Ten Elements of Biography

Biography Lesson for K-12 students

1. Ten Elements of Biography
Biography Hash
Dr. Youse
(with credit to Judy Freeman)

2. Non-Fiction Books about People
Biography
Autobiography
Memoirs

3. bi·og·ra·phy: n.pl.bi·og·ra·phies
An account of a person's life written, composed, or
produced by another: a film biography of Adlai
Stevenson; an oral biography.
Biographies considered as a group, especially
when regarded as a genre.
The writing, composition, or production of
biographies: a career entirely devoted to
biography.

4. Autobiography
n.pl.au·to·bi·og·ra·phies
The biography of a person written by that
person

5. Memoirs
mem·oir (m mwär, -wôr)
n.
An account of the personal experiences of an
author.
An autobiography. Often used in the plural.
A biography or biographical sketch.
A report, especially on a scientific or scholarly
topic.
memoirsThe report of the proceedings of a
learned society.

6. The 10 Elements
Birthdate and place
Family Members
Childhood and School Life
Hobbies, Interests, and Activities
Anecdotes
Career
Reason for Fame
Later Life/Old Age
Death
Photos and Likenesses

7. Birthplace and date
When was the person born?
Where was the person born?
Why was the family in that location at that
time?
Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthplace, Atlanta, GA

8. Family Members
Birth Order
Spouse, Children
Any other members of the family who
were notable in some way

9. Childhood and School Life
Interesting stories
about childhood or
school
Early achievements
Any events that had
an impact on their
later life

10. Hobbies, Interests, and Activities
Do the person’s hobbies or activities make
them more interesting?
Do the hobbies/activities have a bearing
on why they have a biography about
them?
Do the hobbies/activities relate to other
aspects of their life?

11. Anecdotes
Interesting stories about why they are
famous
Interesting stories about the impact they
have had on others

12. Career
Is their career why they have a book
written about them?
Is their job similar or different from their
hobbies and activities?
Have they made significant contributions
to mankind through their job?

13. Reason for Fame
What did they do
that caused
someone to want
to write a book
about them?
At what point in
their life did they
become famous?

14. Later Life/Old Age
What did they do near the end of their
life?
Did they contribute to society, enjoy life,
continue working?
Were they honored in their lifetime for
their achievements?
Commodore Grace Hopper, USN

15. Death
When and where did
they die?
Was there anything
unusual or significant
about their death? (Ex.
Thomas Jefferson and
John Adams both died
on July 4, 1826)

16. Photos and Likenesses
Photographs or artists’
renderings of the person
may be included

17. Where are
biographies
found in the
library?
The
900’s

18. The 10 Elements
Birthdate and place
Family Members
Childhood and School Life
Hobbies, Interests, and Activities
Anecdotes
Career
Reason for Fame
Later Life/Old Age
Death
Photos and Likenesses

19. If you want to make the lesson
REALLY memorable, include
food!
1.Birthdate and place | Yellow Raisins (birth date and place)
2.Family Members |Nuts or Corn Chex –some family members are a
little nutty or corny)
3.Childhood and School Life |Goldfish—they are in schools
4.Hobbies, Interests, and Activities | Bugles—toot your own horn
5.Anecdotes | Pretzels—stories about twists and turns in life
6.Career | Chocolate chips—”in the chips” is how you make money
7.Reason for Fame | Cheerios—cheer a person’s success
8.Later Life/Old Age |M&Ms—more mature
9.Death | Black raisins—death, we become shriveled and the lights go
out
10.Photos and Likenesses