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How to Write Your Awesome Biography Report Directions: For your biography essay, you need to develop five creative paragraphs. Each paragraph must contain at least five sentences. However, as you begin writing you need to think about two things: 1. Am I telling the reader the most important and exciting facts about this person’s life? 2. Am I gaining the reader’s attention by using creative and exciting sentences? Below you will find tips and strategies to develop each paragraph. Remember, as you draft this essay be sure to keep asking yourself the questions above. Introduction This is probably the hardest paragraph to write because you a need hook, a creative way to immediately get your reader’s attention. Then you need to begin to reveal who you are writing about. EXAMPLE INTRODUCTION A bolt of lightning shot across the track, making the other runners seem like they were snails. That’s probably what someone would say if you asked them about Olympic track star James Cleveland Owens. Although Owens was born on September 12, 1913, he is still considered one of the greatest athletes to have ever lived. He was born in the south at Oakville, Alabama, along with his nine older siblings. Owens’ family and struggles with racism inspired him to become a superstar on and off the track.

Notice how the writer “grabs” the reader’s attention by carefully comparing the person to a “bolt of lightning” without ever mention the person’s name. How would you describe your person’s actions or accomplishments? Be sure to include the following in your introduction:    

Your person’s full name Where he/she was born Why is your person famous A thesis statement that tells us what you are going to discuss (Remember, this is the last sentence in the first paragraph)

Tip: You may want to write your introduction after you completed your body paragraphs. You can’t introduce something if you don’t have any detailed facts to introduce!

Give it a try! Try drafting an exciting and detailed introduction below. _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ Body Paragraph 1 A body paragraph is a paragraph where you tell important facts or events. Generally body paragraphs need to be in chronological order and connect with each other. Also, remember since this a biography, readers expect to see more challenging words that describe: who, what, where, when, and WHY. EXAMPLE BODY PARAGRAPH 1 When James Owens was born, many African Americans could only find work harvesting crops for white landowners. This included Jesse, who began working on a cotton farm when he was only seven years old. Even though Jesse was often times sick and weak from battling pneumonia and bronchitis, he still had to work to help his family. When he was nine, his family moved to Cleveland, OH so he could get a better education and avoid racism. However, when Jesse arrived at school, he quickly discovered he was further behind his classmates and his teacher had a hard time understanding his southern accent. When his teacher asked him his name, he said “J.C”. However, his teacher thought he said “Jessie. This is how he got the name “Jessie” it and made him work harder to become a better student.

Notice how the writer begins with Jesse’s childhood and struggles. The writer also uses more advanced and detailed words, such as “harvesting”, “pneumonia and bronchitis”, and “accent”. What words can you use to make your essay more detailed and accurate?

Be sure to include the following in body paragraph:  Important early life events or challenges your person experienced  Where he/she went to school and how that influenced him/her  How early events or challenges may have prepare him/her for the future Tip: Be creative when writing about a person’s early life. Many times you will have to “infer” how his/her childhood helped the person in the future. Give it a try! Try drafting an exciting and detailed body paragraph 1 below. _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ Body Paragraph 2 This is the paragraph when you begin to discuss the person’s adult life accomplishments. In other words, this is the part where you tell the reader why the person is famous EXAMPLE BODY PARAGRAPH 2 After working hard to become a better student, Jesse went to The Ohio State University to become a phenomenal athlete. He was given the name “Buckeye Bullet”. He dominated every race and was asked to compete in the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, Germany, which was control by Nazi leader Adolf Hitler. Jesse managed to win four gold medals (the meter, the long jump, the 200 and 400 meter relay). This was incredible because Hitler and many others were racists believed blacks where inferior to white athletes. He also broke two Olympic records, which weren’t broken until 1960. His actions were a giant slap in the face to Hitler and other racists because it showed black people were equal to white people.

Notice how the writer clearly identifies important accomplishments and even a nickname. The writer also mentions where and when these accomplishments took place. Also notice how the writer once again uses more advanced and detail words, such as phenomenal, dominated, and inferior. Be sure to include the following in body paragraph 2:  What did was the person’s major accomplishment(s) during his/her adult life.  Why was this accomplishment(s) important for others?  What are the long term effects of this accomplishment(s)? Give it a try! Try drafting an exciting and detailed body paragraph 2 below. _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ Body Paragraph 3 This is the paragraph when you tell readers why this person has inspired you. This paragraph should tell us why you selected this person. Although this paragraph is an opinion, you should be able to support your opinion using evidence from the person’s life. Although many of Jesse Owens record have been broken, his accomplishments have made all our lives better. Even as a child Jesse taught others not to let a disability or illness prevent you from achieving your dreams. It is also important that Jesse showed people that the only way to become a better student or athlete is by working harder. Just as important, his actions helped created opportunities for many other athletes, such as Michael Jordan and Jerry Rice. Jesse Owens accomplishments have allowed me to compete against others, regardless of my skin color or background.

Notice how the writer makes opinions, but he/she uses real facts from the person’s life to prove his/her opinion. Also notice the writer shows a cause and effect relationship between the person’s actions and how those actions affected others. Finally, once again look at his/her choice of words; many of the words are detailed and more advanced. Be sure to include the following in body paragraph 3:  How do we benefit from your person’s actions?  What do you think was the most impressive thing about your person?  In what ways would you like to be him or her? Tip: Don’t be afraid t use “I”, this paragraph is about why you selected this person. Remember, you selected the person, not the teacher. If this person hasn’t inspired you, then you should have selected someone else. Give it a try! Try drafting an exciting and detailed body paragraph 3 below. _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________

Concluding Paragraph The concluding paragraph is your last paragraph. Many writers struggle with this paragraph because this it is designed to wrap-up your essay. You don’t want to bring-up any new facts or information. Think of this part as being your moment to tell readers briefly once again why this person was important and how he/she has changed the world.

In 1936 many people witnessed a bolt of lightning that changed how people felt about African Americans. Jesse Owens is one of the world’s greatest athletes because he proved that people are equal. He managed to win four gold medals in Nazi Germany in front of the world’s most evil men, Hitler. Jesse never quit and gave millions around the world hope to accomplish their dreams. Although many people will remember Jesse Owens for his blazing speed, many more people will remember him for inspiring others to become a better human being.

Notice how the writer once again tells us the most important facts about Jessie without repeating the same exact sentences from the body paragraphs. Also, the writer really tries to be positive throughout the conclusion. He/she doesn’t spend time on negative parts of this person’s life. Lastly, the writer avoids new facts or information. Tip: Look back at your introduction to help you. Sometimes ideas from your introduction can help you create new ones. Think of the essay as being a circle, you want to finish where you began. Give it a try! Try drafting an exciting and detailed conclusion below. _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________

Once you had a writing conference, you may begin typing your essay in Google Drive. However, please follow the guidelines below:     

Your font must 12 pt Times New Roman No images Essay must be doubled space Your final page must be your bibliography page Share with the teacher once you begin typing