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Questionnaire design templates

Create your own surveys and studies with questionnaire templates. customize each questionnaire design template to get answers to your questions..

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Browse dozens of free questionnaire templates. Get feedback and insights from customers, coworkers, peers, students, and more with the right questionnaire template. Getting the feedback that you need is fast and easy. Each questionnaire design template is fully customizable in Microsoft Forms so you can alter it to fit your needs. Questionnaires are useful for a variety of reasons—you can use them for simple reasons, like for RSVPs, or for more complex reasons, like analysis studies. You can even use questionnaires to improve your business or figure what dishes your guests are bringing to your potluck. There are many different questionnaire templates to choose from—you can choose multiple choice questionnaires, attendance surveys , satisfaction surveys, open-ended surveys, and more to get the feedback you need. To get more honest feedback, make your questionnaires anonymous so that people can share their thoughts freely. Print your survey or share them online for people to answer.

MELODY DEXTER

Types of questions to ask in a biographical interview

By Melody Dexter | 5 Jan 2022

There’s the basics: open and closed-ended questions… then there’s more specific types of questions, each with their own purpose. Let’s take a look at the funnel approach, statements, rhetorical, narrative, explanatory and verification questions.

In my article  Interviewing for biography: interrogation, conversation, and the in-between , I wrote about different approaches to biographical interviews. The approach you choose may influence the types of questions you choose to ask. In addition, what you choose to ask will be influenced by your objectives and the research you’ve conducted previously. 

It’s important to prepare a list of questions that you might start with or refer to throughout the interview. Be prepared: oral historian Donald Ritchie says that “it is safer to have too many questions than too few… Some interviewees talk at great length in response to a single question… others answer briefly and need several follow-up questions to draw them out”. 

Keep in mind that even with your list of carefully curated questions, you may not ask them all and you will likely ask new questions during the interview. In a narrative interview, a key part of knowing what to ask lies in listening effectively. We adjust or create our questions based on what has already been said. We probe or we pivot as we need to.

Ritchie discusses the importance of being flexible and curious, “an interviewer must always be prepared to abandon carefully prepared questions and follow the interviewee down unexpected paths, always helping the interviewee by questioning, guiding, coaxing, and challenging.”

The types of questions we ask influences the data that is gathered and how the interview progresses.

Open-ended questions

Later in this section, we’ll discuss the different types of questions, but first, let’s review open- ended, closed-ended and leading questions. In a narrative interview, the objective is to prompt the interviewee to do most of the talking. Open-ended questions are usually very effective at this, they give the interviewee the opportunity to ponder their thoughts and decide how long to speak about the topic. 

Open-ended questions are questions which can’t be answered with a simple yes or no, or phrase. For example, an open-ended question is “tell me about your childhood”, and a more specific open-ended question is “can you tell me about the moment you realised you were adopted?” 

Oral historian Charles Morrissey (cited by Ritchie) suggests framing an open-ended question by stating the problem, then asking the question, for example, “You were often seen volunteering in soup kitchens in the Bronx. How did these experiences influence your policy?” And then following this, specific questions can build upon this first answer. 

Closed-ended questions

The opposite of open-ended questions are closed-ended questions. Examples of closed-ended questions are “did you have a happy childhood?” and “you grew up in New York City, is that correct?” and “what date did you move to New York?” When an interviewer limits the answers, this too is a closed-ended question, for example, “did you prefer growing up in New York or LA?” Close-ended questions or very specific questions are useful when verifying information or if time is short.

The funnel approach

Closely related to closed-ended questions is the “funnel approach” which Ritchie notes is often used in the courtroom or by political reporters. With this technique, interviewers start with broad questions, with each subsequent question becoming more specific, until the interviewee is easily able to answer “final, more specific questions”. Ritchie suggests this approach may be useful if the topic of conversation is controversial or if the interviewer is seeking specific information. 

Ritchie notes that at times, it is possible to elicit a response without even asking a question, for example, restate what the person has said, make an observation or comment such as, “You grew up in South Carolina.”  

Rhetorical questions

Wang and Yan suggest avoiding rhetorical questions – these can be perceived as hostile and can be perceived as expressing a point of view, similarly to how negatives can express the interviewer’s perspective, words such as isn’t, don’t and shouldn’t. 

It’s impossible for interviewers to remain neutral – even if you’re working from a strict list of questions, interviewees will infer messages from visual and verbal cues, even if the cue is the interviewer being impassive. Harding notes that in a narrative biographical interview, it is appropriate for the interviewer to offer thoughts, ideas and experiences, as it builds rapport with the interviewee, however Miller reminds us that when asking questions, be mindful of leading questions and making assumptions. 

Leading questions can lead to inaccurate answers; Ritchie stresses that asking leading questions might lead to the interviewee assuming that that is what the interviewer wants to hear. An example of a leading question is, “you were overjoyed about having your wedding overlooking the beach, is that right?”. 

When phrasing questions, be mindful of your assumptions and presuppositions. Wang and Yan define presuppositions as being background assumptions that make an expression make sense. For example, by asking “when did you go to the party”, you’re assuming the person actually went to the party, not just asking what time they went. 

Harding cites Hollway and Jefferson who differentiate between narrative and explanatory questions, both of which are important in biographical interviews. Narrative questions focus on stories, questions such as “Walk me through your first day at the White House”. Explanatory questions can include discussion about why they did something at the time and why they did it in hindsight, for example, “Why did you spend that time alone in the Oval Office on your first day?”. In researching racist and anti-Semitic groups, Blee focused on narrative questions, rather than explanatory, as she didn’t want her study to be used by participants as a way of broadcasting racist ideologies to new audiences. Below, we discuss examples of narrative and explanatory questions, as well as questions that might be used to verify information. 

Narrative questions

Narrative questions can take a number of forms, but the unifying theme is that the interviewer is seeking information about what actually happened, rather than why. 

Descriptive questions invite the interviewee to give a recount of an  event  in more detail. Rosenthal gives the following example, “you mentioned situation X earlier, could you tell me/narrate in more detail, exactly what happened?”.

Rosenthal states that interviewers might also ask about a specific  theme , for example, “Could you tell me more about your parents?”. Content categories can cue memories, for example, Thomsen & Brinkmann suggest mentioning an activity, person or feeling, “do you remember an episode where you were talking (activity) to the physician (people) and felt confused (emotion)”? 

It can be cognitively easier for interviewees to answer structural questions, which Ritchie describes as “ walk-me-through-a-typical-day ” questions. For example, if an interviewee is struggling to recall a memory, ask about simple memories, such as normal routines in the past at home or at work. Another tactic that might work is taking an emotive approach, asking about  feelings , rather than facts. In collecting oral history from immigrants, in  Doing Oral History,  Kolbert is quoted, they might “not remember their daughter’s phone number. But they do remember what it was like when they got off the boat”.

Ritchie suggests that questions about  experiences  and  examples  can help the interviewee with recall. Lillrank gives the following example, “what was your most memorable experience in the Oval Office?”, or simply, “can you give me an example?”. Similarly, Rosenthal suggests asking about a  specific time  in their life, “Can you tell me more about the time you were…”. 

Ritchie says that questions that  compare  or  contrast  help the interviewer see events from another perspective, provide rich detail for storytelling and can help with verifying stories previously told. Rosenthal suggests asking the interviewee to tell you an event from someone else’s perspective, “What did your chief of staff do while you were alone in the oval office that day?” Another example Lillrank gives is linking an experience to the past, such as “Did this remind you of something you have experienced before?”, or Thomsen and Brinkmanm suggest asking them to describe an event in a different order.

Brinkman suggests  avoiding abstract questions  such as “what does anger mean to you” and instead asking for descriptions about how they actually felt rather than how they would feel, for example, “What happened?” and “How did you feel at the time?”. 

Keep in mind that memories can be prompted by senses such as sound, sight, taste, smell and touch. Ritchie uses objects such as maps to prompt discussion and suggests that we can also use photos, clothing, food, gardens and so on. 

In writing a biography, describing the  scene  is essential – the interview can yield valuable, rich insights into helping you describe the scene. Lee Gutkind recommends that when a scene or experience is discussed, ask what people were wearing, what the room, house or neighbourhood looked like or what the weather was that day. 

Pulitzer Prize winning biographer Robert Caro often asked interviewees “What would I  see  if I were there?” Caro sometimes asked a question, and kept asking the same question and sometimes his interviewee would get angry, but other times, they revealed more details, describing the scene or the person further. Santel gave a great example of Caro’s technique: Caro asked, “What was it like sitting on those couches?” and they’d say  “Oh, I remember those couches. They were so downy you thought you’d never get up. And then you realise that Johnson  made  the couches in the Oval Office softer so people would sink down and he, sitting in his rocking chair, would be higher, towering over them”.

Explanatory questions

Explanatory questions, such as asking for an opinion, or asking why or how questions, may yield more subjective responses. Ritchie cites oral historian Charles Morrissey who suggests a two-sentence format: first, state the problem and second, ask the question, for example, “The records show you were a leader in establishing zoning laws that shaped this town. Why were zoning laws your objectives?”.

When seeking an opinion on a topic, Talmage sometimes shares “academic hearsay knowledge of a topic” and then asks the interviewee to comment on the validity of the statement. For example, an interviewer might say “It’s claimed that biographers are like burglars – what are your thoughts on this?”

Verification questions

It’s imperative to keep in mind there is no single, accurate story — there can be multiple interpretations of meaning. Interviewees don’t just have one voice, Brinkman describes interviewees as being polyvocal.  Sorsoli & Tolman remind us that we usually listen assuming their story is “singular and transparent”, that the person has one voice, when really we should be listening for other voices in their narrative. Sorsoli and Toman stress that “Understanding the nuances of complex personal narratives requires examining them from many different angles and slowly building an interpretation from the perspective each angle offers”.

Pulitzer Prize winner Robert Caro suggests learning as much about the person as you can, “There is no one truth, but there are an awful lot of objective facts. The more facts you get, the more facts you collect, the closer you come to whatever truth there is. The base of biography has to be facts”.

Thomsen and Brinkmann stress that it’s crucial to verify what can be verified. Lee Gutkind reminds us that facts cannot be changed: for example, that your eyes are blue or that Lyndon Johnson died in 1973. During the interview, seek to confirm, clarify and challenge. Ritchie says, “Challenge answers that seem misleading, and pursue responses that seem mistaken”. Ritchie suggests that iIf you aren’t sure about their truthfulness, come back to the point again later and consider bringing up evidence that might oppose what they are saying.

Alexievich notes that sometimes people’s oral testimonies are “infected by secondary sources”, such as newspapers or other people’s versions. Other times, Ritchie stresses that narratives are told so frequently that it has been rehearsed, and each time the story is told, it becomes embedded more firmly in the mind, “Every telling of a story embellishes it… events are telescoped, chronology tightened, order rearranged and edited, drama or humor heightened. Rehearsed stories tend to omit negative events and concentrate on triumphs”. Alexievich notes that at times interviewees “write up” or “rewrite” and that there is a need to be vigilant, on guard. Ritchie says that it’s essential to search for inaccuracies and gently challenge inconsistencies”. 

Lillrank and Miller suggest looking for gaps in the story, shifts, contradictions and consistencies. Consider how they describe events, how they frame their involvement, for example, in interviewing prisoners responsible for genocide in Rwanda, Jessee noted that many convicted perpetrators talked about the atrocities they “observed” without mentioning their own role in it or who else was involved. 

Use extended timelines or landmark events as contextual cues, for example, “when you were working at X” or Thomsen and Brinkmaan suggest creating a timeline of an event. DeLouise & Harrington find that if responses are particularly broad, asking further questions can help the interviewee become more specific, even questions such as “tell me just a little more about that” or “what is it that really makes that stand out?”

Because the narrative interview is a shared experience, we may become complacent and assume both parties understand what is said. Talmage suggests challenging our assumptions during an interview, to ensure we have an accurate understanding, by asking the interviewee to restate what they’ve said in a different way, or by restating it ourselves in “a clear unambiguous way and asking if that is what the respondent meant”.

Next we’ll look at  listening in a biographical interview .

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Biography Form Template

A biography form template is designed to help writers and students streamline the process of writing biographies. This form contains relevant and straightforward questions such as the name of the person, early life, adult life and so on. This easy ti use template can be edited to fit your preference and style. Get started with this form today.

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Tips For Using the Biography Form Template

Want to write a biography but don't know where to start? Or you can't seem to figure out how to write the "perfect biography?”

Formplus biography form walks you through the process of writing a remarkable biography. Its questions cover all necessary information about the person’s life and contributions to help you showcase the person’s brilliance and uniqueness.

In this guide, we’ll be looking at biography forms, and how to create them effortlessly with Formplus templates.

What Is a Biography Form?

A biography form is a template with questions to help you collect important information about a person’s life and its impact. It contains a series of questions and prompts that ensure you cover all the necessary details, such as name, date of birth, family background, education, career, accomplishments, and legacy.

Biography forms ensure that you cover all the important aspects of the person's life, and create a biography that is engaging, informative, and well-organized.

What Are the 5 Elements of a Biography?

A biography is a written account of a person’s life. Keep in mind that no two biographies are the same; they are heavily influenced by the person and the intended audience.

Here are the 5 essential elements your biography should have:

It includes information about the person’s childhood, family background, and education. It helps provide context for their adult life and accomplishments.

• Adult Life and Accomplishments

This section focuses on the person’s achievements and contributions to their field. For example, education, experience, inventions, and others.

• Personal Life

Their relationships, family, hobbies, and interests. Not all biographies have this, but it can provide insights into the person’s motivation and personality.

This is focused on the person’s remarkable contributions and inventions in their field and society.

• Criticism and Controversy

This section may address any criticisms, controversies, or challenges the person encountered. Most people add this to their biography because it provides a balanced and nuanced view of their accomplishments and contributions.

How Do You Write a Biography With a Template?

• Go to Formplus biography form
• Sign up or log in to your Formplus account .
• Edit the form. Use the drag-and-drop builder to add new questions and prompts. For example, you can add a textbox for criticism and controversy.
• Customize the look and feel of the form by choosing colors, fonts, images, and other branding assets.
• Choose preferred settings- notifications, privacy, autoresponder, intro & post submission page, and others.
• Share the form with others via social media, email, or website embed to collect information about the person you're writing about.
• Monitor responses and compile the responses.
• Organize the information into a cohesive narrative that tells the story of the person's life and accomplishments.
• Review the biography carefully for accuracy and clarity. Modify and edit it to ensure that it is comprehensive.

Biography forms provide a structured format for gathering information about a person's life from multiple sources. It speeds up the writing process and increases accuracy.

Ready to effortlessly write an engaging biography? Get started with this Formplus biography form template .

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How to Write a Biography in 8 Steps (The Non-Boring Way!)

Compelling biographies help us better connect with others while fostering empathy and understanding. Discover the steps to write one that captivates your audience!

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Have you ever been captivated by someone’s life story? From the ancient tales of great conquerors to the modern accounts of influential figures, biographies have enchanted readers and viewers for centuries. 

The stories of real people’s lives not only entertain and educate but also provide a unique window into the human experience. In fact, according to research 1 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8796048/ , human stories like biographies can help us better connect with others while fostering empathy and understanding.

In this article, let’s dive into how to write a compelling biography, from the research phase to delivery.

What Are the Key Elements of a Biography?

The key elements of a well-written biography bring characters to life. They include thorough research, relevant interviews, clear structure, captivating prose, compelling themes, and a balance between objectivity and empathy. 

• Thorough research: Helps create an accurate portrayal of your subject
• Relevant interviews: Insights help provide a deeper understanding of your subject
• Clear structure: Helps you outline your ideas for a compelling narrative
• Captivating prose: Provides descriptive language to paint a picture of your subject
• Compelling themes: Showcases the motivations and desires behind your subject
• A balance between objectivity and empathy: Keeps biases in check and allows your subject to shine for who they are

As you develop your biography, remember that these stories hold an enduring appeal because they offer people an opportunity to explore the depths of the human psyche, unravel extraordinary accomplishments, and discover the vulnerabilities and triumphs of individuals who have left their mark on the world. 

Here are the topics a biography typically covers:

• Early life and background : Provide context about the subject’s upbringing, family, and cultural influences.
• Achievements and milestones: Highlight notable accomplishments, contributions, and significant events throughout their life.
• Challenges and struggles: Explore the obstacles they faced, the lessons learned, and how they overcame adversity.
• Personal characteristics: Describe their personality traits, values, beliefs, and motivations that shaped their actions and decisions.
• Impact and legacy: Discuss the lasting influence and contributions of the subject, both during their lifetime and beyond.

Ready to start crafting your biography? Find greater success with this helpful goal-setting resource!

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Let’s look at the six key elements of a well-written biography more closely and the steps you can follow to develop your own.

How to Write a Biography in 8 Steps Using Key Elements

Choose your presentation format.

Presenting your biography can take on various forms, the most traditional being written form. The basis for this article assumes you’re writing a conventional biography; however, this foundation can also help you create a multimedia presentation or website as well. 

Consider these various formats to present your biography:

• Traditional Written Biographies: This classic approach provides a comprehensive account of a person’s life through the written word. Traditional biographies can be published in print or ebooks , allowing readers to engage deeply with the subject’s story.
• Multimedia Presentations: In the digital age, multimedia presentations offer a dynamic way to present biographies. Incorporate audio, video, photographs, and interactive elements to enhance the audience’s experience.
• Online Platforms: Online platforms, such as blogs or dedicated biography websites, provide accessible avenues for sharing biographies. They allow for easy updates, reader engagement, and the incorporation of multimedia elements. 

Choose your subject and conduct research

To create a vivid and accurate portrayal of a person’s life, conduct extensive research. Dive into archives, read letters, examine diaries, explore photographs, and immerse yourself in the historical and cultural context surrounding your subject. This will help you unearth the small details that breathe life into your biography. 

Whether you’re writing a biography about a historical figure, contemporary icon, or everyday individual, you’ll want to consider the different factors to focus on. Here are some examples of three types of individuals and the kind of research that will be most helpful.

• Historical Figures: When writing about historical figures, immerse yourself in their era. Understand the social, political, and cultural forces that shaped their lives. I recommend visiting your local library and connecting with a research librarian for support. Otherwise, other tools for historical research include Google Scholar. Analyze primary sources and multiple perspectives to present a well-rounded account.
• Contemporary Icons: Biographies of modern icons offer a chance to delve into their ongoing impact. Conduct interviews or gather insights from their close associates to understand their present-day influence. Stay current with the latest developments, and be prepared to update your work as the subject’s story unfolds.
• Everyday Individuals: Biographies need not be reserved for the famous. Every day individuals possess stories that can be just as compelling. Uncover the extraordinary within the ordinary, highlighting the struggles, triumphs, and personal growth of individuals who might otherwise remain unsung.
• Yourself! Want to write a biography on yourself? Autobiographies are a great way to explore who you are. Get ready to do some serious self-reflection with the steps below.

Pro Tip: Compile your research digitally using helpful cloud filings systems like Google Drive , OneDrive , or Dropbox . Organize your files by category, including information about their youth, family, achievements, and life lessons. You may also choose to write down research references or collect paper clippings on note cards, categorizing your physical files of research along the way.

Develop compelling themes and motifs 

Identify overarching themes or motifs that emerge from the subject’s life. These could be resilience, ambition, love, or societal change. Weave these elements into the narrative, highlighting their significance and impact on the person’s journey. Here are some examples:

• Overcoming Adversity: These biographies feature perseverance, resilience, and determination. Examples include Helen Keller, Nelson Mandela, and Malala Yousafzai.
• Pursuit of Excellence: These biographies highlight people who have worked tirelessly to achieve their goals. Examples include Steve Jobs, Serena Williams, and Michael Jordan.
• Quest for Knowledge: These biographies focus on the curiosity that led to significant contributions to our world. Examples include Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, and Charles Darwin.
• Personal Transformation: These biographies explore a change in beliefs, values, or priorities. Examples include Malcolm X, Oprah Winfrey, and Maya Angelou.
• Legacy and Impact: These biographies examine a body of work that made a lasting contribution to society. Examples include Martin Luther King Jr., Mother Teresa, and Mahatma Gandhi.

Conduct relevant interviews 

Whenever possible, seek firsthand accounts from those who knew or interacted with the subject. Conduct interviews with family members, friends, colleagues, or experts in the field. Their insights and anecdotes can provide a deeper understanding of the person’s character and experiences.

When conducting interviews for a biography, consider the following tips to ensure a productive and insightful conversation:

• Familiarize yourself with the interviewee’s background and accomplishments.
• Develop a list of well-thought-out questions that cover key aspects of their lives and experiences, including questions about your subject’s youth, family, achievements, and life transitions or struggles.
• Begin the interview by establishing a comfortable and friendly atmosphere to put the interviewee at ease.
• Show genuine interest in their story and listen actively to their responses.
• Ask open-ended questions encouraging detailed and reflective responses.
• Avoid yes/no questions and ask for their insights, memories, and personal perspectives.
• Some topics you might consider for your questions include early life, achievements, challenges, motivations, values, relationships, lessons learned, and advice.
• Pay close attention to the interviewee’s answers, body language, and tone of voice.
• Ask follow-up questions to clarify or delve deeper into specific topics.
• Show empathy and understanding, creating a safe space for the interviewee to share personal or sensitive information.
• Remain flexible during the interview, allowing the conversation to flow naturally.
• Be prepared to deviate from your prepared questions if unexpected but relevant topics arise.
• Respect the interviewee’s boundaries and be mindful of any topics they may not wish to discuss.
• Take thorough and organized notes during the interview to capture important details.
• Consider recording the interview (with permission) to ensure accurate quotes and references.
• Ask for permission to follow up with additional questions or for clarification.
• Doing a biography on yourself? Ask yourself deep questions to harvest new stories and anecdotes.

Remember, the goal of the interview is to gather valuable information and personal perspectives that will contribute to the authenticity and depth of your biography. Approach the interview process with sensitivity, respect, and genuine curiosity about the interviewee’s life and experiences.

Develop a clear structure

Outline your biography, ensuring a logical and engaging narrative flow. Consider the chronological order, significant milestones, and turning points in the subject’s life. Organize your gathered information to capture the essence of their journey while maintaining a compelling rhythm throughout. 

A good outline for a biography can vary depending on the specific subject and the desired structure of the narrative. However, here’s a general outline that can serve as a starting point:

A. Introduction

a) Hook or engaging opening to capture the reader’s attention

b) Background information (birthplace, date, family, etc.)

c) A brief overview of the subject’s significance or why they are worth exploring

B. Early Life and Background

a) Childhood and upbringing

b) Influences, such as family, education, or cultural factors

c) Formative experiences or events that shaped the subject’s character or interests

C. Major Achievements and Milestones

a) A chronological exploration of the subject’s notable accomplishments, contributions, or milestones

b) Focus on key moments or achievements that highlight their impact or significance.

c) Provide context and details to paint a vivid picture of their achievements

D. Challenges and Obstacles

a) Discussion of the challenges, setbacks, or adversities the subject encountered

b) How they overcame obstacles or grew through difficult experiences

c) Insights into their resilience, determination, or problem-solving abilities

E. Personal Life and Relationships

a) Exploration of the subject’s relationships, such as family, friends, or romantic partners

b) Insights into their personal joys, struggles, or transformative experiences

c) How their personal life intersected with their professional or public achievements

F. Legacy and Impact

a) Examination of the subject’s lasting influence, contributions, or impact on society

b) Discuss how their work or actions continue to resonate or shape the world today

c) Reflection on their legacy and the lessons we can learn from their life story

G. Conclusion

a) Summarize the key aspects of the subject’s life and their significance

b) Provide a final reflection or insight on their overall journey or impact

c) Leave the reader with a lasting impression or call to action

Pro Tip: Looking for help drafting an outline to get you started? Use free tools like ChatGPT to jumpstart your outline by putting in a prompt request like, “Write an outline for a biography about X, including any relevant details on the subject that should be included.”

Craft captivating prose

Employ descriptive language to transport readers into the subject’s world. Paint vivid portraits of their physical appearance, mannerisms, and surroundings. Use sensory details to evoke emotions and create a strong connection between the reader and the subject. 

Here are some examples:

• “She was a force of nature, with a fierce determination and an unwavering commitment to justice.” (Ruth Bader Ginsburg)
• “His piercing blue eyes seemed to look right through you, and his voice had a commanding presence that demanded attention.” (Winston Churchill)
• “She moved with a grace and elegance that belied her inner strength and resilience.” (Audrey Hepburn)
• “His rugged features and piercing gaze made him a natural leading man, but it was his depth and vulnerability that set him apart.” (Marlon Brando)
• “She had a contagious energy and a magnetic personality that drew people to her like a moth to a flame.” (Princess Diana)
• “His quiet intensity and unwavering dedication to his craft made him one of the greatest artists of his time.” (Leonardo da Vinci)

Action Step: While writing descriptive prose takes some practice, it’s an art you can master with little creative writing skills. To help you write descriptive prose, practice closing your eyes and imagining your subject. 

• What expression is on their face? 
• How are they dressed? 
• What does their body language express? 
• How do they smell? 
• How do they make you feel? 
• How do they make others feel? 
• What’s in their surroundings? 
• What are they doing with their hands? 
• What do you imagine they’re thinking about? 

With questions like these, you’ll start to use descriptive language to bring your subject to life.

Build a balance of objectivity and empathy

Strive for an objective portrayal while infusing empathy and understanding into your writing. Remain aware of biases and preconceived notions, giving your subject the space to shine in their unique light. 

To check yourself, filter your writing and interviewing with these tips:

• Verify Information: Cross-reference information from various sources to ensure accuracy. Use tools like Fact Check Explorer to fact-check claims, dates, and events to avoid errors or inaccuracies that could skew the narrative. 
• Multiple Perspectives: Seek out different viewpoints on the subject. This includes interviewing or reaching out to people with significant interactions or relationships with the subject. Incorporating diverse perspectives can counterbalance biases and provide a broader understanding.
• Empathetic Listening: During interviews or conversations, practice active listening and empathize with the interviewee’s experiences and emotions. This allows you to understand the subject’s perspective and incorporate their insights and feelings into the narrative.
• Contextualize Emotions: When sharing the subject’s emotional experiences or personal struggles, provide sufficient context and background. This helps readers understand the motivations and circumstances behind their actions and allows for empathetic understanding without veering into excessive sentimentality.
• Credible Interpretation: While interpreting the subject’s thoughts, motives, or intentions, be clear about what is factual and what is speculative. Clearly distinguish between evidence-based information and your interpretations to maintain objectivity.
• Respect Boundaries: Be mindful of the subject’s privacy and any requests they may have regarding sensitive or personal information. Respecting their boundaries shows empathy and allows for a respectful portrayal while maintaining the necessary level of objectivity.
• Acknowledge Limitations: Recognize that achieving complete objectivity in a biography is challenging. Biases can inadvertently seep into the narrative. However, by being aware of your biases and consciously presenting a fair and balanced account, you can mitigate their influence.

Respect truth, privacy, and sensitivity

Remember, writing biographies carries ethical responsibilities. It’s important to maintain accuracy through credible research and gain consent while being sensitive to controversial or difficult topics. Here are some considerations:

• Accuracy: Maintain a commitment to truth and accuracy. Verify facts and corroborate information from multiple sources to ensure the reliability of your narrative. Cite your sources and be transparent about any uncertainties or gaps in knowledge.
• Privacy and Consent: Respect the privacy of living individuals mentioned in your biography. Seek consent when sharing personal details or sensitive information. Balance the subject’s right to privacy with the importance of honesty and transparency.
• Sensitivity: Approach sensitive or controversial topics with care and empathy. Consider the potential impact of your words on the subject’s loved ones or affected communities—present differing perspectives without sensationalism or bias.

Writing a Biography FAQs

The length of a biography can vary greatly, depending on the subject and the depth of exploration. Some biographies span a few hundred pages, while others extend to multiple volumes. Focus on capturing the subject’s life’s essence rather than strictly adhering to a predetermined length.

Some common mistakes to avoid when writing a biography include the following: Lack of thorough research or reliance on a single source. Inaccurate or misleading information. Excessive personal bias or projection onto the subject. Neglecting to verify facts or failing to cite sources. Poor organization or a disjointed narrative flow. Neglecting to balance objectivity with empathy. Overloading the biography with irrelevant details or digressions. Failing to respect privacy or ethical considerations.

While chronological order is commonly used in biographies, it is not required. Some biographers employ a thematic approach or explore specific periods or events in the subject’s life. Experiment with different structures to find the most engaging way to tell your subject’s story.

The purpose of writing a biography is to capture and share an individual’s life story. Biographies provide insights into a person’s experiences, achievements, and challenges, offering readers inspiration, knowledge, and understanding. They preserve the legacy of individuals, contribute to historical records, and celebrate the diversity of human lives.

When choosing a subject for your biography, consider someone who inspires you, interests you, or has significantly impacted society. It could be a historical figure, a contemporary icon, or even an everyday individual with a remarkable story. Choose a subject with sufficient available information, access to primary sources or interviews, and a narrative that resonates with you and potential readers.

Key elements to include in a biography are: Early life and background: Provide context about the subject’s upbringing, family, and cultural influences. Achievements and milestones: Highlight notable accomplishments, contributions, and significant events throughout their life. Challenges and struggles: Explore the obstacles they faced, the lessons learned, and how they overcame adversity. Personal characteristics: Describe their personality traits, values, beliefs, and motivations that shaped their actions and decisions. Impact and legacy: Discuss the lasting influence and contributions of the subject, both during their lifetime and beyond.

Including personal anecdotes can add depth and humanize the subject of your biography. However, be selective and ensure that the stories are relevant, contribute to understanding the person’s character or experiences, and align with the overall narrative. Balancing personal anecdotes with factual information is critical to maintaining accuracy and credibility.

Conducting research for a biography involves exploring a variety of sources. Start with primary sources such as personal papers, letters, journals, and interviews with the subject or people who knew them. Secondary sources such as books, articles, and academic papers provide additional context and perspectives. Online databases, archives, libraries, and museums are valuable resources for finding relevant information.

Consult a wide range of sources to ensure a comprehensive and accurate biography. Primary sources, such as personal documents, letters, diaries, and interviews, offer firsthand accounts and unique insights. Secondary sources provide broader context and analysis, including books, articles, scholarly works, and historical records. Remember to evaluate the credibility and reliability of your sources critically.

Organize the information in your biography logically and engagingly. Consider using a chronological structure, starting with the subject’s early life and progressing through significant events and milestones. Alternatively, adopt a thematic approach, grouping related information based on themes or significant aspects of their life. Use clear headings, subheadings, and transitions to guide readers through the narrative flow.

Writing Biographies Key Takeaways

In summary, take note of these ideas and tips before you start writing your biography:

• Biographies hold enduring appeal, offering a glimpse into the human experience across time.
• Thorough research, interviews, and captivating prose are essential for crafting compelling biographies.
• Ethical considerations, such as accuracy, privacy, and sensitivity, are crucial when writing about real people’s lives.
• Choose subjects that genuinely inspire and resonate with you.
• Immerse yourself in the subject’s world to understand their motivations and challenges.
• Develop strong research skills and utilize a wide range of sources.
• Craft a compelling narrative that engages readers from the very first page.
• Seek feedback from trusted sources to refine your writing and storytelling abilities.
• Continuously explore new biographies to broaden your understanding of different styles and approaches.
• Embrace the unique voice and perspective you bring to the storytelling process.

Writing a biography book? Check out this helpful article, How to Write a Book: 10 Questions to Ask Before You Start Writing !

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34 Free Templates For Biography

Discover an array of expertly crafted biography templates designed to capture life stories with elegance. Each template simplifies the process of documenting personal journeys, ideal for individuals seeking to preserve their legacy for generations.

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Tips For Using Biography Templates

• 1. Clarity and Focus: When utilizing a biography template, make sure to highlight key life events that are relevant and tell a coherent story. Avoid extraneous details that don't contribute to the person's narrative.
• 2. Tone and Style: Maintain a consistent tone that reflects the subject's personality or the formality of the context. Biographies can range from conversational to formal, so choose a style that fits the purpose.
• 3. Accuracy and Verification: Ensure that all the details and dates in the biography are accurate. Double-check facts and provide sources if necessary, to give the text credibility and authenticity.

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100 Questions Every Family Historian Should Ask Their Relatives + a Free Printable List!

Last Updated December 20, 2023

With the holiday season upon us, many of us are preparing for the family-filled parties and celebrations ahead. For the genealogy researcher, though, a holiday get-together can mean a whole lot more than planning a menu or gathering gifts – often, it’s an important opportunity to connect with our more distant relatives ask some family history interview questions!

Of course, it’s ideal if you can arrange to interview your relative at the gathering in advance  so as not to catch them off guard. However, most would agree, there’s nothing wrong with spontaneously asking your great aunt or grandparent if they feel up to answering a few questions over pie and coffee.

Even if you’re not planning to see family in person, you can also request to interview someone over the phone or through email . However the interview comes about, in order to make most out of a visit with an older relation, it’s best to come prepared.

Here are a few tips to prep for your family history interview:

• Bring along a sturdy notebook and writing utensils, plus a printout of your interview questions , so you’re ready to ask questions and document responses quickly and accurately.
• Download a recording app on your phone, or bring a tape recorder, in case your family member is open to the interview being recorded. Evernote’s free app is great for recording audio, scanning documents on the go, and more – read about it here.
• Be sure to bring any old family photos or mementos that you want to learn more about. Your relative may be able to answer those questions and an old photo may help bring back valuable memories they’re willing to share with you.
• Don’t be shy! It can be a bit scary to approach a grandparent or older relative and ask to interview them about their life. Don’t be discouraged, though, because most likely your relative will more than understand your desire to document the family’s history and be happy to oblige in some form. No matter how nervous you are, just do it – because you never know what the circumstances will be in six months or a year. Now may be your only chance.
• Prepare a copy of your shared family tree , or some other way to share your genealogy research, to leave with your relative as a way of saying thank you.
• Most importantly, respect your relative’s feelings and boundaries. If they don’t feel comfortable answering a certain question, or are not okay with the interview being recorded, make sure they know that you honor those guidelines and appreciate their help documenting the story of your family. There are some good tips for how to conduct an interview in a way that will make everyone comfortable here .

Okay! Let’s get started!

Below, we’ve put together a list of 100 family history interview questions to bring along to your next gathering. We’ve also included printables of these interview questions for the sake of convenience. One is in the form of a fillable questionnaire and the other version is a simple list of the questions.

You can choose to use all 100 questions for a very in-depth and wide-ranging interview – or you can pick and choose from the list and compile your own sequence of questions. In most cases, all 100 questions will be far too many and will overwhelm your interviewee. Instead, highlight the questions you really want to know and then ask more if the opportunity arises.

Remember, an interview of this kind is a very personal experience and can be emotional for the person being interviewed. Be sure to tailor your questions to your individual family member, leaving out those that may be irrelevant or upsetting and adding in additional questions when needed.

You can download two different printable versions of the questions here or you can read through all of the questions below.

• Printable #1: Family History Interview Questions List
• Printable #2: Family History Interview Questionnaire

100 Family History Interview Questions

• What is your full name? 
• Did your parents name you after anyone? 
• What did people call you as a child? Do you have any nicknames?
• When were you born? 
• In what city/state were you born? 
• Did your birth take place in a hospital, at home? Was there a doctor or midwife present? 
• What is your mother’s full name/date of birth? Where was she born?
• What is your father’s full name/date of birth? Where was he born?
• Do you know your maternal grandparents’ names and dates of birth? Where were they born?
• Do you know your paternal grandparents’ names and dates of birth? Where were they born?
• What did your father do for a living? Did he have more than one profession?
• What kind of work did your mother do? Was she employed outside of the home?
• What kind of work did your grandparents do? 
• Where did your maternal grandparents live?
• Where did your paternal grandparents live?
• Do you have any special memories of your grandparents?
• What do you remember about your great-grandparents? Did you ever meet them? 
• What do you remember about your mother from growing up?
• What do you remember about your father from growing up?
• What important life lessons did you learn from your parents?
• What family stories or memories were passed down to you from your parents or grandparents?
• What about special holiday traditions or recipes passed on to you?
• Are there any special family heirlooms that were handed down to you?
• What is your first childhood memory?
• Did you have any siblings?
• What are their names and when were they born?
• Can you describe your siblings more?
• Are you a middle child? The oldest, youngest? How did that impact your childhood?
• Were you close with your siblings? Who was your favorite playmate?
• Did you care for your younger siblings? Did you like it? Was it difficult?
• Where did you live as a child? Did your family move often? Why?
• Can you describe your childhood home(s)?
• How was your home heated? Was it warm in the wintertime? 
• Where did you sleep? Did you share a room?
• Did you have running water? If not, how did you get water?
• Who did the cooking in your home? The cleaning?
• What kinds of foods did you eat often?
• Where did your food come from? A grocery store, a nearby farm, your family’s farm/garden?
• Did you have any animals or pets growing up? Which was your favorite?
• What was the weather like where you lived as a child?
• What were your chores when you were little? Did they change as you got older?
• Can you describe what your daily life was like as a child?
• Did you go to school outside of the home or were you homeschooled?
• If you were schooled outside the home, how did you get there?
• What was your favorite part of school? Your least favorite?
• What were the most important skills that you learned at home? 
• What kind of clothing did you wear? Was it homemade or store-bought?
• What did you want to do or be when you grew up?
• What was your favorite hobby in your free time?
• Did you have any favorite toys or games?
• How did your family spend the evenings? Weekends?
• Did you have a close friend as a child?
• Where did your family travel to as a kid? 
• What was your favorite holiday or special occasion?
• How were birthdays celebrated in your family?
• Did you celebrate a winter holiday? (Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, etc.?)
• How did you celebrate this holiday? Did you give gifts, decorate, dress up, worship?
• Was your family religious? What place of worship did you attend?
• What was your first job? How old were you? 
• How many years of school did you attend?
• Did you go to a college or university? Where, when? What did you study?
• What were your goals, hopes, and dreams as a young adult?
• What is your occupation/trade? Have you had multiple professions over the years?
• If you could have chosen another profession, what would it be?
• Did you ever get married?
• When, where, and how did you meet your spouse?
• How did you get engaged? 
• What was your wedding like? What did you wear, what food was served, where was it held?
• Did you go on a trip or honeymoon after the wedding? Where to?
• What is your spouse’s full name? Their siblings and parents?
• What is your spouse’s occupation? Interests?
• Can you describe a little about your spouse’s personality?
• What do you love the most about your spouse?
• What was your first home together like? Where was it? Did you rent it, buy it? 
• What would you say is the key to a successful marriage?
• Do you have any children? How many?
• What are the names and birth dates of your children? The names of their spouses?
• Do you remember what it was like finding out you would soon be a parent?
• What were your children’s births like? At the hospital, at home? Who was there?
• What city or county were each or your children born in?
• Where did you live when your kids were growing up?
• Did you move around much? Why did you move and to where?
• What was your home(s) like when your children were young? Did you own or rent?
• What special memories do you have of your children’s baby or preschool years?
• What was your favorite way to spend time with your kids?
• What was the hardest part of raising kids? The best part?
• What special traditions or holiday celebrations were favorites in your family?
• Did your family attend church or worship services?
• What hobbies did you have when you weren’t working or caring for children?
• What kind of music did you like to listen to?
• What kind of books/magazines did you like to read?
• Did you have any close friends during this time?
• Were you a part of any clubs or organizations?
• Where have you traveled to in your life? What place was your favorite?
• What major world events have happened in your lifetime? Did any have a big effect on you?
• What accomplishments are you most proud of in your life?
• What would you say are your greatest skills? 
• Which personal events in your life would you say had the greatest impact on you?
• What’s the best advice you can give your great-grandchildren, your great-great-grandchildren?
• What do you want people to remember the most about you?

Want to take this list along? Print the list version  here  and the questionnaire version (with spots for answers)  here!

By Kate Jackson, Associate Editor of Family History Daily

You might also like:

• 10 Places to Find the Free Genealogy Printables You Need
• 8 Ways to Gather Family History Without Hijacking a Holiday Event
• Ready to Contact Your DNA Matches? Here’s What to Say (and NOT to Say)

Image: Family portrait with guests, Grossinger’s, 1951. Library of Congress.

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2 thoughts on “100 Questions Every Family Historian Should Ask Their Relatives + a Free Printable List!”

I have cancer and want to leave something for my granddaughter this has been the answer to help my mission Thank you

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How to write a speaker bio (with examples)

• Carolyn Manion Kinnie
• December 9, 2023

Table of Contents

Introduction.

Nailing down the first impression is an essential skill for professional speakers. Because of the high supply in the speaking industry, a first impression that sets you apart from the crowd goes a long way toward landing gigs. Often, knowing how to write a speaker bio is an essential part of creating that incredible first impression.

What to include when writing a speaker bio

If you want to make a good first impression with your bio, it needs to include the following:

• Your name and title (obviously)
• Where you work or serve currently (even if that’s your own business!)
• Your expertise or experience (certifications, degrees, etc.)
• Career highlights (awards, recognition, accomplishments)
• A personal touch (family, hobbies, or fun fact)

Talking about yourself might be easy, but that doesn’t mean you know how to write a bio. And if waxing eloquent about your own accomplishments doesn’t come naturally or this is the first time you’ve put together a professional bio, this task starts to look pretty daunting. Like any professional bio, your speaker bio deserves a good deal of thought and intentionality. Your speaker bio should be oriented toward a few particular goals (which we’ll cover shortly). However, it is far more than a paragraph version of your resume or CV. So what is it? How do you write a speaker bio?

The Speaker Lab exists precisely to help speakers like you with questions like these. We’ve created this guide to writing your speaker bio so you can wow clients and audience members alike, whether you have 100 or 500 words to tell your story!

There are several situations that call for speaker bios. These might vary in length, tone, and audience. However, the principles behind a good professional speaker bio remain the same regardless! In this piece we’ll review the contexts in which you’ll use a speaker bio as well as the principles that make them great. Of course, we can’t tell you what makes a speaker bio fundamentally awesome without giving a few examples! In the second section we’ll dig deeper into some example bios from professional speakers who embody the fundamentals. You can use these fundamental principles as a basic bio template for writing your own!

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Where to use your speaker bio

If you’ve read, watched, or listened to a lot of our TSL content, you know one of the first things we tell aspiring speakers to do is create a speaker website. While you’re working on that website, you will realize you need to say something about yourself. The “professional bio” you fired off a couple years ago to your class alumni update probably isn’t going to cut it. Time for a speaker bio!

If you have a standalone speaking website, your bio probably belongs on your “about” page. If your website includes a lot of services other than speaking, you could put a more speaking-oriented bio on your “speaking” page. Don’t sweat this decision too much, because you can always update or shift things around in the future! For inspiration, see how the speaking stars whose bios we feature below tackle this one depending on the scope of their business.

The speaker bio on your website should be directed at your clients. Especially at the beginning of your career, the people who pack in the auditorium will probably not be the people hiring you. A good speaker bio can make or break your chances at landing a gig, so don’t feel that any time or effort spent on this step is wasted! It’s often wisest to have a short, punchy, introduction to your bio as well as a longer, more elaborate section. The short section can go on a landing page, home page, or just the top of your “about” page to capture attention. Check out Erick Rheam’s website to see what we mean!

Another place online where your speaker bio might appear? The website of any Speakers Bureaus you work with.Likely the most professional version of your bio, this will be very accomplishments-oriented as it appeals to clients who already have very specific goals. For a great bio example from a bureau website, look no further than Stephen Shapiro’s at AAE speakers .

So your elegantly crafted “about” page just won you a client. What about they ask for a bio to put in the event program?

Can you just copy and paste from your website? If your website bio is really concise, that might work. Oh no. They asked for ~100 words! Don’t feel bad if you have to pare it down a bit. You can still maintain all the principles of a great speaker bio (see the next section) while targeting a new purpose and readership! If someone has to choose between your talk and another scheduled at the same time, that paragraph (hopefully next to a stunning headshot) has to hook them.

Unlike your website bio, the program bio is specifically oriented toward your audience rather than the event planner. The great thing about these event-specific bios is you can change them up for every audience. Certain awards and achievements with which you wooed the interest of the client might not apply to the very niche industry conference you’re speaking too. They are more interested in how you can serve their specific set of needs, so edit accordingly. This bio will probably have the most constrained word limit of all, but you can still integrate all the principles we list below!

Tip: Make this version of your speaker bio sound so good your event planner doesn’t feel tempted to make any unnecessary revisions. You don’t want to be surprised by what you read about yourself!

How to write a great professional speaker bio

Every speaker brings something unique and wonderful to the industry. That means every speaker bio can and should sound completely different. In this world, standing out from the crowd is your biggest advantage!

That isn’t to say there aren’t any important guidelines to follow. If you peruse the professional bios of the most successful, interesting speakers, they all have a few things in common. We’ve distilled those commonalities into five fundamental principles for a great professional speaker bio. Use these as your bio template and you’ll be off to a great start!

• Engage the reader. Whether it’s a client or a conference attendee, they have read a thousand boring speaker bios before. Be interesting! Put a little extra effort into your writing so it actually reads like a story. Creative entrepreneur Beth Inglish nails this one to a T on her website.
• Maintain your personal brand. Who you are onstage should just be an extension of who you are offstage. If that means lots of data, hard-hitting facts, and no-nonsense tone, that is exactly how to write your bio. We say this all the time…if you’re a speaker, you’re a salesperson…for yourself! Your entire business should radiate authenticity, starting with your bio. For example, many tips for professional bio writing recommend only using the third person. Many speakers buck this trend because they emphasize relatability and connection throughout their personal brand. And that’s totally fine.
• Explain who you serve and what value you add. These are the two essential components of any good speaker bio–and really, any professional bio regardless of your industry. These make up the “hook” that grabs the attention of audience and clients alike. If you cut out the rest of your speaker bio, this section (ideally one or two sentences) should be able to stand alone and still sell your services. At the same time, someone who is not a good fit for your speaking services can read the couple lines of your bio and say “ok, they’re cool but they’re not for me,” saving you both valuable time.
• Include your relevant accomplishments. If you won a speaking award, put it on there! If you have helped business leaders double their revenue in a span of six months, let them know! While you shouldn’t over-inflate reality, this isn’t the time to be overly humble. However, the word relevant is pretty important here. Don’t mention niche accomplishments that neither relate to your audience or that personable, human appeal. Mike Kim , Joe Hirsch , and Nancy Duarte all have amazing speaker bios that integrate their most relevant personal accomplishments.
• Be human. A bio is probably the first glimpse a client gets at what makes you you. If you have some cute pets, love going to Disneyland with your family, or tend to pick up really outside the box hobbies, include it! Many speakers stick these sorts of “fun facts” toward the end, but feel free to integrate them in creative ways as well.

Using these five principles as a rough bio template, you should be able to craft a pretty great description of how awesome of a speaker you are. If you still need inspiration, keep reading!

Amazing examples of how to write a speaker bio

The great bios we mentioned above as examples deserve a closer look. These speakers and friends of TSL embody just about all of the principles we teach for speaking success, so we encourage you to take a look around their sites to see how they do it!

Beth Inglish

Beth’s opener is enough to interest anyone looking to get “unstuck.” She takes full advantage of her website’s “about” page to regale us with an appropriately longer bio. Like a poem, this example is moving and eloquent, describing her path from artistry to speaking. It pulls at the heartstrings and really makes you think about the relationship between art, creativity, and business. Which is exactly what Beth does as a speaker. Beth’s accomplishments are deftly woven into her story rather than advertised front and center, which is perfectly in keeping with her personal brand as a creative. While her masterpiece would have to be pared down for an event program, it is a stunning example of a human, engaging, and authentic professional bio for a speaker website .

Erick Rheam

Erick’s shorter “about me” section includes only the most essential biographical details along with what he does and whom he serves. Any potential client would read it and immediately know if Erick has potential to fit their needs. The longer bio delivers the “why” for Erick’s speaking services, all while seamlessly weaving his professional accomplishments into his speaking journey. If you scroll down, you’ll see Erick includes his personal running bests. His college running career might seem totally unrelated to the speaking industry, but doesn’t that info make him more interesting?

Stephen Shapiro

Compared to some of the other bio examples, Stephen’s might come across as excessively dry. But context is everything! The client who reaches a speakers bureau website likely has very specific needs and wants to know for sure that Stephen is a good fit. This bio gives a comprehensive understanding of his business experience, speaking qualifications, and former clients. Furthermore, this bio clearly and accurately reflects Stephen’s personal brand. If you check out his personal website , he uses copious business-oriented diagrams and references his bigger clients front-and-center.

Mike Kim’s speaker bio is a great example of using relevant accomplishments to make a good first impression with potential clients. He starts with a pithy sentence that captures the audience he serves and the value he adds. Branding is a competitive industry and Mike knows that his potential clients want to see qualifications. As a result, he emphasizes his impressive media and speaking experience. It’s important to note how Mike utilizes a separate landing page for his speaking business. Mike does a lot more than speak, but doesn’t want his other offerings to distract potential clients. His speaking page is linked in the menu of his personal website and offers a distraction-free, simple design showcasing this very to-the-point bio.

Joe’s bio is a great example of how to capture all the principles we mentioned above with brevity. In just a few short paragraphs, he communicates what he does and why he’s qualified to do it. His opening “hook” is an incredibly short sentence that still comprehensively represents his services and audience. While the bulk of the text comprises relevant accomplishments, he doesn’t leave out a reminder that he’s human and has hobbies and a family.

Nancy Duarte

For another incredible example of a short and impactful bio, take a look at Nancy Duarte. A huge part of Nancy’s personal brand is how she built up a successful communications business that works with big time clients. As a result, her bio absolutely exudes success–in less than 150 words! Like Joe above, she still includes a light-hearted line about her family that instantly appeals to grandparents and dog lovers alike. If you are working on a tight, professional bio to use as your go-to for speaking programs, contracts, and anytime you’re unexpectedly asked to provide one…look to Joe or Nancy for inspiration!

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We hope that our tips and examples of professional speaker bios have empowered you to write a bio worthy of all your amazing accomplishments. Before you go, here’s one final tip. Are you worried about word limits after trying to integrate all five fundamental principles of an awesome speaker bio? Start with a longer “master bio” that you can update and edit for each and every context. That way, if you become dissatisfied with some element of one version, you can always replace it or freshen it up without having to come up with new content.

You’re awesome. Your bio deserves to be awesome too. What are you waiting for? Start writing!

• Last Updated: February 29, 2024

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Write Your Own Real Estate Bio: Questionnaire + Templates

With today’s real estate clients doing much of their research online, a real estate agent’s bio has to say a lot with a little. Your bio has to impress prospects by highlighting your experience, letting them know who you are on a personal level, and playing up your biggest wins so far. And it has to do it all in just a couple of paragraphs.

The good news is, you don’t need any special skills to write your own bio. But you will need to get clear on what it is you bring to the table for clients and how you can help them.

Did you get into real estate because you love working with people? Do you love matching a client’s needs with the right home? Do you get your biggest kick from negotiating the best price? 

We’ll get into the many ways you can use answers to questions like these to create a compelling bio that lets prospects know why you’re the best real estate agent for them. 

In this guide, we'll share:

• Real estate agent bio questionnaire: 35 questions to reveal your best you
• 8 templates to help you create your own real estate bio 
• Making the most of your real estate agent bio

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Try FUB for free, no credit card needed. Join the OS that real estate teams love,   and we’ll make sure it’s the easiest move you’ll ever make.

or give us a call: (855) 888-9769

How to Write a Short Professional Bio (With Templates and Examples)

Learn how to write a bio for you or your business to help you to make a good impression online.

First impressions count, even online. That’s why your professional bio is one of the most crucial marketing materials you’ll ever write.

Whether it’s on Twitter, LinkedIn, your online portfolio, or your employer’s website, your professional bio is the first thing people will read to understand who you are and what you do.

What you highlight will affect how readers perceive you—as a job applicant, public speaker, author, or entrepreneur.

In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to write a bio for a freelance business website, portfolio, or an employer’s website.

I’ll share some helpful professional bio templates and bio examples that’ll make the process even easier. Plus, I’ll quickly discuss what to do when using your bio with a resume.

Benefits and Uses of a Short Professional Bio

Short professional bios are gaining more popularity, not only because people’s attention spans are getting shorter but also because more platforms are favoring the shorter format.

Twitter, for instance, has a 160-character limit on user bios. Author bylines on many websites are limited to two to three sentences as well, while LinkedIn doesn’t show your whole summary unless the user clicks “ show more. ”

Bios, in general, don’t have a strict word count as it depends on the medium or platform used. In general, however, a ‘micro bio’ is usually two to three short sentences, similar to those in Twitter and website bylines, while a short bio may have about 100 words or three to five short paragraphs.

Where to Use a Short Professional Bio

• ‘About the author’ section at the back of your book
• LinkedIn summary
• Author byline in your website or guest posts
• Speaker One Sheet
• ‘Meet our Team’ or ‘About us’ page of your employer’s website

The options listed above are where you can use a short professional bio as it’s written. But you can also repurpose or customize your bio for in-person events, such as:

• As an elevator speech on networking events
• When someone introduces you as a speaker for an event

The Challenge

Short professional bios are hard to write because of their importance and word-count limitations.

Writing about what makes you worthy of other people’s attention while making sure you don’t sound pompous is like crossing a tightrope.

While there are many ways to write a bio, from professional to light and humorous, the good ones all follow a similar format that’s easy to follow if you’ve got all the needed information.

Read the step-by-step instructions and follow along using the short bio template below.

Professional Bio Template A: Corporate Bio for Employees and Applicants

[Name] is a [your professional title] who helps [your target audience] to [the problems or goals of your target audience].

Before starting a [business or freelance work], [Name] worked [number] of years as a [relevant job title 1] and a [relevant job title 2]. After a successful career helping [sub-niche or branch of your target market 1] (e.g. fitness trainers, residential leasing agents, make-up artists, aspiring authors) and [sub-niche of your target market 2], [Name] now [appropriate action verb] (e.g. trains, coaches, advises) them on how to [specific tasks you do for your target market].

[Name] enjoys [hobby 1] and [hobby 2].

[Name] is available for [your type of work or output] and private consultations. You can reach [Name] at [phone number] or [email address].

Here’s what this professional bio template looks like when filled in:

“Lorie Smith is a Loan Officer at XYZ Bank, where Lorie processes loan applications from start to finish, including mortgage refinancing and educating clients about their different financing options. Lorie has worked with reputable real estate agencies, including ReMax, Century 21, and Coldwell Banker, among others. Lorie helps homeowners and new buyers secure a loan that suits their budget and goals. You can expect 100% transparency, no horror stories, and nasty surprises when working with Lorie. Lorie is a cat-lover and CMAS diver from Michigan. Please email [email protected] or go to ExampleDomain.com to contact Lorie.”

Professional Bio Template B: For Speakers, Freelancers, and Entrepreneurs

Before starting a [business or freelance work], [Name] worked [number] of years as a [relevant job title 1] and a [relevant job title 2]. After a successful career helping [sub-niche or branch of your target market 1] (e.g. fitness trainers, residential leasing agents, make-up artists, aspiring authors) and [sub-niche of your target market 2], [Name] now [appropriate action verb] (e.g. trains, coaches, advises) them on how to [specific tasks you do for your target market].

Here’s an example of the corporate bio template in use:

Kate Hendricks is a Freelance Writer and Social Media Manager who helps finance professionals and Fin-tech startups build an audience and get more paying clients online. Before starting a writing business, Kate spent six years as a Bank Teller and Virtual Assistant for financial companies in the U.S. and U.K. After a successful career helping small banks and real estate agencies, Katie now helps them write marketing copy for their products and services. Kate enjoys trying new sports (archery, anyone?) and managing a small property rental business. Kate’s available for marketing and writing projects, as well as private consultations. You can reach Kate at [email protected] .

How to Write a Bio

Now we’ll go into detail on how to write a short bio. The two templates above serve only as a framework, so feel free to add or delete some sentences as you see fit.

Use the step-by-step instructions below as a general guideline for customizing the short bio templates above, or write one from scratch.

Step 1. Gather Information and Inspiration

Answer the questions below to gather the information you’ll need to customize your professional bio.

• Who will read your bio? This depends on when and how it will be used. A bio for a freelance designer’s website should be different than the one used in your employer’s website, even if you’ve got the same job function in both cases. Your employer won’t appreciate you for soliciting work using their website. Write one bio per target audience.
• What does your audience need to know? For employees or job applicants, recruiters will need to know your professional experience, skills, and academic background. For entrepreneurs, this refers to the products or services you offer and how they make your customers’ lives easier.
• What do you want your audience to know? This isn’t directly about your skills, products, or services. It’s about the underlying feelings you evoke in the people working with you. For instance, an accountant’s clients will want to work with someone trustworthy. Trainers, meanwhile, are sought after for their patience and creativity in interacting with students.
• What’s in it for your readers? Specify the problem or goal your audience can accomplish with your help.
• What’s your story? Tell a story about how you came into your current work to show readers what sets you apart from other professionals. You can also write about your core values or why you’re in that business.
• What do you want them to do? State how you prefer readers to contact you.

Gathering all this information before you start writing prevents writer’s block. But if that doesn’t work, try searching for bios of people in your industry to get some ideas.

Take note of the phrases or words you like, so you can use them later (with some editing) in your own bio.

Step 2. Start With Your Name

Write your name at the start or first sentence of your bio so people will immediately realize what they’re reading.

Step 3. Explain Your Business or Occupation

Just like a cover letter or resume, your business or occupation should be mentioned early on to get the reader’s attention—or give them a chance to stop reading in case you’re not the one they’re looking for.

Your job or business should be clearly explained in the first two sentences of your short professional bio. Don’t leave this to later paragraphs because it might cause some readers to lose interest.

Some professional bios replace job titles with value proposition statements, which explain the problems you solve for your target market and why people should choose you over your competitors. While it’s attention-grabbing, it may be confusing for some of your readers.

For instance, your value proposition might be to increase website traffic organically, but it’s not clear whether you can do that because you’re a Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Specialist or a Content Marketer. Both occupations can increase a website’s traffic, but the reader might be looking for a particular skill set—SEO, blogging, or something else.

Use a value proposition if you want to stand out, but don’t forget to mention your job title.

Here are some tips to help: How to Define Your Core Brand Values (And Why You Should)

Step 4. Add Personal Interests and Other Humanizing Details

This is a subtle way to show the reader that you’re a real person. If you’ve got something in common with your reader or a fascinating hobby, that may prompt more readers to contact you.

Avoid humor, unless you’re absolutely sure that whoever reads your professional bio will appreciate it. This will depend on the media or platform where your bio is published, as well as its intended audience.

Avoid sounding too cynical of yourself, as it may come off as fake.

Intimate or embarrassing details about yourself should be kept secret, no matter how funny or attention-grabbing it is, as you never know how people might react.

When not traveling, Mark enjoys practicing for marathons, going on hikes, and planning for the next adventure with the wife and kids.

Wondering how to define your personal values? Get more insights from this tutorial .

Step 5. Contact Details and Call to Action

End with your contact information and a simple call to action asking people to get in touch with you. Phone numbers are totally optional, but email is a must.

Feel free to replace your phone number with a link to your website.

Short bio examples that follow the above guidelines:

Here’s a premium creative portfolio template with space to add your short bio and social media logos:

Here’s the bio of a Full-stack Engineer :

And the micro-bio of an author for his author page on Amazon:

Tips for Writing a Concise Yet Appealing Professional Bio

Even with the guidelines and templates above, writing a professional bio can be quite an undertaking. I know it was for me when I first wrote the about page of my website.

Use the writing tips below to write an authentic yet confident-sounding bio that you can be proud of.

1. Get Real

Realize that a professional bio is meant to make you look like a confident and skilled person. You’re not bragging. Just write about who you are and what you can do.

You’re doing a service by telling others what you can do for them. If they need someone with your skills and they find your bio, that’s a win-win. That person will look at you as a solution, not a braggart.

2. Show, Don’t Tell

The same concept applies when writing resumes. Use action verbs and always include quantifiable or specific accomplishments when possible.

Instead of claiming you’re a genius developer, write about the groundbreaking programs you created.

3. Short Bios Are Like Movie Trailers

Movie trailers only show the exciting and intriguing scenes of a movie, right? The same goes for a professional bio, especially the short and micro formats.

You may have tons of accomplishments in different areas of your career or business, so it’s important to pick the ones that will make your readers “ ooh ” as they read it. Perhaps you’ve been awarded top designer in your company two years in a row, and your work has been featured in a local magazine for artists, as well as several podcasts with a small audience.

Present your short bio in different slides of a premium PowerPoint portfolio template . Give sequence to your story.

Leave out the podcasts without brand recognition, and if you really have to, ditch the company award as well. This doesn’t mean that the other accolades aren’t worthy; it’s just that you need to conserve space for other information.

Using Your Short Bio With a Resume

If you have to submit your professional bio to a website, you may also be asked for a resume.

If this happens to you, your resume needs to be as professional as your short bio. The best way to make sure that your resume makes the right impression is to use a resume template.

Write and Revise

Professional bios are meant to be updated every now and then. Don’t worry if the first one you write after reading this tutorial isn’t as perfect as you hoped it would be. You can always revise your current corporate bio or write a new one next time someone requests it.

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The Ultimate Character Bio Template: 200 Character Development Questions

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A character bio template is a shortcut for developing realistic characters. It's the key to creating believable protagonists and antagonists that come alive through your writing. Character bio templates include guiding questions to help you shape your main characters as you write. 

*** Remember, writing great fiction starts with writing great characters!***

By answering significant questions about your character's development, not only will you be able to understand a character inside and out, but you’ll also be able to show your readers the depth of your character. 

Creating life-like characters goes beyond just plopping your character into the storyline, giving them a name, and describing a few traits.

And it’s not just for fiction – but for non-fiction , too. Are you writing a memoir? A biography? A self-help book using “case studies” or examples of people in particular situations?   Experimenting with creative writing prompts ?

You’ll want to fill out a character bio template for your main character if you’re writing one of these non-fiction books as well! 

Even if your character is modeled after a real person, that’s not enough to make him or her come alive for the reader. As an aspiring author , the first rule of thumb is to fully develop your character. You need to create an individual with a story of their own that readers want to engage and connect with as they read your book.  

Your character’s development should not be an afterthought – after all, you’re telling a story, and the story likely centers around the characters.

Invest the time to answer these questions in our character bio template, and you’ll see just how real your character will become.

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Unlock Your Character's Full Potential with Our Free Character Sheet.

This blog on character bios will cover:

What is a character bio.

A character bio is a document or template that outlines the biography of a character in a story. Commonly used in the form of a character sheet template, which includes in-depth questions that highlight the character's traits , descriptions, and journey, the character bio is used as a resource for the writer's reference.

A character bio template helps the writer keep track of the character's arc, background, and preferences which then helps the reader understand the character's dynamics through the story. By creating a character with a past, present, and future, storytellers are able to paint a vivid picture of the character's behavior and actions as displayed in the story.

The main goal of using a character profile template is to increase the realistic attributes of the character, to ultimately make them more believable and relatable for the reader.

Character bio templates are used mainly by fiction writers and authors, screenwriters, and other storytellers. Character profile templates should be filled out for all main characters in the story, including antagonists, to improve the overall character development.

Why is character development important?

Character development is important because the more developed a character is, the more realistic the character is – and readers want to invest in characters that are believable. 

Have you ever been so connected to a book or story that you were devastated when you finished reading it? You were sad to say goodbye to the characters. You wished you could open up the portal to that world forever. 

If you’ve experienced that, then you were emotionally invested in the characters and their lives. You connected with them – you felt like you truly knew them. And that’s because the writer did such a phenomenal job developing the character, that they seemed real to you as the reader.  

That’s exactly what you want to do with your own writing. You want to write characters that are so fully developed, the reader will become invested in their lives.

And the secret to fully developing characters lies in being able to answer detailed questions about your character, which is how this character bio template will help you. 

Top character development tips to use when writing:

• Start with a mind map or outline of your character's journey in the story.
• Brainstorm the character's main characteristics as needed for the story's plot.
• Practice writing about your character to get a solid idea of who the character is.
• Give your character a main goal, purpose, motivation, and flaw.
• Fill out the character bio template to fill in any gaps and get clear on their history and small details.
• Interview your character to build their perspective.
• Complete writing exercises from your character's perspective to fully develop the character's mindset.
• Begin writing your story with your fully developed character in mind.

Why should you use a character bio template? 

Using a character bio template will help you create realistic characters that your readers will believe in, and connect with. 

You should develop a character bio to create believable characters for two reasons. 

First, by answering character development questions in a character profile template, you’ll know the character like the back of your hand, which helps you tell your story better. 

Second, the character sheet template will help you create an actual individual by painting a comprehensive, detailed picture of who they are – from what they look like to their personality quirks to their biggest mistakes in life. 

Reasons to use a character bio template:

• To help you tell your story better
• To prevent inconsistencies in details
• To create a life-like character, full of personality with a comprehensive living history
• To use as a reference when incorporating details about your character
• To improve your character's development
• To help readers connect and relate to your character
• To immerse your reader in your story

What should a character profile include?

A character profile template should include all of the relevant details that the writer needs to incorporate into the story, to fully develop the character.

Some writers use a basic character bio, with only relevant details that show the character's arc within the story, while other writers use an advanced, comprehensive character bio with specific details about the character's life, personality, aspirations, and internal and external features.

The type of character profile you include will depend on several factors, such as the type of work you are creating (ex: novel, short story, film), and the type of writer you are (ex: do you need a comprehensive profile, or just a one-page summary?). At a minimum, you should include the specific details about your character that highlight his or her role in the story, and how they develop within your story.

What to include in your character profile template:

• Character basics such as name and age
• Physical description of the character's appearance
• The personality traits of the character
• Overview of the character's health
• Career and education details
• Preferences and motivations of the character
• Description of the character's family life
• Overview of the character's main relationships
• Important life stages and milestones
• Character perspectives, outlook, and opinions
• Character's role in the story's development

How to use this character bio template 

This particular character bio template is comprehensive, and designed to be used as an in-depth resource with more advanced character development questions. Novel and short story writers will benefit from this character sheet template to create a full character bio.

Fill this template out fully for each of your main characters (protagonist and antagonist), and use the sheet as a reference for your writing. 

Click here to jump to the Character Template!

It’s best to complete the character bio template once you have your story’s outline, but before you actually start writing your rough draft. If you’ve already started writing your rough draft, that’s okay – you can still use this character bio template and it will be helpful as you edit and complete your draft.

Read this article if you want to learn more about how to write a book outline . 

How to use a character bio template to improve your character’s development:

• Start with a good idea of your character's creation , like who they are and what their purpose is in your story.
• Know your character's flaws , motivation, main goal, and purpose.
• Begin filling out the basic section in your character bio template.
• Get clear on the physical descriptors of your character.
• Fill out health section of the character bio template.
• Next, build out your character's career details .
• Think about what your character prefers .
• Dig into the family history in the character's bio.
• Then, move on to the relationships section of the template.
• Narrow down your character's main life stages .
• Develop the character's perspectives and views of the world.
• Next, build the character's story development .
• Review the full character bio template to make sure every detail connects, and that there are not any inconsistencies.
• Practice writing from your character's perspective to get a natural feel for the way your character thinks and acts.
• Practice writing about your character from different perspectives (as a narrator, as a friend/lover/enemy of the character).
• Repeat all the above steps for any major characters in your story.
• Reference your completed character bio template as you begin writing.

Following the tips above will help you to develop a realistic character that readers will be invested in.

Don’t just share this character bio template directly with your reader – it is meant to be a complete guide for you as you write about who your character is, and how he or she affects the story.  

This character bio template serves as a skeleton for developing a realistic character, so you should be able to answer each question. You need to be able to answer everything about your character, but your reader only needs to know the details that help tell the story.

These character development questions are comprehensive, so this doesn’t mean you need to tell your reader everything about your character. Only give your reader what they need to know about your character as it pertains to your story.

If you’re writing a genre or story that requires more questions, feel free to add more as you see fit! For example, if you’re writing a sci-fi novel, maybe you need to answer more questions about your character’s species, or the special powers that they possess. 

As you write, you’ll want to have a copy of your completed character bio template nearby so it can be retrieved easily and referenced. This will help you tell your story more accurately, by avoiding little mistakes or inconsistencies in your plot and story setting . 

For example, let’s say you start the story by describing your character as a vegetarian, but later on have your character order a hamburger at a restaurant. This is a detail that many engaged readers will notice! 

Tips for using this character bio template in your writing:

• Complete the character bio after your outline is completed. Start filling out the character bio sheet after you complete your story outline , but before you start fully writing your chapters. This will ensure you have a solid idea of what details make sense based on your story's main events, but still gives you the opportunity to incorporate the small details into your actual story.
• Use the character template as a reference guide when writing. Don't just fill out the template and share it with your readers. This exercise is meant for you, as the author, so that you can fully develop all the intricacies of your character, and incorporate relevant details to shape who your character is, and their purpose in the story.
• Don't skip any questions that can be answered. Answer as many questions about your character as possible. Obviously, if a question does not apply to your character (like if they are a child and do not have any past relationships), skip it. But don't avoid questions simply because you don't want to think. Cutting corners in this way will reflect in your character's development.
• Only give your reader what they need to know when you're writing. Just because you answer every question in the character development sheet, doesn't mean that your reader needs to know all of those details. Only give what's necessary, and what will help your reader understand your character better.
• Add more questions as needed. This character bio template is meant to be a starting point for you. If you need to add more questions, do so, especially if you're writing a genre like hard science fiction where your characters are non-human.
• Think about the small details. Once you start writing, the character bio template will bring value to your dialogue , scene setting, and plot. Don't be afraid to focus on the small details.

200 questions for your character bio template

Here are the questions you should answer about your character in order to bring them to life:

Character bio template basics 

Begin by answering these basic questions about your character. These character development questions are the surface-level facts that you can use to start building your character.

These are the essential facts to fill out for your character, such as name, birthday, race, gender, etc. This section should be particularly quick for you to fill out since you most likely know all of these details for your character already. These questions help show your character's development on a surface level.

These are the basic questions for your character bio template:

• What is your character's name?:
• Do they have any nicknames?:
• What is the meaning/significance of their name?:
• What is the character's gender?:
• How old are they?:
• When is their birthday?:
• Do they have a death day?:
• What is their zodiac sign?:
• Where do they live?:
• Where were they born?:
• What is their ethnicity?:
• What is their nationality?:
• What is their race/species?:

Physical descriptors

Now you can start building out your character’s physical appearance. These are external questions that will paint a physical description, so your reader can envision what your character looks like. 

The physical attributes for your character bio template are important because they will also help you write vivid descriptions and actions in your book.

These are the physical appearance questions for the character bio template: 

14. What is their physical appearance?:

15. What is their skin tone?:

16. What is their complexion?:

17. What is their natural hair color?:

18. What is their height?:

19. What is their weight?:

20. What is their body type?:

21. What is their build?:

22. How is your character's posture?:

23. Do they have any birthmarks?: 24. Do they have any scars?:

25. Which is their dominant hand?:

26. What age does the character appear to others?:

27. Do they have a dyed hair color?:

28. What is their usual hairstyle?:

29. Do they have any tattoos? What is the meaning behind them?:

30. Do they have any piercings?

31. What is their makeup style (if any)?:

32. What is their clothing style?:

33. What is their clothing size?:

34. What is their shoe style?:

35. What is their shoe size?:

36. How is the appearance of their nails?:

37. How are their eyebrows shaped?:

38. What do their facial features look like?:

39. What is the character's face shape?:

40. Do they have facial hair?:

41. What does their voice sound like?:

42. What distinguishing feature about them do people notice right away?:

The character's personality 

Now it’s time to start scratching beneath the surface to better understand the type of personality the character has. These character development questions focus on describing the personality traits within the character’s demeanor as they are in the present time of the story. 

For example, most people who are naturally introverts will always be introverts. But, maybe your introverted character has only recently developed a habit of talking to people on the subway as they commute to work every day.

These are the personality questions for the character's development: 

43. Are they an introvert or extrovert?:

44. What are their personality traits?:

45. What is their MBTI personality type ?:

46. Are they an optimist or pessimist?:

47. How is their temperament? Are they generally hot-headed, or cool as a cucumber?:

48. What mood are they often in?:

49. What everyday attitude does your character have?:

50. What are their strengths?:

51. What are their flaws?:

52: What are their mannerisms?:

53. What are their habits?:

54. Are they an early bird or a night owl?:

55. Do they have any pet peeves?:

56. Which of the 7 deadly sins does the character most represent?

57. Which virtue does the character possess most?:

58. What are the character's weaknesses?:

59. What are their strengths?:

60. Are they expressive? How do they express themselves?:

61. Are they ruled by heart or mind?:

62. What is their mindset?:

63. What is their philosophy?:

64. What are they motivated by?:

65.  What words or phrases does the character often say?:

66. What is their life motto?:

Character health bio

This section is all about your character’s health. It covers everything from mental and physical health, to major surgeries, to allergies.

If certain questions don’t pertain to your character, feel free to skip them. Or, if anything needs to be added, do so. Make this section as relevant to your character as it needs to be.

These are the health questions for the character bio template:

67. Is your character more active, or sluggish generally?: 

68. Does your character often forget people’s names, or do they have a photographic memory?: 

69. Is your character impaired in any way?:

70. What is your character scared of?:

71. Does your character have any addictions?:

72. Are they fast learners? Do they have poor problem-solving skills? 

73. Is your character  mentally tough ? What are their mental strengths?:

74. In what aspects is your character  mentally weak ?:

75. What are their physical strengths?:

76. What are their physical weaknesses?:

77. Do they have any major past illnesses?:

78. Have they had any surgeries?:

79. Have they been in any accidents?:

80. Is your character emotionally stable?:

81. Do they have any allergies?:

Career details

Now it’s time to cover what your character does for a living – or how they spend the majority of their time. Is your character making a living doing a job they hate, but attending night school to get their dream job? 

A person’s choice of career, or their type of dream job, says a lot about that person’s qualities and interests, or lack thereof. That's why it's important to add career questions to your character bio template.

These are the career questions for the character bio template: 

82. What is their job title?:

83. What company do they work at?:

84. What type of career do they have?:

85. What is their education level?:

86. Did they go to college? Where? For what?:

87. How is their work ethic?:

88. What is their job history?:

89. What is their income?:

90. What political party/organizations do they belong to?:

91. Do they do any volunteer work?:

92. What is their dream job?:

93. What job would they do poorly?:

94. How is their job satisfaction?:

Character preferences

Everyone has their likes and dislikes, from books to activities to the time of day. By answering all of these questions about your character in your character bio template, you’ll be able to build up a person that’s realistic and believable. 

These are the personal preference questions for your character bio template: 

95. What is your character's diet like?:

96. What are their favorite foods?:

97. Favorite drinks?:

98. Favorite movies?:

99. Favorite music?:

100. Favorite books?:

101. Favorite animal?:

102. Favorite place?:

103. Favorite activities?:

104. Favorite time of day?:

105. What makes them happy?:

106. What makes them sad?:

107. What are their hobbies?:

108. What are their interests?:

109. What do they love to do?:

110. What do they hate to do?:

111. What are they inspired by?:

Family life of the character

Let’s face it – family, or a lack thereof, shapes a person. The same is true about your character. 

This section is all about your character’s family life, from their parents to extended family, and even pets. 

By knowing the family your character came from, you’ll also learn a lot about your character and why they are the way they are. 

These are the family life questions for the character bio template: 

112. Who were they raised by?:

113. What is the status of their parents?:

114. What is their mother's name?:

115. Mother's age?:

116. Mother's background?:

117. What is their father's name?:

118. Father's age?:

119. Father's background?:

120. How is their relationship with their mother?:

121. How is their relationship with their father?:

122. What is their parenting type?:

123. Are they an only child? First, middle, or youngest?:

124. How many siblings do they have?:

125. What is their relationship with their siblings?:

126. Do they have kids of their own, or do they want them in the future?

127. What are some interesting details about their other relatives?:

128. Is their family close-knit or distant? How has family life shaped the character? Do they have any sibling rivalries, or are they best friends with a particular sibling?:

129. What do they like most about their family?:

130. What do they like least about their family?:

131. What are their children like (if applicable)?:

132. Do they have any pets?:

Character bio relationships

In this section, you’ll be answering all the questions that have to do with your character’s relationships – from friends to lovers to enemies. 

Think about all of the influential relationships your character has been involved with. Each person, and each relationship, is different, so keep that in mind as you fill out this section of the character bio template.

Each of us becomes involved with people who teach us lessons, whether these individuals stay in our lives long or not. The same is true for a well-developed character!

These are the relationship questions for the character bio template: 

133. Who are their best friends?:

134. Who is their worst enemy?:

135. Do they have many acquaintances or a few close friends?

136. What is their sexual preference?:

137. Their sexual orientation?:

138. What is their relationship status? Are they happy with it?:

139. Are they married? Divorced? Widowed?:

140. Who was their first love?:

141. Who is their current or aspiring love?:

142. Are there any exes that influenced the character, either positively or negatively?

143. Who does your character love best in terms of their friends and relations?:

144. Who does your character dislike in terms of enemies and acquaintances? 

145. Who knows the character best?

146. Who is closest to your character?

Character template life stages

It’s time to cover your character’s life stages. If your character is an adult in your story, then you’ll want to fill out quick details on each question in this section. If your character hasn’t reached a certain stage yet, just skip that part. 

For each life stage, you can write a few sentences to describe the overall time period for the character. Don’t feel the need to list out every single thing that happened to your character in a certain life stage – unless you want to. 

These are the life stage questions for your character bio template: 

147. What was their childhood generally like?:

148. Did anything significant happen in their childhood?:

149. What were their teenage years like? Did anything significant happen?:

150. What were they like as a young adult? Did anything significant happen?: 

151. Have there been any significant events in their adulthood?:

152. When did they really grow up and come into themselves? (Their “coming-of-age moment”):

153. Are there any important moments or experiences that shaped them?:

154. How have they changed as a person throughout their life?: Were they raised as a spoiled only child, but later became a Buddhist monk?: 

155. Are there any major regrets the character has from their life?:

156. What are the biggest life lessons your character has learned?:

Character perspectives 

Next, we’ll go through the questions that will help show us how your character thinks about the world and perceives things.

This is important because it helps shape your character’s mindset, especially if you are narrating the character’s inner thoughts and dialogue. 

Filling out this section of the character bio template will also help you as you practice writing in your character's point-of-view, and will give you a sense of your character's thought process, and how their mindset affects their actions.

These are the perspective questions for the character bio template:

157. What are your character's religious beliefs?:

158. How was their upbringing?:

159. What are their core values?:

160. How are their morals? What does s/he believe is evil? What does s/he believe is good?:

161. What would your character risk their life for?: 

Character’s story development

Now it’s time to answer all of the questions that have more to do with your character’s thoughts, actions, and role within your storyline. 

You need to know what’s driving your character in the story, and what’s getting in their way. Answer each one of these questions as it relates to your story.

For example, when describing the character’s main goal, don’t answer it in terms of their entire life’s main goal – think of the main goal in terms of your story. Maybe your character’s main goal is to live without regrets. But how does that relate to your story? You need to make it more specific to your plot. Maybe your character’s main goal within the context of your story is to help hide persecuted children, even if it means death and dishonor.

These are the story development questions for your character's development:

162. What important things will happen to the character in your story?: 

163. What will they achieve?:

164. What will they fail at?: 

165. What is your character’s lifestyle like as it pertains to your story’s time period or setting?:

166. What are some traits your character will possess during your story?: 

167. What culture do they identify with?:

168. What is their main goal in the story?:

169. What are some minor goals they have in the story?:  

170. What does your character desire?:  

171. What are/were their biggest mistakes?:  

172. What would “rock bottom look like for your character?:

173. What is their dream life like?:  

174. What is their worst nightmare?:

175. What are their favorite memories?: 

176. What are their least favorite memories?:

177. What are some things they want in life?: 

178. What are some things they don’t want in life?:

179. What obstacles are currently in their way?:

180. Do they have any secrets?:

181. What is their worldview?: 

182. Who is their personal hero?:

183. What internal conflicts do they have?: 

184. What external conflicts do they have?:

185. What do others think of them?:

186. What do they think of themselves?: 

187. What do they wish they could change?: 

188. What do they wish they could have?:

189. What gets them fired up?:  

190. What do they cherish most?:

191. Things they take for granted?: 

192. What inspires them?:

193. What do they have doubts about?: 

194. What makes them feel alive?: 

195. What makes them want to do better?: 

196. What do they want to be remembered for?:

197. How will other people's perceptions of them change?:

198. How will the character change?:

199. What will your character be doing by the end of the book?:

200. How will your character feel at the end of the book?:

Now that you’ve quickly read through each section of the character template, your brainstorming wheels should be turning as you start to hone in on certain questions about your character that you hadn’t thought of before. 

Once you’re ready to start, you can use the blank template below to fill out for each one of your main characters. Remember – keep a copy of your character template sheets nearby for reference as you begin writing! 

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Make the most of your character bio template

So there you have it – your very own comprehensive character bio template. Remember, it doesn’t matter what genre you are writing about. Every book should have well-developed characters that come alive through using writing strategies, techniques, and literary elements .

At the heart of every well-written story is a believable character that readers are engaged with and connected to. To create that character, you want to make them as realistic as possible, and you can do that with the help of a character bio template. 

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