What is a Biography?

It is a STORY about someone’s LIFE.

It contains:

• FACTS about their LIFE.
• EVIDENCE to support the information.

Make a list of places where you might find evidence about someone’s life:

• diaries
• journals
• parish records
• newspaper reports
• photos
• social networking sites

Is all evidence true?

FACTS ARE TRUE: ‘Edison was born on February 11th, 1847’. This is true because it happened at that time.

OPINIONS might NOT be TRUE. ‘Edison was the greatest inventor of all time.’ This depends on the attitude of the writer. Opinions may be biased. For example, if the writer admires the person he is writing about, he might say: ‘He worked tirelessly and selflessly on his inventions, which would change people’s lives.’ If he wants to criticise him, he might say: ‘He was a selfish man, who put his work before his family.’

We can get more evidence if we interview people. Choose a person you know well. Ask if you can interview them. Make a list of questions that you could ask.

Think of some headings when planning your interview school, job, interests and achievements, for example.

Some questions only require a short answer.

• Where were you born?
• Which place did you grow up?
• Where did you go to school?
• Which friends did you have?
• Did you go to college or university?
• What was your first job?

Some questions are more open and they allow the person being interviewed to express his or her opinions.

• Do you like to buy designer clothes?
• Was it always your ambition to be a ...?
• Do you think it is important to work hard at school and get qualifications?
• What have been your biggest achievements so far?

Now write some questions of your own.

Use these points to help you plan your interview with your chosen person.

• Name:
• Date of Birth:
• Place of Birth:
• Details of Life: (married/single/do they have children)
• Details of Childhood: (What school did they go to?)
• Details of Adult Life: (Job)
• Biggest successes and achievements:
• Quotes from the interview:

Now write a biography of your chosen person.

• Write as for non-fiction. Use third person and past tense.
• Use reported speech: ‘The actress said that going to drama school changed her life/
• You could use direct speech: “I just love being on the stage,” exclaimed the actress.
• Introduce your person.
• Make points under headings. For example:
  • School
  • Job
  • Successes
  • Achievements
  • Conclusion