Biography project guidelines

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. Features of a Biography. Biography Writing Guide. Biography Examples For Students. Teaching Resources. Understand the purpose of both forms of biography. Explore the language and perspective of both. Prompts and Challenges to engage students in writing a biography. Dedicated lessons for both forms of biography.

Writing Toggle child menu Expand. Foundations of Writing Toggle child menu Expand. Writing to Entertain Toggle child menu Expand. The Narrative Toggle child menu Expand. Poetry Toggle child menu Expand. Writing to Inform Toggle child menu Expand. Writing to Persuade Toggle child menu Expand. Reading Toggle child menu Expand. The Foundations of Reading Toggle child menu Expand.

Reading Literature Toggle child menu Expand. Reading Informational Texts Toggle child menu Expand. Language Toggle child menu Expand. Language Conventions Toggle child menu Expand. Multiliteracies Toggle child menu Expand. A traveler at heart, he can be found roaming the world and working from his laptop. From time to time, nonfiction authors become so captivated by a particular figure from either the present or the past, that they feel compelled to write an entire book about their life.

Whether casting them as heroes or villains, there is an interesting quality in their humanity that compels these authors to revisit their life paths and write their story. Here's how you do it in 7 steps. Click to tweet! Craft a satisfying story arc for your biography with our free template. Kelley ended up winning the lawsuit, however.

It's a matter of common sense; if someone were to write a book about you, you would likely want to know about it well prior to publication. So, biography project guidelines a sincere effort to reach out to their PR staff to negotiate an agreement or at least a mutual understanding of the scope of your project. At the same time, make sure that you still retain editorial control over the project, and not end up writing a puff piece that treats its protagonist like a saint or hero.

No biography can ever be entirely objective, but you should always strive for a portrayal that closely aligns with facts and reality. If they like it enough, they might pay you an advance to write it. Craft a professional pitch for your nonfiction book with our handy template. Deep and thorough research skills are the cornerstone of every biographer worth their salt.

Start with the information already available, from books on your subject to archival documents, then collect new ones firsthand by interviewing people or traveling to locations. Put your researcher hat on and start consuming any piece on your subject you can find, from their Wikipedia page to news articles, interviews, TV and radio appearances, YouTube videos, podcasts, books, magazines, and any other media outlets they may have been featured in.

Depending on their era, you may find most of the information readily available online, or you may need to search through university libraries for older references. The research process took years, but it certainly paid off. Chernow discovered that Hamilton created the first five securities originally traded on Wall Street. This finding, among others, revealed his significant contributions to shaping the current American financial and political systems, a legacy previously often overshadowed by other founding fathers.

Today Alexander Hamilton is one of the best-selling biographies of all time, and it has become a cultural phenomenon with its own dedicated musical. Besides reading documents about your subject, research can help you understand the world that your subject lived in. Many biographies show how their protagonists have had a profound impact on society through their philosophical, artistic, or scientific contributions.

Study how their societal and historical context influenced their life choices. Finding himself limited by a lack of verified detail surrounding William Shakespeare's personal life, Greenblatt, instead, employs literary interpretation and imaginative reenactments to transport readers back to the Elizabethan era. The result is a vivid though speculative depiction of the playwright's life, enriching our understanding of his world.

Many readers enjoy biographies that transport them to a time and biography project guidelines, so exploring a historical period through the lens of a character can be entertaining in its own right. The Diary of Samuel Pepys became a classic not because people were enthralled by his life as an administrator, but rather from his meticulous and vivid documentation of everyday existence during the Restoration period.

This part is more relevant if your subject is contemporary, and you can actually meet up or call with relatives, friends, colleagues, business partners, neighbors, or any other person related to them. Check out our list of the 30 best biographies of all timeor take our second quiz below for tips on which one you should read next. When you conduct your interviews, make sure to record them with high quality audio you can revisit later.

III Accomplishments. What contribution did they make to society. IV Qualities that made the person interesting. What are some qualities that made the person worth reading about. V Your Choice. Choose something about your person to write about. VI Bibliography. Use the correct form of bibliography citation for books and other written sources you used.

Also, see Bibliographical citation form for web resources. Make it look attractive. For Poster:. Draw a picture of the person or print out a photo of them and place on the poster. Bibliography Format. Use the correct form of bibliography citation for the book and other sources you used. Also, see Bibliographical citation forms. Book such as from library.

Rausch, William.

Biography project guidelines: 6 interesting facts (think: where they

Give as much information of the source of the image, NOT of the biography project guidelines engine such as Yahoo! Sample Documentary on Animoto on Edison. By: Philip Ly. Class: Mr. Curry's US History. Period: 2. Harriet Tubman was an African-American abolitionist an individual that opposed slavery and a slave during the s and early s. Not only was she a slave, but she was a woman, so society was even harsher on her at the time.

She is well-known for being the most popular "conductor" of the Underground Railroad, a secret network of safe houses used primarily by black slaves during the s to escape from slaveowners. Harriet Tubman went on 13 expeditions and rescued over 70 slaves in her lifetime. She is seen as an idol to those discriminated against in society.

Personal Information. Harriet Tubman, whose birth name was Araminta Harriet Ross, was born on the year as a slave to Harriet Green and Ben Ross; both of which whom were also slaves. A significant moment in her life was when another overseer who happened to be enraged threw a two-pound weight that hit Tubman in the head. After the incident, she began to have seizures and would fall unconscious; though she claims to be aware of her surroundings even when she appeared to be asleep.

This lifelong condition troubled her family and struck at random times. Harriet Tubman was one of the few slaves that stood out in US society, having rescued many people herself in her lifetime. Not only had she escaped as a fugitive successfully for many years, she had also freed other people during her prime and had never lost a single one.

Interesting Qualities. Harriet Tubman was a very brave woman during her time. Even as a slave and a woman, she went through the trouble of abuse and took risks to save other slaves. Do you have any questions? Then please get in touch with us! Writing a compelling biography requires more than simply recounting key dates and events. Getting this delicate balance right is essential for creating a biography that both informs and captivates readers.

The core challenge of biographical writing lies in staying true to the facts while crafting an absorbing story. Like an artist working with different threads, you need to carefully combine concrete details with narrative elements to create a rich, textured portrait. The goal is to be accurate without being dry, and engaging without sacrificing truth.

Strong biographies often center on a clear theme or angle that helps frame the larger story. For instance, when writing about a musician, you might focus on their creative evolution and breakthrough moments. Or for a political figure, you could explore the key decisions and policies that defined their legacy. Having this focus helps guide your narrative choices.

Beyond the angle, how you organize the material matters too. While many biographies follow a chronological timelineyou can also build your story around major themes, relationships, or pivotal moments. The most memorable biographies make historical figures feel real and relatable through vivid details, meaningful anecdotes, and carefully chosen dialogue.

Picture writing about a renowned chef — including specifics about their signature recipes, descriptions of their kitchen dynamics, and conversations with their mentors adds color and depth.

Biography project guidelines: Death date and place.

Thorough fact-checking forms the foundation of excellent biographical writing. Every date, quote, and detail must be verified to build credibility and trust with readers. When your work rests on well-researched facts, it becomes both an engaging story and a reliable historical record that stands the test of time. Good research forms the foundation of any compelling biography.

This section will walk you through proven research methods, from traditional archives to modern digital tools. For example, if they spent significant time in a particular city, check what materials the local historical society has in their collections. Contact archivists early to understand access procedures and available resources. This advance planning will help you make the most of your research time.

Physical archives are just the beginning.

Biography project guidelines: Birth date and place.

Online databases and digital collections have made biographical research easier than ever before. Websites like Ancestry. Digital tools mean you can now access records from institutions around the world without extensive travel. Good interviewing requires careful preparation — develop open-ended questions that encourage detailed responses and create a comfortable environment where people feel at ease sharing their memories.

Connect with family members, colleagues, and others who knew your subject personally to capture those vital human details. As your research grows, staying organized becomes essential. Whether you use a digital tool like Evernote or a physical filing system, create clear categories for your materials based on topics, time periods, or sources.

Keep detailed records of where each piece of information came from — this will help you fact-check later and build credibility with readers. A well-organized research system makes the writing process much smoother. Careful research and verification form the core of any reputable biography. As a biographer, your job goes beyond just collecting information — you need systems and processes to ensure every detail is accurate and trustworthy.

Think of fact-checking like building a solid foundation. Each verified fact adds strength and stability to your work. Set up a clear system to check all information — from basic details like dates and names to complex elements like quotes and stories. This might involve creating detailed spreadsheets, using specialized fact-checking tools, or maintaining thorough research notes.

Your diligence here directly builds reader confidence. For example, two witnesses might recall events differently, or documents might present conflicting details. View these challenges as opportunities to sharpen your research skills.