Introduction to
Biography Writing
Scribblory: Writing Proficiency Tutorial
Today's Agenda
Homework Check
Researching the Facts Narrating the Story
Homework
B I O G R A P H Y W R I T I N G
'auto' means 'self'
Autobiography is about the life story of an individual written by himself.
Biography is about the whole or part of the life story of an individual written by another person.
Autobiography
Biography
Both autobiography and biography narrate a true story. Every event and detail mentioned in it is factual, well-researched, and should not be based on the writer's imagination.
Biography vs. Autobiography
Writing a biography is much more than recording facts. Good biographies make people live, highlight their accomplishments, and present the puzzles of their life.
Researching and writing it can be exhilarating and intriguing and open up other subjects and interests for future projects.
- writermag.com
Biography Writing
“Writers are the custodians of memory, and memories
have a way of dying with their owner.”
WILLIAM ZINSSER
https://www.baabeetv.com/blog/7-must-read-biographies-and-autobiographies-for-kids
Pick one famous or
historical person you want to know more about.
Research about this person.
Write a short biography
about him or her.
Choose a subject.
Decide on the narrative approach.
Do research.
Create an outline.
Write the story based on the outline.
Double check the facts.
Polish the story.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Biography Writing Process
Cradle to Grave - from the time the person was born to the present time/death Slice of Life - an episode, chapter, or moment in the person's life
Two Approaches of
Biography Writing:
Primary sources:
Living subject Interviews
Documents like letters, journals, diaries, speeches, newspaper accounts, school records or reports, etc.
Secondary sources:
Famous subject
Books about the subject
Reference books and historical documents written by another person
Researching about your subject:
the subject’s family background and childhood stories that illustrate their personality
their motivations, goals, and achievements
their key relationships, such as their siblings, spouse, children, best friends, colleagues, mentors, rivals
their hidden fears or desires
stories and anecdotes about their experiences, especially those that illustrate the traits you wish to highlight
Aside from the person's basic information, the most interesting things typically included in a biography are:
Note: Your outline should depend on the results of your research.
How to Write a Biography: 8 Steps for a Captivating Story - TCK Publishing
Information gathered from interview:
"Grade school . . . it had to be the total solar eclipse. In fact, the Grade 2 teachers already asked us to get this glass and put it over fire so
that you know, it’s like tinted. I think at 2pm, we were up there in the quadrangle, and it was
totally dark."
Brian picked a piece of glass and put it over the candle’s flame as the teacher instructed. Every surface that touched the fire turned black—tinted, almost impenetrable by strong streaks of light. When their glasses were ready, the teacher gathered them at the door and led them up to the school's quadrangle. They were to witness a rare occurrence in the history of the world, and they’d see it through the blackened glass to protect their eyes. It was 1955.
It was about two in the afternoon when it began. In the sky, Brian saw how the glory of the sun was slowly blocked by the untimely moon, creating a bright rim. As it did, chickens settled under trees to roost, makahiya leaves closed, and total darkness spread over the city. People in their houses switched on the lights as they were greeted by a sudden eventide. For some, the total solar eclipse was spectacular but eerie.
The complete darkness lasted for a few minutes. At once, when the midday sun peeked and governed the sky again, cocks crowed as if it was a new morning. The city breathed with light again. Little did Brian know that as he watched this light-dark-light phenomenon, so did the years-long total solar eclipse of his life begin.
- Excerpt from a family biography written by Elaine Marie Factor (Disclaimer: Names were changed in the excerpt to keep the client's privacy)
Based on your outline, write a
short biography about your
chosen subject. Make it as
interesting and engaging as
possible.
