For example, suppose you need to write a biographical sketch of poet who lived in the 19th century. Look up poets you’ve covered in class, browse your textbook or anthology of poems, and search online for poets that fit your assignment. After reading his blurb in your anthology, you might be interested in learning more about Charles Baudelaire, so you choose him for your sketch.
For a major historical figure, you’ll probably have more results than you can handle. Search online for your historical figure and “authoritative biography” to find the most important sources. If you have trouble finding information about your subject, you might need to choose another option.
If you’ve chosen a contemporary figure or famous person, searching online might be your best bet. The most credible sources would include reputable news publications, such as the BBC, The New York Times, and NPR.
You should be able to track down sources at your library or through its interlibrary loan program. If an autobiography or published collection of letters are available, you could also purchase them online or at a bookstore. To find good secondary sources, use search terms such as “authoritative” or “definitive biography” of your figure. When you find scholarly articles about your figure, check their footnotes or references. You’ll definitely want to acquire a book or article about your figure that’s referenced in lots of other sources.
Figure out which of the figure’s achievements, qualities, work, and life experience you want to emphasize.
For example, writing, “My proudest moment is when I was elected class president,” simply states that you’re in student government. Instead, write why you wanted to be class president: “On a school trip to the state capitol, my congressperson described public service to my class. As they spoke, I remember looking up in awe at the capitol building’s towering dome. However, it wasn’t awe that inspired my interest in politics; it was the notion that governing is service. "
Suppose a job description lists the skill “Cost management. " Writing, “I cut operating costs by 17% at my prior position,” just restates a line on your resume. Instead, write in your bio, “The complex purchasing system at my last position was like a many-headed Hydra. For every challenge I solved, 2 more came my way. Ultimately, I managed to conquer the beast, consolidated our vendors, negotiated new contracts, and cut our spending by 17%. "
Come up with a thesis as if you were writing about a historical figure. Instead of trying to cover everything you’ve ever done, focus on 2 or 3 key qualifications. Try summing yourself up in a thesis statement, such as “Jane Doe encountered hardships, but every pitfall provided an opportunity to grow. " You don’t have to include your thesis verbatim in your bio, but it can help you keep your writing focused.
A thesis statement for a biographical sketch could be, “The principal themes of Charles Baudelaire’s poetry are rooted in his experience of urban life in Paris and his 1841 voyage to India. ” If you’re writing about yourself, focus on the achievements you’re proudest of or those that are most relevant to an application. Additionally, it’s usually best to focus on more recent accomplishments.
For instance, your outline might look like this:I. Thesis: The principal themes of Charles Baudelaire’s poetry are rooted in his experience of urban life in Paris and his 1841 voyage to India. II. Emerging urbanism in ParisA. Describe city life in the 19th centuryB. Discuss Baudelaire and tavern cultureC. Cite and analyze poetic elements: corruption of the city, melancholy, “Spleen”III. Romantic voyageA. Lay the context of the voyage in Romantic poetryB. Discuss Baudelaire’s trip to IndiaC. Cite and analyze poetic elements: ships, the ocean, exoticism
Your intro should let your reader know what to expect in the coming paragraphs. For instance: “Baudelaire’s personal letters and journal entries detail his life in Paris and travel abroad. Analyzing examples from his body of work will demonstrate how these encounters with urbanism and exoticism laid the foundation of his poetry’s principal themes. " For an autobiography, summarize what makes you a winning applicant or state the main points you intend to make about yourself. If you’re writing an autobiography in the third person, introduce yourself in the first paragraph: “Jane Doe is a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Georgia. "
For the body an autobiography, describe the events that impacted on you, challenges you overcame, or occasions when you honed your skills. Keep in mind your entire personal bio might only be a paragraph. You might introduce yourself in the first sentence, and the “body” might be 2 or 3 sentences long.
A better sentence would convey exactly why Baudelaire was important. “Charles Baudelaire dismantled Romantic poetry’s unquestioned adoration of nature” is stronger and more specific.
Check for any places that seem confusing or leave you guessing. If you’re not sure what you meant by a statement, your reader will definitely be lost.
