Writing Composition: Biography

Contributed by:
Ivan
In this lesson, students will learn how to compose biographies, both for themselves and for others. An ideal Biography essay should have little known facts about the person.
1.
2. Biography
bi·og·ra·phy : n.
pl. bi·og·ra·phies
An account of a person's
life written, composed,
or produced by another
3. Autobiography
n. pl.
The biography of a
person written by that
person
4. The 10 Elements
 Birthdate and place
 Family Members
 Childhood and School Life
 Hobbies, Interests, and Activities
 Anecdotes
 Career
 Reason for Fame
 Later Life/Old Age
 Death
 Photos and Likenesses
5. Birthplace and date
 When was the person born?
 Where was the person born?
 Why was the family in that
location at that time?
6. Family Members
 Birth Order
 Spouse, Children
 Any other members of the
family who were notable in
some way
7. Childhood and School Life
 Interestingstories about
childhood or school
 Early achievements
 Any events that had an
impact on their later life
8. Hobbies, Interests, and
Activities
 Do the person’s hobbies or activities
make them more interesting?
 Do the hobbies/activities have a
bearing on why they have a
biography about them?
 Do the hobbies/activities relate to
other aspects of their life?
9. Anecdotes
 Interesting stories about
why they are famous
 Interesting stories about
the impact they have had
on others
10. Career
 Is their career why they have a
book written about them?
 Is their job similar or different
from their hobbies and activities?
 Have they made significant
contributions to mankind through
their job?
11. Reason for Fame
 What did they do that
caused someone to want to
write a book about them?
 At what point in their life
did they become famous?
12. Later Life/Old Age
 What did they do near the end of
their life?
 Did they contribute to society,
enjoy life, continue working?
 Were they honored in their lifetime
for their achievements?
13. Death
 When and where did they die?
 Was there anything unusual or
significant about their death?
(Ex. Thomas Jefferson and John
Adams both died on July
4, 1826)
14. Photos and Likenesses
Photographs or
artists’ renderings
of the person may
be included
15. Where are
found in the
library?
16. Enjoy a
today!