Biography Project Handouts

A Google Drive folder of handouts and information sheets for the biography project is at:
https://drive.google.com/a/rsu20.org/folderview?id=0B9bbnt4AFVJtOU05V1FLLWlheDA&usp=sharing

You read these documents online, print them out, or make copies that you save within your own Google Drive folders.  

Extending, Revising, & Polishing Genre Pieces

I've spent time reading over your draft genre pieces. Here are some general suggestions that will help strengthen your pieces:

1. Develop your headings and titles. A fully developed heading may be 2 - 3 sentences or more. A title is generally short -- but make the most of it. "Waris Dirie" or "Waris Dirie -- One Determined Woman" The 2nd title is stronger, yet it still doesn't "cost" that much. Agree?

2. Among your 5 pieces, include at least 3 pieces about specific events or moments in your biography. General pieces that give an overview of a person and that person's accomplishments can be useful, but don't stop there.

 3. Aim for at least one piece from the point of view of a "contemporary" of your subject -- someone who knew your subject and had a relationship of some kind with him or her. That person undoubtedly had an opinion on your subject and a way of voicing that opinion.

Write a 5-minute Poem to Kick Start Your Week

Use this site to create your own list poem based on your biography:

http://ettcweb.lr.k12.nj.us/forms/listpoem.htm

Notes:

• A list poem may appear random but it is not
• The poem should end with something surprising, insightful, or important.  One way to do this is to move from the literal to the figurative (see example poem below).
• Once you have made your initial list, consider re-arranging the order of the items.  Also consider adding more detail.  Use precise and concrete language as much as possible.  Provide your reader with a clear image of what you see.

Sample below:

________________________________________________

What’s in the canoe
a sharpened axe with a battered wooden handle
a weathered tent green with mold
a bag of pea flour
a plug of tobacco
three long poles with metal boots
four damp wool blankets
a refusal to turn back
a lot of heart 

--based on the book Great Heart:  History of a Labrador Adventure