regarding the focus of your essay? They might run for president, or they might fade into obscurity. 

Profile Essay Outline

As a profile essay combines qualities of journalism and literary writing, the ideal outline doesn’t exist. Literary writing can take the reader on a journey; in fact, the only requirement of the structure is to guide this journey as magnificently as possible.

Were we to suggest a general profile essay outline, it would contain these sections and ingredients. The order is flexible to an extent. It depends on the content of your profile. Have you got an interview to draw upon, or are you using your storytelling powers to deduct and infer from other sources?

In your introduction, if you’ve conducted an interview, use a quote for your lede. A good quote is an excellent way to set the tone and give an impression of your subject to the reader. Those without an interview might consider a bold statement; be sure that you use something here to act as a powerful lede and bring the reader on board. 

Alluring mysteries are one thing; though the crunch point for this gambit is to make the pay-off worthwhile. Else, the cliff-edge and the tension you create will be for nothing in the end. 

There will be time to provide things like background and biography in the main body of a profile essay. These tend to follow the lede as they’re a nice cool-down; they give the reader a chance to build knowledge on an obscure topic. Whereas for the writer, both the background and biography offer an opportunity to peg in some facts, figures, and breadcrumbs to draw upon later.

The body of a profile essay is tricky. You, first of all, need to engagingly tell your readers the story in it. Remember to build tension and really ‘let go’ when it comes to releasing that tension. Tell it to a friend, read it aloud. Move around the paragraphs. Remember that the profile is following an arc and in your conclusions, hook back in the initial qualities of the opening part. This technique is like cadence in music, and it will please your audience as long as it isn’t too trite. 

Profile Essay Topics

A suitable subject or topic depends on your qualities as a writer and the desired outcome of writing such a profile essay. Now, it does not have to include an interview, but many profile essays do include them. Some profile essay topics may be inanimate objects or complex emergences of human life (events). If this is the case, you can still interview 

For interviews, considering you’re likely a lowly reporter on a college paper, getting an interview with a high-flying sportsperson, politician, or musician is unlikely. In any event, the lower-flying specimens of these species could make a good target. 

The most important thing to consider when choosing the topic or subject is to work with your gut and instinct. If you’re interested in the story, you’re going to have much more to put into it, and your excitement and verve will show through in writing. It may also make it easier to stomach the long hours of tedious research that can emerge when trying to prove or disprove an obscurity of some kind. 

If you haven’t decided on the topic, there’s still room for maneuver. You can look at the subject matter and present your perspective on the case; that’s the subjective element of a profile, your view.

This perspective of yours can focus on just one specific aspect of a person or event. By removing the duller or more well-trodden elements of a character, you open up the chance to explore a new side of a topic. It’s also a fantastic skill for writers to be able to recap well-known things or facts quickly. Writing in this style for a very general audience should be a skill in any writer’s arsenal. 

Profile Essay Examples 

Properly digesting the advice and points made in this article can be aided by reading some profile essay examples. Look for examples given out in your class, or search around using the main keyword – profile essay examples. 

Here are a few examples for you to get a catch on how to write profile essays excellently:

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/profiles

https://longreads.com/2019/12/17/longreads-best-of-2019-profiles/

https://longreads.com/2017/12/18/longreads-best-of-2017-profile-writing/

Writing Tips for a Profile Essay

How to write a profile essay in three steps; pick a subject, do your research, and start writing. Remember that a profile essay is a literary and a journalistic piece of writing. It’s non-fiction, so your facts and figures must be accurate, and any discrepancies or controversies surrounding your data can form a part of your analysis.

Always write with your reader at the forefront of your mind. Visualize your reader, even if it’s a college essay, and think of how you could pitch your piece to a publication. The natural home of a profile is in the media, not in the college textbook. So write the essay with publication in mind. 

 Here are some essential tips for a profile essay composition:

  • Conduct thorough research on your topic, look for potential interviews or aspects not covered in previous profiles if they exist. Also, make sure you’ve read all of the profiles on or related to your subject matter; a profile is an evolving topic, and new facts can emerge.
  • Profile examples are available online, as well as those posted by educational institutes, and of course, those featured in the media. Reading these serves as excellent preparation and inspiration.
  • The structure and overall outline of a profile essay is something with a degree of flexibility. While the introduction and rounding off of the essay will look familiar, tracking a person’s profile or event can involve highly unique pieces of information. Unlike many other papers, profiles don’t have to strictly conform to the thesis, antithesis, and synthesis structure. However, this familiar form of writing still works in part when writing a profile. 

Write a Profile Essay with HandmadeWriting

HandmadeWriting can help with the development, construction, and polishing of a profile essay. As an organization, we draw on academics and writers’ expertise from across the spectrum of the written word. 

Getting started can be difficult, but consulting with HandmadeWriting offers a way to get the ball rolling. The writers at HandmadeWriting are used to working on a countless number of topics and essay styles. The staff is also familiar with working under a tight deadline, not to mention those tasks where the endpoint is less defined. 

HandmadeWriting makes composing an essay or profile piece simple. Talk with a skilled writer and editor today on your topic, and you can make a start immediately.

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How to Write a Profile Essay (+ Examples to Check)

In the article, you’ll find the profile essay definition and structure. Several examples are also here to help you see how to create a brilliant one.

What is a Profile Essay?

Such papers have two primary goals:

  •  Stay informative
  •  Provide as many exciting details about the subject as possible

Another essential detail is that you shouldn’t stray from the topic. Mention only the relevant things, and don’t be afraid to keep the focus as narrow as possible.

That’s the point of any profile essay.

Profile Essay Example

Profile essays look personal, but their style is matter-of-fact and academic. It seems challenging, but you can do that with appropriate examples at hand.

There are two common types of such papers: on a person and a place . Since each has its specifics, let’s jump right into the samples!

Profile essay example on a person 

Lucky you are when a professor assigns an essay about yourself. After all, it’s a person you know best, right? When writing about someone else, the key is to treat them how you’d treat yourself if you wrote your story.

Here’s an example of a profile essay on a person :

Profile essay example on a place  

Another profile paper is the one describing a specific location. It can include its history, spots, and the famous people who visited it. 

Choose the places you find exciting, but consider how much information you can dig up. Remember that a stellar profile essay must be informative. Put your emotions about what you’re describing aside.  Example:

How to Write a Profile Essay: Outline and Tips

profile-essay-structure

One of the profile essay challenges is making it long enough  to meet the word count.

You can do it through research and adding extra info during the writing process. Imagine you’re a detective compiling a case file!

More details:

Craft a profile essay outline before writing. It’s a plan for an intro, a body, and a conclusion [1]. Important: Outline the thesis and topic sentences for each paragraph. That way, you’ll get a template for your essay to fill in with relevant information.

How to start a profile essay

The best way to start your essay is a so-called attention grabber. Tell the most intriguing fact about your topic and elaborate on it in the following sentence.

As a finishing touch, focus on a thesis statement. That last sentence reveals all the details you’ll discuss in the upcoming paragraphs.

Body paragraphs

You need several main points, whether writing about a personality or describing a location. Derive topic sentences (your paragraphs’ first sentences) from research and make them informative.

The last sentence of each section should be a transition to the next one. It will make your essay easy to read.

Writing a profile essay conclusion

Unlike an interview or expository essay , your conclusion restates the thesis and summarizes the core info from your paper.

While it sounds simple, this part of your paper is the most significant. Ensure you end it with a relevant sum-up.

Practical tips on writing profile papers  

Profile papers are all about research and editing your essay to perfection. Below are three fruitful tips [2] on how to do that.

  • Use a reference finder . This tool works like a filter, removing all irrelevant sources from your search. It will help you invest less time in finding the materials you need.
  • Spend several hours resting before editing your paper . If you look for mistakes in your essay right after you’ve finished the draft, you’re likely to miss them. Give your brain time to refocus, and you’ll find more typos and inconsistencies.
  • Ask parents or friends how informative it is . If unsure about how your paper turned out, ask someone who doesn’t know much about the topic. If they find your draft engaging, it’s a success.

Bonus: Profile Essay Topics Ideas  

If a tutor doesn’t provide a specific topic for your profile essay and you struggle to find one, try any of these:

  •   My Hometown’s History: The Hero of People
  •   The Writer Who Shaped My View of Life
  •   The Best Five-Star Hotel In Our Country
  •   An Unusual Millionaire With a Kind Heart
  •   A Touching Story of a Famous Animal
  •   My Favorite Painter: A Biography
  •   My Favorite Touristic Location
  •   The Spookiest Location I’ve Ever Visited
  •   The Teacher Who Was My Role Model
  •   The Landmark I’ll Never Forget
  •   My Pet Animal: Facts and Stories
  •   My Hero: The Person I Want to Become
  •   The Most Impressive Water Body I’ve Seen
  •   The Place I Dream to Visit
  •   The Fictional Character I Learned Most From

Profile essays can be challenging. Yet, they’re great for training your writing and research skills. You pay attention to details so that a text flows and presents information logically.

It’s okay if you don’t create a masterpiece on your first try. Just remember to have fun in the process.

References:

  • https://www.adelaide.edu.au/english-for-uni/essay-writing
  • https://www.wccnet.edu/webfiles/writing-center/web/essay-structures/ProfileEssay.pdf
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  • Essay writing
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Daniel Chacón: Writing a Profile Essay

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A Profile Essay Describes a Person, Place or Thing (Activity) / Un Ensayo de Perfil Describe a una Persona, Lugar o Cosa (Actividad)

Illustration of Hank Williams by Marc Burckhardt

  • Writing a Profile Essay A .pdf of the contents of this page can be downloaded for your use.

Writing a Profile Essay / Escribir un Ensayo de Perfil

A profile essay is a type of essay that centers around a certain person, place or activity.  One of the most common profile essay assignments is one in which the author "profiles" a certain person, offering information about who that person is and why they are important.

Un ensayo de perfil es un tipo de ensayo que se centra en cierta persona, lugar o actividad. Una de las asignaciones de ensayos de perfil más comunes es una en la que el autor "perfiles" de una determinada persona, que ofrece información sobre lo que esa persona es y por qué son importantes.

A profile essay does not have the same structure as a narrative essay or an argumentative essay.  The type of writing for a profile essay is less rigidly structured, and an author can take several different approaches.  Here are a few ideas and general guidelines about writing a profile essay.

Un ensayo de perfil no tiene la misma estructura que un ensayo narrativo o un ensayo argumentativo. El tipo de escritura para un ensayo de perfil tiene una estructura menos rígida, y un autor puede tomar diferentes enfoques. Aquí hay algunas ideas y pautas generales sobre cómo escribir un ensayo de perfil.

Tone / Tono

The tone of a profile essay is different than other essays.  It must still maintain an academic or professional voice, but it is a little more flexible.  The second person ("you") is still definitely to be avoided.  However, in certain situations, the first person ("I") might be acceptable; for instance, in an interview dialog between the profiler (author) and the person being profiled.  Please  keep in mind, however, that excessive first person use detracts from the person or thing being profiled, and instead puts the focus on the author.  The paper is not about you .

El tono de un ensayo de perfil es diferente a otros ensayos. Todavía debe mantener una voz académica o profesional, pero es un poco más flexible. La segunda persona ("usted") definitivamente debe evitarse. Sin embargo, en ciertas situaciones, la primera persona ("I") podría ser aceptable; por ejemplo, en un diálogo de entrevista entre el perfilador (autor) y la persona que se está perfilando. Tenga en cuenta, sin embargo, que el uso excesivo de la primera persona resta valor a la persona o cosa que se está perfilando, y en su lugar pone el foco en el autor. El documento no es sobre ti .

Organization  /  Organización

There are many ways to structure a profile essay.  Here are two main approaches:  the chronological format, and the thematic format.

Chronological Format / Formato Cronológico

In an interview format, generally a chronological organization works well.  This means putting early parts of the interviewee's life experience first and later parts of their life after.  For instance, if an interviewee talks about their childhood and their marriage in the same interview, it would make sense to write about their childhood first.  Every paragraph can cover a different section of the interviewee's life.  This is a very linear and simple way to write a profile essay, and it generally works well.

En un formato de entrevista, generalmente una organización cronológica funciona bien. Esto significa poner primero partes iniciales de la experiencia de vida del entrevistado y luego partes de su vida. Por ejemplo, si un entrevistado habla sobre su infancia y su matrimonio en la misma entrevista, tendría sentido escribir sobre su infancia primero. Cada párrafo puede cubrir una sección diferente de la vida del entrevistado. Esta es una forma muy lineal y simple de escribir un ensayo de perfil, y generalmente funciona bien.

Thematic Format / Formato Temático

Another way to structure a profile is to organize it by theme.  For example, an interview might talk first about a person's youth in a theatre troupe, then about their marriage and kids, and then their rediscovery of theater after their kids grew up.  It would make sense to detail all the experiences with theatre in the same paragraph even though they happened in very different parts of the person's life.  In a thematic format, the profile can be organized by types of experiences; perhaps one paragraph can deal exclusively with family matters (child and marriage) while the next can deal exclusively with theater experiences.  This format is a good alternative to the chronological format.

Otra forma de estructurar un perfil es organizarlo por tema. Por ejemplo, una entrevista podría hablar primero sobre la juventud de una persona en una compañía de teatro, luego sobre su matrimonio y sus hijos, y luego sobre el redescubrimiento del teatro después de que sus hijos crecieron. Tendría sentido detallar todas las experiencias con el teatro en el mismo párrafo a pesar de que ocurrieron en partes muy diferentes de la vida de la persona. En un formato temático, el perfil puede organizarse por tipos de experiencias; quizás un párrafo puede tratar exclusivamente asuntos familiares (hijos y matrimonio) mientras que el siguiente puede tratar exclusivamente con experiencias teatrales. Este formato es una buena alternativa al formato cronológico.

Thesis / Tesis

The core part of any essay is its thesis, and the profile essay is no exception.  However, a thesis in a profile essay looks different than the thesis of an argumentative or critical analysis paper.  Much of the time, a thesis is presented as an "argument," detailing a position that the reader can agree with or disagree with.  The framing of a thesis solely as an argument is problematic; it would be more appropriate for all essay types to describe a thesis as "the main point" of an essay.  This can consist of either an argument, a "moral of the story," or simply a concise evaluation of the topic.

A profile essay is centered on a topic (usually a person), and thus its thesis should also center on that topic.  It should answer the following questions:  What's the point?  Why is this profile important?  What should the reader take away from the essay?

Un ensayo de perfil se centra en un tema (generalmente una persona), y por lo tanto su tesis también debe centrarse en ese tema. Debe responder las siguientes preguntas: ¿Cuál es el punto? ¿Por qué es este perfil importante? ¿Qué debería sacar el lector del ensayo?

Here is an example of a profile essay thesis.  Note the concise formality and summarization of the statement:

Aquí hay un ejemplo de una tesis de ensayo de perfil. Tenga en cuenta la concisa formalidad y el resumen de la declaración:

Singer "Pink"

Pink is one of the most important singers alive today because of her unique upbringing and life history, which have left an indelible mark on her strong signature vocals and her legendary acrobatic performances .

Pink es uno de los cantantes más importantes que viven hoy en día debido a su crianza única e historia de vida, que han dejado una marca indeleble en su fuerte voz distintiva y sus interpretaciones acrobáticas legendarias.

Style / Estilo

Sometimes profile essays are assigned for a person that the author knows personally, perhaps a friend or neighbor.  In these cases, the information on a profile essay will usually be gathered from a personal interview.  In an interview format, an essay should somewhat resemble a profile in a magazine.  When reading a profile on a celebrity in a magazine like Time or Rolling Stone , the writer switches off between parts of the interviewee's life and things they say to the profiler.  Here is an example.

A veces, los ensayos de perfil se asignan a una persona que el autor conoce personalmente, tal vez un amigo o vecino. En estos casos, la información de un ensayo de perfil generalmente se recopilará de una entrevista personal. En un formato de entrevista, un ensayo debería parecerse a un perfil en una revista. Al leer un perfil de una celebridad en una revista como Time o Rolling Stone, el escritor se desconecta entre las partes de la vida del entrevistado y las cosas que le dicen al perfilador. Aquí hay un ejemplo.

Although a healthy baby, Pink developed severe asthma as a child.  When only three, her parents divorced.  She wrote lyrics as an outlet for her feelings,  "I always retreated into my writing as a way to deal with the sadness in my life."   

A pesar de ser un bebé saludable, Pink desarrolló asma severa cuando era niño. Cuando solo tres, sus padres divorciado. Ella escribió letras como una salida para sus sentimientos, "Siempre me retiré en mis escritos como una forma lidiar con la tristeza en mi vida ".      

Note how the example switched off between paraphrasing and direct quotes.  All of the information is from the same interview, but beginning with some paraphrasing and then transitioning into a relevant direct quote helps keep the information free fresh.  This formula can be repeated for the duration of the profile essay.     

Observe cómo el ejemplo se desconectó entre parafraseo y comillas directas. Toda la información proviene de la misma entrevista, pero comenzar con una paráfrasis y luego hacer la transición a una cita directa relevante ayuda a mantener la información fresca y gratuita. Esta fórmula se puede repetir durante la duración del ensayo de perfil.  

For additional help on how to conduct an interview, take a look at the following guide developed by Cornell University:

Para obtener ayuda adicional sobre cómo realizar una entrevista, eche un vistazo a la siguiente guía desarrollada por la Universidad de Cornell:

https://courses2.cit.cornell.edu/fit117/CP_I_InterviewGuide1.htm

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How To Write A Profile Essay Like A Professional Writer

how to write a profile essay

Welcome to our blog, where we embark on a journey to master the art of writing profiles essays. Whether you’re a high school or college student, understanding the critical components of a profile essay is essential for academic success. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the definition of a profile essay and provide practical tips, example of a profile essay, and expert advice to help you excel in this form of writing.

A profile essay is a captivating narrative that enables students to explore the lives and experiences of individuals. Through vivid descriptions and engaging storytelling, these essays offer readers a glimpse into the unique qualities and perspectives of the profiled subjects. By mastering the fundamentals of this writing style, you can effectively communicate your observations and insights, creating compelling and informative profiles.

In our blog, we will discuss the essential elements of a profile essay and emphasize the importance of high-quality writing and the benefits of expert guidance. Whether you’re a student aiming to improve your writing skills or a teacher seeking to enhance your students’ abilities, this guide is designed to provide you with the necessary tools and techniques to create exceptional profiles.

Join us on this enriching journey, where we share valuable knowledge, practical profile essay examples, and insider tips, empowering you to produce outstanding profile essays. Let’s unlock the secrets of this unique form of writing and achieve fast, awesome results together.

Table of Contents

What is a profile essay, how to start a profile essay, profile essay structure guides, key considerations for writing engaging profile essays, crafting an outstanding profile essay: essential tips, profile essays in academic settings.

A profile essay is not just a collection of facts and figures; it is a powerful literary piece that delves deep into the essence of a person, place, or event. This form of writing goes beyond surface-level descriptions to create a vivid and engaging portrayal that captivates readers emotionally.

When crafting a profile essay outline, the writer aims to explore a specific individual’s life, personality, experiences, achievements, or unique qualities of a place or event. It seeks to paint a comprehensive picture, offering readers a window into the subject’s world and allowing them to connect with it on a deeper level.

A well-written profile essay immerses the reader in the subject’s experiences, thoughts, and emotions by employing descriptive language, storytelling techniques, and insightful observations. It evokes empathy and understanding, enabling readers to forge a connection and gain a deeper appreciation for the person, place, or event being portrayed.

In summary, a profile essay is a literary work that aims to go beyond superficial details and statistics. It is a means of conveying the essence of a subject through engaging storytelling, providing readers with a rich and immersive experience that leaves a lasting impact.

The beginning of a profile essay is vital in capturing the reader’s attention and setting the tone for the rest of the piece. It requires careful consideration and strategic planning to ensure a strong start. Here are a few practical ways how to write a good profile essay:

  • Look for unique qualities: Seek out subjects with unique backgrounds, experiences, or achievements. These aspects can add depth and intrigue to your profile essay.
  • Consider relevance: Choose a subject relevant to your intended audience or the purpose of the assignment. This will help create a stronger connection and interest among your readers.
  • Interview your subject: Reach out to the individual you are profiling and request an interview. Prepare a thoughtful question list about their life, experiences, and perspectives. These interviews will provide invaluable insights and personal anecdotes that can enhance the depth of your essay.
  • Read articles and books: Explore articles, books, and other publications related to your subject. This will provide a broader context and enable you to include relevant background information in your profile essay.
  • Explore online sources: Utilize reputable online sources such as websites, blogs, and academic databases to gather additional information and perspectives on your subject. Be critical of your authorities and ensure they are credible and reliable.
  • Be concise and specific: State your main argument or the central theme of your profile essay clearly and concisely.
  • Make it captivating: Use language that captures the reader’s attention and creates intrigue. A compelling thesis statement will generate interest and encourage readers to continue reading.
  • Provide a roadmap: Your thesis statement should act as a roadmap for your essay, indicating the main points or areas of focus you will cover. This helps readers understand the structure and flow of your essay.

Starting a profile essay requires careful consideration of the subject, thorough research, and a well-crafted thesis statement. Choosing an intriguing topic, conducting a comprehensive analysis, and formulating a solid thesis statement can captivate your readers and set the stage for a compelling and informative profile essay. Remember, the start of your essay sets the tone for the entire piece, so invest time and effort into crafting a high quality and strong opening that engages and intrigues your readers.

Writing a profile essay requires a structured approach combining storytelling and factual information. Follow these steps to create a well-crafted profile essay:

  • Introduction: Begin your essay with a compelling opening sentence that hooks the reader. Provide some background information about the subject and introduce the main thesis statement.
  • Body Paragraphs: Divide your essay into multiple paragraphs, each focusing on a specific aspect or theme related to the topic. Use a mix of narrative storytelling and factual information to engage the reader. Include anecdotes, quotes, and descriptions to bring your subject to life.
  • Organization and Flow: Ensure a logical progression from one paragraph to another. Use transitional phrases to maintain the coherence of your essay. Consider arranging your sections thematically or chronologically, depending on what suits your subject best.
  • Descriptive Language: Incorporate vivid and descriptive language to create a sensory experience for the reader. Use specific details and imagery to make your subject come alive.
  • Conclusion: Summarize the main points discussed in your essay and leave the reader with a lasting impression. Reflect on the significance of your topic and its impact on the reader.

A profile essay offers a comprehensive portrayal of a person or place, providing readers with a detailed understanding of the subject. Whether it’s about a place or a person, crafting an engaging profile essay requires careful planning and effective storytelling. Here are some key steps to consider:

How to Write a Profile Essay on a Place:

Choose an intriguing place: Select a location that is unique and holds significance for the readers. Observe and research: Immerse yourself in the place, exploring its history, culture, and physical aspects. Structure your essay: Begin with an engaging introduction, describe the place vividly, and provide personal insights. Incorporate sensory details: Utilize descriptive language to appeal to the readers’ senses. Conclude with a reflection: Share your overall impression and highlight the significance of the place.

How to Write a Profile Essay on a Person:

Select a captivating individual: Find someone with an interesting background, achievements, or experiences. Conduct interviews: Engage in in-depth conversations to gather firsthand information about the person. Organize your essay: Begin with an attention-grabbing introduction, present the person’s background and accomplishments, and delve into their personality traits and influences. Use anecdotes and examples: Illustrate the person’s characteristics through real-life stories and specific instances. Wrap up with a reflection: Offer your personal insights, reflect on the person’s impact, and conclude with a memorable ending.

Remember, in both types of profile essays, it is crucial to maintain a balanced blend of factual information and compelling storytelling to engage readers and leave a lasting impression.

how to write a profile essay

When writing a profile essay, it’s essential to remember key elements that will enhance the quality of your work. Here are some essential tips to help you craft an outstanding profile essay:

  • Choose an Engaging Format: While there is no strict format for a profile essay, you can structure it to suit your subject and the narrative you want to create. You can opt for a chronological structure, a thematic approach, or a combination of both.
  • Conduct Thorough Interviews: Interviews are crucial in gathering firsthand information about your subject. Prepare a list of relevant questions and conduct interviews with the subject and individuals associated with them. These interviews will enrich your profile essay with unique insights and personal anecdotes.
  • Focus on Descriptive Details: Pay attention to descriptive details to bring your subject to life. Use sensory language to create a vivid picture in the reader’s mind. Describe the subject’s appearance, gestures, and mannerisms. Include details about the environment, sounds, and smells to transport the reader to the scene.
  • Utilize Direct Quotes: Direct quotes from your subject and others you interview add authenticity and credibility to your profile essay. Use quotes to highlight important points or capture the subject’s voice and perspective.
  • Show, Don’t Tell: Rather than simply stating facts, show the reader the subject’s personality, values, and experiences through storytelling. Engage the reader’s emotions by narrating impactful moments or sharing significant events that shaped the subject’s life.
  • Revise and Edit: Once you have completed your profile essay’s first draft, revise and edit it. Check for clarity, coherence, and grammar errors. Trim unnecessary information and ensure a smooth flow of ideas. Consider seeking feedback from peers or instructors to gain valuable insights.

Profile essays are commonly assigned in various academic settings, including high school, college, and university. These assignments allow students to develop their research, writing, and storytelling skills while exploring diverse subjects and honing their analytical thinking.

Following Guidelines:

When working on a profile essay for school or college, it’s crucial to follow the guidelines provided by your instructor. This ensures that you stay on track and meet the assignment requirements. Consider the following points:

  • Pay attention to specific requirements: Your instructor may provide instructions regarding length, formatting, citation style, and other essential details. Make sure to adhere to these guidelines to avoid any penalties.
  • Understand the objectives: Familiarize yourself with the purposes of the assignment. This will help you shape your essay and focus on the key aspects your instructor wants you to explore.
  • Align with learning outcomes: Consider how the profile essay fits into the broader learning outcomes of the course. This will enable you to approach the assignment with a clear understanding of its purpose and relevance.

Seeking Assistance:

If you struggle with the assignment or need extra support, online essay assignment help and custom writing services are available. These services offer expert guidance and assistance, ensuring you receive high-quality, well-crafted profile essays that meet your academic requirements. Here are some key points to consider:

  • Online homework helpers: These platforms connect you with knowledgeable tutors who can guide and answer your questions about profile essay writing. They can offer valuable insights and help you overcome challenges you may encounter.
  • Custom writing services: If you feel overwhelmed or lack time to complete the assignment, custom writing services can be a viable option. These services employ professional writers who can create custom profile essays tailored to your needs and requirements. However, it’s essential to choose a reputable and trustworthy service to ensure the quality and originality of the work.

Profile essays in academic settings offer students a valuable opportunity to develop their research, writing, and storytelling skills. By following the guidelines provided by your instructor and seeking assistance when needed, you can ensure that your profile essays meet the objectives of the assignment and align with the course’s learning outcomes. Remember, practice and persistence are crucial to mastering the art of writing compelling and informative profile essays.

Get Profile Essay Writing Help Today!

Mastering the art of writing a profile essay requires a combination of skill, guidance, and support. By following the guidelines and tips provided by experts, you can create captivating profiles that engage and resonate with your readers. Along the way, it’s essential to seek assistance when needed, and fortunately, there are affordable options available that provide class-leading customer support.

When embarking on the journey of writing a profile essay, remember to choose an intriguing subject and conduct thorough research to ensure the accuracy and depth of your piece. Craft a strong thesis statement that serves as a roadmap for your essay, guiding your readers through the main aspects you’ll be exploring.

In the process, it’s reassuring to know that expert guidance and support are accessible. Whether you require assistance structuring your essay, some college assignment help , or understanding the nuances of profile essay writing, affordable online platforms provide the expertise you need. These platforms offer friendly customer support to address your queries and provide valuable insights, ensuring you receive the guidance necessary to excel in your writing endeavors.

By availing yourself of these resources, you can enhance your profile essay writing skills, boost your confidence, and achieve outstanding results. So, embrace the art of writing profiles backed by expert guidance, affordable options, class-leading support, and friendly assistance. Let your words paint vivid portraits and create lasting connections with your readers through the power of the profile essay.

What is a profile essay, and what is its purpose?

A profile essay is a type of academic or journalistic writing that aims to provide a detailed description and analysis of a particular person, place, event, or organization. Its purpose is to present a comprehensive and engaging portrayal of the subject, highlighting its unique qualities, experiences, and significance.

How do I choose a suitable subject for my profile essay?

When selecting a subject for your profile essay, consider individuals, places, or events that possess distinct characteristics, have a compelling story, or hold relevance in a specific context. It could be a notable figure in your community, a memorable travel destination, or an event with cultural significance. The key is to choose a subject that allows for rich exploration and offers an opportunity to captivate your readers.

What are the essential elements to include in a profile essay?

A profile essay typically includes several key elements to portray the subject comprehensively. These elements may include a vivid and engaging introduction, background information, descriptive details, anecdotes, quotes, and personal observations. It is important to capture the subject’s personality, experiences, and significance through a well-structured narrative that keeps the reader engaged.

How can I ensure the accuracy and credibility of the information in my profile essay?

To maintain accuracy and credibility in your profile essay, conducting thorough research and gathering information from reliable sources is crucial. This can involve interviewing the subject, conducting background research, and seeking multiple perspectives. Always verify the information you gather and cross-reference it with trustworthy sources to ensure the accuracy of your content. Remember to attribute any quotes or specific details to their respective sources.

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How to Write a Profile Essay

Published by Boni on May 11, 2023 May 11, 2023

how to write a profile essay

To learn how to write a profile essay, you must first master where to begin. Given that this is a profile essay, it will be much simpler for students who have previously read autobiographical articles or descriptions of landscapes. Getting someone to agree to describe something in words is simple, but getting them to put their thoughts down on paper is far more challenging because the article needs to be appropriately framed.

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Profile essays are a common form of assessment for students’ writing abilities. Accordingly, you should know how to write a profile essay’s body paragraphs, write a profile essay’s conclusion, and create a profile essay’s outline. Follow the steps outlined in this article for assistance.

Definition of a Profile Essay

A profile essay is a descriptive literature that describes in details a setting, an occasion, or a person. That means, the essay should always be well-written, thorough, and contain accurate information about a particular subject. The essay should seek to provide readers with a vivid image that helps them comprehend the topic in detail.

A personal interview written by the interviewee illustrates a profile essay. Primary journalism students often write a profile essay for a term paper, coursework, or assignment. The focus on storytelling in a profile essay is one of its distinguishing features. A profile essay uses narrative strategies to captivate readers and tell a fascinating story rather than delivering a dull recitation of facts.

Writing a profile essay might be difficult, but it can also be rewarding. It demands a sharp eye for detail, the capacity to ask the correct questions, and the ability to make a subject come to life on paper. A student can produce an intense and captivating profile essay that gives readers a greater insight into the issue by fully immersing themselves in the world of the subject and expressing their distinct perspectives. For example, when writing a profile essay about a city, pay attention to the name, location, awards, international rankings, and other noteworthy characteristics.

The Purpose of Profile Essays

Writing a profile essay is a distinct writing with a particular function in journalism and storytelling almost like an information report . The main goal of a profile essay is to give the audience an in-depth understanding of the subject being profiled. It should therefore, capture the core of the subject and present it to the audience in an engaging way. Profile essays help readers relate to the subject on a personal level. They achieve this by diving deeply into the lives, experiences, and personalities of specific people or the nuances of an event or location.

Informing and educating readers is a further crucial goal of profile essays. These essays offer insightful information and broaden readers’ perspectives by casting light on lesser-known facets of a person’s life or exposing the hidden forces at play during a particular event. Additionally, writing profile essays is a way of displaying your excellent writing skills.

The purpose of profile essays in college is to evaluate your organizational, presentation, and research abilities. One of the trickiest essay formats is this one. It will be ideal if you have advice and writing talents to create a superb profile essay. Even with the countless samples of profile essays and essays on people, you can still be trying to figure out how to write profile essays.

Profile essays about high-profile individuals like Mark Zuckerberg, Donald Trump, Barack Obama, or George W. Bush are examples of these essays. Even when you write an essay about yourself, the same rules must apply. Before starting your essay, ensure you have sufficient information about the subject.

Structure of a Good Profile Essay

To successfully capture the essence of your subject and deliver it compellingly and cohesively, the structure of a good profile essay is essential. A well-structured profile essay keeps readers interested and helps them learn more about the subject you are writing about. Here is the outline of how to write a profile essay:

  • An Introduction paragraph

Your essay’s beginning serves as a teaser for the content presented in the body. Your introduction sentences will become the first sentences of your body paragraphs. The sentences should provide relevant information and paint a vivid picture of the interviewed individual. Thus, the first paragraph needs to make a bold claim that piques the reader’s curiosity. In this way, the points you make in the opening will serve as the essay’s body. Sticking to the sequence in which the introduction presents the most crucial information would be best.

The initial section must successfully satisfy the readers’ desire to learn something unexpected about the interviewee. A smart strategy is to begin your essay with a quote, fact, or surprise knowledge about the person or subject. You should make a bold claim at the end of the introductory paragraph. It should convey the interview’s key message so the reader understands what to expect and why they should keep reading.

  • The main body

A reader’s interest has been piqued. In this section, you will be expected to elaborate on everything you mentioned in the introduction. Focusing on exterior looks and inner character is essential when attempting to convey an impression. Take his vast eyes as an example; they are dreamy and sweet; his stern expression is an example of his severity; his kind smile is an example of his empathy; and so on.

 If you want to sound literate and well-versed in your subject matter, use paragraphs to highlight distinct points in your description. Do not simply enumerate the points without providing adequate context. Each section should follow the same format and style based on the interview questions’ responses. It is vital that the main body is engaging and flows well from the introduction. Keeping the reader interested and engaged throughout the text is challenging.

  • A closing paragraph

An interview essay should have a conclusion like any other kind of essay. In this section, you will summarize your points in the essay’s body. Generally, it should provide a comprehensive overview of your essay’s topic in a few sentences. Use a quote or concluding idea to summarize your essay’s main point.

Your essay’s conclusion ought to tie back to its thesis. Reiterating the profile essay’s stated purpose is a good idea, but indicating whether that goal was met is also essential. A conclusion is the last part of any essay. It restates the thesis and summarizes the crucial arguments and ideas. In a nutshell, the audience will know what was covered in the profile essay, what the essay was all about, why it was written, and what was accomplished in the end.

How to Write a Perfect Profile Essay

While creating an engaging and insightful portrayal of your subject in a profile essay can be difficult, it is feasible with the appropriate technique and attention to detail. Your ability to write a profile essay as a student will be tested at some point in school. Consequently, you need to know how to write the body paragraphs, and conclusion of a profile essay, and create an outline perfectly. Below is a guide on how to start a profile essay and curate a perfect one.

  • Learn from the best

Reading compelling profile essays is the first step in learning how to write one yourself. Grab a copy of a publication like The New Yorker or Esquire that regularly features such pieces and read a few. Try to overlook the fact that the essays you are reading will almost certainly be about famous people. Take note of how the subject of the essay is introduced early on; for example, in a ten-paragraph essay. By the time you get to the second paragraph, you will have a general sense of who the essay is talking about.

  • Select your subject carefully

A thorough evaluation is required to select an appropriate topic. How much leeway you have in making your selection depends on whether or not your professor provides suggested topics along with the assignment. An essay topic will come quickly if you are writing about a well-known figure, such as an actor, politician, or war hero, who made significant contributions to their industry. This is so because the interviewee will naturally intrigue readers and want to know more about them.

If you can decide on the topic, pick something, you are passionate about writing about. Please do not pick a celebrity or a famous person you cannot interview and get to know them well. Choose topics that interest you personally. As a result, you can complete your profile essay without burning yourself out and finding all the information you need.

  • Understand the style and tone .

Unlike the other essay varieties, a profile essay’s writing style is more open to variation despite its academic nature and professional tone. When carrying out an interview, remember to always write in the first person. This is because the reader will take it as the author’s tone when describing the subject.

Due to the topic of this work, the first person is preferred over the second person pronoun. However, using the first person too frequently will prevent it from losing its impact. More emphasis on the author rather than the subject will distract the reader. Keep an eye out for using the first person in the profile writings.

  • Look For Reliable Information

The use of false information may lead to a student’s credibility being destroyed. Thus, do some serious digging into the topic at hand before you sit down to write. Researching someone includes:

  • Reading everything, they have published.
  • Talking to individuals who know them well.
  • Looking into anything related to the topic.

Your ability to grasp your subject’s essence will increase as your knowledge grows.

  • Create a plan

Before writing a profile essay, planning should be the last thing to do. While you have the freedom to write whatever comes to mind, doing so will make it more challenging for your audience to comprehend the content and lessen the precision of your ideas. A well-organized message is more persuasive and well thought out than an unbroken monologue. Know the key elements to include even in other essays such as narrative report .

Credible writing is easier to produce when it follows a plan. Both the writer and the reader benefit from the outline. The precise organization makes it simple to traverse the content, which makes taking in the data a pleasant experience. It is easier to accomplish anything when you know precisely what you are handling and how it fits into the big picture. The outline helps the writer in producing high-quality content, meaning the reader will quickly find the information they seek. The following steps will help you how to start a profile essay:

  • The introductory paragraph: This is where you introduce the topic, the essay’s purpose, and your thesis statement. The first sentence of the introduction should provide background information on the subject. Body paragraphs’ data can be summarized in the sentences that follow.
  • Core content: The meat of your essay will be the body paragraphs. There should be at least three paragraphs in the body of a brief profile essay. Provide instances in the body paragraphs. Be sure to include references for any outside material used. Only in this way can you ensure that your college or university essay is 100% original.
  • To summarize: This is the final paragraph: As the last section of your profile essay, the conclusion should repeat your argument, recap what was discussed in each body paragraph, and wrap things up.
  • Writing the essay

Here is where the meat of your job is. It would help if you kept in mind that your interpretation of the events would provide the lens through which the entire essay is written. It would be best to try to be objective but realize that you cannot take the reader back in time to experience what happened and are necessarily subjective in providing an abbreviated account of whatever occurred. Determining a “dominant impression” is important in profile essays. That can only be achieved by having a distinct perspective on the subject and the events that happened. You must make a claim, just like in an essay or a recommendation report , and give evidence to support that claim.

Avoid writing up a transcript of your interview and submitting it as an essay at all costs. Many students’ initial tendency is to recount the events as they happened. A good essay has a defined beginning, middle, and end, with the subject starting from one location and ending in another. If you are writing a profile essay for a magazine, follow the format of those articles and move from one topic to the next. Many people will employ a hybrid strategy.

In this essay, you are tasked with making the reader feel like they are actually present. Use many small details we would have noticed if we were there to accomplish this. You can tell a lot about a person by what they eat, drink, think, and say. In addition, that sums it up. If all else fails, remember that the reader’s viewpoint is crucial.

Take a break once you have finished writing and look at your work with new eyes. Do you have a firm grasp of the piece? If not, think about making changes.

Facts to be Remembered when Writing a Profile Essay

  • Always respect the subject – For instance; your professor may select the person you despise as the subject of a profile essay. However, it would help if you treated people with respect. This should come through in the language you use. Avoid letting your feelings control you but do your investigation and gather knowledge; do not focus on fake news.
  • Check edit and grammar errors – Besides being logically organized and engaging, a well-written essay will be free of typos and grammatical errors. Therefore, before handing in your piece to your instructor or sending it to publication, you should read it and make any necessary edits numerous times.
  • Use simple language – Using straightforward language has never been more effective than in academic essays. If you want to write a good essay, you need to avoid jargon at all costs.
  • Use appropriate terms – This relates to picking the correct words to describe things and the proper ways to connect ideas as you write your essay.
  • Use well-balanced paragraphs – Ensure each section in your profile essay does not exceed 150 words. In addition, the paragraphs should all be the same length.
  • Stick to the outline of your profile essay – Always ensure that you follow the structure of a profile essay. Anything that does not fit into the framework of a profile essay is pointless.

Sample Outline Template for a Profile Essay

Introduction.

  • Provide Background information
  • Include thesis statement

1 st Body Paragraph

  • Write the main point of this paragraph
  • Support the point with evidence
  • Provide explanations that connect to the thesis statement
  • Concluding statement for this point

2 nd Body Paragraph

3 rd body paragraph.

  • Re-state your thesis statement
  • Summarize all the points in the body paragraphs
  • Include a closing sentence or a hook

Examples of Profile Essays

Example 1: profile essay example about barack obama with outline.

Thesis: President Obama is visionary, charismatic, and thoroughly organized.       

Paragraph 1:  

Barack Obama has an extraordinary and unquenchable capacity for vision.

  • He is keenly aware of the best ways to carry out his mission.
  • He has the vision to rise from obscurity to prominence without acting selfishly.
  • He always has a very clear idea of how he wants to reach his objectives.

Paragraph 2:

Barack Obama is unquestionably charismatic.

  • His speeches move audiences.
  • He is intelligent, humorous, self-assured, articulate, and affable.
  • He professionally and familiarly puts across his experiences. 

Paragraph 3:

President Obama is a meticulously organized leader.

  • He understands the importance of efficient organization and planning.
  • He diligently plans his time, engagements, and schedules.
  • He positively influences those close to him.
  • President Obama is a perfect embodiment of vision, charisma, and self-organization.
  • The three personality traits have significantly contributed to his successes in life thus far.
  • He is indeed a positively contagious character.   

Profile Essay about Barack Obama

A mention of the name Barack Obama anywhere in the world evokes memories of an individual who defied all odds to rise to the helm of American leadership as the first Black person to achieve that fete. President Obama’s inspiring fairytale story is known all over and will continue to inspire generations to come. He must have been a “special” human being to first dream of and then proceed to achieve something that other people would only wish for. His presidency too left an indelible mark in the history of America, implying that he has unique personality qualities that propel him to success in all that he does. President Obama is visionary, charismatic, and thoroughly organized.        

Barack Obama, like an eagle, has an extraordinary and unquenchable capacity for vision. He is keenly aware of his feeling of duty to humanity and the best ways to carry out his mission. Evident from his years of community service in Chicago as an advocate for the community and his remarkable time as president, he has the vision to rise from obscurity to prominence without acting selfishly. He always has a very clear idea of how he wants to reach his particular objectives and how people around him will fit into his vision. If one wants to have an impact on the world like Obama, one must not only have a big vision but also the discipline to strategically carry that goal through.

Barack Obama is also unquestionably charismatic. It was immediately clear that he was starkly different from the other politicians when he began contesting the Democratic primary elections. Everybody sat on the edge of their chairs whenever he spoke. He was intelligent, humorous, self-assured, articulate, and affable. He related personal tales of his experiences in a way that was both familiar and professional. Even now, after serving his two-term presidency, everyone who is fortunate enough to hear him speak as the main speaker at an event feels pleased to do so. Unlike other stodgy politicians who seemed uninteresting and more like the same old presidents Americans were used to, he was a highly likable person and pleasant to listen to because of his personality and charisma.

President Obama is additionally a meticulously organized leader who pays attention to even the smallest details. He understood the importance of efficient organization and planning for the realization of a vision. He methodically organizes all of the aspects or appearances of diversions out of his life as he diligently plans his time, engagements, and schedules. He trimmed pointless alliances and kept at bay idle chatterers. He, however, encourages those who are fortunate enough to be close to him to be highly focused and pursue activities that will actually make a difference. People who look to be as fruitful and impactful as Obama should organize themselves better than they have ever done in the past.

Overall, President Obama is a perfect embodiment of vision, charisma, and self-organization. These three personality traits have significantly contributed to his successes in life thus far. He was able to remain visionary on his mission of becoming the first African-American U.S. President and he surely did. He was never distracted along the way. His charisma enabled him to present himself as a different contestant from the previous American Presidents. He articulately, intelligently, and humorously engaged his audiences, something that endeared him to the masses. Additionally, he was organized in all that he did during his campaigns as well as the presidency. He organized himself properly and ensured that he was only surrounded by people who could meaningfully help him in his journey. He is indeed a positively contagious character to come by.    

Example 2: Profile Essay Example about the Christmas Event with Outline

Thesis: Christmas Day is characterized by Santa Claus, Christmas presents, and the Christmas tree.

Paragraph 1:

Santa Claus is the main attraction at Christmas.

  • According to Christians, he grants wishes.
  • He aids the dwarfs and rides reindeer.
  • He sings love and distributes gifts.

The occasion of Christmas involves giving gifts.

  • Christmas gifts symbolize the homage paid to the infant Jesus by the Three Wise Men.
  • It enables Christians to practice the Christian value of caring for each other.
  • The practice positively impacts the less fortunate.

Christians decorate the Christmas tree every Christmas event.

  • The tree is a symbol of eternal life.
  • The tree represents positivity.
  • The tree is a customary decoration.
  • Christmas is a highly regarded Christian event marked by Santa Claus, the giving of presents, and the decoration of the Christmas tree.
  • Santa Claus represents love, giving presents signifies care, and the Christmas tree symbolizes eternity.
  • A Christmas celebration lacking these three things is incomplete.

A Profile Essay about the Christmas Event

Christmas is among the holiday events that every Christian identifies with and cannot wait for every year. It is a time when Christian families come together to commemorate the birth of the Messiah. Christmas Day was first observed on December 25 every year in the fourth century. The Church worked to eradicate the last vestiges of paganism, although history has it that the Roman sun god’s birthday was observed around the same time. As a result, the church fathers agreed to replace the Roman celebration with a new, Christian one in honor of Jesus Christ’s birthday. It has its defining characteristics and activities that those who celebrate partake in. Specifically, Christmas Day is characterized by Santa Claus, Christmas presents, and the Christmas tree.

Santa Claus is the main attraction at Christmas. Simply put, it is impossible to miss him. Christmas is a magical time of the year. Children from all over the world are content to wait for Christmas and the New Year because they know that on certain occasions, a loving wizard will undoubtedly grant their wishes, even if adults do not believe in miracles. Santa Claus, a grandfatherly figure with a white beard and a friendly grin who wears a white-trimmed red suit, is seen as one such magician in many Catholic nations. The young ones are aware that he aids the dwarfs and rides reindeer. They also believe that he sings love as he travels from house to house distributing gifts to the needy.

The occasion of Christmas also involves giving gifts. Christmas gift-giving is a Christian custom that is observed widely all across the world. Christians view Christmas gifts as symbolic of the homage paid to the infant Jesus by the Three Wise Men following his birth according to the Nativity account. According to the New Testament of the Bible, Balthazar, Caspar, and Melchior, who were the Three Magi, traveled to where Jesus had been born by following a star. When they got there, they gave him presents of myrrh, frankincense, and gold. The tradition of gift-giving at Christmas also presents a glorious opportunity for Christians to practice the Christian value of caring for each other. Thus, it is a practice that goes beyond just celebrating Christmas as it also positively impacts the less fortunate.

Further, Christians decorate the Christmas tree every Christmas event. The tree is a symbol of eternal life, represents positivity, and is a customary decoration. According to a certain legend, certain trees shed their snow following the birth of Jesus during the winter and became green to commemorate the momentous occasion. The Christmas tree thus signifies immortality and permanence. Since ancient times, people have believed that the Christmas tree infuses the otherwise soulless, uninspiring, and depressing winter weather with happiness, positivity, and an optimistic mood. The positive energy that the tree offers is symbolized by the spirit of perseverance and remaining green in spite of adverse weather. Finally, the tree is a continuation of the customary practice whereby culinary items like apples and gingerbread were used to adorn the Christmas tree.

In sum, Christmas is a highly regarded Christian event marked by Santa Claus, the giving of presents, and the decoration of the Christmas tree. Each of these features has its significance in Christianity. Santa Claus represents love, giving presents signifies a caring attitude towards fellow humans, and the Christmas tree symbolizes eternity, positivity, and traditional Christian customs. Christians mark Christmas Day doing these and other Christian-like practices. Importantly, a Christmas celebration lacking these three things and/or practices would not meet the threshold of what Christians consider a proper Christmas occasion.

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Profile Essays: Overview

Introduction to the profile essay.

The purpose of a profile is to give the reader new insight into a particular person, place, or event. The distinction between a profile and, for example, a memoir or a biography is that a profile relies on newly acquired knowledge. It is a first-hand account of someone or something as told by the writer. You have probably read profiles of famous or interesting people in popular magazines or newspapers. Travel and science publications may profile interesting or unusual places. All of these are, in effect, observation essays. A curious writer gathers as much information as s/he can about a subject, and then presents it in an engaging way. A good profile shows the reader something new or unexpected about the subject.

Dialogue, description, specific narrative action, and vivid details are all effective means of profiling your subject. Engage your reader’s senses. Give them a sense of what it’s like to be in a particular place. Try to show your reader what’s behind the scenes of a familiar place or activity, or introduce them to someone unique.

A profile is not strictly objective. Rather than merely reporting facts, a profile works to create a dominant impression. The focus of a profile is on the subject, not on the writer’s experience. However, the writer is still “present” in a profile, as it is s/he who selects which details to reveal and decides what picture they want to paint. It is the writer’s job to use the information and writing strategies that best contribute to this dominant impression, which was a concept discussed in the narrative introduction as well.

Above all, a profile should have a clear angle. In other words, there should be an idea or purpose guiding it. Why do you think your subject is something other people will be interested in reading about? What is the impression you hope to convey? The answer to these questions will help you discover your angle.

Writing Strategies for Profiles

Conducting research.

Observation

The best way to conduct research about your subject is to observe it firsthand. Once you have decided on a topic, you should spend some time gathering information about it. If you decide to profile a place, pay a visit to it and take notes. Write down everything you can; you can decide later whether or not it’s relevant. If you have a smartphone, take pictures or make recordings to refer to later. Most people think of observing as something you do with your eyes, but try to use of all of your senses. Smells, sounds, and sensations will add texture to your descriptions. You may also spend time observing your subject at his/her work or in different contexts. Again, write everything down so you don’t forget the key details. Remember, it’s the specific details that will distinguish the great profiles from the merely proficient ones.

Interviewing If you choose to profile a person, you will want to conduct an interview with him/her. Before doing so, plan what you are going to ask. You probably have a good idea of why this person will be a good subject for a profile, so be sure your questions reflect that. Saying “tell me about yourself” is unlikely to get your subject talking. Saying, “tell me what it was like to be the first person in your family to go to college,” will get a much more specific answer.

Organizing your profile Once you have gathered all of your information, it’s time to start thinking about how to organize it. There are all different ways to write a profile, but the most common organizational strategies are chronological, spatial, and topical. Most profiles are some combination of the three.

Chronological order  is presenting details as they happened in time, from start to finish. A chronological profile of a person might talk about their past, work up to their present, and maybe even go on to plans for the future. A chronological profile of an event might begin and end when the event itself does, narrating the events between in the order they happened. If you’re profiling a place, a chronological profile might begin with your first impressions arriving there and end with your departure. The advantage to writing in chronological order is that your writing will unfold naturally and transition easily from start to finish. The disadvantage, though, is that strict chronological order can get tedious. Merely recounting a conversation or experience can be dry, and can also pull focus from the subject onto the writer’s experience.

Spatial organization  is presenting information as it occurs in space or by location. This is a great choice if you’re writing about a place. Think of it as taking your reader on a tour: from room to room of a house, for example. For an event, you might move your reader from place to place. If you are writing about a concert, for instance, you might describe the venue from the outside, then the seating area, then the stage. Spatial organization can even work for a person, depending on your focus. Try profiling a person at home, work, and school, for example.

Topical organization  is just what it sounds like: one topic at a time. Think first of what you want to say about a person or place and organize details and information by subject. A profile of a person might talk about their home life, their work, and their hobbies. A topical profile of a place might focus on the physical space, the people who inhabit it, its historical significance, etc. Look at the information you gather from observation and/or interviewing and see if any topics stand out, and organize your paper around them. Most profiles are some combination of chronological, spatial, and topical organization. A profile might begin with a chronological narrative of a hockey game, and then flashback to provide some background information about the star player. Then it might go on to talk about that player’s philosophy of the sport, returning to the narrative about the game later on. As you read the sample essays, notice how the writers choose details and arrange them in order to create a specific impression.

Using description Vivid descriptions are key in a profile. They immerse your reader in the subject and add texture and depth to your writing. However, describing something is more than deploying as many adjectives as possible. In fact, the best descriptions may not have any adjectives at all. They rely instead on sensory detail and figurative language. Sensory detail is exactly what it sounds like: appealing to as many of the reader’s senses as possible. Adjectives can be vague, and even subjective. Think about this example:

“My grandmother always smelled good.”

What does good mean? What does good smell like? Do we even agree on what kinds of things smell good? Instead, try this:

“My grandmother always smelled good: like Shalimar, Jergen’s lotion, and menthol cigarettes.”

Now your reader knows much more. Perhaps they are even familiar enough with those scents that they can imagine what that combination would smell like. Moreover, you have delivered some emotional information here. Not every reader would agree that the smell of cigarettes is “good,” but perhaps that smell is comforting to you because you associate it so strongly with someone you care about. Of course, smell is not the only sense you can appeal to. Sights, sounds, temperatures and tastes will also enliven your writing.

Figurative language can add depth and specificity to your descriptions. Use metaphors, similes, comparisons and images creatively and purposefully. Consider the following:

“She was so beautiful.”

“Beautiful” just doesn’t tell us much. It is, like “good,” both vague and subjective. We don’t all have the same standards of beauty, nor is beauty one particular quality. Try a comparison instead:

“She was so beautiful that conversation stopped every time she entered a room.”

True, we don’t know much about what she looks like, but we do know that nearly everyone finds her striking.

Similes (comparisons using like or as) are not only efficient, but are also more vivid than adjectives. Compare these two sentences:

“He was short and muscular.”   vs.   “He was built like a bulldog.”

Write With Clarity

Considering point of view Because a profile is a first-hand account, you will need to consider point of view carefully. Many profiles are written entirely in third person. Others use first person. Different instructors may have different expectations, so be sure to consult your assignment guidelines to see what your options are. In a third-person profile, the writer is not “present” in the writing. S/he does not refer to his/her own actions or use first-person pronouns, but is more of an objective observer or “fly on the wall.” Most journalistic profiles are written from this point of view. The advantage of using third person is that it places your subject firmly at the center of your paper. In a first-person profile, the writer is an active participant, sharing his/her observations with the reader. First person narration closes the distance between writer and reader and makes the subject feel more personal. On the downside, it can pull focus from your subject. If you use first person, be sure you’re not intruding on your subject too much or making the piece about you.

Using appropriate verb tense Often, profiles will be written in present tense. This gives the reader the sense that s/he is “there,” experiencing the subject along with the writer. Present tense lends a sense of immediacy and intimacy that past tense may not. It may also help the writer stay focused on the “here and now,” rather than reflecting on the past, as s/he might in a memoir. Other times, writers may need to shift tenses to talk about previous events or background information. Be sure to use verb tenses carefully, shifting only purposefully, correctly, and when the subject demands it. You can read more on tense shifts here.

Finding a topic and an angle Virtually anything can be the subject of a profile. What matters is that you have something to say about it. People are an endless source of material; everyone has a story. Make a list of people you know who

– have lived through important historical events: war, the civil rights era, the Depression, etc. – have been through challenging experiences: survived a major health crisis, difficult childhood, etc. – have an unusual job or hobby, or special talent or skill. – have unique personalities: they are eccentric, funny, selfless, energetic, artistic, etc.

Places can be equally interesting. Consider a local establishment, a natural wonder, a festival or celebration, a landmark, a museum, a gathering place, etc. What makes that place interesting and worth visiting? What makes it special or noteworthy?

Don’t just think about what you want to write about; instead, think about what you want to say about it. Why is it interesting to you, and why might your audience find it worth reading about?

Student Paper Rationale

For an assignment to write a profile essay, Joshua Dawson described his purpose and audience: “This essay is about my grandmother and how she overcame the hardships of life. [. . .] The purpose of this essay is to show how a woman can be tough and can take anything life throws at her. I hope the essay reaches students who have a single parent and those who don’t know what a single parent goes through.” Joshua showed a clear idea of what he wanted his essay to do.

Sources Used to Create This Chapter

The majority of the content for this section has been adapted from the following OER Material:

  • Write What Matters by Liza Long and Amy Minervini, and Joel Gladd, which was published under a CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0 license.

Starting the Journey: An Intro to College Writing Copyright © by Leonard Owens III; Tim Bishop; and Scott Ortolano is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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How to Write a Profile Essay Properly and Effectively

Composing different academic papers is a hard slog for any student. There are many standards to follow and fulfill. Some of them seem to be utterly complicated. Into the bargain, the type of an assignment is essential as well. Thus, many folks face a challenge of how to write a profile essay.

This essay type requires a lot of time and a determined effort to succeed. The major objective of this paper is to describe. What is there to describe? It’s dependent on what you’ve chosen or what has been assigned. Commonly, this is a person or a place.

The description of the essay should be informative, argumentative and factual. You are to present your own perspective on the researched subject. You are supposed to use all your flex writing muscles to make your essay captivating and worth reading. As there are two major categories to depict, it’s necessary to give heed to each of them.

In the event, you don’t know how to write a profile essay on a person, memorize the following issues:

  • Develop an outline;
  • Craft the list of possible questions;
  • Interview a person;
  • Make an interview in a peaceful place;
  • Jot down the replies;
  • Revise your work.

If you wish to learn how to write a profile essay on a place, make allowances for the following guidelines:

  • Craft a decent plan;
  • Choose a well-known location;
  • Search for basic facts about the researched place;
  • Find proven facts;
  • Make up a narrative.

You should clearly realize that both kinds have crucial differences. Our specialists have a very rich experience. They have prepared some significant details on each kind so that you can better understand both.

Some Details on How to Craft a Good Essay

There are some specified requirements concerning the creation of person’s profile. If it’s possible, you should interview a person. Find a silent place with picturesque scenery. Find a distraction-free zone to control the conversation and avoid unneeded attention or noise other folks make.

Think of the most vital questions. In the occasion, you are to create a profile of a person whom you study, learn everything you can about him or her. For instance, you are to have an imaginary interview with a celebrity. Learn all the details about this person to imagine his profile and try to guess what the answers would be.

Prior to doing an interview, you will require an outline. It should include all possible questions. They should be divided into questions for three main sections – introduction, major plot, and conclusion. Note all the answers instantly. Afterward, revise them and write your composition.

If you are to describe a place, you cannot interview anybody, so the scheme with a profile doesn’t fit. You should seek the information on the Internet, in newspapers, and books. Choose a famous location which is historically significant. This has a double function. Firstly, you have multiple information sources to use in your research. Secondly, it would be more interesting and easier for your audience to read the description.

Present your description in the manner of a story. Find various facts and evidence to strengthen your research. It would be good to use pictures, leaflets or brochures about the researched location. The combo of historical events and various details makes your paper look more captivating and relevant. Possibly, you know some unique fact which is not known to most people. You should obligatorily mention them. Be accurate and specific. Use originality but don’t overdo. Use only real information. Be honest with your audience. Connect the depicted location to the stories (if this possible).

More Tips and Advice to Complete the Assignment Successfully

Of course, you should know some other essentials related to how to write a personal profile essay or depict a place or event. You are supposed to stick to a certain format to write all titles, margins, reference lists and other things correctly. Otherwise, you risk losing important grades. Here are some additional tips in this case. Take into consideration the following guidelines:

  • Plan beforehand;
  • Be choosy about your subject;
  • Learn from the experts;
  • Get ready for the interview or descriptive work;
  • Find relevant facts;
  • Express originality;
  • Engage your senses;
  • Fulfill each stage effectively.

It’s necessary to cast more light on these points. These guidelines help you to better cope with this assignment. Thus, you receive the desired grade which becomes the well-deserved ones.

At first, you should craft a logical plan to know what actions to undertake step by step. Your plan is dependent on the theme. Be choosy and careful. Make an interesting and relevant choice. Experience means a lot. Moreover, it would be wise to read some publications related to your topic. See how the professionals conduct interviews, describe places and/or events.

Make sure you are well-prepared for the interview. Gather all information on the studied subject, prepare the list of questions, and similar things. Engage all your senses and dig deeper. Don’t simply depict the sequence of events and facts. Express your unique thoughts and impress your audience. Find the relevant supporting materials.

After you did all things properly, start writing the essay. Give close attention to every stage of your composition and fulfill all parts correctly following all the rules. Know all academic requirements and keep the informative resources at hand. Be enthusiastic and attentive to your research and you will do it effectively. All these can help to write a personal profile essay and get the highest score.

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How to Start a Profile Essay: 6 Simple Steps

November 20, 2023

1. Understanding Profile Essays

Profile essays are a unique form of writing that require a deep understanding of the subject and the ability to present a comprehensive and engaging portrayal. Before diving into the writing process, it is essential to grasp the essence of profile essays. These essays focus on capturing the essence of a person, place, or event through vivid descriptions and storytelling techniques. It goes beyond mere facts and delves into the details that bring the subject to life. Understanding the purpose and nuances of profile essays allows writers to approach their subject with a clear vision and create a compelling narrative that captivates readers. By exploring different aspects such as the subject’s background, experiences, and personality, writers can painstakin

2. Choosing a Subject

When starting a profile essay, selecting the right subject is crucial. The subject should be interesting, significant, and have enough depth to explore. It could be a fascinating individual, a captivating place, or a significant event. Consider subjects that have unique qualities, compelling stories, or an impact on a broader context. It is important to choose a subject that resonates with you as a writer and allows for a meaningful connection. Conduct thorough research to ensure there is enough information available to create a well-rounded profile. Additionally, consider the accessibility of the subject – whether it’s someone you can interview or an event you can attend. By carefully selecting the subject, writers can lay a strong foundation for a compelling profile essay that captures the imagination of readers.

3. Conducting Research

Before delving into the writing process, conducting thorough research is essential for a successful profile essay. This step allows the writer to gather relevant information and develop a deep understanding of the subject. Here are some key steps to consider when conducting research:

  • Online Research: Utilize search engines, online databases, and reputable websites to gather background information on the subject. Look for articles, interviews, biographies, and related materials that provide insights into their life, achievements, and experiences.
  • Interviews: Conduct interviews with the subject or people close to them. Prepare a list of well-thought-out questions that explore different aspects of their life or expertise. These interviews provide firsthand information and unique perspectives that can add depth to the profile.
  • Observations: If possible, observe the subject in their natural environment. Pay attention to their behavior, mannerisms, and interactions. These observations can provide valuable insights for describing their character and adding authenticity to the profile.
  • Document Analysis: Examine any available documents related to the subject, such as books, articles, speeches, or personal writings. These documents offer a deeper understanding of their thoughts, motivations, and influences.
  • Field Research: Visit relevant places associated with the subject, such as their hometown, workplace, or significant locations. Experience the environment firsthand to gain a sense of their context, culture, and surroundings.

By conducting thorough research, writers can gather the necessary information to create a comprehensive and engaging profile essay that truly captures the essence of the subject.

4. Finding an Angle

Once you have chosen a subject for your profile essay, the next step is to find a unique angle or perspective from which to approach it. This is what will set your essay apart and make it engaging for readers. Here are some tips to help you find an interesting angle to start a profile essay:

  • Personal Connection: Reflect on your own experiences, interests, or passions that align with the subject. This personal connection can bring a fresh perspective and add depth to the profile.
  • Unexplored Aspect: Identify an aspect of the subject that has not been extensively covered. It could be a lesser-known achievement, a unique talent, or a significant event in their life. This will make your profile essay stand out from others.
  • Controversial or Inspiring Story: Look for a story within the subject’s life that is controversial or inspiring. Explore the challenges they have overcome, their journey to success, or their impact on society. This adds a compelling narrative arc to your profile.
  • Timeliness: Consider if your subject is currently relevant in some way. Are they involved in current events or trending topics? Linking your profile to a timely issue can make it more intriguing for readers.

Remember to choose an angle that aligns with your own interests and writing style. By finding a unique perspective, you can start your profile essay with a captivating approach that captures the attention of your audience.

5. Planning the Structure of the Essay

Before diving into the writing process, it is essential to plan the structure of your profile essay. Having a well-organized framework will provide a clear roadmap for your writing and ensure a coherent and engaging essay. Here are some steps to consider when planning the structure:

  • Introduction: Begin with a compelling hook that grabs the reader’s attention and introduces the subject. Provide some background information about the subject and their significance.
  • Background and Context: Offer a deeper understanding of the subject’s background, including relevant personal information, experiences, or achievements. Set the stage for the profile by providing necessary context.
  • Central Themes or Traits: Identify the central themes or traits that you want to explore in the profile essay. These can be aspects of the subject’s personality, accomplishments, or influence.
  • Supporting Evidence: Gather the information, quotes, anecdotes, and examples that support the central themes or traits. Use these as evidence to bring depth and credibility to your portrayal.
  • Narrative Flow: Decide on the flow of your essay. Will it follow a chronological order or have a more thematic approach? Ensure that the transitions between different sections are smooth, allowing the reader to follow along easily.
  • Conclusion: Wrap up the profile essay by summarizing the key points and leaving the reader with a final thought or impression of the subject. Consider ending with a thought-provoking quote or a question that encourages further reflection.

By planning the structure of your profile essay, you can create a well-organized and engaging piece of writing that effectively captures the essence of your subject.

6. Crafting a Compelling Introduction

The introduction of your profile essay is crucial in capturing the reader’s attention and setting the tone for the rest of the piece. It should provide a compelling opening that draws readers in and makes them eager to read more. Here are some tips to help you craft a compelling introduction:

  • Start with a Hook: Begin your introduction with a captivating hook that grabs the reader’s attention immediately. This could be an intriguing fact, a thought-provoking quote, or a compelling anecdote related to the subject.
  • Introduce the Subject: Provide a brief introduction of the subject, including their name, occupation, or any notable achievements. Give the reader a sense of their significance or relevance.
  • Create an Emotional Connection: Appeal to the reader’s emotions by highlighting the subject’s impact or significance. This can be done by sharing a personal story, describing their influence on others, or emphasizing the importance of their work.
  • Present a Question or Problem: Pose a question or present a problem that your profile essay will explore. This helps create curiosity and makes the reader want to find out more.
  • Provide a Roadmap: Briefly outline the main points or themes you will cover in the profile essay. This gives the reader an overview of what to expect and keeps them engaged.
  • Keep it Concise: While it’s important to hook the reader, keep your introduction concise. Avoid providing too much information or overwhelming the reader with unnecessary details.

By crafting a compelling introduction, you can captivate your readers from the start and make them eager to delve into the rest of your profile essay.

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Profile Essay

Profile Essay Examples

Let’s take a look at a profile essay. In order to understand what it means, you may allow yourself to engage in an interview where you are able to read a person’s autobiography . As you go long into this article, you will be able to know more about what a profile essay is and how to write a good profile essay.

10+ Profile Essay Examples

1. composition courses profile essay.

composition courses profile essay

Size: 322 KB

2. Profile Essay of a Soldier

profile essay of a soldier

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3. Profile of a Good Essay

profile of a good essay

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4. Proficiency Profile Essay

proficiency profile essay

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5. Profile in Courage Essay Contest

profile in courage essay contest

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6. Checklist for the Profile Essay

checklist for the profile essay1

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7. Student Writing Profile Essay

student writing profile essay

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8. Profile of an Expository Essay

profile of an expository essay

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9. Profile Essay Example

profile essay example

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10. Interview Profile Essay

interview profile essay

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11. Composition Profile Essay

composition profile essay

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What is a Profile Essay?

A profile essay is a form of literary writing that tells about a person, place or event. This is intended to provide a detailed profile of something that offers every reader to make a certain perspective or judgment over a subject. This is different from a descriptive essay. It does not only entails description of a subject, rather it is designed to answer questions to identify something.

How to Start Writing a Profile Essay?

Step 1: get the right information.

Doing research is the most important thing to do before you begin writing your research profile. This will help you get a detailed information about your subject. Always make sure that you are using trusted sources like library materials, online articles, etc.

Step 2: Validate Your Information

Check the release date of an article as well as have comprehensive the contents are. Avoid getting information from outdated sources.

Step 3: Outline Your Essay

Always prepare with you a profile essay outline. Essay outlines help in making it easier for you to pinpoint the first idea and what should follow next. This will help you organize your gathered data appropriately.

Step 4: Revise or Proofread Your Profile Essay

Once you have followed the three steps meticulously, you are also well aware that you will need to revise anything that needs to be revised. This includes proofreading any mistakes you may have made throughout. In order to present a good profile essay, you must also make sure it is presentable. No erasures and no mistakes as much as possible.

Do we still have to apply writing style in making a profile essay?

It is advisable to practice yourself to pay attention with the tone and style of your essay. This will make your piece engaging and interesting to read.

What is the purpose of making a profile essay?

The purpose of an essay is to give the readers a full description of your chosen topic. Aside from that, it is also for you to be able to express something about the subject, may it be an argument in response to a certain issue or question and on what you have learned about it. You may also use an essay to persuade your readers that your stand is reasonable.

What to do when picking for the right title of your essay?

Think about what you want to make in your essay. You should reflect on the main idea of your essay. Make it as the basis of creating a unique title for your piece.

What are some things to consider when choosing a subject for profile essay?

You should always choose a reasonable subject and don’t forget to research something about it.

What are the elements of a profile essay?

The elements of a profile essay starts with the introduction paragraph , followed by the body of the paragraph, and ends with the conclusion paragraph .

Before we are able to learn how to do  essay writing , we always seek for mastery  skills  in it. We all know that an essay is composed of the three basic parts namely the introduction, body paragraph, and the conclusion. You may see examples from different essays like  argumentative essay ,  informative essay ,  career essay  and more.

how to write a profile essay on a person

Profile Essay Generator

Text prompt

  • Instructive
  • Professional

Write a Profile Essay on a community leader who has made a difference in your area.

Discuss the achievements and challenges of a local entrepreneur in your Profile Essay.

Profile Essay

Writing a profile essay is challenging to students because it is rarely taught in the other levels of education. In order to write a good profile essay, you need to be equipped with the right tools. You need adequate preparation and the right resources. A profile essay is used by students for journalism purposes. Before starting with your essay, it is important to follow all the guidelines and instructions given.

First, you need to know the purpose of this essay. This is to give the reader a complete description of your subject. It should keep the reader engaged and captivated. For your essay to be interesting choose a unique subject. Profile essays, like other essays, follow a certain structure.

The Structure of a Profile Essay

Introduction.

This is the first part of your essay; it serves as the face of your work. How you introduce your essay will determine the reader’s reception. The introduction should be kept at a minimum. Explain the meaning of the topic and give the main points of your essay. Keep the introduction interesting by using quotes, conversations and dialogues, and short stories. When writing a profile essay example for college tailor it in a way that the reader who is your instructor will find interesting. Use facts that can be verified and give examples as your evidence.

This is the part that carries most of the weight of your essay. It contains all the main points in different paragraphs. Each paragraph contains an idea that is explained in details. Write the body in an orderly manner guided by the introduction. All the main points must be explained in the body. In order for your work to be captivating, make sure that the ideas run smooth and follow a chronological order.

The conclusion puts all your essay points in simple words. Introducing a new point at this level is useless, and it spoils the flow of your essay. Use a few sentences to wrap up your work but make sure they connect the contents of the introduction and body.

Tips to Consider When Choosing a Subject

Choose a subject who can be reached in case you are to conduct an interview.

Select an interesting subject who will give many points

Make adequate research concerning your subject. In an example of a personality profile essay, make enough research and be detailed with facts and correct information.

Remember to follow all the instructions given for the choice of a subject

The subject of the essay is the basis of your work; therefore, make sure you choose them wisely. All subjects should be treated with dignity and respect although you might dislike them. You should approach the subject with an open mind so as to capture all the details of the information they give you. Before meeting a subject for an interview, you will need to gather as much information as you can about them.

Visit the library and online sources that are rich in such resources. An example of a profile essay about a world leader can easily be obtained from reliable online sources and public libraries. Books, magazines, and journals provide insights about the details of a profile essay. Reading from diverse sources gives you a broad understanding of all the details, styles, language, structure, and even the smallest details that are easy to forget. Remember to use an updated source to avoid including obsolete details in your essay.

Check when the latest information was shared as well as its validity. This applies mostly to people, places, and events. No matter how much information you gather, make sure that your points flow easily for a clear understanding.

When writing about a subject, start with the appearance. Things like name, height, skin color and height are important when describing a subject. They are used to create the identity of a person. For example, when writing about a person give the details that make them different. When writing about a place include the name, locality and neighboring places.

Use the right tone when writing your essay. The formal tone makes an essay sound formal and neat. A profile essay is more flexible as compared to other essays. You can use the first person pronoun. Interviews require the use of first person tone. However, avoid using this as it tends to confuse and distract the readers.

Remember to organize your work either in a chronological manner or using the thematic style. The chronological manner involves giving details as the occurred. This is a timeline of events. The thematic format is putting the ideas in a thematic mode. After writing your essay, proofreading it is a great way to ensure that you have followed all the instructions given. It also helps you to correct any errors made.

An Example of Personality Profile Essay

Here is an example of personality profile essay showing how to apply the guide given:

Causes and Solutions to Poverty in the Third world Nations

Poverty is a state of being in lack of resources and the capability of feeding and sustaining one’s family. It is the inability to meet the basic needs that all human beings need. There many causes of poverty that affect different cultures. Poverty is linked to poor medical access, little or no education, and laziness. Poverty can be global, cyclical, or collective.

The obvious cause of poverty is little or no access to clean water and healthy food. Hunger and starvation is connected to poverty because people who lack energy cannot work. They lack the strength and energy needed to make a livelihood. Lack of clean water and nutritious food increases the likelihood of contracting diseases because of decreased immunity. Diseases like diarrhea cause dehydration will is fatal to people who cannot access clean water. Also, this can be dangerous where the health centers are a long distance from their residences. Using the already meager funds for treatment of a family member plunges them deeper into poverty.

Having no access to job opportunities causes poverty because one cannot sustain himself without a source of income. Many people in developing nations move to cities with the hope of securing a source of income but end up disappointed. The resources are limited and the accumulation of people makes it hard to secure a job.

Many developing nations experience clashes and political instability. These halt economic development and chase foreign investors. Many people are displaced while businesses and infrastructure are destroyed. The economy of a country takes years to build and stabilize but can be destroyed within minutes of instability. It is usually hard to recover from economic downfall. Many productive people are killed while foreigner who had a contribution to the said economy return to their countries. Destroyed business premises means that more people lose their livelihood.

There are many forms of inequalities for example discrimination based on gender, social class, religion, and minority group. In the distribution of resources, some groups receive less than they require while the rest go greedy politicians or leaders. For example, in some countries, some cities seem to be developing at a high rate while others are lagging behind

The effects of poverty affect many people in the world, but there are many solutions to reduce this. By providing means of clean water to people without access. Governments can take initiatives to create programs to teach people about the importance and methods of recycling water. This is done by putting into place sewage recycling plants that will sustain the people with enough clean water. Harvesting rainwater is also a good way of ensuring that you have a supply of clean water.

The problem of inequality can be solved by being inclusive of all parties especially when making decisions that affect many people. This means that all people will get the resources they need to develop themselves and localities.

Poverty is a global challenge and is not concentrated in a certain area of the world. The causes may vary but some remain consistent. Depending on the level of poverty and resources available different solutions can be applied. Developed countries can also lend a hand to poor countries. Poverty can be eradicated with joined efforts.

Writing a profile essay can be a hectic activity, but with the right information and preparation, you can actually find it interesting. There are many similarities of profile essay to other essays, for example, the structure which contains the introduction, the body, and the conclusion. The introduction is a simple glimpse of your essay so keep it short and precise. The body contains all the ideas explained broadly. Make sure not to mix up the information and remember to use facts that can be verified. The conclusion is a summary of all the things written in the essay.

Writing a profile essay for the first time presents a challenge to many students. But, with proper guidance, you’ll quickly find the whole exercise quite manageable. We have professionals who can help you in this regard; get in touch for more personal profile essay examples and custom essay help!

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  • Writing Guides

How To Write Good Profile Essay

Table of Contents

How to Write a Profile Essay (Writing Guide)

How to start a profile essay.

  • How to write body paragraphs for a profile essay

How to conclude a profile essay

  • Outline example

Have you ever interviewed somebody on a given topic or about an event? Then, you have some clue regarding profile essays. A profile essay is a descriptive writing that focuses on the description of a person, place or an event. The essay is usually comprehensive, sensory and balanced detailing on the information on a particular subject hence enables the reader to assume that he or she knows about the subject. In most cases, profile essays are written by journalist students who perform an investigation on an issue.

Purpose of profile essay

Readers normally get informed from profile literary work due to the vivid description of the information contained in profile essays.  Such information normally makes readers engaged and enjoys reading profile essay. Furthermore, the readers expect the various topics being discussed to be new, unique and unusual. Thus, writers ensure that they remain sensitive to the knowledge of the reader concerning a subject.

Profile essay should be attractive to the readers hence the first sentence should be impressive and engage the reader’s mind. Just, like the first impression you give to a stranger creates a lasting memory of the occasion, profile essays have the best impression to first readers. The introductory sentence should be an attention grabber and uniquely engage the reader. This then followed by informative sentences that work as the springboard for a thesis statement. On the same note, the subject matter of the profile essay is contained in thesis statement hence it should be started precisely and clearly. Thus, the writer should use quotes or anecdotes in the introductory sentence. Some of the ideas that you can use in enhancing your first sentence include humor, engaging the reader with facts that are surprising, or a question as the first sentence.

 How to write the body paragraphs of a profile essay

The body of profile essay elaborates on the topic or subject in details. All the ideas or questions interviewed about a topic or an event will be are part of the body paragraph. For example, if the outline had a body with three main ideas or questions that were filled on the interview will form their own paragraph. The first line of each body paragraphs should start off with the main point in a sentence form. Then the sentence or point should be supported by evidence or examples which are discussed, described and explained. A summary sentence follows the explanation for each paragraph. However, such should not be mandatory. Ensure that the paragraphs are linked by transitions. Ensure that the paragraphs are not in a list of descriptions. For example, the pool was full of dirty water. Be creative and embark on narration in the form of biography and make it enjoyable. All information on the given subject should be fashionably presented and focused. All your explanations should be based on the interview your conducted.

Lastly, your body paragraphs should not be left hanging on their own. The paragraphs should be fitting and linked together using transitions which also connects them to the thesis statement. These transitions normally appear at the end of every paragraph to help in the maintenance of the momentum of the essay and provide a clue to the reader on how the points are linked together.

When concluding on your profile essay, bear in mind to have a reflection of what was discussed in the body. Recap of the relevant information that is linked to the thesis. Ask yourself a “So what?” question when writing your conclusion, the implication of the profile essay and convince the reader that such information is relevant and readers should care about it. Strive to include an insight or a quotation that gives a summary of the event or the person or the experience that you have discussed in the essay.  Ensure that the reader feels contented and convinced about the topic.

Outline Sample for a Profile Essay about a Person

Paragraph 1: Introduction

Ensure that the introduction has a leading sentence or an interesting description of the person interviewed, followed by summaries main points that are informative regarding the person. The points should be a preview of what is to be covered on the person and the order of the elements you will be dwelling on. Use a transition sentence to link you to the body of the profile essay.

Paragraph 2: Body

Provide the important information of the person. This point should be in an informative sentence about the person being discussed. Support your point concerning the information in the first sentence. Then follow it with examples in a narration based on the interview answers. You can either give a summary sentence of your point or use a transition for the next paragraph. The same procedure should be followed in the remaining body paragraphs.

Paragraph 3: Conclusion

Summarize your points about the person by revising the main body in relation to the thesis statement. Ensure that you remind the reader on the purpose and whether the objective is achieved. Take this point further by letting the reader know your next move and ensure that the reader in convinced that the description of the person is correct.

how to write a profile essay on a person

📕 Studying HQ

Profile essay examples – structure| tips| examples, dr. wilson mn.

  • July 25, 2022
  • Essay Topics and Ideas , Samples

This article discusses about What is a profle essay and provides 5 best Profile Essay Examples.

It’s common for students in college to have no idea how to write a good profile essay, but this can be avoided by learning to research and making the most of your available resources.

Choosing an interesting topic for a personal profile essay is essential if you want to achieve success. You’ll have plenty to write about if you do this.

People and places you are writing about need to be vividly portrayed in your mind.

What You'll Learn

What is a Profile Essay

A profile essay is an essay written to provide a description of a person, place, concept, or thing. It is a descriptive form of writing that aims at providing as much detail as possible on a particular topic.

In spite of the fact that a profile essay is often mistaken as a biography or autobiography, these other forms of writing are distinct in that they are much shorter in length. There are two types of essays: those that focus on a person’s life story, and those that focus on a specific topic. While a biography can be turned into a book, a profile essay is better suited for bios, profile descriptions, and the like.

Even though a profile essay isn’t as in-depth as a biography, it’s written to convey a lot of information in a short period of time. Journalism students and interviewers can benefit from this because it provides a sufficient amount of time to investigate one specific topic.

Keep in mind the possible questions that may arise when writing a profile essay, and address them. You must have taken note that some blogs usually append a frequently asked questions (FAQ) section to their content, usually at the end of a profile essay.

This gives the reader the required information that they need to understand the topic in question.

Profile Essay Structure

Introduction.

This is the thing that will attract or excuse your crowd. A decent presentation spellbinds the peruser and keeps him snared as far as possible.

Start with basic issues which will be clarified later in the paper. To make your article engaging, utilize significant and important data. Give perusers the data they want.

Beginning with a discussion is a decent method to make your paper spellbinding. These can be talks between numerous individuals.

You can uncover data that will be astounding to the perusers like when composing a profile exposition model about yourself you can uncover something that your perusers don’t know about.

This segment gives weight and importance to your article. The data given in the presentation is extended by utilizing a coordinated organization.

The body will decide whether the peruser keeps on taking part in your paper.

Contend your focus utilizing steady proof and attempt to persuade the crowd that you are a specialist with regard to your subject.

The thoughts referenced in the presentation structure the start of each passage as per the pattern in which they show up in.

Here and there, you may like to end a section utilizing an outline sentence albeit this is discretionary.

In an illustration of a profile article, you can summarize a section by giving the outcome of the subtleties clarified.

This is the last piece of your article. It is normally a couple of sentences contrasted with the body. While summarizing your composition presenting new ideas will confound the perusers.

In this part, you should simply rehash the significant focus helping the peruser to remember their significance, and points, and in the event that they have been satisfied.

In an illustration of character profile exposition about a craftsman, you can’t discuss his family foundation in the event that you had not referenced it in the presentation and in this way clarified in the article.

How to Write a Profile Essay

  • Discover a remarkable subject to write a profile essay about. The person can be well-known or somewhat ordinary.

The subject is not limited to an individual but can be a location, leisure interest, or occupation. Expand your search beyond the computer and your neighborhood.

Do primary source research on the subject to acquire background information.

Go to the library and view back issues of local or regional newspapers and other rags or scan online sources.

  • Develop a loose outline based on the subject of your essay. Jot down the header, “Introduction.” Start listing possible details that will be disclosed later in the interviews.

Title another header as “Body” and note high points that will become the possible climax of the essay.

Tie it all up in the “Conclusion” header and brainstorm solid ending possibilities.

As you continue, thestudycorp.com has the top and most qualified writers to help with any of your assignments. All you need to do is  place an order  with us. (Profile Essay Examples)

  • Compose a list of specific interview questions. They should be open-ended but specific and relevant to your essay.

Questions should draw out information not commonly known about the person. Make a list of possible interviewees to broaden the narrative for a multifaceted profile.

This includes others in his or her circle or individuals linked to a location or activity.

  • Conduct the interview in a distraction-free zone. Establish a rapport early on to make the interviewee feel comfortable, which will churn out a more productive interview.

Lay down a basic groundwork of what topics will be covered, the length of time needed, and the importance of the interview. Next, advance to the main interview.

Be sure to take meticulous notes or get permission to tape the interview to transcribe later.

  • Jot down any observations immediately following the interview. Consider the individual’s habits, attitude, and other qualities that were observed.

Transcribe and rearrange the interview questions to recount an interesting personal perspective or interpretation. This will become your rough draft.

  • Revise the draft, incorporating important details and factual incidents that were initially missed.

Start with an attention-grabbing lead sentence. Ensure that the beginning grabs the reader and pulls him in. Intrigue your audience with an informative main section.

Stay focused on your intended approach until the essay’s conclusion , which should give readers a closing impression of the subject and summarize your overall objective.

  • Read the essay aloud. Did you give a visual portrayal?

 Check that you interweaved dialogue, added physical descriptions in moderation, but used narrative freely.

What to Consider When Choosing a Subject for Profile Essay

The subject is at the core of your essay the one you choose will determine the outcome of the readers’ experience.

For an easier time writing your essay, consider the following points:

  • In case of an interview choose a subject who is easily available and make sure to consider the ones that actually give interviews. Crossing boundaries can land you in trouble.
  • What are the recent activities happening to the subject?
  • Do not include details that may harm the subject’s reputation or cost them their occupation
  • Respect the subject whether famous or infamous
  • In the instance of a place use factual information based on concrete evidence.
  • Remember to make enough research about your subject
  • Choose a reasonable subject. Doing this will ensure that you have all the resources you need.

A profile essay example of another planet is unreasonable because there are limited or no resources available to get information from.

You can also check out MLA Citation for Website: In text | Reference | Social Media|Examples

Tips to Write a Profile Essay

A profile essay vividly presents a subject to the readers. The writing is a combination of objective and expressive: While presenting his observations and analysis to inform the reader, the writer also brings his own personal perspective and interpretations to the essay.

A profile essay differs from biographical and autobiographical writing in that it takes newly acquired observation, through research or firsthand accounts; an autobiography or biography is about remembered experiences.

The challenge of a profile essay is to gather the information and give it shape in an essay that conveys the main idea; there are several guidelines to aid a writer in doing this.

Choose the Subject Wisely

While profiles of exciting, controversial people are always interesting, even the mundane can be intriguing if the writer examines it closely and offers a distinctive perspective.

A writer shouldn’t overlook the quietly remarkable person who seems ordinary on the outside.

Form an Engaging and Informative Plan

A profile essay will most likely be based on at least one interview with the subject, and may also include interviews with those that know the subject.

Writers should resist the temptation to organize the essay in the order they ask the questions, as this can make for boring reading.

Instead, the answers of the questions should be examined closely for an emerging image of the subject. The responses can then be incorporated into a more complex picture of the subject.

Provide a Vivid Description

A quality profile essay should incorporate a vivid word picture of the subject. Include specific details, such as how the subject looks, talks, dresses, smells and is motivated.

Keep straight description, or just cataloging the obvious, to a minimum; instead, use description to give the sense that the subject’s outward appearance reveals inward character traits.

Information from others in the essay should serve to describe the subject and not take on its own life.

Convey a Dominant Impression

A profile essay should convey a dominant impression of the subject: the writer’s personal interpretation and insight on the subject and what the writer has gained from observing and researching.

Carefully select and arrange details so that they communicate your attitude.

This interpretive element is what categorizes the profile essay as a genre and separates it from other forms of narrative and descriptive writing, such as the biography.

Profile Essay Examples

Profile essay example 1 – my happy dad.

My dad always said, “It takes fewer muscles to smile than it does to frown.” I have to believe this is true because I spent the earlier years of my life frowning. Going through life with a cortisol-fueled scowl on your face can make for an exhausting existence. But, when I began smiling—really smiling—I felt more confident, happier, and lighter in spirit. I started asking myself why I hadn’t tried smiling sooner.

My dad’s advice reminded me of an early astronomy class I took in college where the professor lectured us one day about this weird thing called dark energy. It turns out that if you look around you on Earth, everything has gravity—you know, the way things are attracted to each other? Well, apparently, there’s also dark energy that’s pushing all these things apart at an increasingly accelerated rate. Neat stuff to ponder when you’re just trying to pass the class, but something about it stuck with me years later because I think about it in terms of smiling. Like dark energy, when we smile, we can feel ourselves pushing things apart—we expand our own worlds and simultaneously help everyone around us do the same.

Smiling is such a simple act, but it takes muscles to get it done. You have to flex your cheek, bite down on your larynx, and unclench your tongue while simultaneously juggling a ball of hot air that you have to squeeze out your mouth. Then, if people don’t smile back at you, it’s all for naught because you’ve got nothing left to hold yourself together with. It’s a lot of work, but smiling changes everything once you’ve done it.

My dad is the reason I smile. He’s the reason I have the confidence to smile first, too. Looking back at my scowling days, I realize that he was smiling all along—but it took muscles for me to notice.

As you continue, thestudycorp.com has the top and most qualified writers to help with any of your assignments. All you need to do is  place an order  with us. (Profile Essay Examples)(Profile Essay Examples)

Profile essay examples

You can also check out Tips on Writing a Good APA Research Paper

Profile Essay Example 2 – Boston Marathon Bombings

On April 15th, 2013, the Boston Marathon Bombings shook the city of Boston and America as a whole. This was an extraordinary tragedy that will never be forgotten by those who witnessed it first hand, including myself. The families affected by this horrible tragedy are left to deal with their grief for years to come. What makes the Marathon Bombing event so significant is the fact that everyone felt affected by it. The fact that anyone could be a victim makes everyone feel vulnerable and scared. This event made America feel like we were all Bostonians and that we were united as one nation.

Caroline Richards was cheering on her mother at the 117th Boston Marathon when the first bomb exploded. She was only three feet from the explosion and was severely injured as a result. Caroline spent 35 days in Boston Medical Center recovering from serious injuries she sustained from the bombing. When interviewed about her experience, she made a statement that I will never forget: “There’s no room for fear. We all have to be compassionate and help those who were also injured and affected,” Caroline said. “I am so grateful for my family and friends who have been by my side supporting me.”

This event proves that although tragedies occur, there is always a silver lining. There was light and hope in the midst of the darkness because of all those affected by it. The things people did to help others in need made us feel proud to be human beings capable of love and kindness.

I believe this event will have an everlasting effect on the world because it made us realize how precious life is and that we should appreciate our loved ones. It also taught us to be aware of the things happening around us and to pay more attention, as one small action can trigger a series of large events.

Profile Essay Example 3 – Alice Walker

Alice Walker has made an enormous contribution to literature, not only through her novels and poetry but also by campaigning for civil rights during the 1960s. Born in Georgia in 1944, she grew up in a tiny rural community with her sharecropper parents. Although she grew up in poverty, Walker’s parents managed to raise eight children. Her father was one of the main reasons why Alice became interested in learning about African-American history and literature.

Walker’s love for reading and writing started after sustaining an injury to her right eye that left her permanently blind in that eye. As soon as she could, she went back to school and studied at several colleges. She received her bachelor’s degree in 1965.

Alice Walker made history when her novel The Color Purple won the Pulitzer Prize in 1982. This was the first time that an African-American woman had won this prestigious award. The book is about a young black woman, Celie, whose life is filled with pain and suffering. It was made into a movie in 1985 by Steven Spielberg.

Alice Walker has used her writing to express her opinions about the conditions that black people were forced into during segregation in America. Her work is not only important because it enlightened people about these incidents but also added dignity to the African-American culture.

Profile Essay Example 4 – My mother’s determination

The day my mother was born, doctors didn’t think she would live. Her tiny body just wasn’t strong enough to survive in this world. But, against all odds and after hours of intensive care from a rotating team of nurses, my mother defied the odds and continued to grow and thrive.

Her early battle with life made her strong, determined, and resilient—a warrior that would fight for what she wanted. Later in life, even though she had a successful career as a social worker and could easily provide for herself financially, my mother took on another challenge: raising five children.

This was not easy, but my mother never complained; she simply figured out how to make things work in her own way. She made our lives fun and happy by taking us on long walks in the park or baking cookies with us in the afternoon when we got home from school. My mother’s determination influenced me to keep trying even if I didn’t always succeed the first time.

Today, my mother is retired and lives in Florida with my father. So many times, she has told me how much she loves her life because every day is sunny, and nothing bad ever happens to her anymore. I am so grateful for all of the sacrifices she made on our behalf, but mostly I am thankful for her strength and resilience because those attributes have made me strong too.

Profile Essay Example 5

“Good evening, Valparaiso. I’m storm shield meteorologist Jacob Van Horn here with a look at your forecast.” Ever since Jake was in grade school, he knew that he wanted to be a meteorologist. However, it wasn’t until high school that he realized his dream could truly become reality. Jake’s interest in weather began when he first watched the movie “Twister,” a collection of National Geographic documentaries provided by his school. With an abundance of hard work and dedication, Jake is working towards earning his bachelor’s degree in meteorology and achieving his dream of becoming a meteorologist.

Since Jake has always been an admirer of the weather, severe storms always brought him a thrill. His interest in weather peaked after an F-4 tornado struck a city near his home in November of 2002. His family drove through Van Wert, Ohio, to see the damage. “Those images will always be in my head,” he recalls.

Although Jake always knew that he wanted to become a meteorologist, it was not until high school when he recognized his full potential. He realized how good he was at science and math and how much he enjoyed each of these subjects. Math and science are a crucial part of meteorology; therefore, Jake decided to “give it a go.”

When it came to deciding upon a college to pursue his meteorology degree, Jake was torn between Purdue University and Valparaiso University. Both schools possessed a great meteorology program, but Jake was drawn to Valparaiso’s small school atmosphere and location. Although Valparaiso was a private university with higher tuition than Purdue, Jake received a presidential scholarship, which aided in paying for his tuition. Getting accepted into a college with an outstanding meteorology program brought Jake one step closer to achieving his dream.

Once college started, there were a broad range of meteorology classes that he had to take. They started as simple, introductory classes and progressed into much more specific classes, such as an aviation weather class to predict things such as turbulence and a tropical class, which not only focuses on hurricanes and tropical storms, but the impact of the ocean on the weather in general. These classes will be beneficial to his future career choice. A meteorologist’s job can be described as making a type of educated prediction. Jake will use what he has learned in his classes, apply that broad knowledge to whatever is happening in the forecast, look at where the weather is coming from, and predict what he believes will happen.

The summer between his freshman and sophomore years of college, Jake was an intern at a local news station, WANE 15. While at his internship, he often assisted the head meteorologist in creating graphics that were used on television. He liked using the graphics system to see what he could create and he also liked communicating to the people about what was going to be happening. Jake said that he was able to learn an abundance of new things that will be useful in his future endeavors. One night, during a large tornado outbreak, he stayed at the station until around 2AM, keeping the viewing areas informed about the potentially dangerous weather conditions. He said that it “was definitely a crazy night.”

When he returned back to campus his sophomore year, Jake was a lab aide for an introductory class, which helps to refresh students on the basics of meteorology. He was also an assistant weather director at the campus television station, which is helping him learn about the broadcasting side of meteorology. He has learned everything from production to graphic-making and even presentation skills on the green screen. Although he did not think he would like being on television, before he began classes, Jake has learned many skills that have opened his mind to the world of broadcasting.

You can also check out Opinion Ideas for Writing/Opinion Essay Topics

A good profile essay should be easy to read and relatively short, with a strong beginning that grabs the reader’s attention.

The best profile essays are written with clear, concise language that showcases the personality of your subject.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about writing an essay on a particular topic . We would be happy to help with this process.

Related FAQs

1. how to write a profile essay.

Before you start writing your profile essay, you should know its structure. This refers to the introduction, body of a paragraph and conclusion. This part draws the attention of your readers. This is your chance to hook them until the end of your piece.

2. What is a typical profile essay example?

A typical profile essay example is a creative description of a personality, an event, or an object that relates to a particular person. In some cases, you can choose topics or ideas that describe a celebrity or a scientist. It must deal with the facts and provide descriptions.

As you continue, thestudycorp.com has the top and most qualified writers to help with any of your assignments. All you need to do is  place an order  with us. (Profile Essay Examples)(Profile Essay Examples)(Profile Essay Examples)

3. How to write a comprehensive and balanced profile essay?

A comprehensive and balanced essay can be written by in-depth research and knowledge about the student’s subject. The first and foremost goal of a profile essay is to be informative. It is a literary work that focuses on the description of a person, place, or event.

4. What is the conclusion of a profile essay?

The conclusion is the final part where you are required to give a summary of your essay. Unlike the body, it should only contain a few sentences that restates all your major points pointing out your topic’s relevance. How to Start Writing a Profile Essay?

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How to Write a Profile Essay on a Person or a Place

How to Write a Profile Essay on a Person or a Place

So, you’ve got confused by that assignment, haven’t you? A profile essay. What’s that? Students frequently fail to understand this essay type correctly from the first try. However, there is some good news, too. A profile essay turns into a piece of cake after you find out how to write it well.

That type of academic assignment wants a student to describe a place, a person, an event, or anything else that has details one could mention if they would like to. So, it is a paper with a descriptive purpose that is built around the chosen subject one has to disassemble into lesser details thoroughly and attentively.

Essays of that type are usually the featured assignments for future journalists. In fact, writing high-quality profile essays is one of the pillars of every journalist’s job, as the process requires them to research a lot regarding the event, place, or person that is the core of their paper.

The Goal of a Profile Essay

Before we proceed with the explanation about how to write a profile essay on a person or a subject, one might want to find out about the goal of profile essays in detail. Simply put, a profile essay is an assignment that supposes a student to describe the chosen subject completely. The more details you include in the writing, the better. However, professionals also recommend doing whatever you can to keep the reader (for college, university, and high school students, it’s their professor) interested and willing to continue reading.

So, everything starts with the topic. A new and original topic of a profile essay will bring you some additional points and benefits even before your professor actually starts reading its contents. And yes, though a prof may seem to know everything, it will be great if you’ll be able to provide them with some facts that are new for them.

Now, let’s discuss the preparation process. Stay alert: it is as important as writing itself.  

How to Start a Profile Essay: Preparation

The pre-production stage is a vital part of any project. Academic papers become much easier to complete when you invest enough time and effort in their preparation.

Here below, you’ll find a step-by-step guide on preparation and writing your profile essay. Try not to miss too many details. That’s how you increase your chance to get the highest grade possible. Your academic success is surely worth a couple of hours spent to prepare, isn’t it?

Determine Subject

Don’t underestimate the critical meaning of this very first stage of profile essay writing . Of course, some professors prefer their students to work on previously assigned topics. In that case, your subject does not depend on you, and you work with what you’ve got.

On the other hand, there are more liberal professors who offer students to choose the topic they like the most on their own. Obviously, the latter gives you more opportunities, though you may feel lost among the varieties of possible topics to pick.

So, in case there is the possibility for you to come up with a free topic, make sure that your topic is interesting to you, first of all. Another key feature of a suitable profile essay subject is its searchability. Before you approve the topic you like, check if you can find enough reference materials to craft a detailed paper . If you have doubts after that, you might want to go in for another subject concept.

How to Write a Profile Essay: Tone and Style

A profile essay is an academic paper at its core. However, the style you can use here is a bit different. It’s more flexible in terms of formalities and literary devices used.

A profile essay supposes students to write in the first person when their profile essay is anyone’s personal interview. Your professor will expect to see how you describe your chosen subject, so the manner of your writing should correlate with the rest of the essay.

The first-person writing suits here better than that of the second-person solution due to the nature of profile essays’ contents. Still, try not to overuse it unless you want to make a paper less effective. Don’t focus on yourself too much to avoid distracting the professor from the topic.

It will be useful to find a profile essay example for college students online to check here. That visual demonstration would be the perfect way for you to understand the point.

Proceed With Profile Essay Writing

Now, when you know enough about the purpose of profile essays and also found out how to prepare for writing them, it is time to switch to the main academic process. Of course, it’s writing.

Essay Structure

As it was mentioned above more than once already, a profile essay has a lot in common with other essay types. In Particular, its structure is typical. Just like an average academic essay , a profile paper consists of three blocks:

  • introduction;
  • conclusion.

Below we’ve shown how to write a profile essay on a place or a person in detail. See what should be included in every block of your future paper and how to make the final draft be worth the highest grade.

In an introduction, your main mission is to keep and boost the attention of your professor about the paper. It is something likely to be a preview. Here, you should let them know more about the topic and things they are going to find further in an essay body.

The introduction should reveal some basic information and contain slight descriptions of a person, a place, or an event that is the current paper’s subject. Additionally, a good intro paragraph is the one able to hook the reader, to get them interested and involved in the reading process.

Many students make the same mistake here. It’s simple. They think their professor just can’t get interested in their papers because the prof knows everything about the topics they discuss. That is not true, and you can use the advantages of your topic to intrigue the professor (who is your main reader here) in the intro. 

Your prof will be excited enough to find out an uncommon fact about the person or a less famous detail about the event you are writing your profile essay on. Don’t miss the opportunity to give them that intriguing hint in your paper’s intro.

And of course, the last but not least important element of an introduction is the thesis statement. Usually, it is the final sentence of the paragraph explaining the reason and/or the goal that you had in mind while picking the topic and crafting the essay .

As always, the main body is the place to present the core information that makes your profile essay exist. Regarding the introduction, your reader would expect to read more about the person, event, or anything that you marked as your paper’s subject in the topic and the intro.

The main essay body should be possible to read it smoothly with no interruptions or difficulties of any kind. What’s important here, too, is that the paper should not be a source of boredom. Make sure it is not dull or secondary regarding the existing materials and references you used.

Feel free to go in for small and interesting details, less common facts, and, possibly, answers that the person provided you with during a private interview (this works for profile essays on a person only, of course).

Simply put, an essay body is like a picture. When you write someone’s personal profile, that’s all about portraying their biography, achievements, traits, lifestyle, etc. If your subject is an event, then describe it chronologically and add comments proving your thesis statement.

The point is that you can be creative while illustrating the subject for readers, but the proper balance between your imagination and private comments and the actual situation or personality should be kept perfectly.

Finally, while working on the essay body, make it simple for the reader to understand what is written. Avoid using the info that can provide uncertainty, break the chain of real events, or make the professor confused due to the use of unchecked facts and random, unintentional delusions.

Explain each question, focal point, or the fact you insert in the essay’s body as long as you find it necessary to exclude any inconveniences, even the slightest ones. The professor should have a clear view of what you wanted to say by the last paragraph of your paper.

A conclusion is a must-be part of any academic essay, including profile papers. A summary paragraph reflects the facts and comments you brought up for discussion previously in the main body. Mostly, the best way to write a suitable conclusion and finish an essay strongly is to logically tie the info from the body paragraphs to a thesis statement displayed in an intro.

Please note that the final part of the essay is not a place for new facts or concepts. You can only restate what was already mentioned. Don’t confuse your professor if you want to get the top grade.

As you can see, profile essays are not too difficult to complete. You should choose the topic attentively, take time to do preliminary preparations, and keep up with the common essay structure . Usually, that’s more than enough to craft a worthy academic paper of any type.

However, if you don’t feel confident enough, you can ask for expert help online. Professionals will provide you with profile writing tips and recommendations. If necessary, they can assist you with writing, too. Don’t lose control over your academic success: use any opportunity to get the highest grade possible.

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  2. The Profile Essay: Interview and Writing

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COMMENTS

  1. Profile Essay ⇒ Writing Guide with Outline and Examples

    An outline should include an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Here's an example of a simple but detailed outline of a profile essay about a person: Subject: A profile of my high-school History teacher, Mr. Smith. I. Introduction. A. Hook: Describing how Mr. Smith has impacted my life in a positive way.

  2. How to Write a Profile Essay about a Person Format & Example

    Step-by-step writing guide. 1. Determining your profile. You must define what kind of profile you plan to approach by collecting as much information as possible. Take notes of the facts, check statistical information, and interview a person of choice before you start writing. 2. Choosing your profile essay subject.

  3. How to Write a Profile Essay (with Example)

    Discover a remarkable subject to write a profile essay about. The person can be well-known or somewhat ordinary. The subject is not limited to an individual but can be a location, leisure interest, or occupation. Expand your search beyond the computer and your neighborhood. Do primary source research on the subject to acquire background ...

  4. A Comprehensive Guide to Writing a Profile Essay Sample

    Definition of a Profile Essay. A profile essay is a genre of writing that provides an in-depth portrait of a person, highlighting their unique characteristics, accomplishments, and impact on society. It goes beyond a mere biography or a collection of facts, offering readers a deeper understanding of the subject's personality, motivations, and ...

  5. How to Write an Profile Essay

    Writing Tips for a Profile Essay. How to write a profile essay in three steps; pick a subject, do your research, and start writing. Remember that a profile essay is a literary and a journalistic piece of writing. It's non-fiction, so your facts and figures must be accurate, and any discrepancies or controversies surrounding your data can form ...

  6. How to Write a Successful Profile Essay

    A profile essay is a type of informative essay describing a person, place, or event. Get a step-by-step guide for how to write a profile essay that will be a hit with your readers.

  7. A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Profile Essay

    The introduction should tell the essence of the composition, what it is about. There are several ways to write the beginning, first, with a description of the topic's relevance. Tell the reader why you are writing an essay on this particular topic, why it is exciting, and why it is worth writing about it at all.

  8. How to Write a Profile Essay: A Step-by-Step Guide

    A profile essay is a type of academic writing that uses a well-structured structure to provide a complete account of a person, event, or location. Essentially, authors spend a significant amount of time researching a given problem to gain the less obvious details that a reader can't find with a simple search on the internet.

  9. Profile Essay Example: Topics, Outline, Writing Tips

    Bonus: Profile Essay Topics Ideas. If a tutor doesn't provide a specific topic for your profile essay and you struggle to find one, try any of these: My Hometown's History: The Hero of People. The Writer Who Shaped My View of Life. The Best Five-Star Hotel In Our Country. An Unusual Millionaire With a Kind Heart.

  10. Writing a Profile Essay

    This is a very linear and simple way to write a profile essay, and it generally works well. ... Sometimes profile essays are assigned for a person that the author knows personally, perhaps a friend or neighbor. In these cases, the information on a profile essay will usually be gathered from a personal interview. In an interview format, an essay ...

  11. How to Write a Profile Essay (2022 Guide)

    The profile essay forces you to shine a spotlight on a person, place or thing and write about them in an organized and cohesive manner. By the time you finish reading this article, you will have more nuanced insight into the best way to approach and execute a profile essay, allowing you to earn a passing grade or higher.

  12. How To Write A Profile Essay: A Comprehensive Guide

    A profile essay is a type of academic or journalistic writing that aims to provide a detailed description and analysis of a particular person, place, event, or organization. Its purpose is to present a comprehensive and engaging portrayal of the subject, highlighting its unique qualities, experiences, and significance.

  13. How to Write a Profile Essay

    Here is the outline of how to write a profile essay: An Introduction paragraph. Your essay's beginning serves as a teaser for the content presented in the body. Your introduction sentences will become the first sentences of your body paragraphs. The sentences should provide relevant information and paint a vivid picture of the interviewed ...

  14. PDF Profile Essay

    A profile essay is a type of essay that centers a certain person, place, or thing. One of the most common profile essay assignments is one in which the author "profiles" a certain person, offering information about who that person is and why they are important. A profile essay does not have the same structure as a narrative essay or an ...

  15. Profile Essays: Overview

    The purpose of a profile is to give the reader new insight into a particular person, place, or event. The distinction between a profile and, for example, a memoir or a biography is that a profile relies on newly acquired knowledge. It is a first-hand account of someone or something as told by the writer. You have probably read profiles of ...

  16. How to Write a Profile Essay Properly and Effectively

    Thus, many folks face a challenge of how to write a profile essay. This essay type requires a lot of time and a determined effort to succeed. The major objective of this paper is to describe. ... you don't know how to write a profile essay on a person, memorize the following issues: Develop an outline; Craft the list of possible questions ...

  17. How to Start a Profile Essay

    Set the stage for the profile by providing necessary context. Central Themes or Traits: Identify the central themes or traits that you want to explore in the profile essay. These can be aspects of the subject's personality, accomplishments, or influence. Supporting Evidence: Gather the information, quotes, anecdotes, and examples that support ...

  18. Profile Essay

    Step 1: Get the Right Information. Doing research is the most important thing to do before you begin writing your research profile. This will help you get a detailed information about your subject. Always make sure that you are using trusted sources like library materials, online articles, etc.

  19. Profile Essay: Writing Guide With Examples

    For example, when writing about a person give the details that make them different. When writing about a place include the name, locality and neighboring places. Use the right tone when writing your essay. The formal tone makes an essay sound formal and neat. A profile essay is more flexible as compared to other essays.

  20. How To Write A Profile Essay, Guide For Students

    Then, you have some clue regarding profile essays. A profile essay is a descriptive writing that focuses on the description of a person, place or an event. The essay is usually comprehensive, sensory and balanced detailing on the information on a particular subject hence enables the reader to assume that he or she knows about the subject. In ...

  21. Profile Essay Examples

    How to Write a Profile Essay. Discover a remarkable subject to write a profile essay about. The person can be well-known or somewhat ordinary. The subject is not limited to an individual but can be a location, leisure interest, or occupation. Expand your search beyond the computer and your neighborhood.

  22. How to Write a Profile Essay on a Person or a Place

    Just like an average academic essay, a profile paper consists of three blocks: introduction; main body; conclusion. Below we've shown how to write a profile essay on a place or a person in detail. See what should be included in every block of your future paper and how to make the final draft be worth the highest grade. Intro.

  23. How to Write a Professional Profile (With Examples)

    You may write your profile as a list in bullet form or as a short paragraph. Include your job title and years of work or training experience. Highlight your professional strengths for the role. 2. Include the skills that are relevant to the job you are applying for. Include only your professional skills and experience that are relevant to the ...