character sketch

A character sketch is a brief description or analysis of a person, place, or thing, focusing on its unique or strongly marked individuality. It can be a form of casual biography, often using anecdotes about a real or imaginary person.12

This literary form became popular in the 18th and 19th centuries, with writers like Joseph Addison and Richard Steele using it to portray various levels of English society in The Spectator. The practice of writing character sketches can be traced back to the ancient Greek philosopher Theophrastus, who described undesirable personal qualities through characteristic speech and behavior. The sketch is less dramatic than a short story but more analytical and descriptive, often maintaining a familiar tone.23