FIRSTHAND BIOGRAPHY

WRITING a BIOGRAPHY

"Life Story"

Student example Assessment Sample Interview Questions

BACKGROUND: Life Story is a non-fiction writing that brings another person to life

PURPOSE:
to reveal a subject through your eyes.
to honor someone special.
to practice good interviewing techniques
to practice good writing skills

WHOM do you write about? Anyone you respect, admire, or are interested in.

HOW do I get the information?  Observation and previous knowledge and open-ended interview questions (see examples below…)
                                                                “Tell about a favorite childhood memory.”
                                                                “Are you a giver or a taker? Explain.”
                                                                “If you could have any job in the world, what would it be and why?”

SECTIONS:

1. PREFACE - Introduce your person by hooking the reader with a LEAD sentence: an anecdote, quotation, or question. Discuss a little about why you chose your person. Also state the theme of your paper. (Example: My mom truly cares about her family and she would do anything for her kids.)

2.    CHAPTERS - Here’s where you’ll really show us who your person is, what they do, what they like, and what they think. Good interview questions and observations skills will help you with the details. You might want to include some quotes from your person, but generally, the writing is in your own words. You should have five chapters. Possible chapter titles:
     Family
     Firsts and Lasts
     Favorite activities
     Philosophy of Life
     Job/School - What's good/what's not?
     Hopes and Dreams
     Struggles
     Top Five Things you Love

3. CONCLUSION - Wrap up with a personal response or observation of your person. Reword or re-emphasize the theme. End with a “clincher” sentence; that’s a short sentence that wraps things up. (example - She has truly earned the title of “Super Mom”.)

HELPFUL HINTS:

1. Use vivid, powerful words.

Common Words	Synonyms
LAUGH	chortle, chuckle, grin, guffaw, crow, titter, cackle, hoot, giggle, snicker
CRY	whimper, wail, blubber, howl, weep, moan, whine, bawl, sob, sniffle
HAPPY	tickled, elated, thrilled, lighthearted, delighted, ecstatic, blissful, jovial, overjoyed, jubilant
SAD	pitiable, downhearted, , forlorn, dispirited, miserable, wretched, dejected, disheartened, depressed
WALK	swagger, trek, saunter, shuffle, plod, meander, amble, trudge, step, stroll
RUN	dash, speed, dart, race, scramble, chase, scamper, bolt, trot, scoot

2. Show, don’t tell.

3. Write in complete, varied sentences.

4. Use paragraphs- each with a clear topic sentence.

5. Use transitions between ideas and paragraphs.

to expand - and, also, besides, finally, further, in addition, moreover, then
to exemplify - as an illustration, for example, for instance, in fact, specifically, thus
to qualify - but, certainly, however, to be sure
to summarize or conclude - and so, finally, in conclusion, in short, in sum, therefore, this shows, thus we see
to show logical relationships - as a result, because, by implication, for this reason, if, since, so, thus, therefore
to compare - also, as well, likewise, similarly
to contrast - although, but, despite, even though, nevertheless, on the other hand, yet
to show relationships in space - above, behind, below, beyond, in front of, nearby, next to, over, through, within
to show relationships in time - after, before, between, earlier, formerly, later, longer than, meanwhile, since

6. Use good grammar and correct spelling.

7. Type your final draft and attach: assessment, rough drafts, interview questions and notes.

"LIFE STORY” - Biography Assessment

_______10 Intro - Introduces your person with a lead by hooking the reader with an anecdote, quotation, or question. Gives some general information about the person. States the theme of your paper.

_______50 Chapters - Show us who your person is, what they do, like, and think

_______10 Conclusion - Wraps up the paper with a personal response or observation of your person.
Rewords or re-emphasizes the theme. Ends with a clincher sentence.

_______10 Uses paragraphs- each with a clear topic sentence

_______10 Uses transitions between ideas and paragraphs

_______10 Uses good grammar and correct spelling.

______ TOTAL SCORE (TEST GRADE)