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How to Write a Biography: 6 Tips for Writing Biographical Texts

Written by MasterClass

Last updated: Aug 30, 2021 • 4 min read

Biographies are how we learn information about another human being’s life. Whether you want to start writing a biography about a famous person, historical figure, or an influential family member, it’s important to know all the elements that make a biography worth both writing and reading.

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Posted on Jun 30, 2023

How to Write a Biography: A 7-Step Guide [+Template]

About the author.

Reedsy's editorial team is a diverse group of industry experts devoted to helping authors write and publish beautiful books.

About Dario Villirilli

Editor-in-Chief of the Reedsy blog, Dario is a graduate of Mälardalen University. As a freelance writer, he has written for many esteemed outlets aimed at writers. A traveler at heart, he can be found roaming the world and working from his laptop.

From time to time, nonfiction authors become so captivated by a particular figure from either the present or the past, that they feel compelled to write an entire book about their life. Whether casting them as heroes or villains, there is an interesting quality in their humanity that compels these authors to revisit their life paths and write their story.

However, portraying someone’s life on paper in a comprehensive and engaging way requires solid preparation. If you’re looking to write a biography yourself, in this post we’ll share a step-by-step blueprint that you can follow. 

How to write a biography: 

1. Seek permission when possible 

2. research your subject thoroughly, 3. do interviews and visit locations, 4. organize your findings, 5. identify a central thesis, 6. write it using narrative elements, 7. get feedback and polish the text.

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While you technically don’t need permission to write about public figures (or deceased ones), that doesn't guarantee their legal team won't pursue legal action against you. Author Kitty Kelley was sued by Frank Sinatra before she even started to write His Way , a biography that paints Ol Blue Eyes in a controversial light. (Kelley ended up winning the lawsuit, however).  

Whenever feasible, advise the subject’s representatives of your intentions. If all goes according to plan, you’ll get a green light to proceed, or potentially an offer to collaborate. It's a matter of common sense; if someone were to write a book about you, you would likely want to know about it well prior to publication. So, make a sincere effort to reach out to their PR staff to negotiate an agreement or at least a mutual understanding of the scope of your project. 

At the same time, make sure that you still retain editorial control over the project, and not end up writing a puff piece that treats its protagonist like a saint or hero. No biography can ever be entirely objective, but you should always strive for a portrayal that closely aligns with facts and reality.

If you can’t get an answer from your subject, or you’re asked not to proceed forward, you can still accept the potential repercussions and write an unauthorized biography . The “rebellious act” of publishing without consent indeed makes for great marketing, though it’ll likely bring more headaches with it too. 

✋ Please note that, like other nonfiction books, if you intend to release your biography with a publishing house , you can put together a book proposal to send to them before you even write the book. If they like it enough, they might pay you an advance to write it.  

Book Proposal Template

Craft a professional pitch for your nonfiction book with our handy template.

Once you’ve settled (or not) the permission part, it’s time to dive deep into your character’s story.  

Deep and thorough research skills are the cornerstone of every biographer worth their salt. To paint a vivid and accurate portrait of someone's life, you’ll have to gather qualitative information from a wide range of reliable sources. 

Start with the information already available, from books on your subject to archival documents, then collect new ones firsthand by interviewing people or traveling to locations. 

Browse the web and library archives

Put your researcher hat on and start consuming any piece on your subject you can find, from their Wikipedia page to news articles, interviews, TV and radio appearances, YouTube videos, podcasts, books, magazines, and any other media outlets they may have been featured in. 

Establish a system to orderly collect the information you find 一 even seemingly insignificant details can prove valuable during the writing process, so be sure to save them. 

Depending on their era, you may find most of the information readily available online, or you may need to search through university libraries for older references. 

For his landmark biography of Alexander Hamilton, Ron Chernow spent untold hours at Columbia University’s library , reading through the Hamilton family papers, visiting the New York Historical Society, as well as interviewing the archivist of the New York Stock Exchange, and so on. The research process took years, but it certainly paid off. Chernow discovered that Hamilton created the first five securities originally traded on Wall Street. This finding, among others, revealed his significant contributions to shaping the current American financial and political systems, a legacy previously often overshadowed by other founding fathers. Today Alexander Hamilton is one of the best-selling biographies of all time, and it has become a cultural phenomenon with its own dedicated musical. 

Besides reading documents about your subject, research can help you understand the world that your subject lived in. 

Try to understand their time and social environment

Many biographies show how their protagonists have had a profound impact on society through their philosophical, artistic, or scientific contributions. But at the same time, it’s worth it as a biographer to make an effort to understand how their societal and historical context influenced their life’s path and work.

An interesting example is Stephen Greenblatt’s Will in the World . Finding himself limited by a lack of verified detail surrounding William Shakespeare's personal life, Greenblatt, instead, employs literary interpretation and imaginative reenactments to transport readers back to the Elizabethan era. The result is a vivid (though speculative) depiction of the playwright's life, enriching our understanding of his world.

Many readers enjoy biographies that transport them to a time and place, so exploring a historical period through the lens of a character can be entertaining in its own right. The Diary of Samuel Pepys became a classic not because people were enthralled by his life as an administrator, but rather from his meticulous and vivid documentation of everyday existence during the Restoration period.

Once you’ve gotten your hands on as many secondary sources as you can find, you’ll want to go hunting for stories first-hand from people who are (or were) close to your subject.

With all the material you’ve been through, by now you should already have a pretty good picture of your protagonist. But you’ll surely have some curiosities and missing dots in their character development to figure out, which you can only get by interviewing primary sources.

Interview friends and associates

This part is more relevant if your subject is contemporary, and you can actually meet up or call with relatives, friends, colleagues, business partners, neighbors, or any other person related to them. 

In writing the popular biography of Steve Jobs, Walter Isaacson interviewed more than one hundred people, including Jobs’s family, colleagues, former college mates, business rivals, and the man himself.

🔍 Read other biographies to get a sense of what makes a great one. Check out our list of the 30 best biographies of all time , or take our 30-second quiz below for tips on which one you should read next. 

Which biography should you read next?

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When you conduct your interviews, make sure to record them with high quality audio you can revisit later. Then use tools like Otter.ai or Descript to transcribe them 一 it’ll save you countless hours. 

You can approach the interview with a specific set of questions, or follow your curiosity blindly, trying to uncover revealing stories and anecdotes about your subject. Whatever your method, author and biography editor Tom Bromley suggests that every interviewer arrives prepared, "Show that you’ve done your work. This will help to put the interviewee at ease, and get their best answers.” 

Bromley also places emphasis on the order in which you conduct interviews. “You may want to interview different members of the family or friends first, to get their perspective on something, and then go directly to the main interviewee. You'll be able to use that knowledge to ask sharper, more specific questions.” 

Finally, consider how much time you have with each interviewee. If you only have a 30-minute phone call with an important person, make it count by asking directly the most pressing questions you have. And, if you find a reliable source who is also particularly willing to help, conduct several interviews and ask them, if appropriate, to write a foreword as part of the book’s front matter .

Sometimes an important part of the process is packing your bags, getting on a plane, and personally visiting significant places in your character’s journey.

Visit significant places in their life

A place, whether that’s a city, a rural house, or a bodhi tree, can carry a particular energy that you can only truly experience by being there. In putting the pieces together about someone’s life, it may be useful to go visit where they grew up, or where other significant events of their lives happened. It will be easier to imagine what they experienced, and better tell their story. 

In researching The Lost City of Z , author David Grann embarked on a trek through the Amazon, retracing the steps of British explorer Percy Fawcett. This led Grann to develop new theories about the circumstances surrounding the explorer's disappearance.

Hopefully, you won’t have to deal with jaguars and anacondas to better understand your subject’s environment, but try to walk into their shoes as much as possible. 

Once you’ve researched your character enough, it’s time to put together all the puzzle pieces you collected so far. 

Take the bulk of notes, media, and other documents you’ve collected, and start to give them some order and structure. A simple way to do this is by creating a timeline. 

Create a chronological timeline

It helps to organize your notes chronologically 一 from childhood to the senior years, line up the most significant events of your subject’s life, including dates, places, names and other relevant bits. 

You should be able to divide their life into distinct periods, each with their unique events and significance. Based on that, you can start drafting an outline of the narrative you want to create.  

Draft a story outline 

Since a biography entails writing about a person’s entire life, it will have a beginning, a middle, and an end. You can pick where you want to end the story, depending on how consequential the last years of your subject were. But the nature of the work will give you a starting character arc to work with. 

To outline the story then, you could turn to the popular Three-Act Structure , which divides the narrative in three main parts. In a nutshell, you’ll want to make sure to have the following:

• Act 1. Setup : Introduce the protagonist's background and the turning points that set them on a path to achieve a goal. 
• Act 2. Confrontation : Describe the challenges they encounter, both internal and external, and how they rise to them. Then..
• Act 3. Resolution : Reach a climactic point in their story in which they succeed (or fail), showing how they (and the world around them) have changed as a result. 

Only one question remains before you begin writing: what will be the main focus of your biography?

Think about why you’re so drawn to your subject to dedicate years of your life to recounting their own. What aspect of their life do you want to highlight? Is it their evil nature, artistic genius, or visionary mindset? And what evidence have you got to back that up? Find a central thesis or focus to weave as the main thread throughout your narrative. 

Or find a unique angle

If you don’t have a particular theme to explore, finding a distinct angle on your subject’s story can also help you distinguish your work from other biographies or existing works on the same subject.

Plenty of biographies have been published about The Beatles 一 many of which have different focuses and approaches: 

• Philip Norman's Shout is sometimes regarded as leaning more towards a pro-Lennon and anti-McCartney stance, offering insights into the band's inner dynamics. 
• Ian McDonald's Revolution in the Head closely examines their music track by track, shifting the focus back to McCartney as a primary creative force. 
• Craig Brown's One Two Three Four aims to capture their story through anecdotes, fan letters, diary entries, and interviews. 
• Mark Lewisohn's monumental three-volume biography, Tune In , stands as a testament to over a decade of meticulous research, chronicling every intricate detail of the Beatles' journey.

Finally, consider that biographies are often more than recounting the life of a person. Similar to how Dickens’ Great Expectations is not solely about a boy named Pip (but an examination and critique of Britain’s fickle, unforgiving class system), a biography should strive to illuminate a broader truth — be it social, political, or human — beyond the immediate subject of the book. 

Once you’ve identified your main focus or angle, it’s time to write a great story. 

While biographies are often highly informative, they do not have to be dry and purely expository in nature . You can play with storytelling elements to make it an engaging read. 

You could do that by thoroughly detailing the setting of the story , depicting the people involved in the story as fully-fledged characters , or using rising action and building to a climax when describing a particularly significant milestone of the subject’s life. 

One common way to make a biography interesting to read is starting on a strong foot…

Hook the reader from the start

Just because you're honoring your character's whole life doesn't mean you have to begin when they said their first word. Starting from the middle or end of their life can be more captivating as it introduces conflicts and stakes that shaped their journey.

When he wrote about Christopher McCandless in Into the Wild , author Jon Krakauer didn’t open his subject’s childhood and abusive family environment. Instead, the book begins with McCandless hitchhiking his way into the wilderness, and subsequently being discovered dead in an abandoned bus. By starting in the middle of the action  in medias res, Krakauer hooks the reader’s interest, before tracing back the causes and motivations that led McCandless to die alone in that bus in the first place.

You can bend the timeline to improve the reader’s reading experience throughout the rest of the story too…

Play with flashback 

While biographies tend to follow a chronological narrative, you can use flashbacks to tell brief stories or anecdotes when appropriate. For example, if you were telling the story of footballer Lionel Messi, before the climax of winning the World Cup with Argentina, you could recall when he was just 13 years old, giving an interview to a local newspaper, expressing his lifelong dream of playing for the national team. 

Used sparsely and intentionally, flashbacks can add more context to the story and keep the narrative interesting. Just like including dialogue does…

Reimagine conversations

Recreating conversations that your subject had with people around them is another effective way to color the story. Dialogue helps the reader imagine the story like a movie, providing a deeper sensory experience. 

One thing is trying to articulate the root of Steve Jobs’ obsession with product design, another would be to quote his father , teaching him how to build a fence when he was young: “You've got to make the back of the fence just as good looking as the front of the fence. Even though nobody will see it, you will know. And that will show that you're dedicated to making something perfect.”

Unlike memoirs and autobiographies, in which the author tells the story from their personal viewpoint and enjoys greater freedom to recall conversations, biographies require a commitment to facts. So, when recreating dialogue, try to quote directly from reliable sources like personal diaries, emails, and text messages. You could also use your interview scripts as an alternative to dialogue. As Tom Bromley suggests, “If you talk with a good amount of people, you can try to tell the story from their perspective, interweaving different segments and quoting the interviewees directly.”

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These are just some of the story elements you can use to make your biography more compelling. Once you’ve finished your manuscript, it’s a good idea to ask for feedback. 

If you’re going to publish your own  biography, you’ll have to polish it to professional standards. After leaving your work to rest for a while, look at it with fresh eyes and edit your own manuscript eliminating passive voice, filler words, and redundant adverbs. 

Then, have a professional editor give you a general assessment. They’ll look at the structure and shape of your manuscript and tell you which parts need to be expanded on or cut. As someone who edited and commissioned several biographies, Tom Bromley points out that a professional “will look at the sources used and assess whether they back up the points made, or if more are needed. They would also look for context, and whether or not more background information is needed for the reader to understand the story fully. And they might check your facts, too.”  

In addition to structural editing, you may want to have someone copy-edit and proofread your work.

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Importantly, make sure to include a bibliography with a list of all the interviews, documents, and sources used in the writing process. You’ll have to compile it according to a manual of style, but you can easily create one by using tools like EasyBib . Once the text is nicely polished and typeset in your writing applications , you can prepare for the publication process.  

In conclusion, by mixing storytelling elements with diligent research, you’ll be able to breathe life into a powerful biography that immerses readers in another individual’s life experience. Whether that’ll spark inspiration or controversy, remember you could have an important role in shaping their legacy 一 and that’s something not to take lightly. 

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How to Write a Biography

Biographies are big business. Whether in book form or Hollywood biopics, the lives of the famous and sometimes not-so-famous fascinate us.

While it’s true that most biographies are about people who are in the public eye, sometimes the subject is less well-known. Primarily, though, famous or not, the person who is written about has led an incredible life.

In this article, we will explain biography writing in detail for teachers and students so they can create their own.

While your students will most likely have a basic understanding of a biography, it’s worth taking a little time before they put pen to paper to tease out a crystal-clear definition of one.

What Is a Biography?

A biography is an account of someone’s life written by someone else . While there is a genre known as a fictional biography, for the most part, biographies are, by definition, nonfiction.

Generally speaking, biographies provide an account of the subject’s life from the earliest days of childhood to the present day or, if the subject is deceased, their death.

The job of a biography is more than just to outline the bare facts of a person’s life.

Rather than just listing the basic details of their upbringing, hobbies, education, work, relationships, and death, a well-written biography should also paint a picture of the subject’s personality and experience of life.

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Features of a Biography

Before students begin writing a biography, they’ll need to have a firm grasp of the main features of a Biography. An excellent way to determine how well they understand these essential elements is to ask them to compile a checklist like the one-blow

Their checklists should contain the items below at a minimum. Be sure to help them fill in any gaps before moving on to the writing process.

The purpose of a biography is to provide an account of someone’s life.

Biography structure.

ORIENTATION (BEGINNING) Open your biography with a strong hook to grab the reader’s attention

SEQUENCING: In most cases, biographies are written in chronological order unless you are a very competent writer consciously trying to break from this trend.

COVER: childhood, upbringing, education, influences, accomplishments, relationships, etc. – everything that helps the reader to understand the person.

CONCLUSION: Wrap your biography up with some details about what the subject is doing now if they are still alive. If they have passed away, make mention of what impact they have made and what their legacy is or will be.

BIOGRAPHY FEATURES

LANGUAGE Use descriptive and figurative language that will paint images inside your audience’s minds as they read. Use time connectives to link events.

PERSPECTIVE Biographies are written from the third person’s perspective.

DETAILS: Give specific details about people, places, events, times, dates, etc. Reflect on how events shaped the subject. You might want to include some relevant photographs with captions. A timeline may also be of use depending upon your subject and what you are trying to convey to your audience.

TENSE Written in the past tense (though ending may shift to the present/future tense)

THE PROCESS OF WRITING A BIOGRAPHY

Like any form of writing, you will find it simple if you have a plan and follow it through. These steps will ensure you cover the essential bases of writing a biography essay.

Firstly, select a subject that inspires you. Someone whose life story resonates with you and whose contribution to society intrigues you. The next step is to conduct thorough research. Engage in extensive reading, explore various sources, watch documentaries, and glean all available information to provide a comprehensive account of the person’s life.

Creating an outline is essential to organize your thoughts and information. The outline should include the person’s early life, education, career, achievements, and any other significant events or contributions. It serves as a map for the writing process, ensuring that all vital information is included.

Your biography should have an engaging introduction that captivates the reader’s attention and provides background information on the person you’re writing about. It should include a thesis statement summarising the biography’s main points.

Writing a biography in chronological order is crucial . You should begin with the person’s early life and move through their career and achievements. This approach clarifies how the person’s life unfolded and how they accomplished their goals.

A biography should be written in a narrative style , capturing the essence of the person’s life through vivid descriptions, anecdotes, and quotes. Avoid dry, factual writing and focus on creating a compelling narrative that engages the reader.

Adding personal insights and opinions can enhance the biography’s overall impact, providing a unique perspective on the person’s achievements, legacy, and impact on society.

Editing and proofreading are vital elements of the writing process. Thoroughly reviewing your biography ensures that the writing is clear, concise, and error-free. You can even request feedback from someone else to ensure that it is engaging and well-written.

Finally, including a bibliography at the end of your biography is essential. It gives credit to the sources that were used during research, such as books, articles, interviews, and websites.

Tips for Writing a Brilliant Biography

Biography writing tip #1: choose your subject wisely.

There are several points for students to reflect on when deciding on a subject for their biography. Let’s take a look at the most essential points to consider when deciding on the subject for a biography:

Interest: To produce a biography will require sustained writing from the student. That’s why students must choose their subject well. After all, a biography is an account of someone’s entire life to date. Students must ensure they choose a subject that will sustain their interest throughout the research, writing, and editing processes.

Merit: Closely related to the previous point, students must consider whether the subject merits the reader’s interest. Aside from pure labors of love, writing should be undertaken with the reader in mind. While producing a biography demands sustained writing from the author, it also demands sustained reading from the reader.

Therefore, students should ask themselves if their chosen subject has had a life worthy of the reader’s interest and the time they’d need to invest in reading their biography.

Information: Is there enough information available on the subject to fuel the writing of an entire biography? While it might be a tempting idea to write about a great-great-grandfather’s experience in the war. There would be enough interest there to sustain the author’s and the reader’s interest, but do you have enough access to information about their early childhood to do the subject justice in the form of a biography?

Biography Writing Tip #2: R esearch ! Research! Research!

While the chances are good that the student already knows quite a bit about the subject they’ve chosen. Chances are 100% that they’ll still need to undertake considerable research to write their biography.

As with many types of writing , research is an essential part of the planning process that shouldn’t be overlooked. If students wish to give as complete an account of their subject’s life as possible, they’ll need to put in the time at the research stage.

An effective way to approach the research process is to:

1. Compile a chronological timeline of the central facts, dates, and events of the subject’s life

2. Compile detailed descriptions of the following personal traits:

•      Physical looks
•      Character traits
•      Values and beliefs

3. Compile some research questions based on different topics to provide a focus for the research:

• Childhood : Where and when were they born? Who were their parents? Who were the other family members? What education did they receive?
• Obstacles: What challenges did they have to overcome? How did these challenges shape them as individuals?
• Legacy: What impact did this person have on the world and/or the people around them?
• Dialogue & Quotes: Dialogue and quotations by and about the subject are a great way to bring color and life to a biography. Students should keep an eagle eye out for the gems that hide amid their sources.

As the student gets deeper into their research, new questions will arise that can further fuel the research process and help to shape the direction the biography will ultimately go in.

Likewise, during the research, themes will often begin to suggest themselves. Exploring these themes is essential to bring depth to biography, but we’ll discuss this later in this article.

Research Skills:

Researching for biography writing is an excellent way for students to hone their research skills in general. Developing good research skills is essential for future academic success. Students will have opportunities to learn how to:

• Gather relevant information
• Evaluate different information sources
• Select suitable information
• Organize information into a text.

Students will have access to print and online information sources, and, in some cases, they may also have access to people who knew or know the subject (e.g. biography of a family member).

These days, much of the research will likely take place online. It’s crucial, therefore, to provide your students with guidance on how to use the internet safely and evaluate online sources for reliability. This is the era of ‘ fake news ’ and misinformation after all!

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⭐ How to filter and refine your results to find exactly what you want every time.

⭐ Essential Research and critical thinking skills for students.

⭐ Plagiarism, Citing and acknowledging other people’s work.

⭐ How to query, synthesize and record your findings logically.

BIOGRAPHY WRITING Tip #3: Find Your Themes In Biography Writing

Though predominantly a nonfiction genre, the story still plays a significant role in good biography writing. The skills of characterization and plot structuring are transferable here. And, just like in fiction, exploring themes in a biographical work helps connect the personal to the universal. Of course, these shouldn’t be forced; this will make the work seem contrived, and the reader may lose faith in the truthfulness of the account. A biographer needs to gain and maintain the trust of the reader.

Fortunately, themes shouldn’t need to be forced. A life well-lived is full of meaning, and the themes the student writer is looking for will emerge effortlessly from the actions and events of the subject’s life. It’s just a case of learning how to spot them.

One way to identify the themes in a life is to look for recurring events or situations in a person’s life. These should be apparent from the research completed previously. The students should seek to identify these patterns that emerge in the subject’s life. For example, perhaps they’ve had to overcome various obstacles throughout different periods of their life. In that case, the theme of overcoming adversity is present and has been identified.

Usually, a biography has several themes running throughout, so be sure your students work to identify more than one theme in their subject’s life.

BIOGRAPHY WRITING Tip: #4 Put Something of Yourself into the Writing

While the defining feature of a biography is that it gives an account of a person’s life, students must understand that this is not all a biography does. Relating the facts and details of a subject’s life is not enough. The student biographer should not be afraid to share their thoughts and feelings with the reader throughout their account of their subject’s life.

The student can weave some of their personality into the fabric of the text by providing commentary and opinion as they relate the events of the person’s life and the wider social context at the time. Unlike the detached and objective approach we’d expect to find in a history textbook, in a biography, student-writers should communicate their enthusiasm for their subject in their writing.

This makes for a more intimate experience for the reader, as they get a sense of getting to know the author and the subject they are writing about.

Biography Examples For Students

• Year 5 Example
• Year 7 Example
• Year 9 Example

“The Rock ‘n’ Roll King: Elvis Presley”

Elvis Aaron Presley, born on January 8, 1935, was an amazing singer and actor known as the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Even though he’s been dead for nearly 50 years, I can’t help but be fascinated by his incredible life!

Elvis grew up in Tupelo, Mississippi, in a tiny house with his parents and twin brother. His family didn’t have much money, but they shared a love for music. Little did they know Elvis would become a music legend!

When he was only 11 years old, Elvis got his first guitar. He taught himself to play and loved singing gospel songs. As he got older, he started combining different music styles like country, blues, and gospel to create a whole new sound – that’s Rock ‘n’ Roll!

In 1954, at the age of 19, Elvis recorded his first song, “That’s All Right.” People couldn’t believe how unique and exciting his music was. His famous hip-swinging dance moves also made him a sensation!

Elvis didn’t just rock the music scene; he also starred in movies like “Love Me Tender” and “Jailhouse Rock.” But fame came with challenges. Despite facing ups and downs, Elvis kept spreading happiness through his music.

Tragically, Elvis passed away in 1977, but his music and charisma live on. Even today, people worldwide still enjoy his songs like “Hound Dog” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” Elvis Presley’s legacy as the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll will live forever.

Long Live the King: I wish I’d seen him.

Elvis Presley, the Rock ‘n’ Roll legend born on January 8, 1935, is a captivating figure that even a modern-day teen like me can’t help but admire. As I delve into his life, I wish I could have experienced the magic of his live performances.

Growing up in Tupelo, Mississippi, Elvis faced challenges but found solace in music. At 11, he got his first guitar, a symbol of his journey into the world of sound. His fusion of gospel, country, and blues into Rock ‘n’ Roll became a cultural phenomenon.

The thought of being in the audience during his early performances, especially when he recorded “That’s All Right” at 19, sends shivers down my spine. Imagining the crowd’s uproar and feeling the revolutionary energy of that moment is a dream I wish I could have lived.

Elvis wasn’t just a musical prodigy; he was a dynamic performer. His dance moves, the embodiment of rebellion, and his roles in films like “Love Me Tender” and “Jailhouse Rock” made him a true icon.

After watching him on YouTube, I can’t help but feel a little sad that I’ll never witness the King’s live performances. The idea of swaying to “Hound Dog” or being enchanted by “Can’t Help Falling in Love” in person is a missed opportunity. Elvis may have left us in 1977, but he was the king of rock n’ roll. Long live the King!

Elvis Presley: A Teen’s Take on the Rock ‘n’ Roll Icon”

Elvis Presley, born January 8, 1935, was a revolutionary force in the music world, earning his title as the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Exploring his life, even as a 16-year-old today, I’m captivated by the impact he made.

Hailing from Tupelo, Mississippi, Elvis grew up in humble beginnings, surrounded by the love of his parents and twin brother. It’s inspiring to think that, despite financial challenges, this young man would redefine the music scene.

At 11, Elvis got his first guitar, sparking a self-taught journey into music. His early gospel influences evolved into a unique fusion of country, blues, and gospel, creating the electrifying genre of Rock ‘n’ Roll. In 1954, at only 19, he recorded “That’s All Right,” marking the birth of a musical legend.

Elvis wasn’t just a musical innovator; he was a cultural phenomenon. His rebellious dance moves and magnetic stage presence challenged the norms. He transitioned seamlessly into acting, starring in iconic films like “Love Me Tender” and “Jailhouse Rock.”

However, fame came at a cost, and Elvis faced personal struggles. Despite the challenges, his music continued to resonate. Even now, classics like “Hound Dog” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love” transcend generations.

Elvis Presley’s impact on music and culture is undeniable. He was known for his unique voice, charismatic persona, and electrifying performances. He sold over one billion records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling solo artists in history. He received numerous awards throughout his career, including three Grammy Awards and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

Elvis’s influence can still be seen in today’s music. Many contemporary artists, such as Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga, and Justin Timberlake, have cited Elvis as an inspiration. His music continues to be featured in movies, TV shows, and commercials.

Elvis left us in 1977, but his legacy lives on. I appreciate his breaking barriers and fearlessly embracing his artistic vision. Elvis Presley’s impact on music and culture is timeless, a testament to the enduring power of his artistry. His music has inspired generations and will continue to do so for many years to come.

Teaching Resources

Use our resources and tools to improve your student’s writing skills through proven teaching strategies.

BIOGRAPHY WRITING TEACHING IDEAS AND LESSONS

We have compiled a sequence of biography-related lessons or teaching ideas that you can follow as you please. They are straightforward enough for most students to follow without further instruction.

BIOGRAPHY LESSON IDEA # 1:

This session aims to give students a broader understanding of what makes a good biography.

Once your students have compiled a comprehensive checklist of the main features of a biography, allow them to use it to assess some biographies from your school library or on the internet using the feature checklist.

When students have assessed a selection of biographies, take some time as a class to discuss them. You can base the discussion around the following prompts:

• Which biographies covered all the criteria from their checklist?
• Which biographies didn’t?
• Which biography was the most readable in terms of structure?
• Which biography do you think was the least well-structured? How would you improve this?

Looking at how other writers have interpreted the form will help students internalize the necessary criteria before attempting to produce a biography. Once students have a clear understanding of the main features of the biography, they’re ready to begin work on writing a biography.

When the time does come to put pen to paper, be sure they’re armed with the following top tips to help ensure they’re as well prepared as possible.

BIOGRAPHY LESSON IDEA # 2:

This session aims to guide students through the process of selecting the perfect biography subject.

Instruct students to draw up a shortlist of three potential subjects for the biography they’ll write.

Using the three criteria mentioned in the writing guide (Interest, Merit, and Information), students award each potential subject a mark out of 5 for each of the criteria. In this manner, students can select the most suitable subject for their biography.

BIOGRAPHY LESSON IDEA # 3:

This session aims to get students into the researching phase, then prioritise and organise events chronologically.

Students begin by making a timeline of their subject’s life, starting with their birth and ending with their death or the present day. If the student has yet to make a final decision on the subject of their biography, a family member will often serve well for this exercise as a practice exercise.

Students should research and gather the key events of the person’s life, covering each period of their life from when they were a baby, through childhood and adolescence, right up to adulthood and old age. They should then organize these onto a timeline. Students can include photographs with captions if they have them.

They can present these to the class when they have finished their timelines.

BIOGRAPHY LESSON IDEA # 4:

Instruct students to look over their timeline, notes, and other research. Challenge them to identify three patterns that repeat throughout the subject’s life and sort all the related events and incidents into specific categories.

Students should then label each category with a single word. This is the thematic concept or the broad general underlying idea. After that, students should write a sentence or two expressing what the subject’s life ‘says’ about that concept.

This is known as the thematic statement . With the thematic concepts and thematic statements identified, the student now has some substantial ideas to explore that will help bring more profound meaning and wider resonance to their biography.

BIOGRAPHY LESSON IDEA # 5:

Instruct students to write a short objective account of an event in their own life. They can write about anyone from their past. It needn’t be more than a couple of paragraphs, but the writing should be strictly factual, focusing only on the objective details of what happened.

Once they have completed this, it’s time to rewrite the paragraph, but they should include some opinion and personal commentary this time.

The student here aims to inject some color and personality into their writing, to transform a detached, factual account into a warm, engaging story.

A COMPLETE UNIT ON TEACHING BIOGRAPHIES

Teach your students to write AMAZING BIOGRAPHIES & AUTOBIOGRAPHIES using proven RESEARCH SKILLS and WRITING STRATEGIES .

• Understand the purpose of both forms of biography.
• Explore the language and perspective of both.
• Prompts and Challenges to engage students in writing a biography.
• Dedicated lessons for both forms of biography.
• Biographical Projects can expand students’ understanding of reading and writing a biography.
• A COMPLETE 82-PAGE UNIT – NO PREPARATION REQUIRED.

FREE Biography Writing Graphic Organizer

Use this valuable tool in the research and writing phases to keep your students on track and engaged.

WRITING CHECKLIST & RUBRIC BUNDLE

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (92 Reviews)

To Conclude

By this stage, your students should have an excellent technical overview of a biography’s essential elements.

They should be able to choose their subject in light of how interesting and worthy they are, as well as give consideration to the availability of information out there. They should be able to research effectively and identify emerging themes in their research notes. And finally, they should be able to bring some of their personality and uniqueness into their retelling of the life of another.

Remember that writing a biography is not only a great way to develop a student’s writing skills; it can be used in almost all curriculum areas. For example, to find out more about a historical figure in History, to investigate scientific contributions to Science, or to celebrate a hero from everyday life.

Biography is an excellent genre for students to develop their writing skills and to find inspiration in the lives of others in the world around them.

HOW TO WRITE A BIOGRAPHY TUTORIAL VIDEO

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How to Write a Biography

Learn how to write a biography with our comprehensive guide.

Last updated on Aug 27th, 2024

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Table of Contents

How to write a biography can be a fun challenge as you share someone’s life story with readers. You may need to write a biography for a class or decide to write a biography as a personal project. Once you’ve identified the subject of your biography, do your research to learn as much as you can about them. Then, immerse yourself in writing the biography and revising it until it’s best. What I am going to share with you in today’s post is how to write a biography. If you want to know the rules of how to write a biography correctly then this post of ours is essential for you. 

Introduction

While it’s true that most biographies involve people in the public eye, sometimes the subject is less well-known. But most of the time, famous or not, the person we’re talking about has an incredible life. Although your students may have a basic understanding of How to write a biography, you should take some time before putting pen to paper to come up with a very clear definition of biography.

Before knowing how to write a biography, let’s first understand what a biography is. A biography is an account of a person’s life written by someone else. Although there is a genre called fictional biography, by definition biographies are mostly non-fiction. In general, biographies trace the subject’s life from early childhood to the present day or until death if the subject is deceased. 

Biography writing is not limited to describing the bare facts of a person’s life. Instead of just listing basic details about their upbringing, interests, education, work, relationships, and deaths, a well-written biography should also paint a picture of a person’s personality as well as that person’s life experiences.

How To Write a Biography

1. ask the subject’s permission to write a biography.

Here are the first tips on how to write a biography. Before starting your research, make sure you get your subject’s consent to write their biography. Ask them if they’re ready to be the subject. Getting their permission will make writing a biography much easier and ensure that they are open to information about their lives.

If the theme does not allow you to write a bio, you can choose another theme. If you decide to publish a profile without the subject’s permission, you may be subject to legal action from the subject. 

If the topic no longer exists, you don’t need to ask permission to write about them. 

2. Research primary sources on the topic

Primary sources may include books, letters, photographs, diaries, newspaper clippings, magazines, Internet articles, magazines, videos, interviews, existing biographies, or autobiographies on the subject. Find these resources in your local library or online. Read as much as you can about the topic and highlight any important information you come across in your sources. 

You can create research questions to help you focus your research on this topic, such as: 

What do I find interesting about this topic? Why is this topic important to readers? 

3. Conduct interviews with subjects and their relatives

Interviewing people will turn your research into reality: the people you interview will be able to tell you stories you can’t find in history books. Interview the subject as well as people close to them, such as spouses, friends, business associates, family members, co-workers, and friends. Interview in person, over the phone, or via email.

For in-person interviews, record them with a voice recorder or voice recorder on your computer or phone. You may need to interview the subject and others multiple times to get the documents you need.

4. Visit places important to the topic

Whenever you want to know how to write a biography, to understand the history of the subject, spend time in places and areas that are significant to the subject. This may be the subject’s childhood home or neighborhood. You can also visit the subject’s workplace and regular meeting places. 

You may also want to visit areas where the subject made important decisions or breakthroughs in their life. Being physically present in the area can give you an idea of what your subjects may have felt and help you write about their experiences more effectively.

5. Research the time and place of the subject’s life

Contextualize your subject’s life by observing what’s going on around them. Consider the period in which they grew up as well as the history of the places they lived. Study the economics, politics, and culture of their time. See current events happening where they live or work.

When you studying how to write a biography, ask yourself about time and place: 

What were the social norms of this period? 

What happened economically and politically? 

How has the political and social environment influenced this topic?

6. Make a timeline of a person’s life

To help you organize your research, create a timeline of a person’s entire life, from birth. Draw a long line on a piece of paper and sketch out as many details about a person’s life as possible. Highlight important events or moments on the timeline. Include important dates, locations, and names. 

If you think about how to write a biography You can also include historical events or moments that affect the topic in the timeline. For example, a conflict or civil war may occur during a person’s lifetime and affect their life.

7. Focus on important events and milestones

Major events can include marriage, birth, or death during a person’s lifetime. They may also achieve milestones like their first successful business venture or their first civil rights march. Highlights key moments in a person’s life so readers clearly understand what’s important to that person and how they influence the world around them.

For example, you might focus on one person’s achievements in the civil rights movement. You could write an entire section about their contributions and participation in major civil rights marches in their hometowns.

8. Cite all sources used in  biography

Most biographies will include information from sources such as books, journal articles, magazines, and interviews. Remember to cite any sources that you directly quote or paraphrase. You can use citations, footnotes, or endnotes. If the biography is for a course, use MLA, APA, or Chicago Style citations according to your instructor’s preference.

9. Reread the biography

Check the biography for spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Circle all punctuation marks in the text to confirm they are correct. Read the text backward to check for spelling and grammar errors. 

Having a biography full of spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors can frustrate readers and lead to poor grades if you submit your work to the class.

10. Show your biography to others to get their feedback

It is a momentous step of how to write a biography. Once you have completed your draft biography, show it to your colleagues, friends, teachers, and mentors to get their feedback. Ask them if they have a good understanding of someone’s life and if the biography is easy to read. Be open to feedback so you can improve the biography and make it error-free. Revise profile based on feedback from others. Don’t be afraid to trim or edit your biography to suit your readers’ needs.

11. Use flashbacks

Flashbacks happen when you move from the present to the past. You can start with the present moment, and then bring in a scene from the person’s past. Or you could have one chapter focusing on the present and one focusing on the past, alternating as you go.

The flashback scene must be as detailed and realistic as the present-day scene. Use your research notes and interviews with subjects to better understand their past to reminisce. 

For example, you can move from a person’s death in the present to reminiscing about their favorite childhood memory.

12. Outline Your Story Chronologically 

This is another important step in how to write a biography is to write an outline that describes your story in chronological order. An outline is a tool that helps you visualize the structure and key elements of your story. This can help you organize your story into chapters and sections. 

You can write your plan in a digital document or draw it with pen and paper. Remember to store your outline in an easily accessible place so you can refer to it throughout the writing process.

Need inspiration? Check out these biography examples to see how different types of bios are written for various contexts.

What citation style should I use for my biography?

Use MLA, APA, or Chicago Style citations based on your instructor’s preference when citing sources in your biography.

Should I include personal opinions in a biography?

No, a biography should be objective and based on facts. Avoid injecting personal opinions or bias into the narrative.

What’s the difference between a biography and an autobiography?

A biography is written by someone else about a person’s life, while an autobiography is written by the subject themselves about their own life.

Can I write a biography about a living person?

Yes, you can write a biography about a living person with their consent. Ensure you respect their privacy and follow ethical guidelines when writing about them.

Conclusion 

Other than creating a sense of closure, there are no set rules about how a biography ends. An author may want to summarize their main points about the subject of their biography. If the person is still alive, the author can inform the reader about their condition or circumstances. If the person has died, inheritance can be discussed. Authors can also remind readers how they can learn from the biographical subject. Sharing a closing quote or about a person can leave the audience with a point to consider or discuss in more detail.

For further insights into writing and to avoid common mistakes, check out our article on Most Common Mistakes in Writing . Additionally, explore the Best Writing Tools for Writers to enhance your writing skills and discover the tools that can assist you. If you’re looking to improve your typing speed and accuracy, our article on How to Type Faster with Accuracy offers valuable tips.

How we've reviewed this article

Our content is thoroughly researched and fact-checked using reputable sources. While we aim for precision, we encourage independent verification for complete confidence.

We keep our articles up-to-date regularly to ensure accuracy and relevance as new information becomes available.

• Current Version
• Aug 27th, 2024
• Oct 22nd, 2023

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How to Write a Biography

Last Updated: May 28, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Stephanie Wong Ken, MFA . Stephanie Wong Ken is a writer based in Canada. Stephanie's writing has appeared in Joyland, Catapult, Pithead Chapel, Cosmonaut's Avenue, and other publications. She holds an MFA in Fiction and Creative Writing from Portland State University. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,878,211 times.

Writing a biography can be a fun challenge, where you are sharing the story of someone’s life with readers. You may need to write a biography for a class or decide to write one as a personal project. Once you have identified the subject of the biography, do your research so you know as much about them as possible. Then, dive into the writing of the biography and revising it until it is at its finest.

Researching Your Subject

• If the subject does not give you permission to write the biography, you may want to choose a different subject. If you decide to publish the biography without the subject’s permission, you may be susceptible to legal action by the subject.
• If the subject is no longer alive, you obviously do not need to ask permission to write about them.

• You may create research questions to help focus your research of the subject, such as, What do I find interesting about the subject? Why is this subject important to readers? What can I say that is new about the subject? What would I like to learn more about?

• For in person interviews, record them with a tape recorder or a voice recorder on your computer or phone.
• You may need to interview the subject and others several times to get the material you need.

• You may also want to visit areas where the subject made a major decision or breakthrough in their life. Being physically in the area can give you a sense of how the subject might have felt and help you write their experiences more effectively.

• When researching the time period ask yourself: What were the social norms of that time? What was going on economically and politically? How did the social and political climate affect the subject?

• You may also include historical events or moments that affected the subject on the timeline. For example, maybe there was a conflict or civil war that happened during the person’s life that affected their life.

Writing the Biography

• You may end up focusing on particular areas of the person’s life. If you do this, work through a particular period in the person’s life chronologically.

• For example, you may have a thesis statement about focusing on how the person impacted the civil rights movement in America in the 1970s. You can then make sure all your content relates back to this thesis.

• Flashbacks should feel as detailed and real as present day scenes. Use your research notes and interviews with the subject to get a good sense of their past for the flashbacks.
• For example, you may jump from the person’s death in the present to a flashback to their favorite childhood memory.

• For example, you may focus on the person’s accomplishments in the civil rights movement. You may write a whole section about their contributions and participation in major civil rights marches in their hometown.

• For example, you may notice that the person’s life is patterned with moments of adversity, where the person worked hard and fought against larger forces. You can then use the theme of overcoming adversity in the biography.

• For example, you may note how you see parallels in the person’s life during the civil rights movement with your own interests in social justice. You may also commend the person for their hard work and positive impact on society.

Polishing the Biography

• Revise the biography based on feedback from others. Do not be afraid to cut or edit down the biography to suit the needs of your readers.

• Having a biography riddled with spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors can turn off your readers and result in a poor grade if you are handing in the text for a class.

• If the biography is for a class, use MLA , APA , or Chicago Style citations based on the preferences of your instructor.

Biography Help

Community Q&A

• Be careful when publishing private or embarrassing information, especially if the person is not a celebrity. You may violate their "Right of Privacy" or equivalent. Thanks Helpful 31 Not Helpful 5
• Have the sources to back up your statements about the subject's life. Untruthful written statements can lead to litigation. If it is your opinion, be clear that it is such and not fact (although you can support your opinion with facts). Thanks Helpful 16 Not Helpful 15

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• ↑ https://grammar.yourdictionary.com/writing/how-to-write-a-biography.html
• ↑ https://au.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-write-a-bio
• ↑ https://www.writersdigest.com/writing-articles/3-tips-for-writing-successful-flashbacks
• ↑ https://www.grammarly.com/blog/how-to-write-bio/
• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/editing-and-proofreading/
• ↑ https://www.plagiarism.org/article/how-do-i-cite-sources

About This Article

Before you write a biography, gather as much information about the subject that you can from sources like newspaper articles, interviews, photos, existing biographies, and anything else you can find. Write the story of that person’s life, including as much supporting detail as you can, including information about the place and time where the person lived. Focus on major events and milestones in their life, including historical events, marriage, children, and events which would shape their path later in life. For tips from our reviewer on proofreading the biography and citing your sources, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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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!

How To Set Better Goals Using Science

Do you set the same goals over and over again? If you’re not achieving your goals – it’s not your fault! Let me show you the science-based goal-setting framework to help you achieve your biggest goals.

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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How to Write a Biography: 11 Step Guide + Book Template

So you’d like to know how to write a biography. We can help with that! Learning how to write a biography doesn’t have to be intimidating. In fact, it can be a lot of fun!

In this guide, we show you how to write a biography from the initial book idea all the way through to publishing your book , and we throw in a free template to help you on your way. 

Ready to learn how to start a biography ? Let’s jump right in. 

Get Our 6″ x 9″ Pre-Formatted Book Template for Word or Mac

We will send you a Book Template for US Trade (standard paperback size).

How to Write a Biography in 11 Simple Steps

Here are the steps you need to take to learn how to write a biography:

1. Read other biographies 

Austin Kleon, Author of Steal Like an Artist , says “the writer tries to master words. All of these pursuits involve the study of those who have come before and the effort to build upon their work in some way.”

In other words, if you want to learn how to write a biography, you need to read the best biographies written by other excellent authors!

In this case, it would behoove you to read several biographies – whether historical, celebrity, or business biographies is up to you and your sub-genre. 

A good author to start with? Walter Isaacson . He’s written highly acclaimed biographies on everyone from Abraham Lincoln and Steve Jobs to Leonardo Da Vinci and Elon Musk. 

Once you’ve read some well-crafted biographies, you’ll have a better idea of how to start a biography of your own.

2. Identify your subject

In order to learn how to start a biography, you need to choose who you’d like to write about – if you don’t already have someone in mind.  

The most important factor will be, of course, your interest in the person you’re planning to write about. You’ll spend months (or even years) deep-diving into this person’s history, so you want to choose someone who you’re unlikely to tire of. 

When learning how to write a biography, here are few factors to consider: 

• How impactful has your potential subject’s life been? In other words, will people care to learn more about this person? 
• How readily available is information about your potential subject? Biographies require extensive research, so it’s critical to choose someone who has enough information out there to dig into! Consider whether your subject has done interviews, written journals, has family or a partner willing to speak with you, and more. 
• Are there already books written about your potential subject? Just because there’s an existing biography about the person you’re interested in doesn’t (necessarily) mean you can’t write another one. But if there are two or three biographies, you may want to reconsider. If you do choose to write about someone who has already been well-documented, be mindful about approaching the topic with a new angle or perspective. For instance, there are several biographies about George Washington, but author Alexis Coe wrote one about how Washington isn’t “quite the man we remember.” This brilliant iteration has over 12,000 ratings on Goodreads .
• Is there a market demand for a book about your potential subject? If you’re learning how to write a biography, you need to be mindful of whether folks will want to read it. Do some research to determine if readers will be receptive to a book about the person you’re interested in. 

Related: Is a Biography a Primary Source?

3. Get permission to write about your subject

We’ll start by stating the obvious. It’s a good idea to get permission to write about your subject, even if you’re not legally required to. For one thing, it’s just good manners. Plus, you’re much more likely to get unfettered access to the information and sources you need to write your book. 

But do you have to get permission? It depends.

In some cases, if your subject is considered a “public figure,” permission may not be required. The definition of a public figure varies depending on your jurisdiction, so you should always consult a lawyer before writing a biography. 

If you do decide to proceed without permission, be mindful of how your book will be received and any legal issues that may arise. That’s why we always recommend asking permission from your subject when learning how to write a biography.

• Difference Between A Memoir and Biography
• Autobiography vs Biography: Differences and Similarities

4. Create an outline

The next step of learning how to write a biography is to outline your story. It’s critical to outline your biography before you begin writing it. Among other things, it helps ensure you cover every topic you’d like to and get the book in the correct chronological order. It also helps you identify themes that emerge as you organize your ideas. 

Need help creating your outline? Learn how to do it (and take advantage of free templates!) in our guide to outlining a book . 

5. Select a working title (using a title generator) 

Now is the fun part of learning how to write a biography! It’s time to create a working title for your book. A working title is just what it sounds like: it’s a title that works – for now. 

Of course, it’s helpful to have something to call the book as you’re working on it. And it encourages you to think about the message you’d like your book to convey. When your biography is complete, you can always do a little more research on how to write book titles for your specific sub-genre and update your working title accordingly.

Or, you can decide you still love your initial title and publish your book with that one! 

We’ve made it easy for you to develop a working title – or multiple – using our book title generator . 

Book Title Generator

Don't like it?

6. Write a rough draft 

Okay, now it’s time to start writing your rough draft. Don’t be intimidated; just focus on getting something down on the page. As experts on all things writing and self-publishing, we’ve got a rough draft writing guide to help you get through this phase of writing a biography.

Remember to be as balanced and objective as possible when learning how to write a biography.

Make good use of your primary and secondary sources, and double-check all of your facts. You’ve got this!  

7. Self-edit

There are several different types of editing that we recommend each manuscript undergo. But before you give your rough draft to anyone else to review, you should edit it yourself. 

The first step to self-editing?

Take a break! It’s essential to give your mind some time to recuperate before you go over your work. And never self-edit as you go!

After you’ve completed your break, here are a few things to consider as you edit: 

• Grammar. This one is self-explanatory and usually the easiest. You can use an AI editor to make a first pass and quickly catch obvious spelling errors. Depending on prompts and your experience with the tool, you can also use AI to catch some grammar and syntax issues as well.
• Content and structure . This is the time to make sure the bones of your piece are good. Make sure your content flows logically (and in chronological order), no important pieces of information are missing, and there isn’t redundant or unhelpful information. 
• Clarity and consistency. Keep an eye out for any confusing copy and ensure your tone is uniform throughout the book.
• Try reading your draft aloud. You’d be surprised at how many errors, shifts in tone, or other things you’d like to change that you don’t notice while reading in your head. Go ahead and do a read-through of your draft out loud. 

8. Work with an editor

Once you’ve created the best draft you can, it’s time to hire an editor . As we mentioned, there are multiple types of book editing, so you’ll need to choose the one(s) that are best for you and your project when learning how to write a biography. 

For instance, you can work with a developmental editor who helps with big-picture stuff. Think book structure, organization, and overall storytelling. Or you might work with a line editor who focuses on grammar, spelling, punctuation, and the like. 

There are also specialized copy editors, content editors, fact-checkers, and more.

It’s in your best interest to do a substantial amount of research before choosing an editor since they’ll have a large impact on your book. Many editors are open to doing a paid trial so you can see their work before you sign them on for the entire book. 

9. Hire a book cover designer

Once you’ve worked with your editor(s) to finalize your book, it’s time to get your book ready to go out into the world. So the next step in learning how to write a biography is to hire a book cover designer to create a cover that grabs readers’ attention (pssst: did you know that all SelfPublishing authors get done-for-you professional book design? Ask us about it !).

10. Get an ISBN 

The next step in learning how to write a biography is getting an ISBN number for your book – or an International Standard Book Number. It’s a unique way to identify your book and is critical for ordering, inventory tracking, and more. 

Bear in mind that each rendition of your book – regardless of when you publish them – will need their own ISBN numbers. So if you initially publish as a softcover and hardcover book and then decide to publish an ebook with the same exact content, you’ll need 3 total ISBN numbers.

To get an ISBN, head to ISBN.org and follow the steps they provide.  Or reference our guide right here for step-by-step instructions (complete with photos) on how to get an ISBN number for self-published books.

11. Create a launch plan 

Now is the most exciting part of learning how to write a biography. It’s time to get your book out into the world! You’ll need to map out your plan, schedule events , finalize your pricing strategy, and more. 

And you can’t just launch your book in a single day. When you go through all the work of learning how to write a biography, you want your book to succeed – and that requires a strategic marketing plan . Luckily, we have an entire guide to launching a book to help you figure it out. 

Get your free book template!

Learning how to write a biography can be challenging, but when you have a clear plan and guidance, the process is much easier. We’ve helped thousands of aspiring authors just like you write and self-publish their own books. We know what works – and how to become a successfully published author faster.

Take the first step today and down the book template below!

And, if you need additional help with learning how to write a biography, remember that we’re standing by to assist you. Just schedule a book consultation and one of our team members will help answer any of your questions about the writing or self-publishing process.

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How to Write Biography in English?

By: EnglishCentral Intern 1

Writing a biography is the process of documenting a person’s life journey, experiences, and impact. It involves a detailed exploration of their personal and professional history, motivations, and character. A well written biography can provide valuable insights into the subject’s life, their contributions to society, and the histories, but they can also be written about people who have had a significant impact on the author’s life or on the lives of others. You can continue reading our article to learn how to write a biography and what it is.

What Is a Biography?

A biography is a written account of a person’s life. It can be long or short, and it can focus on any aspect of the person’s life, from their personal relationships to their professional achievements. Biographies are often written about famous individuals, historical figures, or people who have made significant contributions to society. They serve to provide insights into the person’s character, experiences, and impact on the world.

What Is the Purpose of a Biography?

Biographies can serve a variety of purposes. They can educate readers about the lives of important people, inspire them to follow their dreams, or simply entertain them with a fascinating story. Biographies can also be used to teach readers about different cultures, time periods, and historical events.

What Are the Main Features of a Biography?

A good biography should include the following elements:

Accuracy: The biography should be based on factual information and should be well-researched.

Completeness: The biography should provide a well-rounded overview of the person’s life, including their strengths and weaknesses, their successes and failures, and their personal and professional relationships.

Objectivity: The biography should be written in an objective and unbiased manner. The author should avoid expressing their personal opinions or beliefs about the subject.

Engagement: The biography should be written in an engaging and interesting way. The author should use vivid language and storytelling techniques to capture the reader’s attention.

Types of Biographies

There are many different types of biographies, including:

Traditional biographies: These biographies cover the entire life of the subject, from their birth to their death. “Steve Jobs” by Walter Isaacson is a traditional biography that covers the entire life of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, from his birth to his death. It explores his personal life, career, and the impact he had on the technology industry.

Thematic biographies: These biographies focus on a specific aspect of the subject’s life, such as their career, their personal relationships, or their political beliefs. “The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt” by Edmund Morris focuses on a specific aspect of Theodore Roosevelt’s life, namely his early political career and rise to the presidency.

Autobiographies: These biographies are written by the subject themselves. “The Autobiography of Malcolm X” by Malcolm X and Alex Haley written by Malcolm X himself. It offers insights into his personal journey, activism, and transformation.

Authorized biographies: These biographies are written by someone who has the subject’s permission to do so. “My Life” by Bill Clinton is an authorized biography of former U.S. President Bill Clinton was written with his cooperation and permission, providing an in-depth look at his life and political career.

Unauthorized biographies: These biographies are written without the subject’s permission. “The Many Lives of Marilyn Monroe” by Sarah Churchwell. This biography was written without Marilyn Monroe’s permission and delves into her life, career, and the complexities surrounding her public image.

8 Tips on How to Write a Biography

Choose a subject that you are interested in and passionate about: When selecting a subject for your biography, opt for someone or something that genuinely piques your curiosity and passion. This is important because writing a biography is a long process.

Obtain permission if writing an authorized biography: If you plan to write an authorized biography, which is a biography written with the subject’s permission, it’s essential to secure their consent. This typically involves a formal agreement or understanding with their subject or their representatives. Without permission, you may face legal and ethical issues.

Do your research: Research is the foundation of a well crafted biography. Delve into a wide range of sources, including books, articles, interviews and personal correspondence related to the subject. The goal is to gather as much information as possible to verify facts and details about the subject’s life.

Develop a thesis statement: This is a brief statement that summarizes the main point of your biography. It should summarize what you want to convey about the subject’s life and why it’s important or interesting.

Create an outline: This will help you to organize your thoughts and ensure that your biography is well-structured. Your outline should include key events, milestones and the sequence in which you will present them. This can help prevent you from getting lost in the wealth of information you have gathered.

Write in a clear and concise style: Avoid using jargon or overly complicated sentences. Instead, aim for a writing style that is straightforward and easy to understand.

Use vivid language and storytelling techniques: Bring your subject’s life to life for the reader. Use descriptive language to paint a vivid picture of the subject’s experience and the historical context.

Proofread carefully: Make sure to check for any errors in grammar, spelling, or punctuation. The errors can distract the reader and the quality of your writing.

20 Famous Examples of Biographies

Here are some famous examples of biographies:

Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson

Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela

Barracoon: The Story of the Last “Black Cargo” by Zora Neale Hurston

Churchill: A Life by Martin Gilbert

Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo by Hayden Herrera

Napoleon: A Life by Andrew Roberts

Will in the World: How Shakespeare Became Shakespeare by Stephen Greenblatt

Einstein: His Life and Universe by Walter Isaacson

The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

A Beautiful Mind by Sylvia Nasar

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand

The Wright Brothers by David McCullough

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

Mao: The Unknown Story by Jung Chang and Jon Halliday

The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life by Alice Schroeder

The Life of Charlotte Brontë by Elizabeth Gaskell

The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill by William Manchester and Paul Reid

Frequently Asked Questions About How to Write Biography in English

What is a biography?

A well-written biography can provide valuable insights into the subject’s life, their contributions to society, and the historical context in which they lived.

What is the difference between a biography and an autobiography?

A biography is written by someone about another person’s life. An autobiography is written by someone about their own life.

What is the difference between a biography and a historical fiction?

A biography is an accurate account of a person’s life. Historical fiction is a fictional story set in a historical time period.

What are some famous examples of biography?

Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou Napoleon: A Life by Andrew Roberts Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela

Would you like to put what you have learned into practice? You can access everything you need to learn English on a single platform! With 25-minute one-on-one live English lessons , 40-minute group lessons, more than 30,000 interactive videos, vocabulary learning tools, AI-supported tutor MiMi, quizzes, and interactive activities, EnglishCentral offers its users a personalized and quality education plan at an affordable price. How about registering for EnglishCentral now and starting to learn English ?

How to Write an Interesting Biography

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A biography is a written account of the series of events that make up a person's life. Some of those events are going to be pretty boring, so you'll need to try to make your account as interesting as possible!

Every student will write a biography at some point, but the level of detail and sophistication will differ. A fourth grade biography will be much different from a middle school-level biography or a high school or college-level biography.

However, each biography will include the basic details. The first information you should gather in your research will include biographical details and facts. You must use a trustworthy resource to ensure that your information is accurate.

Using research note cards , collect the following data, carefully recording the source for each piece of information:

Including Basic Details

• Date and place of birth and death
• Family information
• Lifetime accomplishments
• Major events of life
• Effects/impact on society, historical significance

While this information is necessary to your project, these dry facts, on their own, don't really make a very good biography. Once you've found these basics, you'll want to dig a little deeper.

You choose a certain person because you think he or she is interesting, so you certainly don't want to burden your paper with an inventory of boring facts. Your goal is to impress your reader!

Start off with great first sentence . It's a good idea to begin with a really interesting statement, a little-known fact, or really intriguing event.

You should avoid starting out with a standard but boring line like:

"Meriwether Lewis was born in Virginia in 1774."

Instead, try starting with something like this:

"Late one afternoon in October, 1809, Meriwether Lewis arrived at a small log cabin nestled deep in the Tennessee Mountains. By sunrise on the following day, he was dead, having suffered gunshot wounds to the head and chest.

You'll have to make sure your beginning is motivating, but it should also be relevant. The next sentence or two should lead into your thesis statement , or main message of your biography.

"It was a tragic end to a life that had so deeply affected the course of history in the United States. Meriwether Lewis, a driven and often tormented soul, led an expedition of discovery that expanded a young nation's economic potential, increased its scientific understanding, and enhanced its worldwide reputation."

Now that you've created an impressive beginning , you'll want to continue the flow. Find more intriguing details about the man and his work, and weave them into the composition.

Examples of Interesting Details:

• Some people believed that Lewis and Clark would encounter elephants in the western wilderness, having misunderstood the wooly mammoth bones discovered in the United States.
• The expedition resulted in the discovery and description of 122 new animal species and subspecies.
• Lewis was a hypochondriac.
• His death is still an unsolved mystery, although it was ruled a suicide.

You can find interesting facts by consulting diverse sources.

Fill the body of your biography with material that gives insight into your subject's personality. For instance, in a biography about Meriwether Lewis, you would ask what traits or events motivated him to embark on such a monumental exercise.

Questions to Consider in Your Biography:

• Was there something in your subject's childhood that shaped his/her personality?
• Was there a personality trait that drove him/her to succeed or impeded his progress?
• What adjectives would you use to describe him/her?
• What were some turning points in this life?
• What was his/her impact on history?

Be sure to use transitional phrases and words to link your paragraphs and make your composition paragraphs flow . It is normal for good writers to re-arrange their sentences to create a better paper.

The final paragraph will summarize your main points and re-assert your main claim about your subject. It should point out your main points, re-name the person you're writing about, but it should not repeat specific examples.

As always, proofread your paper and check for errors. Create a bibliography and title page according to your teacher's instructions. Consult a style guide for proper documentation.

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How to write a strong one-line biography (with examples!)

As a blogger or content marketer, you’re spreading your content across the internet to build your name as a thought leader and to drive traffic back to your (or your client’s) website.

One of the best ways to do this is via a strong biography, where sites will often allow you to also link back to somewhere. But you need to get their interest to learn more, so you need a strong one-line biography as most sites will only allow a short biography.

Here’s how you write a strong one-line biography for your blog author page:

Write in 3rd person

Highlight your role/profession.

• Keep it short

Include a call to action

Biographies should be written in third person. Instead of “I am a serial entrepreneur…” you should write “John is a serial entrepreneur…”

Some publications may have different guidelines, in which case you should follow them, but as a general guideline always write your bio in 3rd person.

Your bio should tell readers who you are and what you do, so be sure to highlight your role or profession.

“John is a serial entrepreneur and digital marketing veteran who…”

This gives people more information about you, why you are qualified to be talking about the topic you are bylined on, and helps them decide if they want to click your link to learn more.

Don’t be afraid to brag a little bit! In our world of fake humility, finding someone who is willing to state what they’ve done can be refreshing and encourage them to click to learn more about you.

Don’t overdo it though. A quick interesting fact is usually more than enough to get them interested.

For example:

“John is a serial entrepreneur and digital marketing leader who via his company Credo has generated over a quarter billion dollars in leads for agencies since 2015.”

The lead value number is a brag, but it’s also true and lets people know that John knows what he’s doing.

Have some fun!

In today’s social media world, people want to connect with the person behind the account.

So don’t be afraid to use emojis or a bit of humor.

This advice does not carry over to a professional website like LinkedIn where people are more professional and you should present your best face to the world.

Keep it short, but readable

If you’re required to keep your biography to just one sentence, you have just 15 to 20 words on average to get your point across. You need to be succinct and make every word count.

As such, remove superlatives and flowery language that could make it harder to read. This is not the place to be cute or show off – it’s the place to communicate effectively.

Include a backlink/hyperlink

Most websites where you publish will allow you to link back to a site of your choice from your biography. Don’t be spammy and try to link back to multiple places – link to a place where people can find out more about you or your company easily.

Finally, include a call to action (CTA) if you have enough space and can work it in. At minimum, make sure you follow the above advice and include a hyperlink back to your main website where people can learn more about you or your business.

Some examples

Here are some examples of great bios.

Dan Martell (Instagram)

Dan Martell is a coach to software founders, an entrepreneur with 3 business exits, an award-winning angel investor, and a proud dad and husband.

How do we know this? Because he says so in his Instagram bio. Short and effective.

Kimberly Bryant

Kimberly Bryant is the founder of Black Girls Code , a company that “build[s] pathways for young women of color to embrace the current tech marketplace as builders and creators by introducing them to skills in computer programming and technology.” Here is her Twitter biography, which clearly states what she does and gives insight into who she is.

Chris Ducker

Chris Ducker is a UK-based entrepreneur who “helps midlife leaders and entrepreneurs build future proof businesses around their expertise” with his Youpreneur coaching program.

Pat Flynn is a serial entrepreneur, dad, and husband who also has a physical product and a Pokemon card side hustle with over 100,000 YouTube subscribers. Here’s his Instagram profile:

Rand Fishkin

Rand is also a serial entrepreneur and currently the CEO of Sparktoro, an audience insight software tool. He’s formerly the cofounder and CEO of Moz, an SEO software suite. His LinkedIn bio says succinctly what he does, and also adds a bit of personality to let you know what he believes.

John Doherty

John is the founder and CEO of Credo and EditorNinja. (Hi, I’m John writing this!). His bio tells you what he cares about (his family and Colorado), what he does and the various projects he works on as well as his accomplishments.

Publishing on the internet?

Are you publishing on the internet and care about the correctness and quality of your content?

Click here to schedule a free editorial assesssment  to learn about how EditorNinja can solve your copy editing and proofreading problems.

How to Write a Biography in English With Example

At some point in your education career, you will be asked to write a biography about yourself or someone else. Writing a biography is not a difficult task if you know what biography is then you can easily write. If you don’t know how to write a biography in English, read carefully the following article.

How to Write a Biography in English

A biography is a detailed description or account of a person’s life. It entails more than basic facts (education, work, relationship, and death). A biography also explains the subject’s experience of these events. Like a profile or curriculum vitae (resume).

A biography presents a subject’s life story, highlighting various aspects of his or her life, including intimate details of experience, and may include an analysis of a subject’s personality.

Biographical works are usually non-fiction, but fiction can also be used to portray a person’s life. One in-depth form of biographical coverage is called legacy writing. Biographical works in diverse media—from literature to film—from the genre known as a biography.

Biography of General Muhammad Musa

General Musa Khan Hazara (H.PK., HJ, HQA, MBE, PSC 1908 – 1991) was the commander in chief of Pakistan Army. He succeeded Filed Marshal Ayub Khan, who assumed the presidency of Pakistan.

He was the eldest son of Sardar Yazdan Khan, born on 20 October 1908 in a Hazara Shia Muslim family in Quetta. He was from the Sardar family of the Hazara tribe in Baluchistan, Pakistan. He was a Naik (Junior Non-commissioned Office) in the 106 th Hazara Pioneers, went to the Indian Military Academy in Dehra Dun as a cadet, and graduated with the first batch of British Indian commissioned officer on 1 February 1935.

He was posted to the 6 th Royal Battalion, the 13 th frontier Force Rifles as a platoon commander in 1936. He took part in the Waziristan Operations in 1936-1938 and in World War 2, where he served in North Africa. He served with distinction in the Pakistan Army and rose to the rank of the commander in chief of Pakistan Armed Forces during President Muhammad Ayub Khan’s regime (1958-1969).

His promotion to commander in chief saw the suppression of two seniors: Major General Sher Ali Khan and Major General Latif Khan, both Sandhurst graduated in 1933.

General Muhammad Musa commanded the Army in the Indo-Pakistan war of 1965 and had overall responsibility for operations throughout the conflict. As army chief, he was criticized for not anticipating an assault across the international border. However, he was given credit for blunting the Indian offensive towards Sialkot during the Battle of Chawinda.

He has narrated the events and experiences of the war his book” My Vision”. In the book, he was given accounts of the secret war that was going on in Kashmir between the two countries, long before the real war actually began.

General Musa is the author or his autobiography, “Jawan to General” in which he describes his life experiences from a simple foot-soldier rising to the rank of a general.

After the retirement from Pakistan Army, President Ayub Khan appointed him as the Governor of West Pakistan (now Bangladesh) from 1967 to 1979. After serving for few years, he retired and settled in Karachi.

In 1987, he was once again involved in politics. He was appointed as Governor of Baluchistan Province by then president General Zia-ul-Haq. In Baluchistan, Governor General (Retd) Musa dissolved the provincial assembly in December 1988. However, the Baluchistan High court restored the assembly amid public condemnation of Governor’s move. The step towards dissolving the assembly was believed to have been taken with the consent to the president and prime minister.

He died on 12 March 1991 at Governor House in Quetta.

Conclusion:

I hope now you know how to write a biography in English. If you have any question please don’t hesitate to comment it in the comment section below.

Also, read:  How To Write An Autobiography In English

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How to Use biography in a Sentence

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'biography.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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Biography in a Sentence  🔊

Definition of Biography

a person’s life story as told by another person

Examples of Biography in a sentence

It took me years to shape the president’s life story into an engaging biography.  🔊

Since the actress never asked you to write about her rise to stardom, your book isn’t an authorized biography.  🔊

The popular author will recount the singer’s upbringing in a biography.  🔊

In order for the writer to pen my biography, he’ll need to ask me numerous questions about my life.  🔊

Using my grandmother’s diaries, I was able to mesh her stories into a biography.  🔊

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Contextual Learning of Biography

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What's the opposite of Meaning of the word Words that rhyme with Sentences with the word Translate to Find Words Use * for blank tiles (max 2) Use * for blank spaces Find the of Pronounce the word in Find Names     Appearance ✓ Use device theme   ✓ Dark theme ✓ Light theme in a sentence ? Here are some examples. which breaks no new ground but is a good summary of current knowledge. But the picture drawn by Volkmar Braunbehrens's 1989 is of a serious, steady, occasionally irascible man. The library also has a wide range of titles on gardening, cookery, history, computers, and travel. It exposes the paradox that Plath's texts cannot be read through and cannot be read apart from it. Over the centuries, Laozi's life took on elements of the mythological hero's . Goodrich limned some of her into her last known self-portrait, where she fashioned herself as an artist at work at her easel. His , written by St Gregory of Nyssa, describes the crowning moment of divine theophany. The political is preceded by a fine chapter on his cricketing career. Although soberly written, this of the dictator bristles with moral indignation. As in his of Macarthur, the Aborigines are incidental, minor problems for his hero to overcome. The next chapter in Zorn's musical is also one of the most surprising. It combines numerous illustrations with a , an artistic appreciation and a complete catalogue of his works. The author, like so many writers of popular , is guilty of being fashionably irreverent toward her subject. A booklet containing the of Mr. Nayanar, poems on Nayanar and photographic vignettes from his life, is also supplied along with it. But as is revealed in a startling new , he fathered illegitimate children and had numerous affairs. Tolstoy set out to write a personal memoir of O'Brian, but it turned into a full . Yet we are still waiting for a compact, scholarly of his entire life in a single volume. His is eminently sensible on a subject about which much high-flown transcendental nonsense has been written. In the postbag was also a handwritten note and a few words of on Peter Seward. A typical note card would provide a of an author or a review of a book. What political written last or this century has included every last detail. Alexandra Lapierre, award-winning French novelist and biographer, has produced a book that combines , fiction and scholarship. Her written requirements were pared down to writing half an essay, half a , and half of everything they initially required. For example, Hawass said, on show along with the mummy of Ramses II would be models of his Nubian temples, statues, reliefs and a . Even European history of the period was an official or semi-official of the state. It has been suggested that his Pitt is part of a grand publicity plan to jockey back into position as a future leader. It's a good starter for younger viewers who might go on to familiarize themselves with the writings of this great author. According to a new , he narrowly escaped being expelled and, at 17, was beaten by his housemaster for flouting the rules. However hard we try to concentrate on the paintings, the sad facts of Solomon's insist on obtruding themselves. Miss Eisner's book, while not replacing Zamoyski's , does not seek to do so, and provides a lively and readable supplement. So, does the beautiful title of the evoke the man, his work or the Aranda culture that was his subject? This is of general importance chiefly because it is, surprisingly, the first comprehensive of the artist. In a , one expects to be told that so-and-so first met his best friend at such-and-such a place. Because some people have come forward with an interest in writing my , I thought it might be no harm to have a crack at it myself. There was the case of Dr James Mackay, widely touted in the early 1990s as the leading authority on Burns and author of a capacious . Johnson's is an engrossing portrait of a brilliant physicist who happens to be a complex and, at times, troubled character. In the New York Times I read religiously each capsule of a World Trade Center victim. You can almost feel the bitter cold and biting Antarctic wind in this excellent of a polar hero. Thus this will be of interest to any student of the mid-twentieth century South. The tone of Nicholls' is dispassionately respectful, admiring even. A of Elvire O'Connor, the ostensible writer of this piece, is included in the program and is a tiny work of art in its own right. The volume begins with the editors' contributions, a short of Gegenbaur and a history of comparative anatomy at the University of Jena. He presents a celebratory of an African-American woman removed from her culture and family. As one would expect from his highly efficient of Ted Heath, he shows a masterly command of the politics of the period. The of William Blake warmly portrays the visionary poet's wife Katherine as the helpmate who made Blake's work possible. An award-winning writer of 11 previous books of history, travel and , Nicholl retranslates many of da Vinci's mirrorscript writings. To see how this description of the series fits with Gregory's series for arctan see the of Madhava. One of last century's most potent literary and political figures is put under the microscope in this prize-winning . Hill's is a thematic , moving emotionally as much as argumentatively. It is a pity that there exists no serious of Archibald Wavell, an intriguing and arresting figure. There is a very complete of Alec Guinness and the theatrical trailer for the film. He wrote the bestselling of U2 in 1985, just before the band became rock superstars. Was it possible to write the bestselling to match the box-office hit? I'm leaning towards some kind of but I have no particular subject in mind. But in light of his political there can be no doubt of his preparedness to assume a ministerial office in a Union-led government. The Wonder edition includes an informative and a discography of his recordings. At the end of this marvellously observed , it's the drunken rants, financial embarrassments and the sexual misadventures I remember. Here, with a short artist's , is the concert programme listed in full. It would have been easy for him to write a rousingly romantic which glossed over the enormous contradictions of Ryan's career. For individual , the cataloger lists the name of the biographee as the first subject heading. This rich, authoritative is written by an American Russophile who knew him personally. A good is weakened by not giving the major biographical facts due prominence. My brother Marvin and I once wrote a of the former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. He wrote a worthy of Red Smith and edited a book of columns by Smith. I think I may write a non-linear starting from now and going in both directions at once. This might suggest the difficulty of writing the of someone who spent so much of his life recreating his life in fiction. I can't help but feel that if you could write a of Pepys with only side references to the diary it'd work a lot better. When I went on to write the of Charles, true to his character, he gave me complete freedom of access to friends and documents. She once toyed with writing a of Margaret Thatcher, the first time she's ever been interested in writing about a living person. Responding to criticism that his attacks on Elton and Madonna in his new are unfair, he has decided to set the record straight. Drummund, who was also a biographer for Billy Graham, wrote an excellent on Finney which deals with this. He was also responsible for publishing Dorothy Wordsworth's diaries and wrote a ground-breaking of her. Her of Nietzsche is a double hagiography, comic and almost sad in its reflection of her own will to power. This is what is said to have prompted Asan to write a of Achutha Menon, drawing on his close relationship with him. In The Name is not a Pilger but an account of Pilger's television work with which the journalist himself co-operated. If there is a slippage between fiction and in this text then how does this apply to the image? Volume 2 of Roy Foster's magisterial of W. B. Yeats opens in 1915, when Yeats was in his fiftieth year and at a crossroads in his life. One of the essays deals with the interesting question why is a genre that has been rarely well practised even in modern India. Over half a century she published more than 20 novels, alongside works of poetry, criticism and . By taking on these sympathetic forms, literary can supply parallel narratives to those of novels. Literary theory has recently held to be a literary construct, rather than a factual enterprise. Ireland, in short, has no monopoly on the use of memoir, fiction, or autobiography as a political tool. Yet men dominate in this field also, even in fiction, poetry, literary . Who has ever said such connections are not the stuff of literary ? Greenblatt instead wants to write, and most consumers of literary want to read, a story extraordinary and uplifting. He is the sort of phenomenon literary in its present form can only flatten. There is now a considerable body of theoretical and discursive work on as an artistic form. It also has, for the first time, little essays on subjects such as , short stories, detective fiction and so on. It is closer to literary Criticism, than but without ever being boring. To that end, Harlan concludes that Up From Slavery was more a work of fiction than . As a work of literary and analysis American Sympathy is compelling. Some knowledge of Shapiro's is open to any reader in the dedication. There is also a text and a complete discography included to complete the bonus features. Less gripping are those swaths of the book that are essentially a of Salk, who simply wasn't a colorful character. The comments I earlier made concerning the of the subject ladder are equally apposite to the present circumstances. In his strange digressive and allusive of Christ he presents him as the incarnation of the overwhelming mystery of God. First, Wood reviews the extant literature in order to present a short . For each name, dates of birth and death are given, followed by a potted of 20-30 words. It takes a bold writer to attempt a of one of the most recognized and cited of Restoration Englishmen. His daughter Margaret is writing a book about her unusual childhood and a by Paul Alexander is seeping unannounced into bookstores. A would bore her, she says, preferring to fill in the gaps left by earlier writers and to give them a fresh, contemporary perspective. Her professional career spanned literary and theatrical criticism, broadcasting for the BBC, fiction, and an uncompleted memoir. There is a complete for virtually every artist, and each section is preceded by an introductory essay. Next to this , Phillips describes his own therapeutic dialogue with an anonymous patient. The trailer actually undersells the film, while the storyboards and make for intriguing viewing. The major events of Woodman's have clearly marked her artistic growth. With an affectionate and admiring smile on his own face, he has written an unaffected of an unaffected great man. Indeed, at times I wasn't sure if I was reading a or a hagiography. Find out more about this multi-talented creationist by reading her on our site. For all his undeniable artistic significance, the feels too close to the bone to be in good taste. Despite the crises unfolding around him, he has continued a whirlwind tour to promote his , a 900-page doorstopper. This might be recorded on their tombstone as an epitaph or in an obituary, commemoration portrait, or in some cases a . I always thought that you had to finish your career and be in the happy twilight of retirement before releasing a compilation or . To help him play Trevor with conviction, Ferns invented a fictional for the troubled man. Ross McMullin's short works, like Watson himself, both unostentatiously and effectively to achieve results. This is noted by the author's listed at the bottom of the article in small print. He has become steadily more aware of the usefulness of that unprivileged . While going through such varied sources, it is a great joy when one finds an autobiography or a or an unpublished piece of writing. But one thing about now, as opposed to then, has been the rise of graphic novels, and comics and autobiography. It makes one wonder how much of the speech is true and how much is false, based on Stalin's tendency toward revisionism of his revolutionary . He produced the feature-length documentary, Bill Cunningham New York, and is at work on a of Sam Wagstaff. He is producing a feature-length documentary on Bill Cunningham of the Times, and working on a of Sam Wagstaff. Sandrart's story of Caravaggio's death is easily interpreted as an apologue rather than as because there is so little ground to confuse moral and factual truths. Mr. Ziegler's is an elegant, sympathetic, and extremely readable , which really does breathe the breath of roistering life back into the vanished knight of letters. Longtime press baron and Murdoch frenemy Conrad Black on what Michael Wolff got wrong in his new of the media titan. Possibly only Professor Peter Groenewegen, the author of a magisterial of the English economist Alfred Marshall, could surpass him in this. Larkin had his diaries destroyed, Hardy burnt all his personal papers, then got his second wife to put her name to the he had actually written himself. A new of famed British author Somerset Maugham explores his complicated love life and defends his literary genius. A double of Rommel and Montgomery, foes in North Africa in World War II, splendidly brings both military men to life. Equal parts , sociology text, and mash note, it is the most complete account yet of his influence on pop music and a fervent memoir of fandom. This is the of a great Canadian scientist, whose discoveries were all the more extraordinary because he was largely self-educated in science. The also includes the memoirs of people she taught dance to in the 1960s, but does not mention anything about the circumstances of her death. Her book is a mesh of and a wider history of the geisha. Unfortunately, J. Michael Lennon tries something in the same vein in the last quarter of his sprawling . At Slate, tanner Colby does the experiment with Woodward's of John Belushi. Schmid first learned the art of mezzotinting in the Czech Republic, she notes in her , and developed this skill in Slovakia, where she was a Fulbright fellow. The intellectual of the curator has to be on shaky ground. After it was published in January, some said it read more like a love letter to the general than a . There's already more than one shamelessly indiscreet . Other special features include a brief of profiler Pat Brown, as well as cast bios that seem directly lifted from the Season One release. If we want to read , however, we will decide which one to read on the basis of the specific biographee not on the basis of the genre itself. It is not easy to write a about a person who is known to be reticent and the problem gets compounded when the attempt is not authorised. Lee said it wasn't his decision to sack Bell and if anything is written otherwise in the , which is due out in the autumn, he will take legal action. The result is a written wholly in the spirit of its subject. Much of the debate swung around definitions of and memoir. The contains several misspellings and occasional factual errors. In moving towards you must have felt that journalism was insufficiently rewarded to provide a living and also that its bittiness was in itself too limiting? A new captures the unflinching life of war photographer Tim Hetherington. A new by A. Scott Berg makes the case for Woodrow Wilson as an unrecognized great American president. Though he is often celebrated as the American father of Protestant liberalism, Horace Bushnell's and writing defy the categories of theological typology. Ironically, it is only possible to write a cultural of this horse, insofar as it is possible, because of his multiply commodified status. She's probably already boning up on the of Nelson Mandela. A shocking new reveals a brutal truth behind the fiction of v.s. Naipaul. The packaging features comprehensive sleeve notes and from US music writer Rich Kienzle and exclusive photographs from throughout Cash's career. But none of this comes close to making up for what is a standard made-for-television eviscerated by massive, inexcusable bowdlerization. Going even further, there are two 1930s movie newsreels that were filmed with the actual Grey Owl, a text , and a screen of web links to Grey Owl sites. From a season spent embedded with the New York Jets to a of a self-mythologizing Pinkerton detective. No of Jack Nicholson could long skirt the issue of his prodigious appetites. Thompson's nearly 50 published pieces include essays, book and film reviews, short stories, a novelization, and a young-adult of the writer Charles Chesnutt. But only a political could illuminate the personal, human dimension of Khrushchev's decision to follow the risky path of de-Stalinization. A straight would have been a more obvious project to undertake. The author of this new, third of the poet notes that Cummings signed his name in capitals in his personal correspondence, dealings with publishers and his diaries. A jumbled curiosity of a film, Charlie isn't sure whether it wants to be a hard-boiled gangster thriller, a thoughtful , or a legal drama. Vasari's confirms that Leonardo began to draw the cartoon in the Sala del Papa of the monumental Dominican building complex of Santa Maria Novella. Composing a Borgesian alternative for those forfeited years would make for the perfect parlour game if parlours, like Scottish writers of genius, still survived. And if you're a longtime fan, the helps explain the inner workings of the band and offers factoids you can use to, ahem, impress your friends. Most of his cabinet colleagues spoke to him before he left to offer sympathy, including many whom he criticised in remarks made public in the ill-starred . Well, even if you happen to be fixated on one life in particular, be it Einstein or Frank Sinatra, you can find a coffee-table book with a pictorial of your hero. In fact, according to a recent of Jackson, Churchill actually fagged for two England captains, having earlier served Archie MacLaren as well. This highly condensed allows little room for analysis. Consociates are mutually involved in one another's . There are and filmography profiles for Nicholas Lyndhurst and Clive Francis, and a short history of the MI5 counter-intelligence service. Brenda Maddox, who had written a of Thatcher to accompany the programme, credits Dennis Thatcher with liberating his wife from her repressive background. Regarding his and psychology, four years ago Kelly converted to the Baha'i religion, a pacifist faith that strongly condemns suicide. It is a work of and criticism with the drama and sweep of a historical novel. Adolf Eichmann is not an obvious candidate for a full-length , and before his capture in 1960 and trial the following year no one would have thought of writing one. Turning in a 500 word , written painstakingly in the past tense, I sighed as my class was assigned another essay, this time in the future tense, due the next day. Linda Lear is author of the definitive of Rachel Carson. Lying somewhere between an academic treatise, a of an eco-activist, and a guidebook for Green campaigners, it is a truly remarkable book. Such information is catalogued in his website's , a curious document that, through its endearing use of Eeyoreish negatives, gives you a flavour of the man. The one major error I have detected in Perkins' is the confident assertion that she would not have tried to expurgate every unflattering reference. There are no music examples, but, as in Professor Todd's , a number of plates that illustrate Mendelssohn's talent as a draughtsman and water-colourist. On the debit side, a number of discrepancies detract from an otherwise riveting . In some ways, this should be applauded for its total absence of the prurient interest so common to most of its peers. On the downside, this dependency on and history means that sometimes the tales do not stand in their own right. Sylvia Plath and the Theatre of Mourning continues this tense push-pull struggle with throughout its pages. It is neither a full-scale nor a comprehensive history of the Korean War. The artist was drawn to Ludwig's life after seeing a on the eccentric king's behaviour. This massive describes the rise to power of the last great English churchman to preside over the King's government. With regard to literary genre, Mark's gospel is a , similar to other lives of famous people written in the ancient Greco-Roman world. Both deeper and wider than a , the book documents and vivifies events that still affect us today. Neil McKenna's 2003 , The Secret Life of Oscar Wilde, offers an exploration of Wilde's sexuality. William Roper's of More was one of the first biographies in Modern English. Tilley is the author of a of the Australian performer Leigh Bowery titled Leigh Bowery, The Life and Times of an Icon. An early of Sidney was written by his friend and schoolfellow, Fulke Greville. He is also the subject of perhaps the most famous in English literature, namely The Life of Samuel Johnson by James Boswell. His early works include the Life of Mr Richard Savage, the poems London and The Vanity of Human Wishes, and the play Irene. When it came to , Johnson disagreed with Plutarch's use of biography to praise and to teach morality. Johnson's thoughts on and on poetry coalesced in his understanding of what would make a good critic. These early writings coloured all subsequent and have become embedded in a body of Keats legend. Inspired by the 1997 Keats penned by Andrew Motion, it stars Ben Whishaw as Keats and Abbie Cornish as Fanny. Sir Timothy threatened to stop the allowance if any of the poet were published. Also in 1845, Percy Bysshe Shelley's cousin Thomas Medwin approached her claiming to have written a damaging of Percy Shelley. Soon after Percy Shelley's death, Mary Shelley determined to write his . Anthony Powell mentions in his review of that contains that in his view Belloc was thoroughly antisemitic, at all but a personal level. The situation was compounded as successive generations of the family expunged and sanitized the already opaque details of Austen's . In 1991, Michael Shelden, an American professor of literature, published a . Hermione Lee's 1996 Virginia Woolf provides a thorough and authoritative examination of Woolf's life and work. Wilson's was not the first to address the question of Lewis's relationship with Moore. Each interview begins with a short of the interviewee, including their major publications. Listings include a of each inductee and an explanation of his or her achievements in the accounting field. And no, there's no truth El Tigre's will be called Great Expectorations. In the of cancer, retinoblastoma is a lead character. The festival is taking in tartan noir, erotica, horror, and poetry with some music and film thrown in too. Thanks largely to the research of John Harley, knowledge of Byrd's has expanded in recent years. In Eisenhower Jean Edward Smith has produced what may well be the best one-volume on this figure. According to articles, reports and a , Turpin couldn't deal with the obscurity resulting from the loss of his crown. American seaman Haskell Wexler later won two Academy Awards, the latter for a of his shipmate Woody Guthrie. As her shouts, Ewa Mataya Laurance is one of the most visible superstars in the history of pocket billiards. Roberts ends this detailed with appendixes on Coxeter groups and diagrams as well as Fibonacci numbers and phyllotaxis. Peavy and Smith have collaborated on 10 books on women's history and . There has only been one , written by Paul Allen, and this primarily covers his career in the theatre. He also wrote his first book there, a of Giacomo Meyerbeer, an opera composer. Cleo McNelly Kearns notes in her that Eliot was deeply influenced by Indic traditions, notably the Upanishads. In 1984, he wrote his first book, a of the band Duran Duran, as well as Ghastly Beyond Belief, a book of quotations, with Kim Newman. Alan Llwyd's 2011 of Roberts used diaries and letters to shed fresh light on her private life and her relationship with Morris. But who needs one more perfectly excellent Mozart ? A newspaper review of a Conrad suggested that the book could have been subtitled Thirty Years of Debt, Gout, Depression and Angst. Aymer Vallance was commissioned to produce the first of Morris, published in 1897, after Morris' death, as per the latter's wishes. In 1973 Burton agreed to play Josip Broz Tito in a film , since he admired the Yugoslav leader. In his of his father, Francis Deng deals frankly and in detail with Deng Majok's prodigious uxoriousness. The cultural of urnfields and the long-term history of a mythical landscape. In Updike, literary critic Adam Begley offers the first full-length on a larger-than-life American writer. An experiment in , rather less successful than Symons' Corvine, on a par perhaps with Ackroyd's Dickensian direct address strategems. In his , Ploughman of the Moon, Service recalled that his second effort, The Ballads of a Cheechako, also caused the House some anxiety. Foran is the author most recently of the of Mordecai Richler, another iconic Montrealer. The 1988 by Melvyn Bragg provides a detailed description of the many health issues that plagued Burton throughout his life. He was stunned by the backlash from some of the sleazier revelations in Tom Bower's recent tell-all , Sweet Revenge. Science historian Daniel Lewis set out to write a of Robert Ridgway, the Smithsonian's first curator of birds. In The Puppetmaster, the life of Li Tien-lu the Taiwanese puppeteer is the subject of Hou's hybrid fictional and documentary film. This year's Costa book award shortlists in five categories, novel, first novel, poetry, and children's book, have been announced. In the of Helen Keller, for example, one chapter has definition boxes for Emanuel Swendenborg and the Braillewriter. Another stereotyped feature of the criminal was the portrayal of the biographee in the role of criminal-as-sinner. But Jim Steinmeyer's efficient though vexing new makes it clear why we all live today in Charles Fort's benightedly bizarre world. The locus classicus for this modern-sounding concept occurs in a contemporary by Wipo, a member of the royal chapel. Heinlein, In Dialogue With His Century, William Patterson has given us a scholarly doorstop that's smoothly readable. Happenstance opened the book for me to the of Margaret Leeson, listed only as Brothel-keeper. Her recent book provides us with a new paradigm for modern . The includes conjectures about the writer's earliest ambitions. Alfred commissioned Bishop Asser to write his , which inevitably emphasised Alfred's positive aspects. Gruffudd ap Cynan's was first written in Latin and intended for a wider audience outside Wales. However, Hibbert notes in his that the letter can be found among the Duke's papers, with nothing written on it. Rolt, in his of the Stephensons, describes the event in some detail. His was first written by Cardinal Boso in his extension to the Liber Pontificalis. Written by their daughter-in-law, this joint defly interlaces the personal and political to tell a human story behind the national struggle. David Harris Willson's 1956 continued much of this hostility. Evading Sir Timothy's ban on a , Mary Shelley often included in these editions her own annotations and reflections on her husband's life and work. It's about a young man who tries to distill the true of his dying father by looking for the kernels of truth in the many tall tales he has told. Hardy is a key character, played by Jeremy Irons, in the 2015 movie The Man Who Knew Infinity, based on the of Ramanujan with the same title. Rolt in his of Stephenson suggests that a faction on the Board continued to ask Stephenson for second opinions, and Rennie took umbrage at this. Writing his , Funny Peculiar, also had an influence. Very few knew the details of his early life until six years after his death, when John Forster published a on which Dickens had collaborated. The first version appeared in about 715 followed by a later revision in the 730s, the first written by a contemporary to appear in England. The Color of Law spares no detail in its intimate portrayal of a real-life hero of the courtroom, and is a worthy addition to college and public library shelves. In the Eighteenth Century Shakespeare's image was in the ascendant, beginning with Nicholas Rowe's in 1709, the primary source of the Stratfordian story. Hamid's own reflects these trifurcated notions of origin and questions the ease with which the native, the immigrant, or the cosmopolitan is defined. The History is a Renaissance , remarkable more for its literary skill and adherence to classical precepts than for its historical accuracy. As related in the book The Life and Times of Private Eye, Moss was the subject of a less than respectful cartoon in the magazine Private Eye. One of Orwell accused him of having had an authoritarian streak. The most obvious flaw of this is its relentless tendentiousness. The term hagiography may be used to refer to the of a saint or highly developed spiritual being in any of the world's spiritual traditions. In the chapter of Pisa three years later Bonaventure's Legenda maior was approved as the only of Francis and all previous biographies were ordered to be destroyed. Rick Dodgson had filled the gap by offering the first academic of the best-selling author and inspirational figure amongst psychedelic enthusiasts. The Victorian age witnessed a continuation of Milton's influence, George Eliot and Thomas Hardy being particularly inspired by Milton's poetry and . Though at least one of Virginia Woolf appeared in her lifetime, the first authoritative study of her life was published in 1972 by her nephew Quentin Bell. And I would gladly swap the BBC's mean-spirited drama for the far more even-handed approach in Barbara Stoney's excellent of Enid Blyton. A new musical by Wirral songwriter Dean Johnson, called Ice Picks And Violets, aims to shed some light on what might have happened in their last moments. But the Sunday Mirror can reveal Arrival Films has bought the rights for a six-figure sum from Lenny's widow Val and the ghostwriter of his , Pete Gerrard. The stage play Being Sellers premiered in Australia in 1998, three years after the release of the by Roger Lewis, The Life and Death of Peter Sellers. Huxley was commissioned by Walt Disney in 1945 to write a script based on Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and the of the story's author, Lewis Carroll. Like his wonderful book on Cannonball Adderley, Walk Tall, this new of flutist Herbie Mann treats us to an album-by-album chronicle of the musician's life. Crawford published a of Elizabeth and Margaret's childhood years entitled The Little Princesses in 1950, much to the dismay of the royal family. The first full was published in 1848 by Richard Monckton Milnes. Capua, author of many Hollywood film star biographies and correspondent for an Italian film magazine, provides a of American film legend Janet Leigh. Several costumes and banners featured images of pigs following claims in a new that Mr Cameron took part in a bizarre initiation ceremony at Oxford. The proposals were first published in 1970 in a of de Valera. Barrow, in his on Robert the Bruce, accused Edward of ruthlessly exploiting the leaderless state of Scotland to obtain a feudal superiority over the kingdom. FitzGibbon's 1965 ignores Thomas's heavy drinking and skims over his death, giving just two pages in his detailed book to Thomas's demise. Chapter 2 summarizes Dominici's and his activities as a preacher, writer, diplomat, and pedagogue. This is Mr. Van Doren at his worst and hack at normal. Suzanne then slipped away to her new victim, whose must here be given. A handful of inset black-and-white photographs illustrate this respectful of a true believer. And if his were written from his childhood to his death, it would be not only an ensample, but confusion to the world. Judge Driscoll had generously left the law feature out of Wilson's which he had furnished to the twins. Readers may remember the first chapter of my of Watkin Tench about my work in tracing his family in Chester, England. Why does Boswell yet wear the crown of indivisible supremacy in ? This act, a bar-sinister in the of Gorges, sullies his escutcheon at the outset. Neil Clark, author of a brief of john deere, states that the diamond-shaped piece was cut out of a circular saw. With the opening installment of the first serial the Free Press published a photograph of the author over a stickful of . Mr. Bingley also, in his animal , says that eels are viviparous. Use * for blank tiles (max 2) Use * for blank spaces bottom_desktop desktop:[300x250] go Word Tools Finders & Helpers Apps More Synonyms Copyright WordHippo © 2024 Use "biography" in a sentence Biography example sentences. 1. It contains the biography collection of different 2. 'I've been asked by a representative of the Danvers House Foundation to research Miss Danvers' papers and try to put together a biography 3. Joe like I told you elsewhere in my biography , is a pretty good mechanic and pretty good parts man and he quickly figured out that the timing chain was gone on the car and it needed to be replaced 4. Would you like to reflect with me on what follows, thinking about how your biography might be projected on the big screen? Would it be billed as a drama, or a comedy, or maybe even a horror story? Or perhaps a bit of all of the previous, rolled into one super full-length movie that will surely have sequels to be made in the years ahead? 5. Whatever the case, how about reflecting with me on what follows, thinking about how your biography might be projected on the big screen? Ready or not, here we go… 6. Maybe I have a only few hours left in this body or many more years until I gasp my last breath and my biography then comes to a final conclusion 7. Read any objective biography of Stalin, and at least one unbiased history of the Soviet Union in the thirties 8. (I wish I could recall the title of the biography I found it in 9. A biography to finish with 10. However, according to his biography , he 11. Some information from his biography which I share with you below 12. He did left a cryptic message in his biography the day he left 13. His biography appeared in that year’s edition of “Noteworthy Americans of the Bicentennial Era” and also in “International Register of Profiles - World Edition, 1976” 14. Roger had al ready been cited in “Outstanding Educators of America” (1971), “Dictionary of International Biography ” (1973) and “Men of Achievement” (1974) 15. The list includes "Outstanding Educators of America" 1971, "Dictionary of International Biography " 1973, "Men of Achievement" 1974, "Noteworthy Americans of the Bicentennial Era" and "Who’s Who in the West" 1975, International Register of Profiles World Edition 1976, and "Who’s Who among Hispanic Americans" 1992-93 16. Love, Trip After my father died, one of his television stations put together a videotape biography on him, which did a good job of tracking his life 17. When you were playing Time of the Ages you could just focus your attention on any character and it would bring up complete biography and stats 18. Whenever she faced insurmountable difficulties in her more than thirty years of mission to protect the environment in India, she would turn to his biography for strength and renew her determination to pursue her objectives 19. In his biography , it is stated that "Bradman was most taken by Tendulkar's technique, compactness and shot production, and had asked his wife to have a look at Tendulkar, having felt that Tendulkar played like him 20. Your biography , as it relates to your expertise 21. It was an afternoon to forget – which I did until twenty-two years later when a lecturer in English literature approached me in the staffroom bearing a recent biography of his hero, Anthony Burgess 22. I finally found what I was searching for, a biography of the Commodore 23. Nakamura’s security file was an interesting read if you enjoyed a biography of one of America’s best and brightest citizens---a Horatio Alger story if there ever was one 24. How could he have given her the true Dracos biography ? The old dear would have gone apoplexic 25. The biography worked its way to her status as a social policy critic and friend to seniors always working hard to improve the lives of seniors and help out their families 26. His biography is in the Dictionary of Literary Biography , and his 27. in the running the Stallman story as a biography 28. ning that O'Reilly intended to publish the biography both as a 29. this is a biography of Richard Stallman, it seemed inappropri- 30. thought of writing a historical biography 31. Allan Nevins wrote a friendly biography of the robber baron from Cleveland, which I haven’t read 32. But even a Potter book or a presidential biography with high sales may not be in the class of one that is struggling to get exposed to the public 33. The book, appropriately enough, is called, The Beatles: The Illustrated And Updated Edition Of The Best-selling Authorized Biography 34. ‘’We are checking on that right now, sir, but she officially is an only child and her parents died in a car accident when she was sixteen, according to her official biography 35. It’s the critical biography of the man who rose to become Speaker of the House – I wouldn’t want him in mine 36. For a delightful and informative read, I recommend Appetite for Life: The Biography of 37. To understand how bad things were, read the biography of a great woman, Mother 38. First, I am what my official biography and military file says 419 39. Speedbumps: Flooring it through Hollywood is the biography of the actress, Teri Garr 40. History, an entertaining, sometimes hysterical biography of the maturing of a journalist, growing up in New Jersey 41. I saw a Ken Burns biography of the development of broadcast radio and (infant) TV last night and how two American engineers, Lee DeForrest and Edwin Howard Armstrong spent 20 years and millions in attorneys fees and court costs (1930s-1950s) to contest patents in court 42. Kevin’s book, My Life as a Furry Red Monster: What Being Elmo Has Taught Me about Life, Love and Laughing out Loud, is the biography of a teacher, who was dedicated to follow his dream without a college degree, which he has achieved 43. whose biography is a litany of irresponsibility and grievance about his 44. Your biography is dictated by 45. Ignoring the fact that the authorities in Poland rarely deprived any writer of the freedom of expression, Tsosnik’s magisterial biography of Pilsudski had just emerged after years of internment by the censor 46. Once out of the conference room, Ingrid went to her office, where Senior Airman Denise Bateman was waiting for her, finding her reading with great interest the book on Nancy Laplante that Ingrid had written years ago along with her own biography as a female fighter pilot during World War Two 47. questioned by the masses In Letters from the Earth Mark Twain asserted that the Bible, in describing God, is perhaps the most damnatory biography that exists in print anywhere, and that God is a malign thug 48. Could it be that he was no superhero? Or perhaps these moments of indecision were left out of the average superhero biography 49. group: there wil be enough book editors and biography producers interested in their life 50. I remember reading Abbie Hoffman’s biography a long time ago 51. Indeed, it is precisely this apparent lack of a biography that qualifies these leaders to represent and bring about a fantastic and grandiose future 52. It was faith in Christ's "words of eternal life" which made that honourable woman, Catherine Tait, as recorded in a most touching biography , resign five children in five weeks to the grave, in the full assurance that Christ would keep His word, take care of them both in body and soul, and bring them with Him to meet her at the last day 53. According to her biography she met acknowledged genius the famous Albert Einstein 54. material for that biography 55. about me having met Quick or Teef, or about the biography 56. Loyd and Alicia had finished writing their sections of Quick’s biography , but Dale, Jeremy and I still 57. An attempt is made here towards this end that owes the content, and at times the text even, wherever quoted, of “Muhammad – his life based on the earliest sources”, the remarkable biography by Martin Lings published by Inner Traditions International, USA 58. The following episode in Martin Ling’s biography of Muhammad would be illustrative 59. In madrasas that the clergy preside over are attended by the majority of the Muslim children, the topics of study include an introduction to the Muslim faith and practice, worship forms, biography of the Prophet Muhammad, and stories of other heroes of the faith 60. But for now, the Musalmans are ever on the look out for the ways and means to assert their Islamic separateness, which, for the muse of a poet would seem: Oh goddamn faith, how thou divide ‘the God’ from gods and ‘the Musalmans’ from other humans! Why if only the moulanas approach Muhammad’s life, not in awe but with insight, for a solution to their vexatious separatist inhibitions, pointers are aplenty in Martin Ling’s biography of his 61. Can an animal be a “helpful scholar and a consultan?” can an animal have a laboratory to do research and fill the literature with different discoveries? Can an animal prepare his own biography ? Can an animal be NASA swimming in space? 62. this advice which I came across while reading the biography that 63. Then, there are those with genuine prejudices too, and these had much to do with the denunciations of Islam that were carried out in Europe during the Crusades, which passed on from generation to generation, and Karen Armstrong has written on the same in her very balanced biography of Prophet Muhammad, in which she has also critiqued the prophet on some points, and as a reviewer has put it, she has been “respectful but not reverential” 64. That is exactly as we mentioned in the biography of the Meccan 65. is the biography of Muhammad and the Hadith is what Muhammad 66. A Beautiful Mind is a movie based on the dramatic and moving biography by Sylvia Nasar about John Forbes Nash, Jr 67. Your biography , as it relates to your expertise for this book 68. 210,gives a short biography , though the study is in the main apenetrating investigation of 69. We are rankly vegetarian again, Papa leading the way with immense determination, for he has set his heart at this unfortunate juncture on a new biography of Goethe that must needs come out just now, a big thing in two volumes costing a terrible number of marks, very well done, full of the result of original digging among archives; but he dare not buy it, he says, in the present state of our affairs 70. It was the official biography of Michael Wong, showing his personal antecedents and his professional qualifications and experience 71. The details were again scant but they did answer the question as to why his most prominent medical position was not included in the previous biography 72. She too was worried she might he dragged into a mess even though all she had done was provide him with Michael Wong’s biography 73. Then what I found amusing in the biography of 74. They contain logical arguments, poetry, songs and hymns, history, biography , stories, parables, fables, eloquence, law, letters and philosophy 75. In Heredia's biography two factsshould be stressed: that 76. From Verdi’s biography derives that his first bad season ended in 1825, while a 77. Picasso’s biography shows that a bad season started for him in 1892, which was 78. biography I had already studied 79. For this purpose, I took the biography of Napoléon I, who was almost an exact contemporary of Beethoven 80. From Napoléon’s biography derives that his good and bad seasons alternated at 81. * I have based all Hugo’s biography in this chapter on Cesare Giardini’s Hugo, 82. From Hugo’s biography derives that his seasons alternated every 16-17 years in 83. * My main source for Churchill’s biography of this chapter is Sebastian Haffner’s 84. produced a colossal work, the four-volume biography of his ancestor, Marlborough 85. From Columbus biography is revealed, therefore, that the lives of the persons 86. see in his detailed biography in another chapter– that the good and bad seasons in 87. I’s biography reveals –as her biography cited later shows– that her life’s seasons 88. Thus, Onassis’s biography reveals that the 89. As we’ll see, for example, in Christopher Columbus’s biography later, he 90. biography , though the majority of the British cabinet’s members was against 91. at the age of 50, as we’ll see in his biography , but later he became world’s 92. biography later), and many others had seen their works being rejected during their 93. As we’ll see later in Queen Elizabeth I of England’s biography , when she was three, she legally became a bastard, she was deprived of her title of 94. Gorbachev’s biography shows that his seasonal alternations occurred at the dates 95. But his biography also shows how Gorbachev’s life was radically influenced 96. biography , you’ll also see how the alternations of his good and bad seasons we’ve 97. From Mandela’s biography is confirmed that his seasonal alternations occurred at Synonyms for "biography" "biography" definitions. an account of the series of events making up a person's life How to form simple past verbs in English and when to use them English may not have as many verb forms as other languages you know—but those few forms come with a lot of complications! The simple past is no different: There is a lot to learn, from irregular verbs to forming questions and negative sentences. Plus you have to understand the difference between the simple past and other tenses. Here's everything you need to know about how to form the simple past in English, how it's pronounced, and when to use it! In this post: When is the simple past used, how do you form the simple past. Verbs with irregular simple past forms Negation of simple past Questions in the simple past, pronunciation of the simple past, simple past vs. simple present perfect. In English, the simple past is used to talk about things that started and ended in the past. For example: I called my mom last night. We played basketball yesterday. They went to the store two days ago. Most commonly, the simple past follows a simple formula: For example:  BASE VERB SIMPLE PAST EXAMPLE talk talk Amy to her girlfriend on the phone yesterday. watch watch Last month, they a lot of scary movies. ask ask I two questions. However, If the base form of a regular verb already ends with an -e , you only need to add a -d for the past: BASE VERB SIMPLE PAST EXAMPLE use us We your pen. die di Lucy's cat yesterday. bake bak Vikram a big cake. If the base form of a regular verb ends with a consonant followed by a -y , change the -y to -i and then add -ed : BASE VERB SIMPLE PAST EXAMPLE try tri I the soup. marry marri She my brother. hurry hurri They to the car. Finally, if the base form of a regular verb ends with consonant-vowel-consonant, you usually double the last consonant and then add -ed: BASE VERB SIMPLE PAST EXAMPLE plan pla We the party. stop sto Junior the movie. wag wa The dog its tail. Past forms of irregular verbs One of the tricky parts of the simple past is that there are many irregular verbs, for which the past form of the verb does not follow the regular -ed pattern. Some common irregular verbs and their past tense forms include: BASE VERB SIMPLE PAST EXAMPLE bring brought Zari and Lily the cake. buy bought Lucy a new coat. can could She walk fast. come came They to the house. do did I my homework. drink drank Junior the milk. eat ate We at the restaurant. find found They their car. go went It in that box. have had The dress two buttons. think thought Eddy he was lost. In addition to the irregular verbs above, the verb to be is also irregular. I and he/she/it take the past form was , while you , we , you (plural) and they all take the past form were: SIMPLE PAST EXAMPLE I I thirsty last night. you (singular) You at school last week. he/she/it It so hot yesterday! you (plural) You all so great in that play last year. they They at Grandma’s house two days ago. To form negative sentences in the simple past, add the words did not before the base form of the verb. Did not is also often written as the contraction didn’t : AFFIRMATIVE NEGATIVE NEGATIVE WITH CONTRACTION I the movie. I watch the movie. I watch the movie. They in the house. They in the house. They in the house. He new shoes. He new shoes. He new shoes. You can ask questions using the simple past. Usually with questions in this tense, you add the word did . However, you don’t need to add did for questions using was or were . Here are the most common types of questions and resources to study them more: Yes/no questions Q: Did you close the door? A: Yes, I closed the door. Q: Was Zari excited? A: Yes, Zari was definitely excited. Wh- questions Q: Where did they watch the movie? A: They watched the movie at home. Q: When was Oscar in Italy? A: He was in Italy last year for an art symposium? Tag questions You didn’t buy more cheese, did you? She didn’t lose her keys, did she? The -ed at the end of regular verbs in the simple past is pronounced differently depending on the last sound in the base verb. (Remember to think about the last sound and not the last letter !) If the base form of the verb ends with a voiceless sound (this means you don’t vibrate your vocal folds), the -ed is pronounced as “t.” Voiceless sounds include "p," "f," "s," "sh," "ch," and "k." For example, the -ed at the end of pushed, watched, and kissed are all pronounced “t.” If the base form of the verb ends with a voiced sound (this means you vibrate your vocal folds), the -ed is pronounced as “d. ” Voiced sounds include all vowel sounds as well as "b," "m," "w," "v," "th" (as in the ), "z," "r," "y" (as in you ), "n," and "g." For example, the -ed at the end of played , loved , and rained are all pronounced “d.” Finally, if the base form of the verb ends with the sound “d” or “t,” the -ed is pronounced as its own syllable, “id.” For example, the -ed at the end of decided , hosted , and pretended are all pronounced “id.” The simple past isn't the only way to talk about events in the past in English—there's also the simple present perfect. So how do you know when to use one form or the other? Meanwhile, the simple present perfect (have/has + past participle) is used for events that started in the past but have some connection to the present (perhaps they’re still continuing today, might happen again, or are affecting something in the present). Depending on which one you use, the meaning of your sentence will change: Simple past Simple present perfect Example I watch the show every day for ten years. I watch the show every day for ten years. Implies The action started in the past and is finished. The action started in the past and continues now. Meaning You don’t watch the show anymore. You still watch the show. Simple past Simple present perfect Example They at the restaurant three times. They eat at the restaurant three times. Implies The action happened in the past and may not happen again in the future. The action happened in the past and may happen again in the future. Meaning Perhaps the restaurant closed, so they know they won’t return. They might eat at the restaurant again. Simple past Simple present perfect Example I spill coffee on my shirt, so I chang my clothes! I spill coffee on my shirt, so I need to change my clothes! Implies The action happened in the past and is now complete. The action happened in the past and is affecting the present. Meaning The spilling of the coffee caused you to have to do something in the past. The spilling of the coffee is still affecting what you have to do now. Keywords to look for There are certain words that often appear with the simple past and others that more commonly appear with the simple present perfect. These signal words are great clues to help you know which tense works best with your sentence. Simple past signal words two days ago two weeks ago two months ago two years ago Simple present perfect signal words Irregular verbs: past and past participle forms In general, learning the past and past participle forms of irregular verbs will help you be a confident English speaker! Use the following table to help you: BASE VERB PAST PAST PARTICIPLE be was/were been become became become begin began begun bite bit bitten break broke broken bring brought brought build built built buy bought bought catch caught caught choose chose chosen come came come do did done draw drew drawn drink drank drunk drive drove driven eat ate eaten fall fell fallen feel felt felt find found found fly flew flown get got got or gotten go went gone know knew known lay laid laid lead led led lend lent lent lie lay lain lose lost lost ride rode ridden ring rang rung rise rose risen run ran run say said said see saw seen shake shook shaken sing sang sung sink sank or sunk sunk sit sat sat sleep slept slept speak spoke spoken steal stole stolen swim swam swum take took taken tell told told throw threw thrown understand understood understood wear wore worn win won won write wrote written Make the simple past simple to learn! Maybe in the past 😉 you were confused about the simple past, but with practice and this handy guide, you will be a simple past star! ⭐ Related Posts All Posts How to use the most common english filler words, dear duolingo: what should i do when people switch to english. 211 IMAGES Sentences with Biography, Biography in a Sentence in English, Sentences Biography Biography Sentence Starters Sentences with Biography, Sentences about Biography Sentence Starters for Biography Writing with Years 3-6 Biography Sentence Starters by CactusCoffeeTeach VIDEO Classroom Activity/School Activity/how to make sentence/ Make Sentence || English || Class: One || DPDC इंग्लिश में बात करना सीखे Learn English from starting pt 5 📚#improveenglishspeakingskills #improveenglish Make sentence Make sentences for the given words touch COMMENTS How to Write a Biography: 6 Tips for Writing Biographical Texts Biographies are how we learn information about another human being's life. Whether you want to start writing a biography about a famous person, historical figure, or an influential family member, it's important to know all the elements that make a biography worth both writing and reading. How to Write a Biography: A 7-Step Guide [+Template] However, portraying someone's life on paper in a comprehensive and engaging way requires solid preparation. If you're looking to write a biography yourself, in this post we'll share a step-by-step blueprint that you can follow. How to Write a Biography Master the skill of biography writing with our comprehensive guide. Learn how to write a biography, bios, access examples, and classroom resources. How to Write a Biography: A Complete Guide with 12 Pro Tips Learn how to write a biography with our comprehensive guide. Get tips on research, interviews, and more. Perfect your storytelling skills! How To Write a Bio—Quick Tips and Bio Examples Writing about who you are and what you've accomplished is a great way to generate ideas for a biography. Learn more about writing a bio, with examples. How to Write a Biography: 15 Steps (with Pictures) Writing a biography can be a fun challenge, where you are sharing the story of someone's life with readers. You may need to write a biography for a class or decide to write one as a personal project. Once you have identified the subject of... 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! How to Write a Biography Wondering how to write a biography? We've constructed a simple step-by-step process for writing biographies. Use our tips & tricks to help you get started! How to Write a Biography in 11 Easy Steps + Book Template Wondering how to write a biography? We're giving you 11 simple steps to get from ideation to publish. Plus a free template to help you write. How to Write Biography in English? Writing a biography is the process of documenting a person's life journey, experiences, and impact. It involves a detailed exploration of their personal and professional history, motivations, and character. A well written biography can provide valuable insights into the subject's life, their contributions to society, and the histories, but ... How to Write a Biography: The Proven 5-Step Ultimate Guide Learn how to write a biography in 5 proven steps. From research to publishing, our experts will help you create a compelling story your readers will love! How to Write an Interesting Biography Dry facts don't make a good biography. Here's how to dig a little deeper to make it interesting. How to write a strong one-line biography (with examples!) How do you write a strong one line biography? Here are examples from some of the world's most recognized names in tech. 11 Tips On How To Write A Personal Biography + Examples 2. Introduce yourself… like a real person. This is one of the most important pieces of understanding how to write a personal biography. Always start with your name. When many people start learning how to write a bio, they skip this important part. People need to know who you are before they learn what you do. How to Write a Biography in English With Example Are you searching about the tips on how to write a biography in English? You are in the write place, follow the steps here and write the best biography. Examples of 'Biography' in a Sentence 'Biography' in a sentence: Much of the book reads like the Yoko chapter in a biography of John. Examples of 'BIOGRAPHY' in a sentence A Channel of Peace. ( 1993) It was an item that had failed to appear in the official biography published four years earlier. The Times Literary Supplement. ( 2010) They are as well worth reading as the biographical works under review and much better history than the previous biographies published. PDF English Writing: Writing a biography Writing a biography isn't just giving a chronological overview of someone's life. Examples of "Biography" in a Sentence Learn how to use "biography" in a sentence with 441 example sentences on YourDictionary. Biography: In a Sentence Biography in a Sentence. Definition of Biography. a person's life story as told by another person. Examples of Biography in a sentence. It took me years to shape the president's life story into an engaging biography. Since the actress never asked you to write about her rise to stardom, your book isn't an authorized biography. Biography in a Sentence Example sentences containing biography from English sources. She wrote her own biography, which detailed her life and work. The Kingston. The story of comma AI, maybe it'll be a biography written about you. Podcasts. Judge Walker's biography has received something of a makeover during his judicial ascent. NY Times. How to use biography in a sentence Here are 300 fantastic examples of sentences and phrases with the word "biography". Biography in a sentence Examples of how to use the word biography in a sentence. Definitions, synonyms and translations are also available. How to form simple past verbs in English and when to use them English may not have as many verb forms as other languages you know—but those few forms come with a lot of complications! The simple past is no different: There is a lot to learn, from irregular verbs to forming questions and negative sentences. Plus you have to understand the difference between the simple past and other tenses. assignment essay homework paper phd report resume review speech thesis