Questions to ask when Profiling Someone: Good Profile Interview Questions

by Leslie Bloom

Published on 30 May 2023

A well-written profile gives you insight about a person’s history, lifestyle and thoughts. It can also give you a sense of his personality and intellect. Whether you only have 300 words or three full pages for your profile, you want to make sure you have questions to ask when profiling someone so you get all the information you need to write the best possible profile.

Do Your Research

Before coming up with interview questions, be sure to do your research on her personal and professional life. Look online for any information about the person you’re profiling, including ‌ past profiles (like LinkedIn), her personal and professional websites and her social media ‌. Talk to people who know her or get historical information from a resource center.

The more information you have about your interviewee, the easier it is to come up with questions that are specific to her. It’s also helpful to come into a profile interview with some background information so you ask relevant questions that show you did your research.

Questions to Ask When Profiling Someone

In most cases, the questions to ask in a profile interview are specific to the person being profiled and the type of profile you are writing. For instance, if you are writing a profile focusing on a person’s professional success, you want to spend more time asking questions about that than his personal history. If you are instead writing a biography, you’ll want to ask more in-depth questions about a person’s family history as well as more personal questions.

When you are coming up with questions, it’s a good rule of thumb to only ‌ ask open-ended questions ‌ so you don’t simply get a “yes” or “no” answer. You should make a list of questions to ask for a profile essay that apply to the profile you’re writing. A few great questions to ask when profiling someone include:

  • Tell me about where you grew up and what your family life was like.
  • How did your parents influence you?
  • Where did you go to school?
  • Describe a typical day in your life.
  • Who have been your strongest influences in life?
  • How did you come up with the idea for your startup?
  • What led you to your career path?
  • What caused you to leave your last job?
  • What kind of personality or company culture do you most appreciate in your work environment?
  • How would friends and acquaintances describe you?
  • What are you most proud of accomplishing?
  • Tell me about your first date with your partner/spouse.
  • What has been the biggest challenge for you to get where you are today?
  • What would you do differently if you had a chance?<
  • What are the most important things you’ve learned in life?
  • Share with me something about yourself that you want to improve.
  • Describe a scene of your vision for the future.

Remember that these questions will not apply to everyone, and that the questions you ask vary greatly depending on the type of profile you write. It is important to prepare at least 20 questions so that you can guide the interview to get the specific information you need to write your profile. While interview templates are a great way to get started, remember to personalize your questions to your interviewee.

How to Effectively Ask Questions

Coming up with good questions to ask in a profile interview is important, but you also need to know how to effectively ask those questions. Questions must be ‌ designed to elicit useful and engaging answers ‌, with an eye toward the intended audience. At the same time, you want the interview to be relaxed and informal so the person feels comfortable answering your questions and sharing anecdotes.

Effective interviewers allow the questions and answers to carry their own rhythm, which may lead to unanticipated information and life stories that can be rich in memory and details. Rather than just collect a list of such people and events, good interviewers dig deeper to reveal the "why" behind the answers to show how personal reactions can lead to lifelong influences. It’s important to push for answers and details only as much as the person being interviewed allows. Be sure to ask follow-up questions where appropriate.

Questions about personal character and perceptions are best for the middle or end of the interview after a comfortable rapport has been established.

Questions that elicit childhood memories and influences can be among the most revealing.

Whether you have 20 questions to ask for a profile essay or dozens more, take the time you need to have a good conversation with the interview subject. Make sure you aren’t rushing and don’t schedule appointments back to back. The more time you take asking questions and getting your answers, the better your profile will be.

The Narratologist

Best questions for a profile essay

Home » Questions » Best questions for a profile essay

Profile essays provide insights into the lives of individuals, capturing their experiences, achievements, and unique perspectives. These essays go beyond surface-level information, delving into the essence of a person and their impact on others. To create a compelling profile essay, it is essential to ask thought-provoking questions that elicit detailed responses. In this article, we present a comprehensive list of questions that will help you gather valuable information for your profile essay.

When conducting an interview for a profile essay, it is crucial to establish a comfortable and trusting environment. Begin with icebreaker questions that allow the interviewee to open up and share their thoughts freely. As the conversation progresses, transition into more specific questions that delve into their background, career, passions, and personal experiences. Remember to actively listen and encourage the interviewee to elaborate on their answers for a more comprehensive profile.

The questions listed below are designed to spark meaningful conversations and provide a deeper understanding of the individual you are profiling. Use them as a guide to craft your interview and shape your profile essay into a captivating piece of writing that showcases the essence of your subject.

See these questions for a profile essay:

  • What experiences or events have shaped your life?
  • Can you describe your childhood and how it influenced your aspirations?
  • What motivated you to pursue your current career path?
  • How do you define success and how has it evolved over time?
  • What challenges have you faced in your career and how did you overcome them?
  • Who has been the most influential person in your life and why?
  • What values do you prioritize in your personal and professional life?
  • Can you share a defining moment that changed your perspective on life?
  • How do you maintain a work-life balance?
  • What advice would you give to someone starting in your field?
  • What are some misconceptions about your profession?
  • Can you recall a time when you made a significant impact on someone’s life?
  • How do you stay motivated during challenging times?
  • What are your hobbies or interests outside of your work?
  • How do you approach problem-solving?
  • What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
  • Can you share a memorable experience from your career?
  • What are your future goals and aspirations?
  • How do you handle criticism and feedback?
  • What role does creativity play in your work?
  • Can you describe a time when you had to make a difficult decision?
  • What is something that most people don’t know about you?
  • How do you stay updated with the latest developments in your field?
  • What are some personal qualities that have contributed to your success?
  • Can you recall a time when you had to collaborate with others to achieve a common goal?
  • What impact do you hope to make in your industry?
  • How do you approach continuous learning and personal growth?
  • What advice would you give to your younger self?
  • What do you consider your greatest accomplishment?
  • How do you handle failure and setbacks?
  • Can you share a meaningful interaction you had with a client or customer?
  • What steps do you take to overcome challenges or obstacles?
  • How do you cultivate creativity and innovation within your work?
  • What are some lessons you have learned from your failures?
  • How do you manage stress and maintain your mental well-being?
  • What role does networking play in your career?
  • Can you share a time when you had to adapt to a new situation or environment?
  • What advice would you give to someone facing a similar career path?
  • How do you define leadership and what qualities do you believe are essential for a good leader?
  • What steps do you take to ensure a healthy work environment?
  • Can you share a time when you had to step out of your comfort zone?
  • What impact do you hope to leave on the world?
  • How do you stay inspired and motivated?

These questions are a starting point for your profile essay interview. Tailor them to suit your subject’s background and interests, and don’t be afraid to ask follow-up questions to delve deeper into their experiences and perspectives. Remember, the key to a compelling profile essay lies in capturing the essence of the individual and portraying their story with authenticity and empathy.

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20 Interview Questions that Guarantee a Compelling Story

Award-winning writer Kathy Widenhouse has helped hundreds of nonprofits and writers produce successful content and has gained 600K+ views for her writing tutorials. She is the author of 9 books. See more of Kathy’s content here.

Good interview questions are not a mining expedition, but rather a conversation with a caring friend. People like telling their story, especially if you show empathy with them. When you ask and then listen, you build trust.

It’s the person behind the facts that makes a compelling story.

These kinds of real-life stories are a powerful tool.

Try these interview questions to help the storyteller reveal the heart and soul behind the tale.

Questions to get started

1. Describe where you were when [event].

2. What circumstances led you to [event]?

3. What did you do when [event]?

Questions about people involved

4. Who else was involved?

5. In what ways did those involved help you/ create challenges for you?

6. How did your friends and family react?

7. Describe why [relationship] was so meaningful to you during [event].

Questions that go deeper

8. What did you do next?

9. How did you decide to [action]?

10. Tell me the biggest reason you [action].

11. How did that work for you?

Questions that pull out a life lesson

12. What was the most significant moment during [event]?

13. At what point did you realize [situation]?

14. In what way (ways) are you a different person today because of [event]?

15. How has this experience impacted the decisions you make today?

16. Name the top two or three lessons you learned from your experience.

17. What would you say to others who find themselves in a situation similar to yours?

Questions that tie story to your organization

18. How did you find out about [organization]?

19. Why are you willing to share about your experience?

20. How does your experience reveal what [organization] is all about?

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  • »  Writing A Compelling Profile: Interview Questions

Writing A Compelling Profile: Interview Questions

Thanks to John DeGroot, a writing coach and a former staffer at the Sun-Sentinel in Fort Lauderdale, FL, for sharing these questions at one of his workshops.   -- Dick Weiss

1. What is your earliest memory?

2. Tell me about your mother and father - what were they like?

3. Who had the greatest influence on you during your childhood?

4. Describe a typical day in your childhood.

5. Do you remember your first day of school?

6. What teacher had thee greatest impact on you?

7. What was the happiest day of your childhood?

8. What was the saddest day of your childhood?

9. What was your first personal experience with death?

10. Did you have pets?

11. When did you get your first doll?

12. When did you learn there was no Santa Claus?

13. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

14. Who were your childhood heroes?

15. Were you popular as a teenager?

16. Did you feel different as a child?

17. What were your favorite books, movies, movie stars, sports heroes, singers during your childhood?

18. Do you remember the war?

19. How did you meet your spouse? Describe your first date; your marriage proposal; your wedding and honeymoon.

20. Tell me about the birth of your first child?

21. If you could be or do anything else - what?

22. If you could live in any other time, when might that be?

23. If you could have dinner with five famous people from history, who would they be?

24. What one word would you use to describe yourself?

25. What one word would your friends use to describe you?

26. If you could change one thing in your past, what might that be?

27. What are you most proud of?

28. How would you like to be remembered?

29. What's the one thing about you few people know?

30. What do you dislike most about yourself?

31. What do you dislike most in others?

32. Do you talk about religion or politics?

33. If they made a movie of your life story... would it sell?

34. What do you like most about your job? What do you like least?

35. Would you want your children to be like you when they grow up?

36. What has been the happiest day of your life?

37. What has been the saddest?

38. When did you find out life is not fair?

39. Do you believe in life after death? Good and evil? God?

40. Why are we here?

41. Ann Frank once said that in spite of everything, she believed people were basically good. Do you agree? Disagree? Why?

  • Creating Profiles
  • Using Profiles
  • Special Projects
  • Collections
  • Choosing a Case
  • Preparing for the Interview
  • Sample consent forms
  • Tips from students
  • Creating questions
  • Eliciting a story
  • On "double vision"
  • Handling challenges
  • Listening: Other interviewers
  • Transcribing
  • Editing Transcripts
  • Editing Audio
  • Analyzing and Writing Up

Sample Interview guide

Here's a sample interview guide that Professor Peters and his students use in developing profiles of community educators.

Pre-interview Questions

  • Spend some time introducing yourself to the educator, and ask the educator to do the same.
"We’re glad you’ve agreed to be interviewed. I want to explain how this will work. We’ll do about a 90-minute interview that will be tape recorded, transcribed, and then edited into something we call a "profile" that will include only your words, with my questions edited out.  In the interview, we’d like to focus on a particular project or piece of your work that really shows the challenges and possibilities of what you do as a community educator.  It’s important that we focus the interview on a specific piece of work, so we can get a close look into what makes what you do so rewarding and challenging.  We want to understand what you do as a community educator as you work with others in promoting learning and action around public issues or problems. We’d like you to focus on a project that you've learned a lot from, something that others who want to do this kind of work might find instructive. You’ll have the option of choosing whether or not you want to be identified or remain anonymous in the final profile.  We’ll send you a permission form where you can indicate the level of confidentiality you want to secure.  We won’t use your profile in any way that you don’t personally approve."
  • Do you have a specific project that comes to mind that might serve as the focus for our interview?  Can you give me a quick overview of it?  What was your specific role or roles in the project?  (Ask prompting and clarifying questions to see what the story is and how they tell it.)
  • (IF THE STORY IS GOOD AND STRONG) That sounds like a great story.  Let’s set up a time for the interview.
  • (IF THE STORY IS WEAK) What other projects might fit what we’re looking for?
  • Once you agree on the practice story, explain to the educator that the interview will be divided into three roughly equal parts: (1) an overview of their life story and experiences, (2) the practice story, and (3) reflections.  Make sure they get a chance to ask any clarifying questions they might have.  Finally, schedule the interview.

Interview Questions

Note: The following description of process and questions is presented as a guide. Except for the background questions, you are unlikely to ask every question in every interview. Further, while the conversation should flow according to the three main sections (background first, then the practice story, then reflections) the questions within each section do not need to be asked in the order listed. Rather, they should follow the flow of the conversation as naturally as possible. It may be helpful to think of the interchange as a “structured conversation” with someone whose story you are interested in learning, rather than as a formal “interview.”

Part One: Life Story and Experiences

  • What’s your current position?  How long have you been in this position?  Can you give me a brief overview of what it is you do in your work?
  • What would you say most motivates you to do what you do?  What are you most excited or passionate about?  What are the goals you most want to accomplish in your work?  Not so much the goals that are in your job description, but the goals you hold personally?
  • I want to understand how and why you ended up here working as an educator in_______.  What led you to this job?  What were you doing before you came here?  What attracted you to work for ________?
  • Now if we can, I’d like to go way back for a little while. Where did you grow up?  What was it like to grow up in _______?  Did you go to college?  Where did you go, and what was that like?
  • Did you have any key mentors or people who deeply influenced who you are, what you believe in and what you’re committed to in your work and life?  Tell me about them.
  • Did you have any life-changing experiences that put you on the path that led you to be doing what you’re doing today?  Tell me about them.

Part Two: The Practice Story

  • So let’s move on now to the story you’re going to tell.  What’s the specific project you’re going to be telling us about today?  Give us a brief overview of it.
  • Tell us about your specific role and contributions in this project. Let’s start with the first thing you did.  What was it?  (Use lots of prompting questions to get the story out and keep it focused on what they did.  REMEMBER THAT THIS IS THE HEART OF THE INTERVIEW!)
  • Were there any key turning points in this project?
  • Were there any surprises?
  • What were the key relationships that mattered most?  What were the key sources of support or resistance you encountered?
  • Tell me about some of the memorable characters in this story, the ones that give this story color, or brought in drama, comedy, conflict, etc.
  • What was most difficult or challenging?  What did you do to deal with these challenges?
  • Did the work fail in some ways?  How?  What might you have done to prevent those areas of partial failure?
  • What was most rewarding

Part Three: Reflections and Lessons

  • What are the lessons for someone like me, or for a junior colleague, who might be embarking on a project similar to this one?
  • If you could do this project over again, would you do anything differently?  Why, and what would you do?
  • What did you learn from the people you worked with in this project?
  • What do you think you taught them?
  • Do you view your contributions as successful?  In what ways?  What specifically was accomplished?
  • Do any metaphors come to mind to describe the kind of work you do, especially in this project?  (If needed, give examples like “orchestra conductor,” “coach,” etc.)
  • What were the skills you had to have to do the work you just told me about?  Where and how did you learn those skills?
  • What does the project you’ve just talked about tell us about adult/community education?  What exactly is community education to you?  Who taught you what community education means and how to do it?  What did you learn from them?  How did they teach you?
  • What does the project you’ve just talked about tell us about the central benefits and challenges of community education and development?
  • When you think of the future of the kind of work you’ve talked about here, what gives you a sense of hope?  What makes you concerned or worried?
  • What’s next for you in your work?  What are you looking forward to?

Put a stop to deadline pressure, and have your homework done by an expert.

How To Write A Profile Essay Like A Professional Writer

how to write a profile essay

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

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

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

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

Table of Contents

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How to Write a Profile Essay on a Place:

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

How to Write a Profile Essay on a Person:

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

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

how to write a profile essay

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

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

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

Following Guidelines:

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

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

Seeking Assistance:

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

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

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

Get Profile Essay Writing Help Today!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Writing a Bio: My 20 Favorite Questions to Ask

questions to ask someone for a profile essay

Writing a concise bio for a business website may seem like a no brainer. A few paragraphs, hit all the usual points like schools, charity work, career highlights and then, BAM! Bio, check.

The problem with that approach? There’s a high likelihood you’ll churn out super boring bios, fast. When I think of old school bios, I think of a stuffy headshot accompanied by a few paragraphs of text that no one wants to read. But the days of stale bios are over. Believe it or not, people actually want to learn about you and your company, and they’d rather not fall asleep while doing it.

A well-written bio will combine the overall company culture and voice with that of the profiled team member. While website bios are generally concise—anywhere from Twitter-short to a few paragraphs—choosing the particulars to highlight can be tricky. Gathering the right information up front, in a 15-20 minute interview, is key.

Here are my favorite questions to ask when writing a bio. Note: these don’t include the usual slew, like general career experience and education.

1.      Who is someone you admire, and why?

2.      Tell me three pet peeves.

3.      What’s a typical day like for you?

4.      Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about?

5.      If you could be anywhere other than here, right this minute, where would you be? (Don’t overthink it!)

6.      Flashback to when you were 10 years old. What do you want to be when you grow up?

7.      If we went to happy hour, what would you order?

8.      Finish this sentence. On Sunday mornings, you can usually find me...

9.      How do you want people to remember you?

10.  What do you think are the best skills that you bring to your job?

11.  Name three words that you describe you.

12.  How do you think your colleagues would describe you?

13.  What do you want to make sure you do before you die?

14.  What’s a goal you have for yourself that you want to accomplish in the next year?

15.  Name a few of your daily habits (other than a shower and brushing your teeth).

16.  What publications do you regularly read?

17.  What are you happiest doing, when you’re not working?

18.  What are some causes you care about?

19.  What do you do with friends in your spare time?

20.  What would be your personal motto

Joanna Furlong

Copyright 2018 Joanna Furlong, Freelance Writer. All rights reserved. 

How to Write a Stellar Profile Essay?

09 February, 2021

13 minutes read

Author:  Tomas White

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

Profile Essay

What Is a Profile Essay?

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

profile essay

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

The Purpose of Profile Essays

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

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

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

Prepare for your essay

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Profile Essay Outline

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

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

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

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

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

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

Profile Essay Topics

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

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

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

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

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

Profile Essay Examples 

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

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

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

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

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

Writing Tips for a Profile Essay

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

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

 Here are some essential tips for a profile essay composition:

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

Write a Profile Essay with HandmadeWriting

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

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

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

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How to Write a Profile Essay

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

Tips to Write a Profile Essay

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

Choose the Subject Wisely

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

Form an Engaging and Informative Plan

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

Provide a Vivid Description

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

Convey a Dominant Impression

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

Profile Paper Example

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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  • Educational Assessment

Good Questions for Better Essay Prompts (and Papers)

  • April 8, 2020
  • Jessica McCaughey

Most professors would admit that they’ve found themselves frustrated when grading papers. Yes, sometimes those frustrations might stem from students ignoring your clear, strategic, and explicit instructions, but more often, I’d argue, “bad” papers are a result of how and what we’re asking of students, and how well we really understand our goals for them. Further, we often struggle to strike a balance between providing too much information and too little, and placing ourselves in a novice’s shoes is difficult. In an effort to combat these challenges, I present a series of questions to ask yourself as you begin developing or revising prompts.

1. What do you want your students to learn or demonstrate through this writing assignment? Is an essay the best way reach these goals? If so, do they understand those learning goals? Assigning an essay is, for many instructors, our go-to. But paper writing isn’t always the best assessment tool. Think hard about what it is you’re hoping for your students to take away from an assignment. Are there other, better forms the assignment might take? And if the answer is a resounding, “This paper is the right venue!” you should consider whether you are explicitly conveying to your students why you’re asking them to do certain work. Transparency benefits them tremendously. Transparent assignment design—being explicit about how and why you are facilitating their learning in the ways that you are—helps all students, but it particularly helps those students who may not have the experience, networks, or models in college that other students have, such as first-generation college students, minorities, or students with disabilities. Whether in class discussion or in the written prompt itself, strive to follow these transparent assignment design principles .       2. Who is the audience (real or imagined) for the assignment, and what is the purpose of the text? For most writing assignments, the “audience” is, of course, the instructor, and students strive to meet that instructor’s expectations, even if they’re guessing about what this instructor knows, wants, and expects.Even assignments as specific as “Write a letter to the Editor on X topic” beg for more detail. (Is this for my hometown paper or the New York Times ? Those letters will of course read very differently.) And when it comes to purpose or goals, while it might seem obvious to you what the purpose of this paper is, it might not be to your students. Work to be as explicit as possible as you can in what you’d like them to achieve in their paper. You might use language such as, “In this paper you are writing to an audience of scholars in X field, who are/are not familiar with your topic,” or “Your overarching purpose in this paper is to persuade your reader towards a specific, implementable solution to the problem at hand, and support your argument with scholarship in the field.”

3. Do you want to read their papers? This question may seem silly, but it’s not. In every field, professors have the capacity to set students up for authentic, engaging assignments. If you don’t feel excited to read the paper, you can likely imagine how difficult it will be for students to engage in the much more substantial process of writing it. So, consider retooling the assignment into something you look forward to spending time reading. Might you consider new genres, audiences, or purposes for their writing? Develop a traditional essay into a problem-solving task ?

4. What does good writing look like in your field? How can you convey this to students? We all know what good writing looks like in our fields, but students sometimes don’t even understand that writing forms, expectations, and conventions vary from discipline to discipline. Whether we like it or not, and whether we think we have time for it or not, it is our job to teach students about texts in our specific disciplines. Maybe that includes offering them annotated sample papers. Maybe this happens over a series of beginning-of-class conversations as they’re drafting. Maybe it’s showing them some of your own work or looking closely at the writing in a flagship journal. Regardless of how you do it, be sure that a part of the writing process for your students includes exposure and at least an introductory understanding to what “good” writing is to you and your field.

5. Are your grading criteria clear—and thoughtful and reasonable? We know that clear grading criteria—whether in the form of a rubric or a narrative—is key to student writer success, but it’s not as simple as assignment weights to columns such as “Grammar” and “Thesis.” In order to think deeply about how we’re grading, we also have to interrogate what assumptions we have about our student writers? What do we think they already know? Why do we think this? What do we prioritize in an essay, and more importantly, why is that the priority? Do our priorities align with our learning goals for students? These answers to these questions too should be transparent to students as they embark on your writing assignments.

6. What support and structure are you able to provide? Traci Gardner’s Designing Writing Assignments illustrates that the kinds of prompts that allow students to write strong papers share certain characteristics, and among the most important is providing support, both materially and in their process (35). How are you going to facilitate the writing that you want to see your students develop and showcase it in your prompt? Can the assignment be broken down into smaller, scaffolded steps? Or, if you want the students to practice managing projects and figure this out themselves, how can you serve as a guide as they work through time and resource management in order to do so? As scholars, we are not expected to create excellent work without feedback, and we shouldn’t expect it of our students either. We’re not only teaching content and, as noted above, what writing looks like in our discipline, but we’re also working to instill a writing process. Before assigning a paper, be clear about how you’ll build in steps, support, and this process of feedback and revision into your assignment.

7. Does it make sense for this particular assignment and your particular class to include a reflective element? Research shows that metacognition and reflection aid in the transfer of knowledge and skills , so building in some way for students to reflect on the writing and learning they’ve done through your assignment is a valuable way to help them take that knowledge forward, into other classrooms and, later, the workplace. 8. How can you go through the writing process yourself to create the most productive possible prompt? Ask for feedback from colleagues—or your students! There’s no shame in showing students a prompt and revising it based on their questions, perceptions, and, after the semester ends to benefit your next class, their writing.

Bio: Jessica McCaughey is an assistant professor in the University Writing Program at  George Washington University , where she teaches academic and professional writing. In this role, Professor McCaughey has developed a growing professional writing program consisting of workshops, assessment, and coaching that helps organizations improve the quality of their employees’ professional and technical writing. In 2016, she was nominated for the Columbian College’s Robert W. Kenny Prize for Innovation in Teaching of Introductory Courses, and in 2017, she won the Conference on College Composition and Communication’s Emergent Researcher Award.

References:

Elon Statement on Writing Transfer. (29 July 2013). Retrieved from http://www.elon.edu/ e-web/academics/teaching/ers/writing_transfer/statement.xhtml  

Gardner, Traci. (2008).  Designing Writing Assignments . National Council of Teachers of English.  https://wac.colostate.edu/books/gardner/  

  • Jessica McCaughey is an assistant professor in the University Writing Program at George Washington University, where she teaches academic and professional writing. In this role, Professor McCaughey has developed a growing professional writing program consisting of workshops, assessment, and coaching that helps organizations improve the quality of their employees’ professional and technical writing. In 2016, she was nominated for the Columbian College’s Robert W. Kenny Prize for Innovation in Teaching of Introductory Courses, and in 2017, she won the Conference on College Composition and Communication’s Emergent Researcher Award.

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  1. Profile Essay: Interviews

  2. The Profile Essay: Interview and Writing

  3. Profile Essay Interview Questions

  4. some questions to ask about your characters, part 9 🕵️#writing #writingtips #writingideas #oc #art

  5. The Best Way to Answer the Tell Me About Yourself Question

  6. How to Screenshot Someone Profile Picture on WhatsApp Latest Update

COMMENTS

  1. Seven Must-Ask Questions for Every Profile Interview

    This question provides the perfect way to end the profile, plus it gives further insight into the personality and life philosophy of the person. Ask them to describe a scene of their vision for ...

  2. Questions to ask when Profiling Someone: Good Profile Interview

    You should make a list of questions to ask for a profile essay that apply to the profile you're writing. A few great questions to ask when profiling someone include: Tell me about where you grew up and what your family life was like. ... Whether you have 20 questions to ask for a profile essay or dozens more, take the time you need to have a ...

  3. Best questions for a profile essay

    In this article, we present a comprehensive list of questions that will help you gather valuable information for your profile essay. When conducting an interview for a profile essay, it is crucial to establish a comfortable and trusting environment. Begin with icebreaker questions that allow the interviewee to open up and share their thoughts ...

  4. 20 Interview Questions that Guarantee a Compelling Story

    So when you ask interview questions that dig deeper, you'll go beyond the facts to reveal personal struggle, conflict and victory. These kinds of real-life stories are a powerful tool. Try these interview questions to help the storyteller reveal the heart and soul behind the tale. Questions to get started. 1. Describe where you were when [event].

  5. How To Write an Interview Essay (With Example Questions)

    1. Think about your essay's purpose. The first step is to think about your essay's purpose. This consideration can help you determine what questions to ask during the interview, how to conduct it and how to write the resulting essay. For example, you may want to write an interview essay as an informative, factual piece for others to educate ...

  6. 50 Interview Biography Questions With Example Bios

    Personal background questions. You can include a few personal details in a professional biography to tell the reader about your background, passions and personality. You can choose to add personal details that relate to your current career to promote cohesion in your biography. Here is some personal information you can include: What is your name?

  7. How to Write a Successful Profile Essay

    A profile essay is a type of informative essay describing a person, place, or event. ... about a person, place, or event of interest. Typically, a famous person or place will draw more reader interest because people are curious about them. However, depending on your writing style, an unknown person or place can make for a unique perspective ...

  8. WeissWrite: Writing A Compelling Profile: Interview Questions

    Writing A Compelling Profile: Interview Questions . Thanks to John DeGroot, a writing coach and a former staffer at the Sun-Sentinel in Fort Lauderdale, FL, for sharing these questions at one of his workshops. -- Dick Weiss. 1. What is your earliest memory? 2. Tell me about your mother and father - what were they like? 3.

  9. Creating Profiles: Interviewing

    Once you agree on the practice story, explain to the educator that the interview will be divided into three roughly equal parts: (1) an overview of their life story and experiences, (2) the practice story, and (3) reflections. Make sure they get a chance to ask any clarifying questions they might have. Finally, schedule the interview.

  10. 10 Profile Questions Asked in Job Interviews (With Answers)

    3. Describe your strengths outside of your career. The interviewer may ask about your personal engagements outside the office to evaluate your skills along with your ability to take on challenges in your everyday life. Share some traits that showcase characteristics employers look for in a candidate, such as timeliness, organization ...

  11. Best Advice On How To Write A Profile Essay

    The question most would like to ask is "how to start a profile essay." This is expected since to carry out a task you must know how you go about it. When writing a profile essay, ideally, you should read a few sample essays first - this would allow not only familiarizing with the basic layout and important elements, but also taking the best ...

  12. How to Write a Profile Story: 8 Tips for a Compelling Piece

    6. Find pull quotes that move the story. 7. Tell the story. 8. Check your facts (and check them again) Here's how to write a profile story, in eight easy-to-follow steps. 1. Research your subject—a lot.

  13. Profile Essay ⇒ Writing Guide with Outline and Examples

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

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

    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.

  15. How to Write a Profile Article

    Make sure to record and transcribe the entire interview. As you review their answers on paper or on your computer, highlight the best quotes. 5. Observe your subject in their environment. When you're writing a profile of somebody, you need to spend time with them on their turf.

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

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

  17. Writing a Bio: My 20 Favorite Questions to Ask

    Here are my favorite questions to ask when writing a bio. Note: these don't include the usual slew, like general career experience and education. 1. Who is someone you admire, and why? 2. Tell me three pet peeves. 3. What's a typical day like for you? 4. Do you have any skills or talents that most people don't know about? 5.

  18. How to Write an Profile Essay

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

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

    Discover a remarkable subject to write a profile essay about. The person can be well-known or somewhat ordinary. ... Writers should resist the temptation to organize the essay in the order they ask the questions, as this can make for boring reading. Instead, the answers of the questions should be examined closely for an emerging image of the ...

  20. 45 Questions to Ask Someone About Their Job and Career

    Personal objective questions allow you to communicate your professional goals to the interviewee. Through their experience and knowledge, they can assess your qualifications, potential, and preparedness. They may suggest further education or present other positions in the company that may be more suitable for you.

  21. PDF Strategies for Essay Writing

    with a strong analytical question that you will try to answer in your essay. Your answer to that question will be your essay's thesis. You may have many questions as you consider a source or set of sources, but not all of your questions will form the basis of a strong essay. For example, your initial questions

  22. What questions should I ask a business professor and world traveler for

    The first is to come in to the interview without a plan for your essay and to ask as many open-ended and broad questions as possible. Based on the answers and the direction the person takes with ...

  23. Good Questions for Better Essay Prompts (and Papers)

    Good Questions for Better Essay Prompts (and Papers) April 8, 2020. Jessica McCaughey. Most professors would admit that they've found themselves frustrated when grading papers. Yes, sometimes those frustrations might stem from students ignoring your clear, strategic, and explicit instructions, but more often, I'd argue, "bad" papers are ...