Choose a person about whom you are genuinely curious. Compile a list of questions you'd like to ask her about her work or her approach to a particular event or circumstance. Research her area of expertise and familiarize yourself with basic facts about that field, industry, or pursuit. If you are writing a paper on yourself, try to conceptualize of yourself in the third person. Write a list of questions for yourself.
Arrange an interview of no less than 15 minutes, but no more than one hour. Be focused and concise in your approach, but allow the interview subject to change the topic of discussion. Don't stick rigidly to your prepared questions; use them as back-up in case of a lull, but feel free to engage in conversation with your subject. For autobiographical papers, answer your prepared list of questions as thoroughly as possible.
Transcribe the interview. Create a framework for the profile piece that highlights and advances a particular viewpoint or concept, and back it up with quotes from the subject. The viewpoint or concept should reflect his personality.
Write a detailed introductory paragraph about the subject and the circumstances of your interview: note any surprises or insights you may have experienced while interviewing her. Craft another paragraph that introduces a particular topic. Interweave her quotes with original thoughts of your own in the body. Conclude the profile piece with your thoughtful observations about the profiled individual, even if this individual is you.
Write on a computer, as this will enable you to print out multiple copies easily and revise. Break the paper into three sections; the introduction, body and conclusion. Each section should consist of between 500 and 1,500 words. Never pad the paper; make sure each sentence communicates at least one idea. A shorter, tightly written paper is better than a long-winded, poorly-constructed paper. Include your references on a separate sheet at the very end of the paper. Alphabetize your references by author's last name.