Describing a Character like a Spy

Last year I wrote a post about describing a character in the style of an M&S advert. I’ve just finished reading the SOE Syllabus which included the a technique for describing a character. The following idea is based on the method taught by the Special Operations Executive (SOE) to agents during the Second World War. I’ve made a few changes to make it a little more modern and to add a few missing features, like hair. It was intended to allow an agent to describe someone to an agent so they can recognise them from the description. It wasn’t an exact or scientific method like those used by police or the Bertillon system. Instead it aimed to allow the quick recognition of someone in a crowd by eliminating other people.

Features to Always Describe

Feature	Suggestions
Gender	Male or Female
Apparent Age	Either an age range or a simple description such as child, teenager, adult, middle aged or old
Height	Average, Short, Tall, Very Tall, Very Short
Build	Slight, Large, Stocky or Medium
Ethnicity	White, Asian, Black, Chinese
Distinguishing feature	Hunchback, cross-eyes, missing ear, missing eye, missing limb, missing finger

Features to Describe if Distinctive

Feature	Suggestions
Head	Small, Large, Round, Long, High Crown, Flat at the Back, Bulging at the Back
Face	Found, Chubby, Broad, Long or Cadaverous, Narrow, Thin, Oval
Complexion	Fair, Dark, Black, Brown, Yellow, Sallow, Sunburnt, Red, Purple, Freckled, Fresh
Forehead	Receding, Bulge or Prominent, Broad, High or Low
Head Hair	Colour, Style, Bald, Neat or Untidy, Long or Short
Eyebrows	Arched, Straight or Oblique, Thick or Bushy, Meeting, Lack of, Thin, Plucked, Sandy, Red, Black, Grey, White. Colour should only be mentioned if different from colour of hair of head
Facial Hair	Stubble, Sideburns, Beard, Moustache, Style, Neat or Untidy, Colour should only be mentioned if different from colour of hair of head
Eyes	Colour rarely described because hard to use for identification.Size, Shape and Position. Large, Almond, Sunken, Protuberant
Ears	Four points: Size â€“ Large or Small. Fold â€“ Pronounced or lack of. Lobe â€“ attached, unattached or lack of. Sticking out of head or pressed close into the head
Nose	Straight, Convex or Concave, Base Elevated or Depressed. Nose long in proportion to face. Very wide nostrils.
Cheeks	Prominent cheekbones, fat or flabby, jowl, hollow, dimpled
Mouth	Large or small
Teeth	Prominent, false, missing, discoloured, white, gold
Lips	Length of upper lip, thickness, overhanging upper lip, pendent or protruding lower lip
Chin	Receding, protruding, small or pointed, large or square, double, dimpled
Neck	Long or short, thin or thick, Adams apple
Shoulders	Broad or drooping
Arms	Long or short in proportion to body
Hands	Artistic or Worker, Large or Small, Nail Long or Short,
Legs	Long or short, bowed or knock kneed, no ankles (women)
Gait	Slow or Quick Stride, Long or Short, Pigeon Toed or Splayed feet, Limp
Bearing	Stooping or Straight
Voice	Soft or Loud, Accent
Mannerism	Any peculiar mannerism or habit should be described
Distinguishing Marks and Piercing	Any Tattoos, Birth Marks, Scars or Piercing which are visible
Scent	Clean, Cigarette Smoke, Perfume or Cologne,

impworks

Describing a Character like a Spy

Friday, October 26th, 2007

Features to Always Describe

Features to Describe if Distinctive