Basic outline of a biography

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It's noteworthy that some of the templates might be sourced from different resources to serve as examples. Was this helpful? How did our templates helped you today? Variety of templates. Easy to modify. What went wrong? Lack of variety. Outdated templates. Formatting issues. It could be a well-known celebrity, a historical figure, or someone close to you.

Basic outline of a biography

Why is this a story worth telling, and what makes you interested in it? Maybe the subject of your biography overcame major hardships in life to achieve success, and that story will inspire others facing similar struggles. Or maybe they made a really unique contribution to the world that not enough people know about, and you want to shine a bigger spotlight on that impact.

Understanding your target audience is a crucial step in writing a good biography. You should tailor your biography to the interests and knowledge level of your audience. A biography for a general audience will differ from one written for experts in a particular field. For example, two biographies about Emily Dickinson would be vastly different if one is written for young children and the other is written for adult poets.

Dive deep into your research. Take detailed notes and organize your findings. Gather as much information as you can about your subject. This includes primary sources like interviews, letters, and diaries, as well as secondary sources such as books, articles, and documentaries. Here are some primary sources to look for:. Birth, marriage, and death certificates: These documents can provide crucial dates and familial relationships.

Census data: Census records can provide demographic information and track changes over time. Property records: These can reveal where the subject lived and owned property. Military records: If applicable, military records can provide information on service, ranks, and honors. Photos and videos: Look for photographs and videos in public libraries, historical societies, online databases like the Library of Congress, and family photo albums.

Historical newspapers: Access archives of local and national newspapers for articles, interviews, and obituaries related to the subject. Digital archives: Use online resources like ProQuest, Chronicling America, and newspaper databases available through public libraries. You can also look for secondary sources, which provide more context and perspective, such as:.

Existing biographies: Search for existing biographies and books about the subject or their era. In a work-related bio, focus on aspects directly relevant to your professional life. Personal anecdotes or interests can be included if they relate to your professional persona or add value to your professional story. Tailor it to suit the platform and the audience you are addressing.

When choosing a subject, consider individuals whose life stories are not only interesting but also have the potential to inspire or educate others. Public figures, historical personalities, or even unsung heroes in your community can make excellent subjects. This could be a pivotal moment, a significant achievement, or an anecdote that reflects their character.

Starting with something compelling draws readers in and sets the tone for the biography. Effective research methods include conducting interviews with people who know the subject well, reviewing primary documents like letters or diaries, and consulting reputable secondary sources for historical context. Online archives, libraries, and specialized databases are also valuable resources.

To maintain objectivity, present facts without bias, and avoid letting personal opinions color the narrative. Being fair and balanced is key to a trustworthy biography. Yes, you can write a biography about a family member. Ensure you have enough distance to present their story truthfully and respect their privacy and perspective. Approach sensitive topics with care and respect.

Verify the accuracy of such information and consider its relevance to the overall story. Be mindful of the impact this could have on the subject and their family, especially if they are still living. Crafting a biography requires a thoughtful blend of accuracy and creativity to captivate and engage your readers. Business Education Insurance. Aesthetic Biography Template.

Short Biography Template. Professional Biography Template. Personal Biography Template. How do you write a three-sentence bio? How to write a personal biography? What to include in the Bio section at work? We have compiled a sequence of biography-related lessons or teaching ideas that you can follow as you please. They are straightforward enough for most students to follow without further instruction.

Once your students have compiled a comprehensive checklist of the main features of a biography, allow them to use it to assess some biographies from your school library or on the internet using the feature checklist. When students have assessed a selection of biographies, take some time as a class to discuss them. You can base the discussion around the following prompts:.

Looking at how other writers have interpreted the form will help students internalize the necessary criteria before attempting to produce a biography. This session aims to guide students through the process of selecting the perfect biography subject. Using the three criteria mentioned in the writing guide Interest, Merit, and Information , students award each potential subject a mark out of 5 for each of the criteria.

In this manner, students can select the most suitable subject for their biography. This session aims to get students into the researching phase, then prioritise and organise events chronologically. If the student has yet to make a final decision on the subject of their biography, a family member will often serve well for this exercise as a practice exercise.

They should then organize these onto a timeline. Students can include photographs with captions if they have them. Instruct students to look over their timeline, notes, and other research. Students should then label each category with a single word. This is the thematic concept or the broad general underlying idea. This is known as the thematic statement.

With the thematic concepts and thematic statements identified, the student now has some substantial ideas to explore that will help bring more profound meaning and wider resonance to their biography. Instruct students to write a short objective account of an event in their own life. They can write about anyone from their past. The student here aims to inject some color and personality into their writing, to transform a detached, factual account into a warm, engaging story.

Use this valuable tool in the research and writing phases to keep your students on track and engaged. They should be able to choose their subject based on their interest and worth and consider the availability of information. They should be able to research effectively and identify emerging themes in their research notes. Finally, they should be able to bring some of their personality and uniqueness into their retelling of the life of another.

For example, to find out more about a historical figure in History, to investigate scientific contributions to Science, or to celebrate a hero from everyday life. Biography is an excellent genre for students to develop their writing skills and to find inspiration in the lives of others in the world around them. Skip to content. Table of contents.

What Is a Biography? Full Biographies. Teaching Unit.