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Profile Essay Guide

A profile essay is a type of essay that centers on one person, place, or event. 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, so it is similar to an informative essay in its goals.

Main characteristics and purpose

The main purpose of a profile essay is to present an objective profile of a person, group, or basically anything in a way that readers find interesting and informative. The profile essay can be either factual, presenting information based on direct observation and research, or it can be fictional, presenting information based on the author’s imagination.

When you write a profile essay, present the subject in a manner that is both objective and subjective. Objective information presents the facts without any type of interpretation, while subjective information presents the facts with some type of interpretation.

The characteristics that make a good profile essay:

• Focusing on a single individual, group, or place
• Including a detailed description and explanations
• Offering insight into the subject’s importance, meaning, or significance
• Utilizing a variety of research methods (interviews, surveys, observation, etc.)
• Showing behind-the-scenes information that others may not be aware of

If you want to find out more about essays in general, check our or other guide: Academic Essay Definition

How to write a profile essay

There are a few things to keep in mind when writing a profile essay. First, choose a subject that is interesting to you and that you have some knowledge about. It is also important to make sure that the subject is someone or something that can be adequately described in a short essay .

Next, you will need to do some research on your subject. This can be done through interviews, observation, or surveys. Once you have gathered your information, you will need to organize it in a way that makes sense and is easy for readers to follow.

Note: If you want to know how to write an essay in general, we suggest checking out our corresponding guide: How to Write an Essay .

Choosing a topic and developing a thesis statement

When writing a profile essay, you can choose not only a person as your profiling subject but also a place or an event. Profiling a place can be especially interesting, as it will allow you to explore the history and culture of the area. If you are profiling a person, you will want to focus on their personality, accomplishments, and any other unique characteristics that make them interesting.

However, before deciding on the final subject, consider if you have the time and resources to do the necessary research. You will need to have access to the subject in order to interview them and observe their behavior. In addition, you will need to be able to find enough information on the subject to write a comprehensive essay.

Ideas for profiling people:

• A person with an unusual job (e.g., a professional clown, a pet psychic, etc.)
• A person who has overcome adversity (e.g., a homeless person, a person with a disability, etc.)
• A person with an interesting hobby or talent (e.g., a competitive eater, a quilter, etc.)
• A prominent person in your community (e.g., the mayor, a police chief, etc.)

Ideas for profiling places:

• A local business (e.g., a family-owned restaurant, a mom-and-pop shop, etc.)
• A historical landmark in your town or city
• A local festival or fair
• A commonly unpleasant place (e.g., the DMV, the dentist’s office, etc.)
• A rarely visited place in your town or city (e.g., an abandoned building, a remote park, etc.)
• A place you like to go to (e.g., your favorite store, your grandmother’s house, etc.)

Ideas for profiling events and activities:

• A sporting event (e.g., a marathon, a football game, etc.)
• A musical performance (e.g., a concert, a school play, etc.)
• A community service project (e.g., a food drive, a park clean-up, etc.)
• A volunteer event (e.g., working at a soup kitchen, Habitat for Humanity, etc.)
• An annual event in your town or city (e.g., a parade, a festival, etc.)

Various Essay Topics – here, you will find a list of different essay topics divided by essay type and educational level.

Once you have decided on a subject, you will need to develop a thesis statement . Your thesis statement should briefly summarize the main points you will be making in your essay. This should be a brief sentence that sums up the main point of your essay. For example, your thesis might be “John Doe is an interesting person because of his work in the community and his dedication to his family.”

Keep in mind that your goal is to provide an accurate and insightful portrayal of your subject. Avoid writing a paper that is purely flattering or one that only focuses on the negative aspects of your subject. Instead, strive to provide a balanced and fair portrayal to come up with a successful profile essay.

Creating an outline of the essay

Once you have decided on a topic and developed a thesis statement, you will need to create an outline for your essay . This will help you determine the main points that you want to include in your paper. 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.

• A. Hook: Describing how Mr. Smith has impacted my life in a positive way.
• B. Background information: When I first met Mr. Smith, I was a sophomore in high school. He was my History teacher, and I quickly developed a respect for him as an educator and a person.
• C. Thesis statement: Through his teaching, mentorship, and personal example, Mr. Smith has instilled in me a love of learning and a desire to make a difference in the world.
• A. Topic sentence : Mr. Smith’s dedication to his students is evident in the way he teaches.
• B. Supporting details: He makes sure that we understand the material, but he also challenges us to think critically about the world around us.
• C. Topic sentence: Mr. Smith is more than just a teacher; he is also a mentor.
• D. Supporting details: He has taken an interest in my personal life and career goals, and he has helped me to stay on track when I’ve faced challenges.
• E. Topic sentence: Mr. Smith is a role model to me in the way he lives his life.
• F. Supporting details: He is a man of integrity who treats others with respect, and I strive to emulate his example in my own life.
• A. Restating the thesis: I am grateful to have had Mr. Smith as a teacher and mentor, and I know that his influence will continue to be a positive force in my life.
• B. Closing thoughts: Mr. Smith has made a lasting impact on me, and I will always remember the lessons he taught me both in and out of the classroom.

Writing the profile essay

The outline example above shows a simple essay structure consisting of five parts (an intro, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion). However, a profile essay can be written in a more free model of organization, which makes it somewhat similar to narrative or descriptive essays in this regard.

The main difference is that while narrative and descriptive essays are typically written in the first person, a profile essay is usually written in the third person. This is because you want to maintain an objective, unbiased perspective when describing your subject. However, if you are a part of the story, it is okay to write in the first person to show that you were involved in the scene.

Point-by-point approach:

Some profile essays will take the form of a point-by-point list of facts about the person, also known as a topical approach. This might be appropriate if you are writing about someone who has many different facets to their life (for example, a celebrity or public figure). The outline we presented earlier is an example of such an approach.

Narrative approach:

Another common way to structure a profile essay is to write it in the form of a story. This might be appropriate if you are writing about someone who has done something newsworthy or has an interesting backstory. In this approach, you will typically start with a brief introduction of the subject, followed by a series of events or anecdotes that illustrate its different aspects.

For example, if you are profiling an event, you might choose to write in chronological order, starting with the preparations and leading up to the event itself.

Or, if you are profiling a person, you might start with their childhood and then move on to their adult life.

In a profile essay about places, you can either write about different parts of the place in separate paragraphs (for example, the history, geography, and culture), or you can choose to write about the place as a whole.

Note: The number of body paragraphs is usually higher than three in such essays due to the narrative writing nature.

Introduction

The introduction of a successful profile essay should give the reader an idea of who you are writing about. You will need to provide basic background information about your subject, as well as any significant facts that will help to introduce it. You can also start with a hook , a good way to keep the readers interested in your essay.

Introduction example of a profile essay about a local Hippotherapy center:

Did you know that horses can help people with physical, emotional, and mental health problems? That’s what Hippotherapy is – using horses to help people heal. And there’s a place right here in our town where you can experience it. The Harmony Horse Center is a non-profit organization that provides Hippotherapy services to people of all ages. Founded in 2006, the center has helped countless people in our community improve their physical, emotional, and mental health.

Body paragraphs

Your body paragraphs will be the meat of your profile essay, so you will need to choose the most interesting and relevant facts about your subject. These should be arranged in a logical order – for example, if you are writing about someone’s life, you might start with their childhood and move on to their adulthood. Or, if you are writing about a place, you might start with its history and then move on to its present-day features.

Here’s what the first body paragraph of that Hippotherapy profile essay may look like:

If you’ve never heard of Hippotherapy, you’re not alone. I hadn’t either until I started researching for this profile and went to the center myself. Once it was in view, I saw the barn and the arena and knew exactly what it was. As I approached, I could hear the horses neighing and the sound of hooves against the ground. I walked in and was immediately greeted by the staff. They were all so friendly and welcoming, and they answered all of my questions about Hippotherapy.

To end a profile essay, write a conclusion that ties all of the different elements of your essay together and leaves the reader with a strong impression of your subject. You might want to reiterate and rephrase some of the key points that you made in your body paragraphs, or you might want to briefly describe what your subject’s life is like now. You might also want to include a call to action – for example, if you are writing about a cause that you care about, you might encourage the reader to get involved.

The conclusion of that Hippotherapy profile essay might look like this:

Hippotherapy is an incredible experience, and the Harmony Horse Center is a wonderful place to try it. I highly encourage anyone who is interested in Hippotherapy or who is looking for an alternative form of therapy to check out the center. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable and welcoming, and the horses are absolutely gorgeous.

Key Takeaways

When writing a profile essay, remember to:

• Choose an interesting subject: Your subject should be someone you’re curious about and want to learn more about.
• Stick to a clear organizational pattern: The introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion should all serve a specific purpose and support your topic.
• Show your role as a writer from the start: You should either write in the first person and show your direct participation or write in the third person to maintain a more objective perspective throughout the essay.
• Interweave quotations and evidence with your narrative: Strengthening your argument with direct quotes from your subject or secondary sources will make your essay more convincing.
• Conduct research: You will need to do some research on your subject in order to write a well-rounded essay. This can include interviews, observation, and secondary sources.
• Create an outline: As with any type of essay, you will need to create an outline of your thoughts before you start writing. This will help you to organize your ideas and ensure that your essay flows smoothly.
• Use details and sensory language: A profile essay should be written with plenty of detail and usage of descriptive and sensory language. This will help to paint a picture of your subject for the reader.
• Reveal the significance of your subject: In addition to providing information about your subject, you should also explain why they are important or interesting.
• Have a clear angle: Your profile essay should have a clear angle or focus so that it is not just a general overview of your subject. Analyzing what most people think about your subject will help you pick a good angle.
• Cite your sources: Be sure to cite any interviews, observations, or secondary sources that you use in your essay, following the conventions of the situation style in the assignment.
• Edit and proofread: As with any type of writing, be sure to edit and proofread your essay before you submit it. This will help to ensure that there are no errors and that your essay is well-written.
• Anoka Ramsey Community College – Portfolio #1: Profile Essay
• Washtenaw Community College – Profile Essay (Assignment Sheet)
• Ohio State University – ENGL 1113 Essay 2: Profile (Assignment Sheet)

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How to Write a Profile Essay: Comprehensive Guide

Table of contents

• 1 What is a Profile Essay?
• 2 The Purpose of a Profile Essay
• 3 Difference Between Profile Papers and Other Essays
• 4.1 Introduction
• 4.2 Body Paragraphs
• 4.3 Conclusion
• 5 Tips to Write an Outstanding Profile Essay
• 6.1.1 Early Childhood
• 6.1.2 Olympic Fame
• 6.1.3 Fighting for a Social Cause

Over their high school and college years, students have to write various essays on different subject matters. While some are narrative and literary, others are more technical and detail-oriented. However, be they persuasive, expository, or argumentative, papers follow specific rules of academic writing.

Among other types, profile essays are some of the most common that professors assign. These assignments come in almost all disciplines, so it’s vital to understand the basics of the writing process.

What is a profile essay, and what features does it cover? Why is it critical to observe and discuss various individuals, events, or places? How do these literary works differ from other essay types ?

This guide will help you grasp the fundamentals of profile essay writing and deconstruct its content with a clear overview of what each part contains. It will also highlight essential hacks you should consider when writing, plus a qualitative example.

What is a Profile Essay?

In short, writing profile essays focuses on a narrow-scoped description of a famous individual, location, event, or activity. Your work should profile the topic you selected and provide qualitative information about the importance of the subject. Therefore, the writer must present vivid descriptions and thorough explanations through various methods.

You may choose to interview your subject to collect the necessary data. Alternatively, you can survey or research the topic to gather relevant insight if the person you’re discussing died. Observing a fair or visiting a town and then writing about it is also viable. Another unusual aspect of a profile assignment is that you can include objective facts and subjective or interpreted ideas.

In most cases, the essay will be factual. It will introduce valid and relevant questions and answers. For example, you may write about a distinguished USA president, civil rights activist, or athlete. Similarly, you can depict an ancient city, historical landmark, or high-rated festival. Last, consider dedicating your work to a local business, musical performance, or community service project.

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The Purpose of a Profile Essay

This essay type aims to offer the audience a comprehensive perspective of a particular topic and help them understand the concept. Hence, all data must be well-structured and presentable not to confuse the reader and raise doubts.

Moreover, anyone reading your work must be able to make informed judgments on the theme. In many cases, writing a short essay is a wise idea to portray the case or individual you’re discussing. Besides your writing skills, you will also showcase your organization and presentation abilities.

Difference Between Profile Papers and Other Essays

Most importantly, writing a profile essay will rely on valid and accurate facts. In short, focus on using first-hand information by conducting an interview, survey, or personal observation and involvement. Presenting amusing and authentic ideas will urge your target audience to enjoy your piece.

Unlike other essay types, these avoid using a secondary source. For instance, while writing a good opinion essay will involve your standpoints on a topic, the profile paper will concentrate on genuine insight supported by evidence. However, biographies and studies written by others are helpful when verifying the facts you collected yourself.

Overall, finding secondary sources is less demanding and time-consuming than establishing your pool of bibliographical information. Still, primary materials are ideal for writing a profile essay. Also, you must draft it in the third person to maintain an unbiased perspective of your subject.

Comprehensive Profile Essay Structure

You probably wonder how to start a profile essay and keep your thoughts and ideas streamlined and concise. And while you can find online essay help , we prepared a detailed overview of the layout you should follow. Here are the roles of each part.

Introduction

Undoubtedly, the first section of your work will be the opening which typically consists of a single segment. Its primary role is to lay the foundations of the subject and hook the readers to explore until the end. Hence, share intriguing background details such as a quote or anecdote.

Moreover, the excellent thesis statement must reflect the subject you will write about later in your manuscript. It should be well-thought and concise. The introductory part shouldn’t exceed 15% of the entire essay length. Also, ensure you avoid in-text citations except to begin the introduction with a direct quotation.

Body Paragraphs

This part presents the main idea and answers the most important interview questions. It is also the most substantial segment in terms of word count. According to the PapersOwl writing service , the body section should consist of at least two paragraphs. The number of paragraphs will depend on the distinct points the essay writers plan to cover.

Also, there is no specific length for body paragraphs , but you should avoid walls of text. Another guideline for a successful piece is to write at least four sentences in each body segment.

The closing paragraph offers a concise overview of the body paragraphs. It will focus on restating your thesis statement in a final attempt to emphasize the role and value of the selected subject.

The ending should also revisit the topic sentences and demonstrate the impact on our society. Therefore, don’t write about something not mentioned before. This section takes about 10% of the total word count and can contain an in-text citation as a call to action.

Tips to Write an Outstanding Profile Essay

Below, we share a thorough list of advice to teach you how to write a profile essay worth your professor’s attention.

• Read a few essays. You can look for quality articles in popular magazines that regularly publish interviews. A narrative essay might also prove helpful if you need to adjust your tone and language.
• Ensure the subject of interest is easy to reach. If you get stuck with an unreachable goal, PapersOwl can write your essay for money in the shortest timeframe possible.
• Study the topic by analyzing the background of your subject and focus on what makes their lives so unique. If it’s a place or activity, learn about its past and future.
• The most impactful way is to write in simple language. Steer away from jargon or idiomatic phrases to avoid misunderstandings, particularly in the thesis.
• Use vivid adjectives and transitions to convey your central point.
• Each body paragraph shouldn’t exceed 150 words.
• Keep your facts in check and avoid sharing your personal opinion unless based on authentic data.
• Engage all senses by visualizing events, telling jokes, or describing sounds.
• Follow a pre-defined structure where each body paragraph tackles a different point.
• Proofread your work for grammar errors and typos.
• Run your essay through an online plagiarism checker to avoid copied content.
• Ensure your ideas are concise and clear and split run-on sentences.

Crafting a profile essay requires an in-depth understanding of the chosen topic, whether it’s a person, place, or thing. The writer must be able to convey clear and engaging information that fully describes and explains the subject. It’s essential to have a writing style that can capture the reader’s interest and keep them engaged throughout the essay. To make the process easier, working with a quick essay writer can be helpful, as they can provide the necessary expertise and experience to create a high-quality profile essay that stands out.

Your Qualitative Profile Essay Example

The best approach is to go with the standard 5-paragraph structure. Here’s an excellent profile sample.

The Incredible Story of Wilma Rudolf

“My doctors told me I would never walk again. My mother told me I would. I believed my mother.” This famous quote by Wilma Rudolph, an African American athlete, tells tales about her life journey. She made history in the Olympic Games in Rome, becoming the first American woman to win three gold medals and break three world records. Her life, full of obstacles and hardship, took her to the throne of athletics and the heart of burning social issues.

Early Childhood

Born on June 23, 1940, in Tennessee, Wilma had 21 siblings. While she had the support and care from her extended family, it was challenging for the family to make ends meet. Things worsened when Rudolph contracted polio, double pneumonia, and scarlet fever. Though she survived the severe bouts, her illness left her paralyzed, and Wilma had to wear a leg brace. The doctor’s prognosis was grim, but with her family’s help, Rudolph started to hop on one leg in two years. Soon, she began to move, and by 12, Vilma regained her walking ability and took up basketball. She soon proved a natural athlete, challenging every boy in the neighborhood at running.

Olympic Fame

The Olympic Games were a pipe dream to young Rudolph. Yet, she caught steam and never lost a race in all high school track meets. At 16, Vilma brought a bronze medal from the Summer Olympics in Melbourne. In 1960 she participated in the Olympic Games in Rome, Italy, and won three gold medals. A striking fact about this triple victory is that in the 100 and 200-meter dashes, Wilma finished three yards before the closest contestant. In addition, her relay team won the 400-meter race thanks to her exceptional performance. Vilma attracted the world’s attention; the crowds cheered her and called her “La Gazelle.” However, she decided not to participate in the next Olympic Games, fearing that she won’t duplicate her success.

Fighting for a Social Cause

Rudolph dedicated the rest of her life to teaching the lessons she learned the hard way. She was particularly keen on coaching underprivileged children. Wilma even wrote her autobiography and worked in several community sports centers. She also gave numerous motivational speeches and founded the Wilma Rudolph Foundation to promote amateur athletics. Wilma died in 1994 of a brain tumor. Survived by two daughters and two sons, Rudolph has left a remarkable inspirational legacy.

Wilma played a critical role in the way we see sports today. Her poor health as a child instilled the “never give up” attitude in her mindset. Learning to overcome fear and weakness gave Rudolph the courage to aim high. Vilma’s personality proves that a strong will and perseverance can take you to stardom.

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How To Write A Profile Essay Like A Professional Writer

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.

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 (+ 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

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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How to Write About Yourself in a College Essay | Examples

Published on September 21, 2021 by Kirsten Courault . Revised on May 31, 2023.

An insightful college admissions essay requires deep self-reflection, authenticity, and a balance between confidence and vulnerability. Your essay shouldn’t just be a resume of your experiences; colleges are looking for a story that demonstrates your most important values and qualities.

To write about your achievements and qualities without sounding arrogant, use specific stories to illustrate them. You can also write about challenges you’ve faced or mistakes you’ve made to show vulnerability and personal growth.

Table of contents

Start with self-reflection, how to write about challenges and mistakes, how to write about your achievements and qualities, how to write about a cliché experience, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about college application essays.

Before you start writing, spend some time reflecting to identify your values and qualities. You should do a comprehensive brainstorming session, but here are a few questions to get you started:

• What are three words your friends or family would use to describe you, and why would they choose them?
• Whom do you admire most and why?
• What are the top five things you are thankful for?
• What has inspired your hobbies or future goals?
• What are you most proud of? Ashamed of?

As you self-reflect, consider how your values and goals reflect your prospective university’s program and culture, and brainstorm stories that demonstrate the fit between the two.

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

Writing about difficult experiences can be an effective way to show authenticity and create an emotional connection to the reader, but choose carefully which details to share, and aim to demonstrate how the experience helped you learn and grow.

Be vulnerable

It’s not necessary to have a tragic story or a huge confession. But you should openly share your thoughts, feelings, and experiences to evoke an emotional response from the reader. Even a cliché or mundane topic can be made interesting with honest reflection. This honesty is a preface to self-reflection and insight in the essay’s conclusion.

Don’t overshare

With difficult topics, you shouldn’t focus too much on negative aspects. Instead, use your challenging circumstances as a brief introduction to how you responded positively.

Share what you have learned

It’s okay to include your failure or mistakes in your essay if you include a lesson learned. After telling a descriptive, honest story, you should explain what you learned and how you applied it to your life.

While it’s good to sell your strengths, you also don’t want to come across as arrogant. Instead of just stating your extracurricular activities, achievements, or personal qualities, aim to discreetly incorporate them into your story.

Brag indirectly

Mention your extracurricular activities or awards in passing, not outright, to avoid sounding like you’re bragging from a resume.

Use stories to prove your qualities

Even if you don’t have any impressive academic achievements or extracurriculars, you can still demonstrate your academic or personal character. But you should use personal examples to provide proof. In other words, show evidence of your character instead of just telling.

Many high school students write about common topics such as sports, volunteer work, or their family. Your essay topic doesn’t have to be groundbreaking, but do try to include unexpected personal details and your authentic voice to make your essay stand out .

To find an original angle, try these techniques:

• Focus on a specific moment, and describe the scene using your five senses.
• Mention objects that have special significance to you.
• Instead of following a common story arc, include a surprising twist or insight.

Your unique voice can shed new perspective on a common human experience while also revealing your personality. When read out loud, the essay should sound like you are talking.

If you want to know more about academic writing , effective communication , or parts of speech , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

Academic writing

• Writing process
• Transition words
• Passive voice
• Paraphrasing

 Communication

• How to end an email
• Ms, mrs, miss
• How to start an email
• I hope this email finds you well
• Hope you are doing well

 Parts of speech

• Personal pronouns
• Conjunctions

First, spend time reflecting on your core values and character . You can start with these questions:

However, you should do a comprehensive brainstorming session to fully understand your values. Also consider how your values and goals match your prospective university’s program and culture. Then, brainstorm stories that illustrate the fit between the two.

When writing about yourself , including difficult experiences or failures can be a great way to show vulnerability and authenticity, but be careful not to overshare, and focus on showing how you matured from the experience.

Through specific stories, you can weave your achievements and qualities into your essay so that it doesn’t seem like you’re bragging from a resume.

Include specific, personal details and use your authentic voice to shed a new perspective on a common human experience.

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Courault, K. (2023, May 31). How to Write About Yourself in a College Essay | Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved September 9, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/college-essay/write-about-yourself/

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How to Write a Profile Essay from start to end like a pro

Many people do not realize that a biography is a profile essay, but it is. It is a profile essay because it is essentially the profile or the detailed description of a person.

You can be assigned to write an informative essay where you describe a person, place, event, or whatever subject. If that is the case, you should write a profile essay. A profile essay is basically a descriptive essay.

It is a common assignment in college for journalism and media studies courses. However, students pursuing other courses can also be assigned to write a profile essay. Although writing one can be challenging, we will show you in a bit how it can be enjoyable and what steps you need to take.

In this post, you will learn everything you need to know to write the perfect profile essay. Oh! You can buy a profile essay from us and have it customized to your instructions or rubric. Otherwise, let’s begin.

What is a Profile Essay?

The hallmark of writing a staller profile essay is knowing what it means.

In the academic context, a profile essay is basically a descriptive essay or informative essay about a person, place, location, activity, item, institution, organization, or event. Within the journalism context, profile essays refer to compositions about a person.

It is an essay that provides a detailed description of someone or something. The essay is usually between 600 and 850 words long and can be longer than 1000 words. The best way to write it is in such a way that it gives the reader a complete picture of the subject.

For example, if you are asked to write a profile essay on your best friend, you should write it so that when someone reads it, they will quickly gain a comprehensive understanding of your best friend.

There are two basic types of profile essays – descriptive profile essays and analytical profile essays .

Descriptive profile essays offer a comprehensive description of someone or something, while analytical ones provide in-depth analysis/evaluation of someone or something while describing it. The most common type of profile essay is the descriptive one. You can be asked to write a descriptive profile essay on a movie character, a story character, a politician, a celebrity, or someone you know personally. You can also be asked to write one on a location, an event, or even an idea.

What Is the Purpose of a Profile Essay?

The purpose of a profile essay is to provide a comprehensive view of a subject. The subject could be virtually anything.

When you are asked to write a profile essay, you should try to write it so that it leaves no important information.

For example, if you choose to write an essay on Barrack Obama, it should describe everything about the man from his origin to his Harvard experience, his senatorial experience, and finally, his presidency. This will help the reader to know everything crucial they need to know about Obama, including his life before the presidency.

When writing a profile essay, you should try as hard as possible to make it as interesting and informative as possible. Because profile essays that are not interesting tend to have too boring and too dull to read. So if you want the reader to read your essay from the first word in the introduction to the last word in the conclusion paragraph, ensure it is an exciting read.

The 6 main steps for writing a Perfect Profile Essay

Writing a successful, stellar, and grade-worthy profile essay needs some quality work. Here are some insights from our top profile essay writers who have completed many profile essays for clients. These essay writers are widely experienced in writing such essays and use these steps to produce the best profile essays. 

When assigned to write a profile essay for your class assignment, follow these six steps: (1) get inspired by professionally done examples, (2) choose a topic and a subject of focus, (3) research, (4) plan your essay, (5) write the essay, and (6) edit and proofread the essay before submitting.

Now let’s expound on each point to make it further easier for you to write a profile essay that attracts the best grades/score.

1. Get inspired by Examples

You need to research, plan, and write it better to ensure that it has no flaws. To write better, you can get inspiration through reading professional profile essay examples . These professionally written profile compositions are common in magazines such as The New York Times, Esquire, Washington Post, and The Guardian, among others.

While reading these examples, note how the details are presented, the ordering technique used, the use of transitions, hooks, and other aspects of formal writing, formatting, paragraphing approach, and the general choice of words.

You could read as many examples of profile essays as you can. However, be keen on selecting the best to benchmark as you write your profile essay based on the prompt from your professor.

2. Choose a topic and the subject

When asked to write a profile essay, you will most probably be asked to choose a topic by your professor. If this is the case, you should choose a topic that is interesting to you. Sometimes you are given a topic and told to write about it.

Because by choosing an interesting story, you get a chance to tell this story in your essay.

Of course, telling an interesting story is something you should be greatly interested in doing because interesting profile essays are almost always excellent profile essays.

After selecting the topic, ensure that you also choose a subject (the person, place, activity, or event of interest). The subject you choose to write about in your essay can either make or break your profile writing.

3. Gather information about the subject

Once you have chosen a topic for your profile essay, the next thing you need to do is to gather information about the subject.

For example, if the subject is a person, you should research information about them online at this stage. Gather as many important details about the person as you can. These details will be useful in the next step. In some cases, if you have access to the person you want to write an essay on, you can organize an interview with the person to find out more about them directly from them.

If you are writing a profile essay based on an interview, be sure to capture some of the responses the subject gave. It would be best to have open-ended questions on the interview plan to find as much valid information as possible. You need to corroborate the information using information available from credible sources.

4. Create an outline

Although sometimes an outline is not mandatory for an essay, you need to have a quick outline to arrange the ideas and thoughts and define the structure of your paper. Stick to a specific outline format for your essay.

If you feel you have gathered as many details about the subject as possible, you should create a profile essay outline. The outline should highlight what you want to write in each essay section. It should be as comprehensive as possible to make the next step easier. There is a profile essay outline example later in this post. You should use its structure to create your own outline.

5. Write the first draft of your essay

With the nice profile essay outline, the next thing you need to do is to start writing your profile essay. You can do this easily by following your outline like a map.

You see, if you did your outline correctly, it should contain sentences or instructions on how to start each paragraph in your essay and what to include in the paragraph.

When writing the first draft, follow your outline to start writing your essay and write all the paragraphs. As you are writing, remember this is a profile essay. You should try to keep the tone conversational and be as descriptive, informative, or vivid as you can. Write first and edit later.

As long as the ideas are flowing, keep on writing.

6. Edit and Proofread your Essay

After you are done writing your essay, the next thing you need to do is to proofread and edit it. We always advise taking a break to cool off from writing, develop an objective mind, and be ready to self-critique as you edit.

When proofreading, read it twice or thrice to identify and edit errors, mistakes, and weak statements or arguments. Once you have edited your essay to the level where you feel it is perfect, send it to a friend to read it one more time and catch the mistakes you might have missed.

Ask them to highlight any mistakes or errors they see. When you get your essay back, edit it one more time to eliminate the mistakes and errors identified. You can also hire a professional proofreader  if you need it done first and professionally.

After you are done editing as detailed above, your profile essay should be ready for submission.

The Structure and Format of a Profile Essay

You now know exactly what to do to write a profile essay. You know all the steps you need to take to write a good profile essay. In case you did not know the structure, it is presented below with its three key parts – the introduction, the body, and the conclusion.

1. Introduction Paragraph

Like every other essay, the profile essay has an introduction. In the introduction part of the essay, you must present what you will talk about in the body part. And you must do it in a summarized manner. Two statements are very important when writing the introduction paragraph – the hook statement and the thesis statement .

The hook statement is the opening statement. It should be interesting to grab the reader's attention and make them want to read your essay. And the thesis statement should be the last statement in your introduction paragraph. It should contain your main argument or the position you support in your essay.

2. Body Paragraphs

The body part of the profile essay is usually made of three or more body paragraphs.

When writing body paragraphs in your profile essay, you should ensure each body paragraph describes or analyzes a different part or aspect of the subject of your essay.

Furthermore, you should ensure a good flow between your body paragraphs and the sentences that make them up.  

The most important thing to remember when writing this part of your profile essay is to present your ideas chronologically. This will make this part of your essay easy to understand. Use sensory details to relate to your readers' senses and create a vivid picture.

3. Conclusion Paragraph

At the end of the profile essay, there is a conclusion paragraph . The purpose of this part of the essay is to wrap it up.

So, after providing a detailed description of your subject in the body paragraph, you should summarize everything and then provide a powerful closing statement. This is the most effective way to conclude a profile essay or any other type of essay for that matter.

Remember, the conclusion part is only supposed to contain your conclusion or and not any new argument, evidence, or claim.

Profile Essay Outline Example

Follow the example profile essay outline below to discover how exactly to create a profile essay outline.

Title: My best friend

I. Introduction

• Hook sentence: My best friend has always stood up for me from the very first day.
• Background info: What makes your friend special and unique? And my friend’s biographical information.
• Thesis statement: My best friend is someone I can count on even if the whole world is against me.

II. First body paragraph (Appearance and personality)

• Major point: My best friend is a tall, well-built, and laidback person.
• Description and evidence: Provide a comprehensive description of the major point above and use evidence such as quotes and examples.
• Concluding sentence

III. Second body paragraph (Major event in your friend’s life)

• Major point: My best friend lost his younger brother at age 10, hugely impacting his life.

IV. Third body paragraph (What distinguishes your best friend from others)

• Major point: My best friend is loyal to the core and very dependable.

V. Conclusion paragraph

• Thesis restatement
• Restatement of major points
• Closing sentence

Topic ideas for a Profile Essay

When tasked with choosing a profile essay topic to write about, consider choosing an interesting topic, has a favorite subject, and something that has information in case you need to corroborate facts.

Below is a list of profile essay topic ideas. Use the list as inspiration to develop your profile essay topic.

• President Obama’s Profile: His early life, his senatorial career, and his presidency
• Turkey and its place in Middle Eastern politics
• Africa: A continent with resources but also with global poverty
• Europe: A cycle of war and devastation
• King Solomon and his mighty empire
• Mandela: The man who changed the world
• Adolf Hitler: His ideology and his beliefs
• My dog is my best friend
• UNHCR: A history of taking care of refugees
• United Nations: Successes and challenges over the years
• Why Zanzibar is a must-visit country
• My favorite movie
• The diet of the residents of Loma Linda
• The best celebrity role model
• The best summer camp for kids in the USA
• The most stunning animal park in the USA
• Stalin: How the Russian leader helped defeat the Nazis
• Moscow: The capital of the Russian Federation
• The United States: the greatest economy in the world
• MV. Aurora: The conqueror of the seven seas
• Adidas: A history of challenges and successes
• Jane Austen: A high-achieving woman
• Nike Success’s Story
• The best Air Jordan Stores
• The real personality of Princess Diana
• The US Senate and its responsibilities
• Queen Elizabeth: The longest serving female head of government
• The sport I love the most
• Stephen King: The most elegant writer of our time
• The best classic car ever

Example of a Process Essay

My favorite elementary school teacher A few years ago, I ran into Mrs. Penny while escaping some school bullies who gave me a hard time. When I ran into her, I just burst into tears, and she did not know what to do. She just hugged me. She later escorted me to a small bench and asked me to tell her everything. I did exactly that, and she made sure the boys were suspended. I did not know it then, but she was about to play a key role in molding me into who I am today. Mrs. Penny was a tall, big and strong woman. She always walked with authority about her. Some students said she was into powerlifting, but I don’t think she was. While she had a big physique and she was very kind and motherly. Everyone loved her for this. She always treated every single student with respect and tried to listen and reason with you rather than impose her beliefs. For example, she once talked to our class and convinced everyone to stay in class for about five minutes long to finish explaining something. This is something that had never happened before, yet she achieved it. One day while in class, Mrs. Penny caught another student in the middle of a nasty fight. Since the last time she had saved me from bullies, she had always thought I was a well-disciplined boy. So she was very disappointed when she caught me fighting as it was strictly against school rules. We were sent to detention and then came back to class later. As everybody was leaving class in the late afternoon, she asked me to stay behind and told me to sit down. She talked to me, motivated me, and told me that I could only succeed in life by being disciplined. I promised her always to be disciplined, which has helped me in life. It has helped me to become a much better person. If other teachers found me fighting or doing something else, they probably couldn’t have cared. This is because they could have simply assumed I was a bad kid. However, Mrs. Penny was not like other teachers. She was kind, empathetic, and motherly. She saw me as someone I was not and took her time to help show me the right direction in life. I believe I am now in college because of what she told me, especially about discipline being the key to success. As you can see, Mrs. Penny played a very important role in molding me into who I am today. She helped me to become a better person and to take discipline as one of my guiding principles. It is my hope that Mrs. Penny is still alive and is still helping guide elementary students to become better versions of themselves.

Tips to Use when Writing a Profile Essay

By now, you can already see that writing profile essays can be fun; it is fun! When you select a subject of interest, you can only write the best things about them as long as you meet the scope of the rubric. Like any other comprehensive academic essay , a profile essay has three sections: the introduction, body, and conclusion. And for you to write one that appeals to your readers and markers, here are some tips and tricks that actually work:

• Edit your work. After you are done writing your essay, you should thoroughly edit it to ensure it has no grammatical errors, punctuation errors, and so on. This will ensure it gets a good grade.
• Show respect. When writing a profile essay about someone, you must show respect even if you hate them. You must strive to be objective and to use objective language. This will make your essay to sound more professional than an anger-ridden essay.
• Try to balance your paragraphs. This may seem trivial, but it is not. You must try to balance your paragraphs to make your essay appear structured and organized. This will increase your probability of getting a good grade.
• Create an outline before you start. Creating an outline before writing an essay will help you stay focused and organized.
• Keep your tone professional. You should strive to keep your tone professional throughout the essay. This is especially true when you are writing about someone close to you. Keeping your tone professional will help you get a good grade on your essay.
• Watch your tone and style . As you compose the paragraphs of your profile essay, you should use both formal and informal approaches. It should not be written in the second person. Rather, use first-person and think of creative ways to make your written piece fun to read. Although you are writing an academic piece that should be done professionally, you have the flexibility of flouting the academic writing rules. Describe the subject and maintain a tone that creates a vivid image of the subject.

Final Words

We are sure that by now, our professional writers at EssayManiacs, through their insights, have made composing a profile essay as simple as it should be. The knowledge we have shared in this post is enough to enable you to write the perfect profile essay or composition.

Remember to bring in your creativity, presentation, and organization skills when writing. Write preferably in the first person and have the flexibility of expanding your creativity. That said and done, you should now be able to get an excellent grade whenever you are asked to write a profile essay.

If you need help writing and polishing a profile essay, you should know that we are here for you. We have a team of English essay writing experts who can write a profile essay on virtually any topic. Order your essay from us to get a high grade on your essay assignment.

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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.

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.

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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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

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

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 Essay

Profile essay generator.

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.

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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.

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

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How to Write a Good Profile Essay

By: Tasha Kolesnikova

Before you learn how to create your perfect profile essay, you need to master academic writing's necessary skills. You need to understand the structure of an essay, what to include in each section, and the appropriate vocabulary for different types of writing. Your essay should be professional and articulate your thoughts clearly.

What Is a Profile Essay?

What are the main goals of profile essays, explore examples, choose a topic, find your writing style, look for reliable information, create a plan, write an introduction, describe vividly, write the final part.

Profile essays are often assigned by professors or teachers to evaluate your writing skills. This article will guide you through crafting an effective introduction , main body, conclusion, and outline for your profile essay. If you're familiar with autobiographical articles or descriptive landscapes, you'll find profile essays similar in nature.

While describing something verbally might seem straightforward, conveying your thoughts on paper can be challenging. It's crucial to present your ideas in a well-structured manner. Now, let's explore the key elements of a profile essay and discover what makes it unique.

Profile essay

A profile essay is a type of descriptive writing that provides a detailed, in-depth look at a person, place, event, or thing, with formatting in APA style or ASA, Chicago or Harvard. The goal of a profile essay is to offer a vivid portrayal and comprehensive understanding of the subject through a combination of narrative storytelling, observation, and factual information.

The key elements of a profile essay include:

• General characteristics and overall impression
• Specific details and notable features
• A balanced assessment of the subject

For instance, a description could be a portrait or a landscape. The object of description can be virtually anything - a person, their emotional state, an animal, a plant, a city, a house, a park, a village, or even the weather. In descriptive texts, nouns, adjectives, and adverbs predominate, with minimal action verbs, resulting in a static text. These texts answer the questions "what?" and "what kind?". Here's an example:

"The fungus has a yellowish-gray color. It can be dirty brown and darker towards the middle of the cap. The stem is thin and dense, white near the cap, gray at the base, and sometimes brown."

It's worth noting that in English, two concepts are similar: "descriptive essay" and "profile essay." However, there's a subtle difference you should be aware of when completing an assignment. A descriptive essay is a concise message about facts, events, and related phenomena. For example, it might describe recent events or review a book or movie . It usually contains not only the main idea but may also include the author's opinion. A profile essay, on the other hand, focuses more on detailed descriptions of portraits, landscapes, and all the pertinent details. The author brings new information but refrains from expressing personal opinions.

The profile essay, as its name suggests, is centered around describing a place, thing, event, occurrence, or person. It's rich in adjectives, which are crucial for painting a vivid picture. When composing your text, you might find a thesaurus helpful for choosing the right adjectives. Based on this information, we can identify several main goals of a profile essay:

• Provide a clear description of nature, a phenomenon, or a person, with all the relevant details.
• Demonstrate the student's ability to describe a person or place in their own words, using literary devices such as epithets, comparisons, and antonyms.
• Prove that the student possesses the required academic writing skills.

College students are often held to a higher standard with this type of assignment, as professors can evaluate their organization, presentation, and research skills. Many students find this to be one of the most challenging essay types, as it can be easily confused with others. Therefore, it's crucial to study the essay checklist and steps outlined below to avoid getting lost in your thoughts.

How Do I Prepare to Write Profile Essays?

Naturally, experience in essay writing comes through constant practice. The more essays you write, the higher your chances of getting a good grade. However, due to the extensive curriculum, many students experience the "short-term memory effect" - they write a paper using argumentation but forget everything after a couple of months.

Therefore, we recommend starting your preparation by examining this year's essay-writing guidelines. Carefully study each one to understand their essence. This initial stage will give you a clear idea of what a profile essay entails.

To prepare most effectively for this type of essay, we suggest compiling a list of potential topics in advance. The topic's wording allows the student to choose the material on which they will base their reasoning. If you prepare such outlines in advance, you'll be able to compose the paper more quickly. We've also created step-by-step preparation instructions. Please read them carefully.

Before you start writing, it's crucial to read several profile essay examples to understand the text's structure. Simply search for "example of a profile essay" in an internet search engine, and you'll find numerous sources of information. Choose examples that have positive reviews or those where you don't spot any obvious mistakes.

While reading these examples, pay attention to the text's structure, design, theme development through paragraphs, and the artistic techniques used. Note the author's writing style, language choice, and other stylistic elements. Finally, focus on the introduction and conclusion. Understand how the author captures the reader's attention and what phrases they use for the final paragraph. You can jot down these elements and incorporate similar techniques in your own writing.

Read as many examples as possible because every author has their unique writing style, and you might notice details that other writers didn't use. These examples can provide you with fundamental knowledge that your teacher might not cover in class.

To successfully choose a topic for a profile essay, consider the following tips:

• Think about what interesting information you can select for the topic and whether there are sufficient sources to write an engaging article.
• Choose a topic that resonates with you personally, as your task is to demonstrate personal interest. Express your attitude towards the chosen topic, your position on the problem, and give an individual assessment of events, characters, and actions that will serve as your arguments. You can do this most convincingly if the readers sense your genuine interest in the chosen topic.
• Select a topic that allows you to express your perspective and argue it convincingly based on literary material. This means you should know where to find examples to prove that you're adept at describing the topic.

Your writing style is like your voice. You need to understand what makes your writing unique and how you differ from other writers. Here are some tips for finding your writing style:

• Write extensively. It may seem cliché, but it's effective. Try writing in different genres, themes, and volumes. Keeping a journal is also a good idea.
• Find a writing style you admire and understand why you like it. Don't copy it entirely, but choose the most significant aspects that resonate with you.
• Read classics and quality media publications.
• Use advice from established writers. Some suggestions may seem unusual, but they can still be helpful. For example, one author recommends avoiding words like love, hate, be, have, know, think, believe, understand, remember, want, dream, and other mental verbs for six months. Instead, focus on describing feelings rather than naming them.
• Read books about language, writing skills, and journalism. They often contain useful exercises.
• Identify and eliminate filler words.
• Keep track of repetitions, pronouns, and the verb "to be" in all forms. These can often be removed or replaced to improve the writing.
• Choose a priority genre and study its features. It may sometimes feel tedious, but it's difficult to progress without this foundation.

While writing an article, authors often encounter various challenges. Sometimes it's difficult to find reliable sources from authoritative writers to support your information. Using inaccurate data can damage a student's reputation, leading to unfortunate results such as an undefended essay or loss of the teacher's or professor's trust.

We advise looking for official sources or using several independent ones. The reliability of facts and events can be found primarily in encyclopedias, monographs, and specialized reference books. Also, look for information on official websites of public figures and their social media pages. It's better to be cautious with publications in scientific journals. Before using information from these sources, research the journal's authority and, in particular, the article's author.

If the topic is controversial, it would be wise to seek information from educational institution teachers who hold different views. This approach will help the author objectively describe such issues and avoid significant oversights.

The final step in preparing to write an article or essay is to create a plan. While you could improvise and write whatever comes to mind, this approach makes it harder for readers to understand the text and reduces the accuracy of your ideas. A structured message is much stronger and more reasoned than a continuous stream of consciousness.

Text written according to a plan is more credible. The plan helps not only the author but also the reader. Thanks to the exact structure, it's easy to navigate the content, making the perception of information much more comfortable.

A text plan is needed to write an article faster and better. When everything is structured and clear about which parts to work on, the writing process becomes more productive. The plan helps the author write the article qualitatively, ensuring that the reader can easily navigate the content and find answers to their questions - the reason they opened the material in the first place.

Both the plan and the text itself are usually built based on the question asked, which is often included in the title. Therefore, the question must be answered in the text.

Steps to Writing a Profile Essay

Any essay has a particular structure (introduction, main body, conclusion) for presenting content, and this plan must be adhered to when writing. You can't jump from one question to another and back. If the topic is "Description of Nature," you can't write about how you spend your summer. You should focus on describing a specific place. Each thought expressed in the essay should be well-considered, the expressions should not be ambiguous, and the images you paint should be vivid and engaging.

When describing, don't try to use overly complex words. Sometimes it takes time to find the right word. Try starting with a rough draft using the same words you'd use when discussing the topic with a friend. How would you describe something to them? Then you can edit the resulting text by removing colloquial parts and replacing them with more appropriate phrases.

After writing an essay draft, read it at least a couple of times, mentally speaking it aloud. Ensure the text is complete, with parts logically flowing from one to another without abrupt changes in thought. Avoid repetitions. Check the volume ratio of the main parts of the essay so that you don't end up with an excessively long introduction or conclusion, or insufficient volume in the main body. We've given you a few tips; now let's explore the specific steps.

The essay begins with an introduction, where the most important aspect is the relevance of the essay topic. The introduction contains a description of the chosen topic's importance. This description shouldn't be too long; 3-4 sentences are usually sufficient. Your introduction is a short segment designed to capture the reader's attention. It should convey the essence of the composition and what it's about.

There are several ways to write the beginning. One approach is to start with a description of the topic's relevance. Tell the reader why you're writing an essay on this particular topic, why it's interesting, and why it's worth writing about at all. Even if you didn't choose the topic yourself, you can still think of something in this direction. Another way is to start the story by mentioning that many writers and scientists discuss this topic, indicating that the issue remains relevant to this day.

Here are some introductory phrase templates:

• Imagine a [person/place/thing] that embodies [key characteristics]. Now, let me introduce you to...
• The [building/location] looms before you, its [architectural feature] catching the light and drawing the eye upward.
• A symphony of [sounds] greets you as you enter [place], the air thick with the scent of [relevant smells].
• [Subject's name]'s hands move with practiced precision, each motion a testament to years spent mastering [skill/profession].
• At first glance, [object] appears unremarkable, but closer inspection reveals [unexpected details].

You've intrigued the reader with your introduction. Now your task in the main body is to expand on everything you've mentioned in the introduction. If you need to portray a personality, you should pay attention to both the appearance and the character behind it. For example, consider what kind of person they might be: big eyes might suggest a dreamy and sweet nature, a stern look could indicate a severe personality, while a kind smile might imply a sympathetic character. When writing a description, it's advisable to highlight different ideas in separate paragraphs: this way, you'll demonstrate your literacy and knowledge. The main body shouldn't be boring and should complement the introduction. You have to put in considerable effort to maintain the reader's attention and encourage them to read your text to the end.

A profile essay should be filled with evocative words that describe your topic in detail. To achieve this, you need to use epithets to tell the reader how a person smells, looks, talks, or what colors the place or events are filled with. Let's consider an example of a student describing her friend:

"Frankly, I have many good, loyal friends. They are my classmates, boys and girls from my city. But my best friend for more than five years has been Elizabeth. She looks nice, and she is 17 years old. Lisa is not very tall, but she has a beautiful body. Every day she goes in for sports and attends yoga classes twice a week, so her figure is gorgeous, athletic, and fit. Of course, the ideal figure is only part of beauty. After all, only a combination of a beautiful body, spirit, and mind can make a person truly attractive, even if their facial features are generally typical.

Elizabeth has straight, long, blonde hair, which she often gathers in a bun. She has blue eyes, long dark eyelashes, and large lips, which she always tints with a gloss. She has an oval face and a small nose. Lisa is also very elegant. She wears clothes that are in fashion. I can tell her charm is irresistible."

The last part of the profile essay is the conclusion. Here you need to present similar information to the main body but in a concise form. The conclusion is intended to bring the reader to the end of the story and should contain several sentences. In conclusion, you should write a few critical words about the place, person, or phenomenon you've described. This is necessary to make it clear to the reader how the described subject influenced you. Also, in the end, you can use quotes if you're unsure how to choose the right words.

The conclusion should reflect your thoughts, just like the other parts of the essay. In this paragraph, you'll be able to state whether you achieved the goal set in the introduction and whether you could describe the subject in a way that would inspire the reader. In conclusion, you can summarize all the information, but try not to repeat yourself, and perhaps give some advice for the future to the reader.

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I studied sociology and marketing at Europa-Universität Viadrina (Germany) and Universidade da Beira Interior (Portugal). When I was a sophomore, back in 2018, I decided to put what I've learned into practice, so I got my first job in digital marketing. I currently work in the content marketing department at Studybay, building strong, effective, and respectful communication between the platform and our clients.

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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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• 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

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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Daniel Chacón: Writing a Profile Essay

• Las Castas – Spanish Racial Classifications
• Writing a Profile Essay
• Early California History
• Pio Pico: The Last Governor of Mexican California

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

• 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:

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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• Last Updated: May 13, 2024 12:54 PM
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• 100 Profile Essay Topics

As part of a school assignment or a college application, you may be asked to write a profile essay. This type of essay is a portrait of a person, place, thing, or idea. The goal is to provide readers with enough information so that they can understand the main subject of the essay.

But to write a profile essay that will earn you a good grade or acceptance into an educational institution, you’ll need to follow some specific guidelines.

To assist you in your writing endeavors, we’ve created this handy guide detailing everything you need to know about writing a profile essay and included 100 profile essay topics to help inspire your writing.

Is Profile Essay Writing Hard?

Completing a profile essay can be relatively simple for many students, assuming that they choose an interesting subject and have enough time to conduct a thorough investigation. However, some students find this type of essay writing more challenging than others.

One of the main reasons some students struggle with profile essays is that they don’t fully understand what this type of assignment is asking of them. Another common issue has to do with choosing an appropriate subject. Some students select a topic that is either too broad or too narrow in scope, making it challenging to write a well-rounded essay.

Ultimately, by sticking to the following guidelines, any student will be able to create an interesting profile essay that will stand out from the rest.

Instructions for Writing a Profile Essay

You need to follow three main steps to write a successful profile essay. These include:

• Select an appropriate subject
• Conduct research on your subject
• Write your essay

Let’s take a closer look at each of these steps in more detail.

1. Select an appropriate subject

When it comes to choosing a subject for your profile essay, it’s essential to select someone or something that you are familiar with and that you can write about in an interesting way. For example, your subject could be a famous person, a politician, an artist, a musician, or even a local business owner.

2. Conduct research on your subject

Once you have selected your subject, it’s time to start conducting research. This will involve reading articles, watching videos, and interviewing people familiar with your topic. When doing your research, it’s important to take notes so that you can later reference this information in your essay.

3. Write your essay

After gathering all of the necessary information, you can start writing your essay. Begin by introducing your subject and providing some background information. Then, focus on including specific details to help readers understand your subject better.

Essential Writing Tips for a Profile Essay

When writing your profile essay, there are some helpful tips that you can follow to ensure that your essay is well-written and engaging for readers. These tips include:

Write in the third person

Avoid using personal pronouns such as “I,” “me,” “we,” and “us.” Instead, always refer to your subject by their name or use third-person pronouns such as “he,” “she,” “they,” and “them.”

Use strong verbs

When describing your subject, use strong verbs that will help bring your essay to life for readers. Some examples of strong verbs include:

Avoid overusing phrases

When writing your essay, avoid overusing phrases meant to be used as transitions between sentences such as “in conclusion,” “to sum up,” and “as a result.” These phrases can make your writing sound choppy and distract readers. Instead, opt for more original and interesting language that will help make your essay stand out. Some additional phrases to use in your writing include:

• In order to
• For the purpose of
• With the goal of
• The aim/objective of
• As a result of
• Consequently

Include quotes

In order to add more depth to your essay, consider including quotes from people who know your subject well. These could be quotes from interviews that you conducted or from articles that you read. Just be sure to properly cite any quotes you include in your essay.

Writing a Thesis for a Profile Essay

Like any essay writing assignment, your profile essay will need to have a clear and concise thesis statement. This statement should be included in your introduction, and it should briefly describe what your essay will be about.

A strong thesis statement for a profile essay should include:

• The name of the person or thing that you are writing about
• A brief description of what you will be discussing in your essay
• The main reason why you are writing about this subject

Here is an example of a strong thesis statement for a profile essay:

“John Smith is a successful businessman who has created and maintained a successful business despite challenges in the current economy.”

As you can see, this thesis statement includes the name of the subject, a brief description of what will be discussed in the essay, and the main reason for writing about John Smith.

With the above guidelines for crafting a well-written profile essay in mind, you may now be wondering what topics you could write about. If you’re struggling to come up with ideas, here are 100 profile essay topics to get you started:

Profile Essay Topics About People

• A close friend
• A family member
• A classmate
• The cashier at your local grocery store
• The barista at your favorite coffee shop
• A famous actor or musician
• A politician
• A historical figure
• Your doctor
• Your dentist
• Your teacher
• The CEO of a company
• A celebrity chef
• A fashion designer
• A web developer
• A veterinarian

Profile Essay Topics About Places

• Your hometown
• A small town that you have visited
• A large city that you have lived in or visited
• Your favorite vacation spot
• An amusement park
• A national park
• An art gallery
• A music festival
• A carnival or fair
• Your church or place of worship
• Your favorite restaurant
• Your favorite store
• A local business in your hometown
• A farmer’s market
• A movie theater

Profile Essay Topics About Things

• Your house or apartment
• Your favorite possession
• An heirloom that has been passed down in your family
• A piece of jewelry
• A painting or photograph
• A concert ticket
• Your favorite book
• Your favorite movie
• Your favorite musical album
• Your cellphone
• Your computer
• Your television
• Your gaming console

Profile Essay Topics About Events

• A wedding that you have attended
• A birthday party
• A baby shower
• A retirement party
• A holiday celebration
• An anniversary party
• A graduation ceremony
• A sports tournament or game
• A dance performance
• A musical concert
• A comedy show

Profile Essay Topics About Activities

• Rock climbing
• Playing an instrument
• Drawing or painting
• Bird watching

Profile Essay Topics About Concepts

Profile essay topics about social issues.

• Immigration
• Global warming
• Child labor
• Gun violence
• Animal cruelty
• The death penalty

Any of these 100 profile essay topics are sure to get you started on the right foot! Just remember to choose a subject that you’re passionate about, and you’ll be well on your way to writing an engaging and informative profile essay.

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Home — Essay Types — Profile Essay

Profile Essay Examples

Choosing the right topic for a profile essay is crucial to its success. Profile essays offer a deep dive into the subject's life, environment, or a particular aspect that makes them stand out. The beauty of profile essays lies in their flexibility and the wide range of potential subjects they can cover, from individuals to places, and from events to significant personal experiences. When selecting profile essay topics, the aim is to find a narrative that is both engaging and insightful, offering readers a window into something unique and captivating. Here are some considerations and ideas for selecting the best profile essay topics.

Our List of Best Profile Essay Topics

Crafting the best profile essays involves delving into the heart and soul of a subject, capturing their essence in a way that resonates deeply with readers. These essays stand out not just for the depth of their exploration but also for their ability to tell a compelling story. From intimate portraits of individuals to vivid descriptions of places and events, the best profile essays illuminate the richness of their subjects, offering insights and perspectives that are both enlightening and engaging. Here are ten ideas for profile essays that have the potential to rank among the best, showcasing a range of subjects that can inspire and captivate.

• Cultivating Green Spaces in the City
• Wildlife Rangers Protecting Endangered Species
• Innovations in Education: The Teachers Redefining Learning
• The Resilient Refugee: Building a New Life Far from Home
• Frontiers of the Mind: Exploring the Work of Neuroscientists
• Analysis of The Case of Jack The Ripper Through a Criminological Lens
• Chefs Preserving Traditional Cuisines
• Street Artists Voicing Social Change
• Redefining Work in the 21st Century
• Marine Biologists Saving Our Oceans
• Women Leading Community Development

Some Popular Profile Essay Ideas

Exploring unique and compelling profile essay ideas allows writers to delve into the intricacies of their subjects, offering readers a vivid glimpse into diverse worlds and experiences. These essays illuminate the essence of individuals, places, events, or phenomena, providing a detailed snapshot that engages and informs. The key to a captivating profile essay lies in choosing a topic that resonates on a personal and universal level. Here are five sample topics spanning different categories, showcasing the versatility of profile essay ideas:

• The Innovator in Renewable Energy

Explore the journey of an individual pioneering sustainable solutions in renewable energy, highlighting their contributions and the impact on global environmental challenges.

• The Heart of Community Theater

Delve into the life of a director or actor in a small community theater, capturing the passion and dedication behind local performing arts and its effect on the community.

• Guardians of the Lost Arts

Profile an artisan dedicated to preserving a dying art form, from traditional weaving techniques to ancient blacksmithing, exploring the significance of keeping these traditions alive.

• The Urban Forager

Uncover the world of someone who practices urban foraging, discussing how they find, gather, and use wild food resources in a city landscape to promote sustainability and a connection to nature.

• A Day with a Mountain Guide

Follow the experiences of a mountain guide, showcasing the challenges and rewards of guiding adventurers in some of the world’s most treacherous terrains and the lessons learned amidst nature’s grandeur.

What is a Profile Essay?

A profile essay is a detailed and informative piece of writing that focuses on describing a person, place , or event. It allows the writer to provide readers with a deeper understanding of the subject by painting a vivid picture with descriptive language and specific details. Profile essays are often written in a narrative style, making them engaging and captivating for the reader. By going beyond basic information and delving into the unique aspects of the subject, profile essays can create a vibrant portrait that allows the reader to truly connect with the subject.

What Does Profile Essay Mean?

Profile essays aim to tell the story of a person, place, or event in a way that is engaging and informative. These essays focus on specific aspects of the subject’s personality, background, or experiences to create a more compelling and interesting profile. By delving into the details that make the subject unique, profile essays can capture the essence of the subject and provide readers with a deeper understanding of who or what is being profiled. Through detailed descriptions, anecdotes, and insights, profile essays create a vivid and engaging portrait that allows the reader to connect with the subject on a deeper level.

What Are The Main Goals Of Profile Essays?

The main goals of a profile essay are to engage and inform the reader by capturing the essence of the subject. This is achieved through detailed descriptions, anecdotes, and insights that provide a vibrant portrait of the subject. Profile essays aim to entertain, inspire, or challenge the reader’s perceptions by going beyond basic information and delving into the unique aspects of the subject. By creating a compelling and engaging profile, writers can truly engage and inform their readers, leaving a lasting impact on their audience.

How to Write a Good Profile Essay

To write a good profile essay, it is important to follow a few key steps. First, choose a subject that is interesting and unique to capture the reader’s attention. Then, gather reliable information about the subject through research and interviews to provide depth and insight into the profile. Creating a detailed outline can help organize your thoughts and structure your essay coherently and engagingly. Finally, using descriptive language and specific details to bring the subject to life for the reader can create a vivid and engaging portrait that truly captures the essence of the subject.

How Do I Prepare to Write Profile Essays?

Preparing to write a profile essay involves several steps to ensure a successful and engaging essay. By exploring examples of profile essays , choosing a unique and interesting topic, deciding on the writing style, gathering reliable information, and creating a detailed plan, writers can set themselves up for success. Taking the time to prepare and plan before writing can help ensure the profile essay is engaging, informative, and captivating for the reader. By following these steps, writers can create compelling and memorable profile essays that truly engage and inform their readers.

To prepare to write a profile essay, there are several steps you can take:

• Explore P rofile Writing Examples : Before you begin writing your profile essay, it can be helpful to read examples of profile essays to get a sense of the style and structure.
• Choose a Topic: Select a subject for your profile essay that is interesting, unique, and has depth.
• Find Your Writing Style: Decide on the tone and style of your profile essay, whether it is formal, informal, personal, or objective.
• Look For Reliable Information: Gather information about your subject from a variety of sources, including interviews, research, and observations.
• Create a Plan: Develop an outline for your profile essay that includes a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.

Below we will go through two main points from this list.

Explore P rofile Writing  Examples

Before embarking on their assignments, students are advised to meticulously explore profile essay examples to grasp the composition and structure of the text. For this purpose, entering “profile essay example” into a search engine will yield numerous resources. However, it is crucial to select resources that are either highly reviewed or free from errors. Additionally, educational publications frequently release compilations of various essay types, including profile writing examples, which can serve as valuable resources.

Check those profile essay examples [PDF]:

During the review of these examples, it is essential to observe the text’s organization, formatting, thematic development across paragraphs, and the employment of literary devices. Attention should also be given to the writer’s style, choice of language, and more. Importantly, examine the introduction and conclusion closely to understand how the writer engages the reader from the outset and the phrases utilized to craft a compelling closing. Note these techniques for potential incorporation into your writing.

Engage with as many examples as possible to appreciate the unique writing styles of different authors, as this can reveal nuances and techniques not evident in other works. Profile essay examples serve as a rich source of fundamental insights that may not be covered in classroom teachings.

Creating compelling profile writing examples can significantly aid students in mastering the art of profile essays. These examples not only showcase how to capture the essence of a person but also demonstrate how to weave narrative and factual information into a cohesive and engaging story. Here are two profile writing examples tailored for students, focusing on different subjects to illustrate a range of approaches.

Profile Example 1: The Innovator in the Classroom

At first glance, Mr. Jameson’s physics classroom looks like any other, filled with rows of desks and the periodic hum of fluorescent lights. However, a closer look reveals that this is no ordinary educational space. At the front of the room stands Mr. Elliot Jameson, a teacher known among students as the “Innovator.” With a passion for making physics accessible and exciting, Mr. Jameson has transformed his classroom into a dynamic learning environment where traditional lectures are rare, and hands-on experiments are the norm. Mr. Jameson’s journey into teaching was unconventional. With a background in engineering and a stint at a tech startup, he brings a unique perspective to education. He believes in teaching through failure and experimentation, a philosophy that has earned him both accolades and a few raised eyebrows from traditionalists. His methods, however, speak for themselves. Under his guidance, students who once dreaded physics now eagerly anticipate his classes, and his Physics Club has grown to be the largest in the school’s history. What sets Mr. Jameson apart is his ability to connect with students on a personal level. He spends countless hours after school tutoring students, not just in physics, but in life. His classroom is adorned with student projects, posters of scientific heroes, and a corner dedicated to failed experiments, labeled “The Learning Pit.” In Mr. Jameson’s words, “Failure isn’t the opposite of success; it’s a stepping stone towards it. My goal is to make my students resilient problem-solvers, ready for the challenges of the future.

Profile Example 2: The Quiet Leader

Maria Gomez stands quietly at the edge of the community garden, her hands deep in the soil. To an outsider, she might appear to be just another volunteer, but to those in the neighborhood, she is the heart and soul of this green oasis in the middle of the city. A senior at the local high school, Maria has been the driving force behind the garden’s transformation from a neglected plot of land to a vibrant community hub. Maria’s leadership style is not one of loud declarations or grand gestures. Instead, she leads by example, dedicating her weekends to the garden, tirelessly weeding, planting, and organizing community planting days. Her commitment has inspired others to join in, turning the garden into a project that has brought together people from all walks of life. Despite her quiet demeanor, Maria’s impact is undeniable. The garden has not only beautified the neighborhood but has also become a source of fresh produce for local families. Through her initiative, Maria has organized cooking classes and nutrition workshops, empowering her community with knowledge about healthy living. Reflecting on her work, Maria shares, “This garden isn’t just about growing food; it’s about growing connections. It’s a place where everyone is welcome, and every plant tells a story of collaboration and care.

This profile writing examples for students demonstrate the power of storytelling in capturing the essence of their subjects. Each profile offers a glimpse into the individuals’ lives, highlighting their achievements, philosophies, and the impact they have on those around them.

Find Your Writing Style

Cultivating a distinctive writing style is like sculpting your signature sound in a vast choir. It involves delving into what makes your perspective unique. For those embarking on crafting profile essays or enriching their narrative skills, here are ten tailored tips to guide you toward discovering and refining your writing style, with a nod to students seeking inspiration through profile essay on a person example, an example of a profile essay, and examples of profile essays:

• Diversify Your Writing : The more you write, the more refined your style becomes. Challenge yourself with a variety of genres, topics, and lengths. A personal diary or blog can serve as a sandbox for your creativity.
• Select Writing Mentors : Identify writers whose styles resonate with you. Analyze what aspects of their writing appeal to you and integrate these insights into your work, ensuring to maintain your originality.
• Broaden Your Reading Palette : Immerse yourself in a wide range of literature, from timeless classics to contemporary journalistic works. This exposure can significantly influence your style.
• Embrace Writerly Wisdom : Seek out and apply advice from accomplished writers. Even unconventional tips, like avoiding common verbs (e.g., “to be”, “to have”, and “to think”) to encourage more descriptive language, can stretch your creative muscles.
• Study Language and Craft : Delve into resources about language arts, writing techniques, and journalism. These materials are gold mines of exercises that can sharpen your writing skills.
• Eliminate Fluff Words : Scour your writing for words that offer little to no value and cut them out. This practice leads to more potent and direct expression.
• Be Wary of Repetition : Keep an eye out for needless repetition, overuse of pronouns, and reliance on the verb “to be”. Strive for variety and depth in your sentence structures.
• Zero in on a Genre : While exploring different styles is beneficial, specializing in a specific genre can help you deepen your expertise. Study its conventions and reader expectations to enhance your proficiency.
• Experiment with Narrative Voices : Play with different points of view and narrative voices to discover what best suits your story and style. Each perspective offers unique advantages and challenges.
• Practice Critical Self-Review : Regularly review your writing with a critical eye. Identify patterns, strengths, and areas for improvement. Peer feedback can also provide valuable insights into your style’s effectiveness.

By integrating these strategies into your practice, you can develop a writing style that is unmistakably yours, whether you’re crafting a profile essay on a person, searching for the perfect example of a profile essay, or exploring the broader realm of profile essays and writing examples for students.

How to Write a Profile Essay?

Starting to write a profile essay involves several key steps to ensure a successful and engaging essay. By getting the right information about the subject, validating the information through research and interviews, outlining the essay to create a cohesive structure, and revising or proofreading for clarity and accuracy, writers can set themselves up for success. Taking the necessary steps to prepare and plan before writing can help ensure the profile essay is engaging, informative, and captivating for the reader. With practice and dedication, writers can hone their profile writing skills and create compelling and memorable essays that truly engage and inspire their readers.

• Step 1: Get the Right Information: Before you start writing your profile essay, make sure you have gathered all the necessary information about your subject.
• Step 2: Validate Your Information: Verify the accuracy of the information you have collected through research and interviews.
• Step 3: Outline Your Essay: Create a detailed outline for your profile essay that includes a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
• Step 4: Revise or Proofread Your Profile Essay: Once you have completed your profile essay, take the time to revise and proofread it to ensure clarity, accuracy, and coherence.

In conclusion, writing a profile essay can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can create a compelling and informative profile that captures the essence of your subject. Remember to choose a unique and interesting topic, gather reliable information, and use descriptive language to bring your subject to life. With practice and dedication, you can master the art of profile writing and create memorable essays that engage and inspire your readers.

Remember to maintain objectivity, seek feedback, and thoroughly revise your essay for clarity and coherence.

Steps to Writing a Profile Essay Structure

Regarding your profile essay structure , it must include the following sections: 

• Introduction with the basic background information about the person, event, or activity that you describe. Introduction with the basic background information about the person, event, or activity that you describe. Start your profile essay with an engaging introduction that introduces the subject and sets the tone for the rest of the essay.
• The list of facts with the timeline if you are talking about a certain period. 
• A paragraph about the general social perception of your topic and the reasons why your subject is important. 
• Three to five body paragraphs that focus on important facts about your topic. The general idea is to use one fact per paragraph to keep things accurate and well-structured. 
• An analytical paragraph where you talk about your thoughts and the reasons why you have chosen certain facts and how they affected your studies, society, or what importance is posed for your course. 
• A conclusion paragraph. This is where you sum your ideas up and focus on the key facts that have been mentioned. 
• References page. Since we are dealing with the facts that need evidence, the use of citations is paramount for a successful profile essay structure. 

See our free profile essay example and don’t forget to check our profile essay checklist to ensure that nothing has been missed by accident: 

✔️ Provide interesting details and facts. ✔️ Keep your style and tone neutral. ✔️ Use a unique introduction with a hook sentence. ✔️ Check your facts and add quotes as evidence. ✔️ Use only academic sources. ✔️ Use a neutral tone. ✔️ Opinions from more than one school of thought.

Working on your profile, always refer to your course specifics and discipline as it may introduce additional rules regarding your structure and information that must be included. 

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What is a profile essay?

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. The other profile essay topics may talk about a career, a defining moment with a teacher, or a profile on social media.

How to write profile essays?

As you will see with most examples of profile essays, they represent a collection of facts with a brief analysis. It is a narration that focuses on a person. However, it must not get boring and become a listing of already known facts. Provide analytical information, interesting data, and argumentation that tells why a certain profile matters to you or had an impact on society.

How do I choose a subject for my profile essay?

Selecting a subject for your profile essay involves identifying a topic that you find intriguing and believe will captivate your audience. It could be someone with an interesting story or occupation, a place with historical significance, or an event that has impacted a community. Consider accessibility to the subject for interviews and research, and ensure there is enough substance to explore deeply.

What are some key elements to include in a profile essay?

Key elements of a profile essay include a captivating introduction that hooks the reader, detailed background information about the subject, a vivid description that employs sensory details, direct quotations from interviews, and a reflective conclusion that ties the insights and observations together. Incorporating personal observations and thoughts can also add depth to your essay.

How do I conduct research for a profile essay?

Research for a profile essay involves both primary and secondary sources. Start with secondary research to gather background information about your subject. Then, conduct primary research through interviews and firsthand observations to capture the nuances of your subject's personality, environment, or activities. Ensure your questions are open-ended to elicit detailed responses.

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I'm a former director of admissions at Cornell. Here are my 4 tips for writing a successful application for a highly selective college.

• John Morganelli Jr. worked as the director of admissions at Cornell University.
• He said there are subtle but important differences between Ivy-level and NYU-level applications.
• Morganelli Jr. shares his best application tips from gaming major selection to presenting a brand.

This as-told-to essay is based on a transcribed conversation with John Morganelli Jr., a former Director of Admissions at Cornell University and the current Director of College Admissions for Ivy Tutors Network , about his experience with admission to elite colleges in the United States. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

College prep in the United States starts early. The summer after eighth grade, going into ninth grade, when students should start thinking about what clubs to join in high school. If you want to get into a US college and you wait until 10th and 11th grades, you may not have enough time to create the depth in the application you're looking for.

If you have good grades, you can get into a good college. But there's a subtle difference between an application that will get a child into an Ivy-level school versus an NYU-level school. Here are my insider tips from working as the director of admissions at Cornell University.

Prospective major selection can impact your chances

When I was the Director of College Admissions at Cornell, managing institutional priorities was my biggest job. Elite colleges want diversity — ethnic, intellectual, academic, and social. One of the things that can make students more attractive to a top-tier school is their prospective major.

When you apply to a university, you first apply to the college: arts and sciences, engineering, or business college. Moving between colleges is difficult, but you don't have to declare your major until the second semester of your sophomore year. You can pick any major you have the grades for; it doesn't have to be what's on the application.

The prospective major is just the lens through which readers look at your application. Some majors are more competitive than others. Computer science and pre-med are competitive, but if you say on your application that you want to major in anthropology, the popularity would be very low.

Anthropology is housed in the same college as these more competitive programs but receives fewer applications. And the quality of the apps for anthropology — the engagement, the research, and the objective achievement — would be more diverse because the field is more broad.

Consider applying with a secondary or tertiary interest that may not be your long-term goal but would allow you a significantly easier pathway into the college type you want.

Activity lists are a needle mover in an application

The activity list is a focused list of your extracurricular activities. You want to add some personality and contribution-oriented language.

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Many students struggle with it and treat it like a résumé by just explaining their duties.

Admissions officers want to understand your perspective, whatever activity you choose. If it was the school newspaper, what drew you specifically to this activity, and how did you make a difference in this role? Be clear about your contribution.

Clubs like the newspaper and the model UN are easily adaptable as precursors to various academic disciplines.

Don't leave the additional information section blank

The biggest opportunity students don't capitalize on is the additional information section.

90% of the apps we received were submitted with no additional information.

But you have 650 words available in that section. Use that section for what I call "evidence" — proof that you're already engaged with your prospective major in your community.

Conduct independent research with a community-oriented, information-sharing or advocacy aspect. Formulate a research question you want to know about independently or with a teacher's supervision.

The question could be, "Which groups are left out of public communication about injury prevention?" Write the answer as a paper.

Then, do some additional outreach on that topic in your local community. Maybe write an op-ed for the local newspaper, or attend a council meeting, and speak during the open forum. Get a video or a press clipping of that, and include the public outreach and the research paper's abstract in the additional information section.

Admissions officers glancing at this section will immediately recognize how passionate an applicant is. An application with this extra step will look a lot different than 99% of the students in the country.

Top colleges want you to have a personal brand

The acronym PAGE is a helpful reminder of the four things that make an application stand out.

"P" stands for perspective, "A" for activity or action, "G" is your academic goal, and "E" is ethos.

The difference between admitted and waitlisted students is the clear academic goal: your prospective major or a topic like housing insecurity in rural areas. The more specific, the better. The activities and actions you list should support that goal.

Most students who apply to Ivy League schools have clear goals and activities that support those goals. The differentiator is perspective; how they specifically approach life.

Ethos stands for the application's brand or theme, which should reflect all these elements. We write one for every student. It's about two sentences long and explains the student's values. For example, "I believe that a person must embrace being empathetic to overcome a lack of connection and foster meaningful relationships," or "I believe that being audience-centered, engaging, and adaptive in communication is essential to fostering meaningful engagement and effectively reaching diverse groups."

Infuse these qualities across all your activities, creating a brand or theme in the app. Tie your activity descriptions back to the ethos.

An admissions officer wants to understand the value you're adding to the community. Otherwise, it's just who's the smartest with the highest grades. The easiest way to do that is to create a brand.

Since pivoting to higher education consulting, I have used this strategy to help many students get accepted into Ivy League schools.

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