Year 6 English

Biography Writing

Learn how to research and write about real people, structuring their life story in an engaging and accurate way.

What Is a Biography?

A biography is a non-fiction text that tells the true story of a real person's life. It is written by someone else (not the person themselves) and uses third person (he, she, they). If someone writes about their own life, that is called an autobiography.

Biography

Written by another person about someone's life. Uses third person: "She was born in Melbourne in 1960."

Autobiography

Written by the person about their own life. Uses first person: "I was born in Melbourne in 1960."

Structure of a Biography

A well-structured biography follows a logical order, usually chronological (from earliest events to latest). Here is the typical structure:

Introduction

Introduce the person. State who they are and why they are important or interesting.

Early Life

Describe where and when they were born, family background, and childhood experiences.

Key Achievements

Describe the person's greatest accomplishments, turning points, and contributions.

Challenges and Obstacles

Describe difficulties they faced and how they overcame them. This makes the story more engaging.

Conclusion

Sum up the person's legacy or impact. Why are they remembered? What can we learn from them?

Researching and Language Features

Good biographies are based on careful research. Before writing, gather facts from reliable sources such as books, reputable websites, and interviews.

Language Features of Biographies

1 Third person pronouns: he, she, they, his, her, their

2 Past tense: was born, achieved, overcame, became

3 Time connectives: after that, meanwhile, eventually, in 1985

4 Descriptive language: make the person come alive for the reader

5 Facts, dates, and quotes: provide evidence and authenticity

Key Vocabulary

Biography

A true account of someone's life written by another person.

Chronological

Arranged in the order that events happened, from earliest to latest.

Legacy

The lasting impact or memory a person leaves behind after their achievements.

Third person

A point of view using he, she, or they instead of I or we.

Worked Examples

Example 1: Biography Opening

"Cathy Freeman is one of Australia's most celebrated athletes. Born on 16 February 1973 in Mackay, Queensland, she would go on to become an Olympic gold medallist and a symbol of hope for reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians."

Why it works: Introduces who the person is, includes factual details (date and place of birth), and hints at why they are important.

Example 2: Key Achievement Paragraph

"In 2000, at the Sydney Olympics, Freeman lit the Olympic cauldron at the opening ceremony. Days later, she won gold in the 400-metre sprint in front of a cheering home crowd. It was a historic moment that brought the entire nation together."

Why it works: Uses time connectives, past tense, specific facts, and descriptive language to bring the achievement to life.

Example 3: Conclusion

"Today, Cathy Freeman is remembered not only for her incredible speed on the track, but also for her courage in standing up for what she believed in. Her legacy continues to inspire young Australians to follow their dreams."

Why it works: Sums up the person's impact, reflects on their legacy, and connects their story to a broader message.

Knowledge Check

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Key Concepts Summary

●A biography is a true account of someone's life, written by another person in third person.
●Biographies are structured in chronological order: introduction, early life, achievements, challenges, conclusion.
●Key language features include past tense, time connectives, facts, dates, and descriptive language.
●Always research using reliable sources and end by reflecting on the person's legacy.

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