Famous Figure Biography

Who Will You Be?

Introduction
Our world has been shaped by many individuals who have made
remarkable contributions to science, humanitarianism, sports, etc.
Each student in our class will be choosing one famous figure who has
made a positive impact to research and write a biography about.

Expectations
❑ Choose 1 famous person who has made a positive impact
❑ Research using books and online sources
❑ Site sources for each piece of information (at least 3 sources)
❑ Write a 5-paragraph biography
❑ A 2-3 minute speech from the perspective of their chosen person
❑ Create a suitcase prop with 3-5 items representing the figure

Choosing a Famous Figure

Students are allowed to choose any famous figure who has made a positive impact (every student
needs to choose a unique person, though). A list will be provided of people that the school has
books or other hard copy information about. Students are allowed to choose people not on this
list, but research will be more difficult.

Speeches
Students will be expected to give a 2-3 minute speech to the class about their selected figure.

Important Dates
❑ March 2nd: Begin project
❑ March 6th: Research due
❑ March 20th: Revised/edited 4-square due
❑ April 3rd: Typed final draft due
❑ April 6th: Final draft, suitcase, and speeches due
❑ April 6th-10th: Speeches and suitcase Mystery
Presentations (parents are welcome!)

Grading
See attached rubrics.
 Famous American Biography Planner
Paragraph 1: Reasons to know about this famous
person/Early life
❑ Topic Sentence: Introduce the reader to the topic
❑ 3 key reasons to know about this American
❑ Conclusion

Paragraph 2: Life
❑ Topic sentence: Birth date and place
❑ Education
❑ Family
❑ Conclusion

Paragraph 3: Accomplishments
❑ Topic Sentence
❑ What great things did this person do?
❑ Conclusion

Paragraph 4: Struggles and disappointments

❑ Topic Sentence: What challenges made it hard for this
person to achieve so much?
❑ What was difficult for this person?
❑ What challenges did this person face?
❑ Conclusion

Paragraph 5: Conclusion
❑ Why should we remember this person?
Name: Number: Date:
Famous American Biography Note Catcher
Paragraph 1 Notes:
Person’s Full Name:
Birthday: Birth Place:
Family (parents and siblings):

Source(s):

Paragraph 2-4 Notes:

Education/training (when, where and what degree):

Important Life Events:

Family (spouse and kids):

Source(s):

Struggles:

Accomplishments:

Source(s):

Paragraph 5 Notes:
Death date, place and cause (or where is he/she living and doing now?):

Why should we remember this person:

Source(s):
 Name: Number: Date:
Essay Topic:
Paragraph Topic: Introduction: Who are you studying? Why he/she is important and birthday
and place

Topic Sentence:

Big Idea 1: Big Idea 2:

Big Idea 3: Conclusion:

 Paragraph Topic: Early Life/Education/training/inspiration

Topic Sentence:

Big Idea 1: Big Idea 2:

Big Idea 3: Conclusion:

 Paragraph Topic: Marriage/children/mid-life/struggles

Topic Sentence:

Big Idea 1: Big Idea 2:

Big Idea 3: Conclusion:

 Paragraph Topic: Accomplishments

Topic Sentence:

Big Idea 1: Big Idea 2:

Big Idea 3: Conclusion:

 Paragraph Topic: Conclusion: End of life/why he/she should be remembered

Topic Sentence:

Big Idea 1: Big Idea 2:

Big Idea 3: Conclusion:

 Bibliography

Example:
O’Henry, John. Space. New York: Scholastic, 2001.

Source 1:
, .
Author’s Last Name Author’s First Name
.
Title (Underline a book title, quotes around an article or website, italicize a magazine)
: , .
Place of Publication Publisher Copyright Year
.
web address

Source 2:
, .
Author’s Last Name Author’s First Name
.
Title (Underline a book title, quotes around an article or website, italicize a magazine)
: , .
Place of Publication Publisher Copyright Year
.
web address

Source 3:
, .
Author’s Last Name Author’s First Name
.
Title (Underline a book title, quotes around an article or website, italicize a magazine)
: , .
Place of Publication Publisher Copyright Year
.
web address

Source 4:
, .
Author’s Last Name Author’s First Name
.
Title (Underline a book title, quotes around an article or website, italicize a magazine)
: , .
Place of Publication Publisher Copyright Year
.
web address
 5 4 3 2 1
Biography Rubric Exceeds Meets
Nearly Meets Developing
Does Not
Meet
Expectations Expectations
Expectations
Prewriting
❑ Completed writing planner,
edited and revised rough draft
Biography Composition
❑ description of early life and
family (where and when born,
early traits, etc.)
❑ education and work
❑ obstacles, challenges, and
adversity
❑ achievements and
accomplishments
❑ contributions: why it is important
to remember this person
❑ clear main idea and sticks to it
Organization
❑ organized in a logical order
❑ each paragraph has a topic
sentence, details, and a
conclusion
❑ uses transitions
Word Choice
❑ uses a variety of precise
descriptive words (nouns, verbs,
and adjectives)
❑ the same words are not repeated
over and over
❑ uses transitional words
Usage and Mechanics
❑ indents appropriately
❑ uses complete sentences
❑ sentences flow and make sense
❑ correctly capitalizes beginning
capitalization and proper nouns
❑ uses correct ending punctuation
❑ spells grade level words correctly
❑ uses correct grammar
 Instructional Plan
Before Unit Read an example biography and discuss
Send home Kids discuss costume and suitcase with families
project
description
Week 1 Day 1 • Read over project description and discuss presentation
• Assign figures
• Kids begin reading
Week 1 Day 2 • Model research and note taking
• Distribute packet
• Kids read and research
Week 1 Days 3-5 • Kids read and research
Week 2 Day 6 • Show a few examples of good “hooks”
• Discuss having a good hook, topic sentences, and good
beginnings
• Model topic sentence on 4-square template
• Kids write topic sentence and continue research
Week 2 Day 7 • Discuss what would come in the first paragraph of a
biography and introduction paragraphs
• Model paragraph 1 on 4-square template
• Kids write rough draft of paragraph 1
• Remind them not to plagiarize
Week 2 Day 8 • Model Paragraph 2
• Kids write paragraph 2 rough draft on 4-square template
Week 2 Day 9 • Model paragraph 3
• Kids write paragraph 3 rough draft on 4-square template
Week 2 Day 10 • Model paragraph 3
• Kids write paragraph 3 rough draft on 4-square template
Week 3 Day 11 • Model paragraph 4
• Kids write paragraph 4 rough draft on 4-square template
Week 3 Day 12 • Model paragraph 5
• Kids write paragraph 5 rough draft on 4-square template
Week 3 Day 13 • Model edit/revising work
Week 3 Day 14 • Kids revise/edit
Week 3 Day 15 • Revise/edit
Week 4 Day 16- • Model formatting
20 • Type final draft
• Kids prepare for speeches at home
Credits: Phillip Martin Clip Art