Expressions and Impressions!

Through this unit, we aim to create curious-minded individuals who think beyond what they see.

In this chapter we will-

● read and analyze two biographical extracts.

● explore and analyze the salient features of biographies.
● observe how the reader's perspective shifts with the point of view of the author.
● understand specific vocabulary for writing a biographical sketch.
● learn to plan for writing a biographical text.
● research, collect information, categorize, and organise relevant information for
writing a biography.
● identifying the author's point of view while writing a biography.
● write short biographies.
● identify the role of a role model

We are reading various biographies and autobiographies to observe how role models shape our
perspective, and how we understand our role in society vis-a-vis others. These readings will give us
insight into how the author’s point of view gets reflected in her/his writing and how it influences the
reader's perspective. Students’ interactions with such readings will give them a chance not only to
explore the various modes of expression but also to review them critically so that they are able to write
a creative piece of writing which reflects their reflection and engagement with the text.
These are the life sketches of famous, successful, and highly ambitious people. Knowing about
their journey and struggles may influence the young minds in a way that they find out their
path to success and strive enough to walk on it diligently and continuously.

Text selected:
Anchor Text:
1. Extracts from Michelle Obama's biography and Mahavir Singh Phogat's biography.
2. Notes on various role models

Writing Skills:
Writing a biography

Activity- 1 🕒 15 mins
Name of the activity: Turn and Talk - Introductory activity to biographical sketch
Pair activity

In groups of four discuss about yourselves with each other. Talk about what you
have achieved so far, what you would want to achieve, what are your aspirations,
fears, challenges, support you need, goals, desires, and most importantly, your
dreams.
 Activity- 2 🕒 15 mins
Name of the activity: Let us write - Introduction to biographical sketch
Pair activity

After the discussion in activity 1, choose one person you would like to write about from among
the four of you in about 7-8 lines.

Think: 🤔
After you have written

1. Whose point of view became important when you were discussing about yourself?
2. Whose point of view became important when you were writing about each other?
 Activity- 3 🕒 30 mins
Name of the activity: Reading about ‘Oprah Winfrey’ Pair activity

In the previous activity you listened to and wrote about some aspects of your friend’s life as it is
at the moment.
How would it feel to read about people who are our role-models? People who inspire others,
who set an example, who have something to teach us about life. I am sure it will be
inspirational..
The first extract we are going to read is that of ‘Oprah Winfrey’.

Let us read an extract from the biography of a famous talk show host Oprah Winfrey:

OPRAH WINFREY -
A BIOGRAPHY OF A BILLIONAIRE TALK SHOW HOST
BY Robin Westen

Chapter 1

“OKAY, GOD, I GET IT!”

Standing under the hot South African sun, Oprah

Winfrey beams brightly.
Winfrey, the wealthiest and most powerful
American woman in the
entertainment industry, is wearing an elegant
dress, gold jewelry, and—a
construction worker’s hardhat. Standing beside her, also in a rugged hardhat, is
the world-renowned civil rights activist and former president of South Africa
Nelson Mandela, along with the South African minister of education, Professor
Kader Asmal, and several other respected dignitaries.
Winfrey gathers her strength, jabs a shovel into the ground, and scoops up a
hefty mound of rich, dark earth. She tosses it into the air, and the press and
spectators erupt into enthusiastic applause and resounding cheers.
It is December 6, 2002. Winfrey has just broken ground for the Oprah Winfrey
Leadership Academy for Girls, a South African boarding school for grades seven
through twelve. The new school will be devoted exclusively to 450 academically
talented young women.
The academy, which opened in 2007, holds a special place in Winfrey’s heart.
The Oprah Winfrey Foundation, an organization that was established to support
the well-being of women, children, and families around the world, pledged $10
million to build and to maintain the school.
At the ground-breaking, Winfrey told the crowd: “Education is the way to move
mountains, to build bridges, to change the world. Education is the path to the
Future.” She added, “I believe that education is indeed freedom. With God’s help,
these girls will be the future leaders on the path to peace in South Africa and the
World.” After her return, even though it was back to business as usual, Winfrey
remained deeply moved by her experiences in South Africa. Her journey through the
country, giving away gifts to AIDS orphans, was especially life-changing for
Winfrey. Seeing the faces of the children and witnessing their joy was a contagious
and powerful experience: “I realized ... joy has a texture ... if there’s enough of it,
you can feel it in the room. ... I said in that moment, ‘Okay, God, I get it!’” Since that
journey of discovery, Winfrey has not had a bad day, because, she says, “it puts
everything in perspective.”

Chapter 2

Born Into Hardships

In the early 1950s, the American South was still segregated. Blacks and whites
were kept apart from one another in all aspects of society. They could not eat in
the same restaurants or stay in the same hotels. On buses, white people sat up
front while black people had to ride in the back. But along the rolling hills of
central Mississippi in the small town of Kosciusko, segregation did not hold
tight with such a fierce grip. Kosciusko’s former mayor Freddie George later
described race relations in the small town during his time in office: “We existed
together. We farmed together. We did business with each other.”

It was there, on January 29, 1954, in a small wooden farmhouse, that Oprah Gail
Winfrey was born, the great-granddaughter of slaves who were freed after the Civil
War. The same year as Oprah’s birth, the U.S. Supreme Court declared segregation
in public schools to be illegal, and a seed of hope for a better future for blacks was
planted.
From the start, thanks to what might be considered a quirk of fate, Oprah’s name
was marked with attention. Her great-aunt Ida had come up with the name Orpah
after a little-known character in the Bible’s Book of Ruth. But when the midwife
wrote the baby’s name down, she accidentally switched the letters r and p. “Oprah”
ended up on the birth certificate.
Despite Oprah’s stamp of originality, her early life was filled with the all too
common problems of poverty. Her mother, Vernita Lee, was only eighteen years
old when Oprah was born. Her father, Vernon Winfrey, was a twenty-year-old
soldier stationed at Camp Rucker, a remote army base in Alabama. The
teenagers hardly knew each other.

A few weeks after the birth, Vernon was surprised to receive a letter sent from
Mississippi to his base. It was a printed announcement of Oprah’s birth, with a
scrawled note written by Vernita asking him to “Send clothes!” Vernon was not
quick to help out with Oprah’s care, though he later expressed regret about it.

For the first few years, Oprah was raised by both her mother and her
grandmother, Hattie Mae Lee. They did not have much money and shared a
simple life. They lived together on a small farm in Kosciusko with cows, pigs,
and chickens. Oprah ate the food that was grown on the farm and wore the
clothes that her grandmother sewed for her.

Oprah’s mother wanted to improve her life, so she became one of the almost 5
million African Americans who moved to northern cities between 1900 and
1960 hoping to find better lives. The movement was called the Great Migration.
Vernita could not care for her small baby and work at the same time, so little
Oprah was left with her grandmother.

Lee loved Oprah, but like many adults during that time, she was a strict
disciplinarian and believed that taming Oprah’s lively spirit was in the child’s
best interests. In those days, children were sometimes hit with tree branches
called “switches” when they misbehaved. The heart-wrenching commands by

Lee to go out into the field and pull down a branch to be used for her beating still
burn in Winfrey’s memory. Winfrey once said, “She could whip me for days and
never get tired. It would be called child abuse now.”

Despite her grandmother’s strict rules and harsh discipline, Oprah could feel
Lee’s love. Years later, Winfrey expressed gratitude for her grandmother’s strict
upbringing. “I am what I am today because of my grandmother; my strength, my
sense of reasoning, everything.”

Lee could also offer comfort to her granddaughter. Winfrey remembers a time
when her grandmother showed her fierce protective love. While they were lying
in their shared featherbed, a thunderstorm raged outside. Lee held the trembling
Oprah in her arms and reassured her with gentle words, “God doesn’t mess with
his children.”

Lee believed strongly in the importance of education. Even though she was not
formally educated herself, she wanted Oprah to grow up reading the Bible. So
when most three-year-olds were just learning to identify colors, Oprah was
reading, adding, subtracting, writing, and putting Scripture to memory.

Oprah sensed she was different from the other children, a feeling heightened
when in the autumn of 1959 she started kindergarten in nearby Buffalo,

Mississippi. Because she could already read and write, she was bored in class
and decided to do something about it. She wrote a letter to the teacher, saying,
“Dear Miss New. I do not think I belong here.” Oprah’s academic skill shone
through the words in her letter. With the consent of the school administrator,
Oprah was moved into the first grade. Until then, the only life six-year-old Oprah
had ever known was on her grandmother’s rural farm. But reality for Oprah was
about to change
dramatically. When Lee became ill and could no longer care for her grandchild,
Oprah was sent to live with her mother, Vernita Lee, in Milwaukee. Days in the
rural South might have been lonely for Oprah, but life in the big city held its
own trials.
 Activity- 4 🕒 30 mins
Name of the activity: Comprehension check ! Pair activity

We are sure that you must have been fascinated by Oprah’s life.
Now, based on your reading of the extract, discuss and write:

Who was the extract about?

__________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________

Who has written this extract?

________________________________________________________________

Which aspects of Oprah’s life have been discussed?

What aspects of Oprah’s life surprised or amazed you?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________

What kind of relationships do you think Oprah had?

_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________
 Activity- 5 🕒 30 mins
Name of the activity: Analysing the text ! Pair activity

Let us analyse the text further,

Based on the reading of a biography of Oprah Winfrey by Robin Westen fill in the
following Graphic Organizer

Activity- 6 🕒 30+30 mins

Name of the activity: Think, reflect and share! Pair/group activity
Given below are some of the aspects of a person’s life that readers may find inspiring
or interesting if that person is their role model.

1. Personal background: This includes information about the individual's birthplace,

family background, and childhood experiences.
2. Education: The individual's educational history, including their primary, secondary,
and higher education, as well as any additional training or certifications they may
have obtained.
3. Career and Accomplishments: This includes information about the individual's
career path, accomplishments and contributions to their field, and any significant
milestones or awards they may have received.
4. Relationships: Information about the individual's personal relationships, such as
family and friends.
5. Hobbies and Interests: This includes information about the individual's hobbies,
interests, and passions, both inside and outside of their career.
6. Challenges and Obstacles: Any significant challenges or obstacles the individual
has faced, such as health issues, personal struggles, or professional setbacks.
7. Legacy and Impact: The individual's lasting legacy and impact on his/her field,
industry, or society as a whole.

Take a sheet of paper. On one side, write about;

which aspects were you able to find in Oprah’s biographical extract provided here?
On the other side, write about ;
What else you would like to know?

FOCUS What is a biography?

A biography is a written account of a person's life, typically covering their early years,

education, career, achievements, and legacy. Here are some key features of a biography:

1. Objective: A biography aims to present a factual, objective account of the person's

life, rather than an opinionated or biased perspective.
2. Research: The information presented in a biography is typically based on extensive
research, including interviews with the subject, their family members, and friends,
as well as other sources like historical records and archives.
3. Chronological: Biographies are often presented in chronological order, following the
subject's life from birth to death or to the present day.
4. Comprehensive: A biography typically covers all aspects of the person's life, including
their personal life, education, career, achievements, and legacy.
5. Narrative: Biographies are often written in a narrative style, with the author telling
the subject's story in an engaging and compelling way.
6. Analysis: In addition to presenting the facts of the person's life, biographies may
also offer analysis and interpretation of their actions and decisions, as well as their
impact on society and history.
7. Perspective: Biographies may be written from various perspectives, such as
first-person, third-person, or even multiple perspectives, depending on the author's
approach and the nature of the subject's life.
On a lighter note :
A biography is from where you get to know everything about someone's life.It's like getting a
backstage pass to their life, finding out where they were born, what did they do in school,
who were their friends and what did they accomplishe Reading a biography is like reading a
thrilling novel, except instead of trying to solve a murder mystery, you're trying to piece
together someone's life story. So if you want to know more about your favourite celebrity or
historical figure, pick up a biography and get ready for some wild and inspiring tales.
 Activity- 7 🕒 30+30+30mins
Name of the activity: Let us write! Individual activity
Formative assessment

Now, that we are familiar with what is a biography. Let us write.

Write a short biographical sketch (200 words) about one person in your class who is a role-model from
your point of view. It could be a student or a teacher. Before you begin to write, ensure you have all the
details of the person. Meet and interview the person or find out information from other people.
Once you finish writing, use the checklist to assess your biography.
(30 minutes for collecting information and planning, 30 minutes for writing, 30 minutes for reading and
self assessment)

_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_______
HAVE I? YES NO

● included all the important events in the person's life, like birth,
childhood, education, career, achievements, and legacy?

● provided accurate dates and locations for each event?

● presented the information in a clear and organized manner, with

transitions between different stages of the person's life?

● added interesting details, like quotes and anecdotes, to make the

person's story engaging?

● written in a style that suits the purpose and audience of the

biographical sketch?

● avoided biases or prejudices and presented a balanced and

objective account of their life?

● cited sources correctly and provided necessary background

information or context?

● proofread and edited the sketch for clarity, accuracy, and

coherence?

● considered the length and format required for the assignment or

publication?

● sought feedback from others to improve the quality of the

 biographical sketch?

To know more about writing a biography go through the following read. Include anything
you find relevant in your mind map.
https://grammar.yourdictionary.com/style-and-usage/what-is-included-in-a-biography.html
(hometask)

Activity- 8 🕒 30 mins
Name of the activity: Exploring another biographical extract Pair/group activity

Let us read another biography of a person whom many of us know about. We are now going to
read about Mahavir Singh Phogat.

Akhada: The Authorized Biography of Mahavir Singh Phogat by Saurabh

Duggal

Excerpt
He [Mahavir] explains, ‘Our society is not liberal even today, but I am strictly against
gender discrimination. That’s the main reason I introduced all my daughters and nieces to
wrestling, despite the many reservations expressed within my own family and by other
villagers. But, in the case of Geeta’s mother winning the sarpanch elections, she didn’t
know much about the village’s politics and was never interested in contesting. But since
the seat was reserved for women that year, I thought she should fight the elections.’

Speaking about calling the shots during his wife’s five-year tenure as sarpanch, he adds
with a smile, ‘Her presence was limited to signing official documents, as her title as the
sarpanch made her the signing authority. But as she had no interest in the village politics,
all the decisions were taken by me.’

At the time Mahavir had three daughters, Geeta, Babita and Ritu (who was born in 1994),
and was not eligible to contest. But he got his youngest brother, Sajjan — who had quit
his government job and settled in the village — to contest. Yet again, his support proved
to be the lucky charm and Sajjan won the seat.

‘Becoming a sarpanch was never in my destiny. After Sajjan’s tenure was over, Geeta’s
mother became the sarpanch for a second time in 2010 and after that I dropped the idea
of contesting elections. This time, my nephew and distant relative Amit Kumar became
sarpanch. I guess I was never meant to sign government documents as sarpanch,’ laughs
Mahavir.

His wife Daya, however, has a different take on the matter. ‘The first time I contested
the sarpanch elections, people voted for me just because I am Mahavir’s wife. But when I
was made to contest for the second time, the achievements of my daughters were also a
part of my profile.’

The villagers, especially the women, used to compliment her as Geeta and Babita had won
medals in the 2010 Commonwealth Games. ‘People thought the girls had made the entire
village proud, so their mother would also contribute in the same manner in the
development of the village. So the second time I won by an even bigger margin,’ says Daya
Kaur. Soon after this, Mahavir, the some-time politician, turned his attention back to his
favourite sport and evolved into a full-time wrestling coach.

‘My father is not one to accept defeat, be it for us or for himself. For him, only one
medal matters, and that’s gold. So whenever we took on an opponent, there was no choice
but to emerge victorious. Winning came with glory and appreciation and, most importantly,
a reprieve from Papa’s fury,’ Babita intones.

‘Today, Papa is a lot calmer,’ Geeta chimes in. ‘But things were totally different before
the 2010 Commonwealth Games. Winning bronze or silver was no reason to celebrate. It
meant we did not win gold, which was unacceptable in his books and invited his rage.’

While still a minor, Babita got a chance to represent the country in the senior category at
the World Wrestling Championship in Baku, Azerbaijan, in 2007. Though she missed out
on a podium finish, she made it to the quarter-finals — a decent performance keeping in
mind that she was the youngest among her opponents. But this didn’t find any favour with
her father, who had high expectations of her. To make matters worse, on her way back
from Baku, Babita lost her passport at the airport. She approached the Indian embassy in
Azerbaijan, which issued an official note allowing her to travel back to India. But, upon
her return, when she applied for a new passport, she faced an unexpected roadblock: her
application was rejected — not once but twice. Soon, a year had passed since she had
competed internationally and there was still no sign of her application for a passport
being approved.

The light at the end of the tunnel seemed to be diminishing, leaving her uncertain of her
place in the sport. At their wits’ end, Babita and Mahavir had almost given up hope when
someone advised Mahavir to alter the reason for the passport’s loss in the application
form. He was told she should apply afresh for a tatkal (fast-track) passport and state
that her first passport had been lost in Bhiwani (not in Azerbaijan).

With his daughter continuing to lose out on multiple opportunities to compete

internationally, Mahavir found himself stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea. As
a villager, Mahavir had little knowledge of the online database for passports and
considered that tweaking the facts about the passport’s loss was a better alternative to
having another application rejected.

Source credit:

https://www.mid-day.com/lifestyle/culture/article/-Dangal---Here-s-an-exc
erpt-from-Mahavir-Singh-Phogat-biography-that-inspired-Aamir-Khan-17857183

Activity- 9 🕒 30 mins
Name of the activity: Reflecting on Mr. Phogat’s biographical excerpt

Based on your reading of the excerpt, discuss and write about the following:

1. Who is the main character of this biography?

___________________________________________________

2. Who is the author of the biography?

___________________________________________________

3. Whose point of view seems to be important in the excerpt

______________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________

4. Which relationships have been given importance in this excerpt?

______________________________________________________________

Any other important point you noticed:

____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________
 Activity- 10 🕒 30 mins
Name of the activity: Biographies- Reflection and analysis Pair/group activity

Let us turn to our partners, discuss and write

1. Which relationships are used to express Mahavir Singh Phogat’s life? Why do you think
these relationships are important in this biographical expression.
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
________________________
2. When biography is used as an expression whose point of view and whose perspective
becomes important? What makes you think so?
a. Is it only the author’s?
b. Is it only the central character?
c. Is it the people around that character?
d. Is it the reader’s?
e. Is the reader’s relationship with the author or the central character?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
_

3. Do you notice any similarities or differences between the way Oprah Winfrey’s and Mahavir
Singh Phogat’s biography has been written?

OPRAH WINFREY’S Similar aspects MAHAVIR SINGH

(Unique aspects) PHOGAT
(Unique aspects)
 Activity- 11 🕒 30 mins
Name of the activity: Influence of the Role models - Discussion Pair activity

In the two biographical excerpts that we read about were about people who are role models. We
admire different people we see around us. These people may be politicians, authors, poets,
painters, dancers, actors, singers , our friends , or our parents.

These people are our role models and their view of life influences the way we think of ourselves
or the world around us. We also associate some attributes to our role models. An example of the
same as sourced from the internet is as follows :
Why do we get influenced by our role models?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
How do the role models contribute towards building our perspective?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________
In the two excerpts that we have read, how does the author’s point of view about the main
subject (role-model) guide the readers’ point of view?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
 Activity- 12 🕒 30 mins
Name of the activity: ‘Finding my role model’ Pair/group activity

We have discussed as well as felt that role models influence us by inspiring us as do authors
with how they employ (use) their point of view to write about our role models.

How about we trying to find our role model and writing about that person.

Let us read (briefly) about some of the most influential role-models of our times.

Malala yousafzai - Malala is a Pakistani activist for female education and the youngest Nobel Prize
laureate. She has inspired young people all over the world to fight for their right to education and to
speak out against injustice.

Greta Thunberg - Greta is a Swedish environmental activist who gained global recognition for her
youth-led climate strikes. She has inspired millions of young people to take action to address climate
change and has become a leading voice in the fight against climate change.

Elon Musk: Musk is a South African-born American entrepreneur, investor, and engineer who is the
founder of SpaceX, Tesla, Neuralink, and The Boring Company. He has become an inspiring figure for
young people interested in technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

Lewis Hamilton: Hamilton is a British Formula One racing driver who has won seven World
Championships, tying the record set by Michael Schumacher. He is also a vocal advocate for social
justice and equality and has used his platform to raise awareness about issues like racism and climate
change.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: Adichie is a Nigerian writer and feminist who has written novels like
"Purple Hibiscus," "Half of a Yellow Sun," and "Americanah." She is a powerful voice for women's rights
and racial justice and has inspired young people to use their voices for social change.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas: Priyanka Chopra Jonas is an Indian actress, singer, and film producer who
has achieved global success. She is known for her advocacy for gender equality and education, and her
work as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. She has also been involved in various philanthropic efforts
and has been an inspiration for many young women in India.
Mary Kom: Mary Kom is a boxer and six-time world champion, who has been an inspiration to young
girls in India, especially in the field of sports. She has overcome several challenges in her life and has
achieved success through her determination and hard work. Her story is an inspiration to young
people who face obstacles and are looking for motivation to succeed.

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam: A. P. J. Abdul Kalam was an Indian scientist and former President of India. He
is known as the "Missile Man of India" for his contributions to the development of India's missile
technology. He has been an inspiration to young people, especially in the field of science and
technology. His leadership, vision, and dedication to the development of India have made him an
influential role model for young people.

Sundar Pichai: Sundar Pichai is the CEO of Google and is one of the most influential figures in the
tech industry. He is an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur and has made
significant contributions to the development of Google's search engine, Chrome browser, and Android
operating system.

Dr. Fei-Fei Li is an AI researcher and computer science professor at Stanford University. She is a
co-director of the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence and has been a
leader in advancing the development of machine learning and computer vision technologies.

Dr. Devi Shetty: Dr. Devi Shetty is a cardiac surgeon and the founder of Narayana Health, a chain
of affordable hospitals in India. He has been recognized for his contributions to the field of cardiac
surgery and for his efforts to make healthcare more accessible and affordable for all.

Dr. Prakash Amte: Dr. Prakash Amte is a social worker and medical doctor who has devoted his life
to serving the tribal communities of Maharashtra, India. He and his wife, Dr. Mandakini Amte, have
established a hospital and a school in the remote tribal areas of Maharashtra and have been
recognized for their selfless service to the community.

Ritesh Agarwal: Ritesh Agarwal is the founder and CEO of OYO Rooms, a leading hotel chain in India.
He is a young entrepreneur who started his journey at the age of 19 and has since become one of the
most successful startup founders in India.

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw: Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw is the founder and executive chairperson of Biocon, a
biopharmaceutical company based in India. She is a prominent entrepreneur and has been recognized
for her contributions to the field of biotechnology and for her efforts to promote women
entrepreneurship.

Vikas Khanna: Vikas Khanna is an Indian-American chef, restaurateur, and cookbook author. He is
known for his fusion cuisine that combines traditional Indian flavors with modern techniques. He has
been a judge on the TV show MasterChef India and has been recognized for his contributions to the
culinary world.

Who is your role model? (it could be someone outside of this list - parent/ teacher/ someone

else) Why?

__My role model is ________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________

Activity- 13 🕒 30+30+30+60mins
Name of the activity: ‘Writing a biography of my role-model’ Individual activity
30 minutes for brainstorming+30 minutes to decide how to and collect information
(finding interviews/ articles (newspaper/ research/both/other)+30 minutes for collecting
and organising information + 60 minutes to write the 250 word biography)

Refer to activities 6&7 to design the structure of your biography.

You may also use the support provided below:

GUIDING QUESTIONS FOR COLLECTING AND ORGANISING INFORMATION

Probing questions about the subject of the biography.

1. Early life and education: 3. Personal life:

● Where and when were you born? ● Do you have a spouse or partner?
● What was your childhood like? ● Do you have children? If so, how
● Did you have any particular many and what are their names?
interests or hobbies as a child? ● What do you enjoy doing outside of
● What were your favorite subjects in work?
school? ● Have you been involved in any
● Did you attend college or philanthropic or volunteer work?
university? If so, where and what ● What do you hope to achieve in the
did you study? future, both personally and
2. Career and achievements: professionally?
4. Philosophy and worldview:
 ● What led you to pursue your ● What motivates you in your work
current career path? and life?
● What are some of your most ● Do you have any particular beliefs
notable accomplishments in your or values that guide your decisions?
field? ● Have you had any significant life
● What challenges have you faced in experiences that have shaped your
your career, and how did you worldview?
overcome them? ● How do you define success, and
● Have you received any awards or what does it mean to you?
honors for your work? ● What advice would you give to
● Can you describe a particularly young people who aspire to follow
challenging or rewarding project in your footsteps?
that you've worked on?

Remember, the key to writing a compelling biography is to ask open-ended questions

that allow the person to share their unique perspective and experiences. Don't be afraid
to ask follow-up questions or delve deeper into a particular topic if you feel it could
provide valuable insights into the person's life and career.

Probing questions to be considered as the author of the biography

1. What is the purpose of the 3. What research will be required?

biography? ● What sources will you use to gather
● What motivated you to write this information about the person's life?
biography? ● Are there any particular challenges
● What do you hope to achieve by or gaps in the person's history that
writing this biography? you'll need to address?
● Who is the target audience for this ● Will you need to conduct
biography, and what do you want interviews with the person or with
them to take away from it? people who knew them well?
2. What is the scope of the biography? 4. How will you structure the
● What time period will the biography?
biography cover? ● What will be the overall structure
● Will the biography focus on a of the biography (chronological,
particular aspect of the person's thematic, etc.)?
life, such as their career or personal
life?
 ● How much detail will you go into ● How will you balance different
about the person's background, aspects of the person's life (career,
childhood, and early life? personal life, etc.)?
● How will you use quotes,
anecdotes, and other storytelling
techniques to bring the person's
story to life?
5. What is your own perspective on
the person's life?
● What do you admire about the
person you're writing about?
● Are there any aspects of the
person's life or work that you find
challenging or difficult to reconcile
with your own values?
● How will you balance your own
perspective with the need to present
a balanced and accurate portrayal
of the person's life?

Remember, writing a biography is a complex and multi-faceted process that requires

careful planning and attention to detail. By asking probing questions and thinking
critically about the purpose and scope of the biography, an author can create a
compelling and insightful portrait of their subject.

REMEMBER ! to display your the biographies you wrote in class and read each other’s
work.
Activity- 14 🕒 30 mins
Name of the activity: ‘Assessing each other’s biography’ Pair/group activity
Formative assessment 2

Let us now assess each other’s work using a simple checklist

Does the biography :

● present a clear and engaging perspective on the person's

life?

● provide insights into the person's influence and impact on

their field or society?

● cover the most important events and milestones in the

person's life?

● use research and interviews to create a rich and accurate

portrayal of the person?

● offer a balanced and nuanced view of the person's

strengths and weaknesses?

● use storytelling techniques to make the person's story

come alive?

● use language that is clear, concise, and easy to

understand?

● provide references and sources to support its claims?

● avoid making unsupported or unverifiable claims about

the person's life?

● respect the person's privacy and personal boundaries?

Any other observations?

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
 How does the role model influence the author? Quote a specific example from the text
produced.

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________-

Activity- 15 🕒 30 mins
Name of the activity: ‘Role-models, inspirations, and biographies’ Pair/group
activity

So, we've come to the end of our unit on role-models and biographies. And what have we learned? Well, we've
learned that biographies can be fascinating, inspiring, and sometimes a little bit scandalous. We've learned
that role-models come in all shapes and sizes, from tech wizards to social activists to celebrity chefs. And
we've learned that we can learn a lot from the lives and experiences of others. We have also learnt how they
shape our perspectives.

But most importantly, we've learned that we can find inspiration and guidance in the most unexpected places.
Maybe your role-model is a famous inventor or a humanitarian superstar, or maybe it's your grandma who
always knows just what to say when you're feeling down. Whoever your role-model is, they can teach you
something valuable about life, love, and the pursuit of happiness.

So, let's take a moment to thank our role-models for everything they've taught us, whether it's how to make
the perfect omelet or how to change the world. And let's remember that, no matter what challenges we may
face, we can always look to our role-models for inspiration and guidance.
And with that, let's give ourselves a round of applause for a job well done.
Also remember there are several such stories of inspiration. You may have read some, you may want to read
some. Look at the posters below and find out which ones you have read and which ones you would be reading
in your journey forward.
Happy reading!