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Ask the subject for permission to write the biography. Before you dive into your research, make sure you get the okay from the subject to write their biography. Ask them if they are willing to be the subject. Getting their permission will make writing the biography much easier and ensure they are open with information about their life.[1] X Research source If the subject does not give you ...Look for primary sources about the subject. Primary sources could include books, letters, pictures, newspapers and newspaper clippings, magazines, internet articles, journals, videos, interviews, existing biographies, or an autobiography by the subject. Look for these sources at your local library or online. Read as much as you can about the subject and highlight any key information you come ...Conduct interviews with the subject and those close to them. Interviewing people will breath life into your research—people you interview can tell you stories that you can’t find in a history book. Interview the subject as well as people close to them, such as spouses, friends, business partners, family members, coworkers, and peers. Conduct the interview in person, by phone, or through e ...Visit locations that are important to the subject. To get a feel for the subject’s history, spend time in locations and areas that are meaningful or important to the subject. This could be the subject’s childhood home or neighborhood. You could also visit the subject’s workplace and regular hang out spots. You may also want to visit areas where the subject made a major decision or ...Study the time and place of the subject’s life. Contextualize the subject’s life by looking at what was going on around them. Consider the time period they grew up in as well as the history of the places where they lived. Do research on the economics, politics, and culture of their time period. Look at the news events happening in the place where they lived or worked.[4] X Research source ...Be careful when publishing private or embarrassing information, especially if the person is not a celebrity. You may violate their "Right of Privacy" or equivalent. Thanks Helpful 31 Not Helpful 5Have the sources to back up your statements about the subject's life. Untruthful written statements can lead to litigation. If it is your opinion, be clear that it is such and not fact (although you can support your opinion with facts). Thanks Helpful 16 Not Helpful 15- 1.9M
- Choose your subject. Ideally, your subject should be someone whose life deeply interests you. Note, however, that this doesn’t mean you have to like the person.
- Find out the basic facts about your subject’s life. If the person you are writing about is famous, you will likely be able to find certain details online, such as their birthday, family background, and other basic information.
- Conduct thorough research. For research, biographers rely on both primary and secondary sources. Primary sources: If you are writing about a living person, primary sources might include interviews with that person, their family members, friends, and colleagues, as well as letters, journals, diaries, speeches, newspaper accounts, school records or reports, and other documents.
- Write an outline of your biography. Once you’ve figured out the direction you want to take with your biography, an outline will help you organize your thoughts and information so you’ll be better prepared to start writing.
Aug 30, 2021 · Biographies are how we learn information about another human being’s life. Whether you want to start writing a biography about a famous person, historical figure, or an influential family member, it’s important to know all the elements that make a biography worth both writing and reading.
- Choose your presentation format. Presenting your biography can take on various forms, the most traditional being written form. The basis for this article assumes you’re writing a conventional biography; however, this foundation can also help you create a multimedia presentation or website as well.
- Choose your subject and conduct research. To create a vivid and accurate portrayal of a person’s life, conduct extensive research. Dive into archives, read letters, examine diaries, explore photographs, and immerse yourself in the historical and cultural context surrounding your subject.
- Develop compelling themes and motifs. Identify overarching themes or motifs that emerge from the subject’s life. These could be resilience, ambition, love, or societal change.
- Conduct relevant interviews. Whenever possible, seek firsthand accounts from those who knew or interacted with the subject. Conduct interviews with family members, friends, colleagues, or experts in the field.
Step 1: Define Your Purpose. Before you start writing, it's essential to establish the purpose of your biography. Are you writing to inspire, inform, or entertain your readers? Defining your goal will shape the content and tone of your biography. Step 2: Research and Gather Information.
Aug 27, 2024 · 1. Ask the subject’s permission to write a biography. Here are the first tips on how to write a biography. Before starting your research, make sure you get your subject’s consent to write their biography. Ask them if they’re ready to be the subject.
