• International
  • Schools directory
  • Resources Jobs Schools directory News Search

Biography Writing (KS2)

Biography Writing (KS2)

Subject: English

Age range: 7-11

Resource type: Lesson (complete)

matthewthomasmurray26

Last updated

19 August 2019

  • Share through email
  • Share through twitter
  • Share through linkedin
  • Share through facebook
  • Share through pinterest

docx, 72.14 KB

This series of lessons teaches children how to plan, structure, write and edit biographies.

Can be used and adapted to Years 4-6

Included is the PowerPoint, example biography and lesson plans.

Hope it is useful.

Visit 2 Stars and a Wish for ideas on how to use songs and poetry to teach reading.

https://www.2starsandawish.com/

Like and share the Facebook group:

https://www.facebook.com/twostarsandawish/

Creative Commons "Sharealike"

Your rating is required to reflect your happiness.

It's good to leave some feedback.

Something went wrong, please try again later.

spindleygiraffe

Straight forward to use. Thank you.

Empty reply does not make any sense for the end user

Brilliant resource. Thank you.

zsorrell676

Excellent, thank you so much!

Anon64061053397389580

Report this resource to let us know if it violates our terms and conditions. Our customer service team will review your report and will be in touch.

Not quite what you were looking for? Search by keyword to find the right resource:

Visit Puffin.co.uk

Puffin Schools

  • Search Field
  • Picture Books Packs
  • Colouring Sheets
  • KS1 English
  • Bumper Book Packs
  • Explore Empathy
  • Jacqueline Wilson
  • Book Club Questions
  • Lit in Colour
  • Activity Ideas
  • Writing Prompts
  • Story Makers Shows
  • Virtual Visits
  • Inspiration

Home > Resources > KS2 RESOURCE PACK: Writing Extraordinary Biographies

biography introduction example ks2

Resource Pack: Writing Extraordinary Biographies

Key stage and subjects, what’s the story.

Have you discovered Puffin’s brilliant biographies for kids aged seven and up?

The Extraordinary Lives series includes: Malala, Michelle Obama, Stephen Hawking, Anne Frank , Katherine Johnson and Neil Armstrong. These beautifully illustrated books include timelines, fascinating facts and inspirational quotes from their stars. The series celebrates how ordinary people can lead extraordinary lives because of their own choices, actions, beliefs and passions and will inspire your class that they too can be extraordinary.

This resource pack includes:

You’ll get material for four or more Literacy, Citizenship and PSHE lessons, adaptable for pupils in KS2 and KS3.

Once pupils understand the different features of biography writing  they’ll be able to create the biography of an extraordinary person of their choice using the template in the pack

Get the Resource Pack: Writing Extraordinary Biographies

Related books, the extraordinary life of anne frank, the extraordinary life of katherine johnson, the extraordinary life of malala yousafzai, the extraordinary life of michelle obama, the extraordinary life of neil armstrong, the extraordinary life of stephen hawking, who makes puffin schools, tag on the top needs the closed class if you start as expanded, leave data-collapsed="false" attribute, its used in the css --> puffin schools has been created by the children’s publisher puffin to help bring together all the inspiring content we create for schools into one place. fa-angle-down--> what ages are the books on puffin schools for, tag on the top needs the closed class if you start as expanded, leave data-collapsed="false" attribute, its used in the css --> the books on this website will range from those for eyfs through to primary and up to lower secondary school. you can discover our full range of books at puffin.co.uk fa-angle-down--> what is puffin, tag on the top needs the closed class if you start as expanded, leave data-collapsed="false" attribute, its used in the css --> puffin is an imprint of penguin random house, the world’s number-one publisher representing a vibrant community of publishing houses marked by unparalleled success. through our world of stories, puffin aims to open up the world to every child. our mission is to inspire children to feel they can be and do anything, and to create readers for life. puffin started out as a non-fiction publisher, with its first title appearing in 1940. as the most iconic and well-known children’s book brand in the uk today, we are always on the lookout for innovative ways to tell the world’s favourite stories and for brilliant new debut talent and brands that connect with today’s young readers, from newborn up to twelve years old. we publish a diverse and wide range of fiction, non-fiction, picture books and children’s classics. our list includes some of the world’s favourite authors, illustrators and licensed brands, such as eric carle, helen oxenbury, nadia shireen, the snowman, doctor who, roald dahl, tom fletcher, jeff kinney, rick riordan, robin stevens, and jacqueline wilson to name but a few. fa-angle-down--> what’s the connection between ladybird, puffin and penguin, tag on the top needs the closed class if you start as expanded, leave data-collapsed="false" attribute, its used in the css --> ladybird, puffin and penguin are imprints of penguin random house uk. across their extensive list, we believe there is a story for every child, everywhere. you can find information about books for all ages at penguin.co.uk fa-angle-down--> where can i buy puffin books from, tag on the top needs the closed class if you start as expanded, leave data-collapsed="false" attribute, its used in the css --> all the books featured on this website can be purchased in the usual way: as well as being available on the high street and online, you can find lots of brilliant offers via school-specific suppliers and wholesale retailers. fa-angle-down--> how do i get in contact with a member of the puffin schools team, tag on the top needs the closed class if you start as expanded, leave data-collapsed="false" attribute, its used in the css --> whether you’ve got a brilliant idea for a lesson, a photograph of something incredible you’ve done at your school or just have a question, please email  [email protected] and a member of the team will get back to you as soon as possible . fa-angle-down--> what’s happened to puffin virtually live, tag on the top needs the closed class if you start as expanded, leave data-collapsed="false" attribute, its used in the css --> the story-makers show  was known as puffin virtually live  up until march 2019. the content and ambition of the show remains the same: to give every pupil the opportunity to engage with authors and illustrators in their own classroom using the power of the internet. we’ve re-named puffin virtually live  so that it’s easier for new teachers to discover it as part of puffin schools and to acknowledge that the show now premieres on show day, rather than being streamed live. fa-angle-down--> what’s happened to my puffin virtually live account, tag on the top needs the closed class if you start as expanded, leave data-collapsed="false" attribute, its used in the css --> your account for puffin virtually live has been deactivated as it is no longer a feature of the puffin schools website. if you were registered for the newsletter, you will now receive the puffin schools newsletter, which is filled with all the latest information about accompanying resources and upcoming shows. if you do not wish to receive it any longer then please unsubscribe. fa-angle-down--> which video platform is the story-makers show hosted on.

biography introduction example ks2

  • Primary Hub
  • Art & Design
  • Design & Technology
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Secondary Hub
  • Citizenship
  • Primary CPD
  • Secondary CPD
  • Book Awards
  • All Products
  • Primary Products
  • Secondary Products
  • School Trips
  • Trip Directory
  • Trips by Subject
  • Trips by Type
  • Trips by Region
  • Submit a Trip Venue

Trending stories

Actor playing Lady Macbeth

Top results

biography introduction example ks2

Features of a biography KS2 – 8 of the best worksheets and resources for writing and comprehension

Features of a biography KS2 resource pack

Whether they're recounting the lives of famous people or simply describing a family member, these activities, ideas and model texts will help your Key Stage 2 pupils get to grips with biographical writing…

Teachwire

1 | KS2 biographical recounts worksheets

biography introduction example ks2

This Key Stage 2 text types resource pack will help children to learn how to write informative biographical recounts.

They will write a biography about an influential person – either someone that they know or someone who is in the public eye – and there are two model texts included to inspire them (one on a relative and one on a famous figure).

This resource also includes a biography writing sheet, biography research sheet, writing plan, writing frame and themed writing paper.

Check it all out here.

2 | Features of a biography

biography introduction example ks2

For a good grounding in what a biography is and what it should include, the BBC bitesize page has handy, digestible pointers, plus videos, a quiz and more.

Check it out here.

3 | Puffin’s brilliant biographies resource

biography introduction example ks2

Based on its Extraordinary Lives series this resource pack from Puffin helps pupils understand the different features of biography writing, and lets them create the biography of an extraordinary person of their choice using the template in the pack.

The pack includes material for four or more Literacy, Citizenship and PSHE lessons, all of which are adaptable for pupils in KS2 and KS3.

Find it here.

4 | Barack Obama biography activity pack

biography introduction example ks2

This resource uses a topic-based approach to biographies based on President Obama.

Activities include a comprehension exercise, making a photo gallery, researching flags and facts about countries cited in Obama’s biography and writing a biography. Plus there are lots of extension ideas and activities included.

Find it all here.

5 | Muhammad Ali biography worksheet

biography introduction example ks2

Where was Muhammad Ali born? What was he known as before he changed his name? When did he retire?

Students are tasked to with using library books, magazines and/or online sources to fill in this report form about perhaps the greatest boxer of all time.

Download and print it here.

6 | Biography Wagoll model texts

biography introduction example ks2

As ever, if you’re looking for a selection of editable model texts for pretty much any literacy topic, Literacy Wagoll is a great place to go.

In the biographies section you’ll find everyone from Usain Bolt and David Beckham to Mary Berry, Jacqueline Wilson, Henry VIII, Roald Dahl and Santa Claus.

Check them all out here here.

7 | Florence Nightingale biography sequencing activity

biography introduction example ks2

This simple printable resource includes a number of sentences about Florence Nightingale for you to cut out and task students with putting back in the correct order.

Get this PDF to print out here.

8 | A biography of palaeontologist Mary Anning

biography introduction example ks2

Mary Anning was born on 21 May 1799 in the seaside town of Lyme Regis in Dorset, on the south coast of England. Mary received little education, was not trained as a scientist, but grew up to be a palaeontologist whose findings helped change the way scientists thought about the world.

This Year 6 Science biography helps children explain why she was so important to our understanding of fossils and acts as a handy model text for biographical writing.

Download it here.

Sign up to our newsletter

You'll also receive regular updates from Teachwire with free lesson plans, great new teaching ideas, offers and more. (You can unsubscribe at any time.)

Which sectors are you interested in?

Early Years

Thank you for signing up to our emails!

You might also be interested in...

School children following Ashley Booth reading curriculum

Why join Teachwire?

Get what you need to become a better teacher with unlimited access to exclusive free classroom resources and expert CPD downloads.

Exclusive classroom resource downloads

Free worksheets and lesson plans

CPD downloads, written by experts

Resource packs to supercharge your planning

Special web-only magazine editions

Educational podcasts & resources

Access to free literacy webinars

Newsletters and offers

Create free account

I would like to receive regular updates from Teachwire with free lesson plans, great new teaching ideas, offers and more. (You can unsubscribe at any time.)

By signing up you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy .

Already have an account? Log in here

Thanks, you're almost there

To help us show you teaching resources, downloads and more you’ll love, complete your profile below.

Welcome to Teachwire!

Set up your account.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit. Commodi nulla quos inventore beatae tenetur.

Log in to Teachwire

Not registered with Teachwire? Sign up for free

Reset Password

Remembered your password? Login here

close

Biographies and autobiographies

Watch: what are autobiographies and biographies.

Biographies and autobiographies are both types of non-fiction stories about someone’s life.

They are both based in fact but there are some key differences between them.

Watch this video in which teacher Mr McPartlin explains the differences. Listen carefully and join in with the activities.

This video can not be played

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.

What are the differences between biographies and autobiographies? Watch this Teacher Talk to find out.

Similarities and differences

Time for a recap on those similarities and differences!

Similarities

Both biographies and autobiographies:

tell the story of someone’s life

are written in the past tense

follow chronological order (the order in which things actually happened)

are non-fiction

Differences

To see some examples, watch the first minute of each of these clips.

The first clip is written as a biography of activist Rosa Parks and the second clip is written as if it were an autobiography . Can you spot the differences?

Watch: Rosa Parks biography example

Video transcript video transcript.

We use buses every day to go to school or into town. It's not unusual, but this story is about a bus journey that changed millions of lives.

Let's go to America, in 1955, to Montgomery in the southern state of Alabama.

There, when a woman called Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat, a bus journey became very important.

Rosa's refusal was a protest about racism against black people. Racism is when someone thinks you’re not as good as them because the colour of your skin or your race is different to theirs, so they treat you differently.

At that time, southern states in America, had something called ‘segregation’. This meant people of different skin colours had different schools, restaurants, even toilets.

Segregation happened on buses too.

One day, Rosa was in a seat for black people, but white people's seats were full. The bus driver wanted Rosa to give her seat to a white person, but Rosa said no!

Rosa was a member of a civil rights group which fought for black and white people to be treated the same.

She was arrested and taken to jail for a few hours.

Rosa didn't fight alone, people organised a bus boycott, which meant they stopped using buses for a year. They walked instead. This bus company lost a lot of money. The boycott was a peaceful stand against racism.

Judges eventually said having separate black and white parts of buses was not allowed.

"Hello, friends of freedom. It's a wonderful day and let us be thankful we have reached this point and we will go farther from now to greater things. Thank you!"

Today, Rosa Parks is remembered as an ordinary woman who took a stand to help black people in America be treated fairly. To be treated the same as whites.

Watch: Rosa Parks autobiography example

The life of Rosa Parks, in her own words.

Top tip

Imagine the same story, but told by Mary Anning herself. How would it be different? What would Mary's thoughts and feelings be?

Re-write the story as if you were Mary writing your autobiography.

Use this sentence to start you off:

My name is Mary Anning and I was born on the 21 May, 1799.

More on Non-fiction

Find out more by working through a topic

Using evidence to support what you say

  • count 13 of 18

biography introduction example ks2

Writing a speech

  • count 14 of 18

biography introduction example ks2

Diary writing

  • count 15 of 18

biography introduction example ks2

Writing instructions using imperatives

  • count 16 of 18

biography introduction example ks2

Resources you can trust

Features of a good biography

Features of a good biography

A comprehensive KS2 PowerPoint presentation to help children write a successful biography with advice on purpose, structure and features.

All reviews

Have you used this resource?

Fiona Lewis

Resources you might like

Literacy Ideas

How to Write a Biography

biography introduction example ks2

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. Mostly though, famous or not, the person who is written about has led a life that is in some way incredible.

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 a biography.

Visual Writing Prompts

What Is a Biography?

how to write a biography | how to start an autobiography | How to Write a Biography | literacyideas.com

Simply put, 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 their childhood right up to the present day or their death if the subject is deceased.

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 as well as their experience of life.

A COMPLETE UNIT ON TEACHING BIOGRAPHIES

how to write a biography | biography and autobiography writing unit 1 | How to Write a Biography | literacyideas.com

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.

What Are the Main Features of a Biography?

Before students begin writing a biography, they’ll need to have a firm grasp of the main features of the genre. A good way to determine how well they understand these essential elements of the genre is by asking them to compile a checklist.

At a minimum, their checklists should contain the items below. 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 that summarizes the main points of the biography.

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 provides clarity on 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 a student wishes 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!

COMPLETE TEACHING UNIT ON INTERNET RESEARCH SKILLS USING GOOGLE SEARCH

how to write a biography | research skills 1 | How to Write a Biography | literacyideas.com

Teach your students ESSENTIAL SKILLS OF THE INFORMATION ERA to become expert DIGITAL RESEARCHERS.

⭐How to correctly ask questions to search engines on all devices.

⭐ 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.

Student Examples of Biography Writing

  • 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.

how to write a biography | A4H32CWFYQ72GPUNCIRTS5Y7P4 | How to Write a Biography | literacyideas.com

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.”

how to write a biography | Elvis Presley promoting Jailhouse Rock | How to Write a Biography | literacyideas.com

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.

how to write a biography | LITERACY IDEAS FRONT PAGE 1 | How to Write a Biography | literacyideas.com

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 and then prioritise events and organise them 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.

Biography Graphic Organizer

Get our 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

writing checklists

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

how to write a biography | YOUTUBE 1280 x 720 11 | How to Write a Biography | literacyideas.com

OTHER GREAT ARTICLES RELATED TO BIOGRAPHY WRITING

how to write a biography | how to start an autobiography 2 1 | How to write an Autobiography | literacyideas.com

How to write an Autobiography

how to write a biography | historical recount writing | How to Write a Historical Recount Text | literacyideas.com

How to Write a Historical Recount Text

how to write a biography | download | 15 Awesome Recount & Personal Narrative Topics | literacyideas.com

15 Awesome Recount & Personal Narrative Topics

how to write a biography | how to write a personal narrative | Personal Narrative Writing Guide | literacyideas.com

Personal Narrative Writing Guide

The content for this page has been written by Shane Mac Donnchaidh.  A former principal of an international school and English university lecturer with 15 years of teaching and administration experience. Shane’s latest Book, The Complete Guide to Nonfiction Writing , can be found here.  Editing and support for this article have been provided by the literacyideas team.

biography introduction example ks2

  • Home Learning
  • Free Resources
  • New Resources
  • Free resources
  • New resources
  • Filter resources
  • Childrens mental health

Internet Explorer is out of date!

For greater security and performance, please consider updating to one of the following free browsers

KS2 Resources & Worksheets > KS2 English Resources & Worksheets >

Biographies Resources and Worksheets

Subscription Level

National Curriculum Level

Topic/Skill

Filter by Keyword

Robert Burns KS2

KS2 Ordering a Biography Model Text

KS2 Ordering a Biography Model Text supports children's knowledge prior to writing. Order the sentences into paragraphs using given sub-headings.

Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Mother Teresa Guided Reading

Mother Teresa the Saint Mother Teresa KS2 Guided Reading Carousel Comprehension

Mother Teresa KS2 Guided Reading Carousel text in the form of a biography of Mother Teresa, which tells of her life and work to care for others.

biography introduction example ks2

My Memories of WWII (Y5m/Y6s) Guided Reading Pack

A Guided Reading Pack aimed at Y5m/Y6s readers in the form of an autobiography written by a man who was a child during WWII. Text, teacher questions, follow-up work, vocabulary activities and SPAG activities included.

biography introduction example ks2

William Wilberforce (Y2m/Y3s/Y4e) Guided Reading Pack

A Guided Reading Pack aimed at Y2m/Y3s/Y4e readers linked to Black History Month in the form of a biography about William Wilberforce. Text, teacher questions, follow-up work, vocabulary activities and SPAG activities included.

biography introduction example ks2

Floella Benjamin (Y3m/Y4d/Y5e) Guided Reading Pack

A Guided Reading Pack aimed at Y3m/Y4d/Y5e readers linked to Black History Month in the form of a biography about Floella Benjamin. Text, teacher questions, follow-up work, vocabulary activities and SPAG activities included.

biography introduction example ks2

Tanni Grey-Thompson (Y3m/Y4d/Y5e) Guided Reading Pack

A Guided Reading Pack aimed at Y3m/Y4d/Y5e readers in the form of a biography about the Paralympian, Tanni Grey-Thompson. Text, teacher questions, follow-up work, vocabulary activities and SPAG activities included.

biography introduction example ks2

Rebecca Adlington (Y2m/Y3d/Y4e) Guided Reading Pack

A Guided Reading Pack aimed at Y2m/Y3d/Y4e readers in the form of a biography about the Olympian, Rebecca Adlington. Text, teacher questions, follow-up work, vocabulary activities and SPAG activities included.

biography introduction example ks2

Bradley Wiggins (Y4m/Y5s/Y6e) Guided Reading Pack

A Guided Reading Pack aimed at Y4m/Y5s/Y6e readers in the form of a biography about the Olympian, Bradley Wiggins. Text, teacher questions, follow-up work, vocabulary activities and SPAG activities included.

biography introduction example ks2

Martin Luther King’s Biography (Y2m/Y3d/Y4e) Guided Reading Pack

Martin Luther King's Biography aimed at (Y2m/Y3d/Y4e) readers in the form of a Guided Reading Pack based on Martin Luther King Junior. Text, teacher questions, follow-up work, vocabulary activities and SPAG activities included.

biography introduction example ks2

Mother Seacole Biography (Y2m/Y3d/Y4e) Guided Reading Pack

A Guided Reading Pack aimed at Y2m/Y3d/Y4e readers in the form of a biography about Mary Seacole. Text, teacher questions, follow-up work, vocabulary activities and SPAG activities included.

biography introduction example ks2

Nick Skelton (Y5m/Y6s) Guided Reading Pack

A Guided Reading Pack aimed at Y5m/Y6s readers in the form of a biography about the Olympian, Nick Skelton. Text, teacher questions, follow-up work, vocabulary activities and SPAG activities included.

biography introduction example ks2

Mo Farah (Y2m/Y3s/Y4e) Guided Reading Pack

A Guided Reading Pack aimed at Y2m/Y3s/Y4e readers in the form of a biography about Mo Farah. Text, teacher questions, follow-up work, vocabulary activities and SPAG activities included.

biography introduction example ks2

Andy Murray (Y3m/Y4s/Y5e) Guided Reading Pack

A Guided Reading Pack aimed at Y3m/Y4s/Y5e readers in the form of a biography about Olympian, Andy Murray. Text, teacher questions, follow-up work, vocabulary activities and SPAG activities included.

biography introduction example ks2

Wayne Rooney (Y2m/Y3d/Y4e) Guided Reading Pack

A Guided Reading Pack aimed at Y2m/Y3d/Y4e readers in the form of a biography about Wayne Rooney. Text, teacher questions, follow-up work, vocabulary activities and SPAG activities included.

biography introduction example ks2

Taylor Swift (Y3m/Y4s/Y5e) Guided Reading Pack

A Guided Reading Pack aimed at Y3m/Y4s/Y5e readers in the form of a biography about Taylor Swift. Text, teacher questions, follow-up work, vocabulary activities and SPAG activities included.

biography introduction example ks2

Ant and Dec (Black) Guided Reading Pack

A Guided Reading Pack aimed at Black Book Band Readers in the form of a biography about Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly. Text, teacher questions, follow-up work, vocabulary activities and SPAG activities included.

biography introduction example ks2

Text Marking a Biography Model Text

Six differentiated activities to identify key features in a biography.

Stay in touch

01422 419608

[email protected]

Interested in getting weekly updates from us? Then sign up to our newsletter here!

biography introduction example ks2

Information

biography introduction example ks2

  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions

Copyright: Classroom Secrets 2024

Company number: 8401067

VAT number: 248 8245 74

  • Terms & Conditions

Designed by Classroom Secrets

IMAGES

  1. Features of a biography KS2

    biography introduction example ks2

  2. Features of a biography KS2

    biography introduction example ks2

  3. Writing a Biography KS2 Word Mat

    biography introduction example ks2

  4. KS2 Autobiography and Biography PowerPoint (teacher made)

    biography introduction example ks2

  5. Information Texts KS2: Biography Model/Example Text

    biography introduction example ks2

  6. Features of a biography KS2

    biography introduction example ks2

VIDEO

  1. Any biography ideas?

  2. Biography

  3. What is Biography? Example? #biography #example #definition #nelsonmandela

  4. Robert Browning/ biography/ introduction/ features of his Poetry @studywitharish

  5. Biography vs Autobiography

  6. Ibne Batotaa ll Biography ll Who Was Ibne Batotaa ll

COMMENTS

  1. KS2 Long and Short Biography Text Example Pack

    Biography examples for children to learn about famous people. Teach your students about some of history's most inspiring people with our collection of long and short biography text examples for children whilst learning how to go about writing a biography (KS2) for themselves. Show more Related Searches

  2. Biographies

    The Flea is a charmingly related biography aimed at children, which takes the heart-warming true journey of Barcelona FC legend Lionel Messi and tells it in a captivating story-style perfect for football mad boys and girls. From his first touch aged five in the streets of Rosario, Argentina, to his first goal on the Camp Nou pitch in Barcelona ...

  3. Biography Writing (KS2)

    Age range: 7-11 Resource type: Lesson (complete) File previews docx, 72.14 KB docx, 493.72 KB pptx, 4.92 MB This series of lessons teaches children how to plan, structure, write and edit biographies. Can be used and adapted to Years 4-6 Included is the PowerPoint, example biography and lesson plans. Hope it is useful.

  4. Exploring biographies

    Activity 1 Biographies should be based on fact. How many facts do you remember about the biographies of Marie Curie and Stephen Hawking? Try this true or false quiz to find out! Biographies Read...

  5. KS2 RESOURCE PACK: Writing Extraordinary Biographies

    What's the story? Have you discovered Puffin's brilliant biographies for kids aged seven and up? The Extraordinary Lives series includes: Malala, Michelle Obama, Stephen Hawking, Anne Frank , Katherine Johnson and Neil Armstrong. These beautifully illustrated books include timelines, fascinating facts and inspirational quotes from their stars.

  6. KS2 Long and Short Biography Text Example Pack

    These include athlete Usain Bolt and authors JK Rowling and Roald Dahl. Our biography resource pack is an ideal tool for improving reading comprehension in year 3-6 children, with a wonderful mixture of long and short biography text examples that your pupils are sure to love! If you want to learn more about biographies, check out our Biography ...

  7. Features of a biography KS2

    Features Of A Biography Ks2 Primary English Features of a biography KS2 - 8 of the best worksheets and resources for writing and comprehension Whether they're recounting the lives of famous people or simply describing a family member, these activities, ideas and model texts will help your Key Stage 2 pupils get to grips with biographical writing…

  8. Twinkl Biography Writing Examples

    If you are writing an example of a biography you should try to include: an interesting opening sentence to hook their reader. the past tense. third-person pronouns. key event and influences in the person's life. the passive voice. a summary of the main event's of a person's life in the first paragraph.

  9. Y4 Information Texts: Biography Model/ Example Text

    If you're looking for a fantastic way to teach your KS2 pupils how to identify the key features of a biography and to write their own examples of this genre, then we think that our lovely Writing a Biography KS2 PowerPoint and Resource Pack might be just what you need!

  10. Biographies and autobiographies

    Differences Examples To see some examples, watch the first minute of each of these clips. The first clip is written as a biography of activist Rosa Parks and the second clip is written as if...

  11. PDF Year 5/6: Biographies

    Q What is a biography? Link to the Greek prefix of 'bio' meaning 'life' Q What do you think are the features of a biography? Class teacher to make a list of pupil's prior knowledge about the features of a biography Display the poster containing all the features of a biography - discuss any features that the children have not mentioned

  12. * NEW * Information Texts KS2: Biography Model/Example Text

    Writing 2. Using Knowledge of Form and Style in Writing 2.3 Word Choice Explore information texts with your class Using the biography of Tom Daley as an example, this learning pack on information texts is a great way to engage your English class!

  13. Information Texts KS2: Biography Model Text (teacher made)

    This can demonstrate how various texts are written in terms of structure, content and language features. For example, biographies normally include an introduction, as well as sections on family and early life. So look no further for a reliable biography model! This example is perfect for your information texts topic lessons.

  14. Features of a biography

    Category. Writing different text types: Biographies and autobiographies. Resource type. Lesson plan. A comprehensive KS2 PowerPoint presentation to help children write a successful biography with advice on purpose, structure and features. 315.64 KB. Free download. 146.5 KB. Download.

  15. Writing a Biography KS2 Word Mat

    This Features of a Biography Word Mat is a great way to teach your child about writing a biography at home. It's a fantastic introduction to the genre and explains the purpose of a biography: to give an account of someone's life. Reading biographies together is also a brilliant way to teach your child about biographies and how they're ...

  16. How to Write a Biography

    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.

  17. KS2 Biographies Resources & Worksheets

    Text Marking a Biography Model Text. Six differentiated activities to identify key features in a biography. Our selection of KS2 Biographies Resources & Worksheets. Created by teachers for teachers. Join Over 100,000 members with over 8,000 resources.

  18. Biography Writing Examples

    If students are struggling to wrap their heads around this idea, these handy Biography Writing Examples serve as a practical way to familiarise students with the conventions of the biography, through some practical exemplar texts that can be studied in the classroom. Show more Related Searches

  19. Sentence Starters for Biography Writing with Years 3-6

    Support your Year 3-6 students to write a biography! Provide your students with a little bit of inspiration and guidance when writing a biography with these biography themed sentence starters and suggested phrases to get them started. These sentence starters and connectives will help scaffold the writing of biographies from your students that ...