Biography Writing Template

1. Title
What it is: The name or heading of the biography.
Purpose: Tells readers who the biography is about and attracts attention.
Example: "The Inspiring Life of Nelson Mandela"
Effect: Captures interest and signals the subject‘s importance.

2. Introduction / Opening Statement

What it is: A short paragraph introducing the person and why they are significant.
Purpose: Gives a quick overview of who the person is and why the reader should care.
Example: Nelson Mandela was a South African revolutionary, political leader, and
philanthropist who became a global symbol of peace and justice.
Effect: Immediately engages the reader and sets the tone.

3. Early Life
What it is: Information about the person‘s background — birthplace, family, childhood,
education.
Purpose: Shows where they came from and how their upbringing shaped them.
Example: Mandela was born on July 18, 1918, in the village of Mvezo, South Africa, into
the Thembu royal family.
Effect: Helps readers connect with the subject on a personal level.

4. Major Life Events / Career

What it is: Important milestones, achievements, and struggles in their life.
Purpose: Highlights how the person made an impact.
Example: In 1962, Mandela was arrested and imprisoned for his anti-apartheid activities,
spending 27 years in prison before becoming South Africa‘s first black president in 1994.
Effect: Builds respect and admiration by showing resilience, dedication, and
achievements.

5. Challenges / Obstacles
What it is: Difficulties the person faced and how they overcame them.
Purpose: Inspires readers through stories of determination.
Example: Despite harsh prison conditions, Mandela remained steadfast in his beliefs and
became a symbol of the fight against oppression.
Effect: Motivates readers by showing perseverance.

6. Achievements / Contributions
What it is: Awards, honors, and positive changes they brought to the world.
Purpose: Showcases their lasting legacy.
Example: Mandela won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 for his efforts to dismantle
apartheid peacefully.
Effect: Strengthens the reader‘s appreciation for their contributions.

7. Later Life / Death

What it is: Information about their final years or legacy after death.
Purpose: Brings closure to their story and reflects on their lasting influence.
Example: Mandela retired from politics in 1999 and continued humanitarian work until
his death on December 5, 2013.
Effect: Leaves the reader with a sense of respect and remembrance.

8. Conclusion
What it is: A closing paragraph summarizing the person‘s life and lessons learned from it.
Purpose: Leaves a lasting impression on the reader.
Example: Nelson Mandela‘s life reminds the world that peace, forgiveness, and
determination can change the course of history.
Effect: Inspires and motivates the audience.

9. References / Sources (Optional)

What it is: Where you got the information.
Purpose: Shows credibility and accuracy.
Example: "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela (Autobiography)

Sample Biography Using the Template

Title: The Courageous Journey of Malala Yousafzai

Introduction:
Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani activist for female education and the youngest Nobel
Prize laureate. Her bravery in the face of danger has made her a global icon for girls‘
rights to education.

Early Life:
Malala was born on July 12, 1997, in Mingora, Pakistan. She grew up in the Swat Valley,
where her father ran a school and encouraged her to learn from an early age.

Major Life Events / Career:

When the Taliban took control of her region, they banned girls from attending school.
Malala spoke out publicly for girls‘ education through television appearances and a blog
for the BBC.

Challenges / Obstacles:
In 2012, at the age of 15, Malala was shot in the head by a Taliban gunman on her way
home from school. She survived and was flown to the UK for treatment.

Achievements / Contributions:
Malala co-authored 'I Am Malala', founded the Malala Fund to support education for girls
worldwide, and in 2014 became the youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize winner at 17.

Later Life / Death:

Malala continues to advocate for education globally, addressing world leaders and
supporting girls in conflict zones.

Conclusion:
Malala Yousafzai‘s life is a testament to the power of courage and the belief that every
child deserves an education, no matter the obstacles.

Lesson Plan – Biography Writing

School:
[Enter School Name]

Teacher:
[Enter Teacher‘s Name]

Date:
[Enter Date]

Class/Level:
[Specify Class or Grade]

Subject:
English Language

Duration:
40 minutes (adjust as needed)

Topic:
Biography Writing

Objectives:
- Define what a biography is.
- Identify and explain the key components of a biography.
- Apply the biography template to write about a chosen person.
Teaching Aids:
- Whiteboard/marker
- Printed biography template
- Projector/slides (optional)
- Sample biography text

Teaching Methods:
- Explanation
- Guided discussion
- Question-and-answer
- Group work
- Practice writing activity

Introduction / Initiating Activity:

- Begin by asking: ―If you could meet any famous person, who would it be, and why?‖
- Briefly discuss students‘ answers, leading into how people‘s lives are recorded in
biographies.

Developmental Activity:
Step 1: Define biography and distinguish it from autobiography.
Step 2: Introduce the components of a biography (Title, Introduction, Early Life, Career,
Challenges, Achievements, Later Life, Conclusion).
Step 3: Discuss examples for each component using a famous person (e.g., Malala
Yousafzai).
Step 4: Distribute the template and explain each section in detail.
Step 5: In pairs, students select a person and fill out a rough draft of their biography using
the template.

Summary / Conclusion:
- Recap the definition and parts of a biography.
- Highlight the importance of clarity, accuracy, and engagement when writing
biographies.

Evaluation:
- Students share their biography drafts in class.
- Teacher checks for correct use of structure and inclusion of all components.

Assignment:
- Write a complete biography (150–200 words) of a chosen figure using the template
provided.
Comments:
- Lesson went well; students engaged actively. A follow-up activity on peer-reviewing
biographies could further improve writing skills.

Lesson Note – Biography Writing

Introduction
A biography is a detailed account of a person‘s life written by someone else. It includes
factual information about the person‘s background, achievements, challenges, and
contributions. Writing biographies helps students learn how to research, organize ideas,
and present information clearly.

Objectives
By the end of this lesson, students should be able to:
1. Define a biography and differentiate it from an autobiography.
2. Identify and explain the main components of a biography.
3. Write a simple biography using a provided template.

Content of the Lesson

1. Definition of Biography:
- A biography tells the story of someone‘s life, written by another person.
- It is based on facts, supported by research, and often arranged in chronological order.

2. Difference between Biography and Autobiography:

- Biography: Written by someone else about a person.
- Autobiography: Written by the person themselves.

3. Components of a Biography:
a. Title – Introduces the subject of the biography.
b. Introduction – Gives a brief overview of the person‘s significance.
c. Early Life – Describes the person‘s family background, birth, and education.
d. Major Life Events / Career – Explains important milestones and roles.
e. Challenges / Obstacles – Describes difficulties faced and how they were overcome.
f. Achievements / Contributions – Lists awards, recognitions, and contributions.
g. Later Life / Death – Covers final years and legacy.
h. Conclusion – Summarizes key lessons from the person‘s life.

4. Importance of Writing Biographies:

- Encourages research and reading skills.
- Inspires readers through real-life examples.
- Preserves history and culture.
Teaching Aids
- Whiteboard/Marker
- Printed biography templates
- Sample biography text (e.g., Malala Yousafzai)
- Projector/Slides (optional)

Lesson Development
Step 1: Begin the lesson with a brief discussion by asking students who their favourite
famous person is and why.
Step 2: Introduce the definition of biography and distinguish it from autobiography.
Step 3: Present and explain the components of a biography using a famous figure as an
example.
Step 4: Share the biography template and guide students in filling it out for their chosen
person.
Step 5: Have students work in pairs to draft a short biography.

Conclusion
A biography is more than just a record of someone‘s life – it is a way to inspire others,
preserve important stories, and learn valuable life lessons. By understanding its structure
and purpose, students can craft well-organized and meaningful biographies.

Assignment
Write a 150–200 word biography of a famous person of your choice using the provided
template.

Step 3 – Biography Writing Questions and Answers

Part A – Multiple-Choice Questions (With Answers)

1. What is a biography?
Options: A. A story about someone‘s life written by another person B. A story about
yourself C. A fictional story D. A poem
Answer: A

2. Which of these is NOT a component of a biography?

Options: A. Introduction B. Early Life C. Imaginary Events D. Achievements
Answer: C

3. Who writes an autobiography?

Options: A. The person themselves B. A historian C. A journalist D. A friend
Answer: A
4. Which section of a biography tells about awards and honors?
Options: A. Challenges B. Achievements C. Early Life D. Later Life
Answer: B

5. What is the purpose of the 'Early Life' section?

Options: A. To list awards B. To describe the person‘s background C. To predict the
future D. To summarize the story
Answer: B

6. A biography must be based on:

Options: A. Rumors B. Facts C. Opinions only D. Imaginary events
Answer: B

7. What does the 'Later Life' section include?

Options: A. Childhood B. Death or retirement C. Early achievements D. Fictional
stories
Answer: B

8. Which of these is an example of a famous biography?

Options: A. 'I Am Malala' B. 'The Hunger Games' C. 'Harry Potter' D. 'Cinderella'
Answer: A

9. What is the main aim of writing a biography?

Options: A. To entertain only B. To inform and inspire C. To confuse readers D. To
hide facts
Answer: B

10. Which section summarizes the life and lessons learned?

Options: A. Conclusion B. Introduction C. Early Life D. Career
Answer: A

11. Which type of order is most common in biographies?

Options: A. Alphabetical B. Chronological C. Reverse D. Random
Answer: B

12. Which of these best describes Nelson Mandela?

Options: A. Poet B. Scientist C. Political leader D. Painter
Answer: C

13. A short paragraph at the start of a biography is called:

Options: A. Body B. Introduction C. Ending D. Index
Answer: B
14. Which is a reliable source for biography writing?
Options: A. Verified books B. Rumors C. Hearsay D. Fictional novels
Answer: A

15. Which of the following is TRUE about biographies?

Options: A. They are always fictional B. They must be based on research C. They don‘t
include challenges D. They can‘t include quotes
Answer: B

16. The achievements section should include:

Options: A. Awards B. Failures C. Childhood games D. Fictional events
Answer: A

17. Which of these best fits the conclusion of a biography?

Options: A. Listing early life events B. Summarizing the person‘s impact C. Telling
unrelated stories D. Introducing the person
Answer: B

18. Which tool is most helpful when researching for a biography?

Options: A. Social media rumors B. Verified interviews C. Made-up stories D.
Guesswork
Answer: B

19. Which section should describe difficulties faced?

Options: A. Introduction B. Challenges C. Achievements D. Later Life
Answer: B

20. A biography of yourself written by you is actually:

Options: A. Autobiography B. Memoir C. Diary D. Poem
Answer: A

Part B – Essay Questions (With Answers)

1. Define biography and explain how it is different from an autobiography.
Answer: A biography is a factual account of a person‘s life written by someone else. An
autobiography is written by the person themselves.

2. List and explain any five components of a biography.

Answer: Possible answer: Title, Introduction, Early Life, Career, Achievements – each
plays a role in presenting the person‘s life.

3. Why is research important in biography writing?

Answer: Research ensures accuracy, credibility, and prevents misinformation in the
biography.
4. Explain the role of the 'Challenges' section in a biography.
Answer: It shows the difficulties faced and how the person overcame them, inspiring
readers.

5. Discuss two purposes of writing a biography.

Answer: To inform readers about someone‘s life and to inspire through real-life
examples.

6. Write a short biography of Nelson Mandela (at least 5 sentences).

Answer: Nelson Mandela was a South African leader who fought against apartheid. He
was imprisoned for 27 years and later became the first black president of South Africa.
He promoted peace and reconciliation. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. He
remains a global symbol of justice.

7. Explain why the conclusion section is important in a biography.

Answer: It wraps up the story, highlights key achievements, and leaves a final impression
on the reader.

8. State three differences between biography and fiction.

Answer: Biography is factual, based on real people, and requires research; fiction is
imaginary, created by the author, and does not require real-life facts.

9. Discuss the importance of chronological order in a biography.

Answer: It helps the reader follow the person‘s life in a logical and easy-to-understand
sequence.

10. Why should a biography inspire readers?

Answer: Because it tells real-life stories of courage, hard work, and achievements that
can motivate others.

Step 4 – Matching and Fill-in-the-Blank Questions (With Answers)

Part A – Matching Questions (With Answers)

1. Match the term with its correct definition:
A. Biography 1. Written by the person themselves
B. Autobiography 2. Life story of someone written by another person
C. Early Life 3. Awards and recognitions
D. Achievements 4. Childhood and background details
Answer: Answers: A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3

2. Match the section to its purpose:

A. Introduction 1. Lists awards and honors
B. Challenges 2. Gives background information
C. Achievements 3. Summarizes the person‘s impact
D. Conclusion 4. Describes obstacles faced
Answer: Answers: A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3

3. Match the person to their field:

A. Nelson Mandela 1. Science
B. Malala Yousafzai 2. Literature
C. Albert Einstein 3. Education activism
D. Chinua Achebe 4. Anti-apartheid leader
Answer: Answers: A-4, B-3, C-1, D-2

4. Match the type of writing with its feature:

A. Biography 1. Written by oneself
B. Autobiography 2. Based on imagination
C. Fiction 3. Based on another person‘s life
D. Non-fiction 4. Based on facts
Answer: Answers: A-3, B-1, C-2, D-4

5. Match the section to what it contains:

A. Early Life 1. Summary of life
B. Career 2. Work and major life events
C. Conclusion 3. Childhood details
D. Later Life 4. Retirement or death
Answer: Answers: A-3, B-2, C-1, D-4

6. [Your custom matching question here]

Answer: [Answer here]

7. [Your custom matching question here]

Answer: [Answer here]

8. [Your custom matching question here]

Answer: [Answer here]

9. [Your custom matching question here]

Answer: [Answer here]

10. [Your custom matching question here]

Answer: [Answer here]

11. [Your custom matching question here]

Answer: [Answer here]
12. [Your custom matching question here]
Answer: [Answer here]

13. [Your custom matching question here]

Answer: [Answer here]

14. [Your custom matching question here]

Answer: [Answer here]

15. [Your custom matching question here]

Answer: [Answer here]

Part B – Fill-in-the-Blank Questions (With Answers)

1. A __________ is a story about someone‘s life written by another person.
Answer: biography

2. The story of your own life written by you is called an __________.

Answer: autobiography

3. The __________ section of a biography gives details about the person‘s birth and
background.
Answer: Early Life

4. The __________ section lists awards and recognitions.

Answer: Achievements

5. A biography should be based on accurate __________.

Answer: facts

6. The __________ section wraps up the biography and leaves a lasting impression.
Answer: Conclusion

7. Nelson Mandela spent __________ years in prison.

Answer: 27

8. Malala Yousafzai is known for advocating for __________ education.

Answer: girls'

9. The order in which events happen is called __________ order.

Answer: chronological

10. The section describing difficulties faced is called __________.

Answer: Challenges

11. The __________ is the heading that introduces the subject of the biography.
Answer: Title
12. Verified books and interviews are examples of __________ sources.
Answer: reliable

13. The __________ section of a biography talks about the person‘s final years or death.
Answer: Later Life

14. A biography‘s main purpose is to __________ and inspire readers.

Answer: inform

15. The biography of a famous person is a form of __________ writing.

Answer: non-fiction

Step 5 – Biography Writing Application Questions (With Answers)

Part A – Ordering / Sequencing Questions (With Answers)

1. Arrange these biography sections in the correct order:
Early Life, Conclusion, Achievements, Introduction
Answer: Introduction, Early Life, Achievements, Conclusion

2. Arrange these steps for writing a biography:

Write the final draft, Conduct research, Make an outline, Gather sources
Answer: Gather sources, Conduct research, Make an outline, Write the final draft

3. Arrange the following life events of Malala Yousafzai chronologically:

Won the Nobel Prize, Spoke out on girls‘ education, Was shot by the Taliban, Born
Answer: Born, Spoke out on girls‘ education, Was shot by the Taliban, Won the Nobel
Prize

4. Arrange the following in biography writing process:

Proofread, Select subject, Write draft, Create title
Answer: Select subject, Write draft, Create title, Proofread

5. Arrange the following into proper biography structure:

Later Life, Introduction, Career, Challenges
Answer: Introduction, Career, Challenges, Later Life

Part B – Case Study / Scenario-Based Questions (With Answers)

1. You are asked to write a biography of a local hero who saved lives during a flood.
Which key sections would you include and why?
Answer: Introduction (who they are), Early Life (background), Major Life Events (flood
rescue story), Challenges (difficulties faced during rescue), Achievements (awards
received), Conclusion (impact on the community).
2. A student wrote a biography but forgot to include the ‗Challenges‘ section. How would
this affect the biography?
Answer: It would make the biography incomplete and less inspiring, as challenges show
resilience and determination.

3. Imagine you are writing about a scientist who discovered a cure for a disease. How
would you present their achievements?
Answer: Include specific awards, recognitions, and the global impact of their discovery in
the Achievements section.

4. You are given incorrect information about a person‘s early life. What should you do
before including it in a biography?
Answer: Verify the facts using reliable sources to ensure accuracy and credibility.

5. In a biography, the Later Life section is missing. What important information might be
lost?
Answer: Retirement details, later contributions, reflections on their life, and
circumstances of death if applicable.

Part C – Problem-Solving / Application Questions (With Answers)

1. If you only have 100 words to write a biography, how would you ensure it still has all
key sections?
Answer: Use concise sentences and summarize each section into 1–2 lines focusing only
on the most important facts.

2. A biography you wrote is too long and repetitive. How can you edit it effectively?
Answer: Remove unnecessary details, combine similar points, and keep only relevant and
impactful information.

3. You have two conflicting dates of birth for the same person. How should you handle it
in the biography?
Answer: Cross-check with multiple reliable sources and choose the most verified one;
mention the uncertainty if still unclear.

4. If a biography seems boring, what can you do to make it more engaging?

Answer: Add quotes, interesting anecdotes, and vivid descriptions while keeping factual
accuracy.

5. You are writing about a person still alive. What ethical considerations should you keep
in mind?
Answer: Respect their privacy, avoid unverified claims, and get permission for sensitive
details.