Biography Writing

Writing a Biography Permission granted for personal or classroom use.

Standard Questions for Research:
Find the FACTS about facets of the subject’s life:

birth and death-dates, life span
geographical location(s)
family, friends, enemies
personal accomplishments and failures
professional accomplishments and failures
volunteerism and religion membership
historical condition of the times
economic condition of the times
political condition of the times

If this person’s words have been written, find a few quotes to help convey something important for your biography. If someone else has written a biography of your subject, find one or two quotes that characterize this writer’s opinion about your subject’s life. If you find several biographers, look for consistency AND contradictions.

Your Own Research Questions:

Questions for Reflection:
Many writers fail to leave enough time to reflect upon the biography subject. Reflection is key to producing a unifed and coherent essay. Consider wht makes your subject tick:

What personal characteristics or traits may have influenced your subject’s beliefs? What seem to have most influenced your subject’s actions? Conversely, how might life conditions had influence over this person?
Did your subject make any big mistakes or unfortunate personal or professional choices? How might you have chosen and acted differently?
How would you characterize your subject’s particular philosophy of life? How can you tell? What was this philosophy or belief system?
Do you consider this person’s life enviable? How? Why?
Do you consider this person’s life despicable? How? Why?
Do you consider this person’s life admirable? How? Why?
Would you have been friends with this person? Why?
What important lessons can be learned from this subject? What is the most important one?
Was your subject a "hero?" What is a hero, to you? How does (and doesn’t) the subject fit your definition?

Your Own Questions for Reflection: