how to write a biography sketch

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Tips for Writing a Biographical Sketch (With Examples)

DESCRIPTION writing a biographical sketch
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A biographical sketch paints an abbreviated picture of someone's life . It can be written about someone else’s life or your own life . If you’re writing about someone else, then you must explain who the person is and highlight their major achievements. If the biographical sketch is about you, the same criteria apply, in addition to the goal of presenting yourself in a positive light. Below, you’ll find tips on writing a biographical sketch — also known as a biosketch — in order to keep people engaged and make others want to know more about the subject.

1. Remember Your Purpose

Biographical sketches usually provide an account of a person's life and include core information. If you’re writing a biosketch about someone else, you’ll want to focus on the following basic information: full name, date/place of birth, family background, occupation, and major accomplishments.

We can also write biographical sketches about ourselves — otherwise known as autobiographical sketches — when we need to promote ourselves, say, for a book or presentation. Often, we need to create professional portfolios that include a resume, samples of professional work and a biographical sketch. In these instances, the primary focus is major accomplishments, which we will see in some of the examples below.

2. Be Concise

It’s best to aim for approximately 500 words or less in these sketches. That’s equivalent to about one standard, single-spaced page. Remember, as a “sketch,” this is going to be a condensed version of a fuller biography. You’ll want to tap into those core categories, including background and history, along with pertinent accomplishments. You will, however, have to select only the most noteworthy sentiments, as you’ll be confined to approximately one single-spaced page.

3. Highlight Achievements and Influences

Try to highlight notable achievements that will impress the audience and make the subject a more memorable one. Mention how these accomplishments affected the subject’s life. Likewise, you can also incorporate personal influences into the sketch.

This is a snippet from master marketer Ann Handley ’s biographical sketch. In it, she masterfully highlights her achievements and influence on her industry.

"Ann Handley is a Wall Street Journal bestselling author who speaks worldwide about how businesses can escape marketing mediocrity to ignite tangible results. IBM named her one of the 7 people shaping modern marketing."

4. Arrange Your Information

Once you’ve gathered all the necessary information to compose a biographical sketch, it’s time to format your facts. Will you retell the person’s life in chronological order? Or, will you lead with their major achievements and then circle back to tell their full story?

Five hundred words only gives you three to five paragraphs to work with. In an autobiographical sketch, you can even consider a bulleted list. Take a look at this sample biographical sketch about Leonard Bernstein, American conductor, composer and educator.

Leonard Bernstein (August 25, 1918-October 14, 1990) will forever be remembered for his contributions to the world of entertainment. The world-renowned, award winning American composer, conductor and pianist enjoyed a long and storied career that encompassed concert halls around the world and tremendous success in theatre, television and motion pictures. His contributions to Brodway, motion pictures and the world of music changed the entertainment industry forever. In the early days of the Massachusetts native’s professional career, he served with the New York Philharmonic as assistant conductor. His incredible talent was immediately recognized. He quickly rose to notoriety and began composing symphonies and Broadway musicals. During the 1940s, he composed the symphonies Jeremiah, Age of Anxiety and the Broadway musical On the Town. During the 1950s, he composed more Broadway musicals, including Wonderful Town, Candid, and the internationally-acclaimed West Side Story. Shortly after completing West Side Story, in 1958, Bernstein was named music director for the New York Philharmonic, a role he held until 1967. Bernstein’s career continued to expand and grow even more successful as he left his mark on the world of music as a composer, conductor, educator, and author. During his decade-spanning career, Bernstein traveled the world bringing the joy of music to audiences everywhere. He served as guest conductor for many major symphonies, including the Vienna Philharmonic and the Berlin Philharmonic. He worked as an educator at Boston’s Tanglewood Music Center and Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts. He also published two books of essays, Joy of Music and Infinite Variety of Music. His later works include the dance drama Dybbuk, the musicals Mass: A Theatre Piece for Singers, Players and Dancers and 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, and the opera A Quiet Place. Bernstein was recognized with numerous awards throughout his career, including two Tony Awards, seven Primetime Emmy Awards and 16 Grammys. He was also recognized with a coveted Kennedy Center Honors Award. Early in his career, he was nominated for an Academy Award for the score of On the Waterfront. Bernstein never stopped composing, continuing to create and perform until just a few months before he passed away in October 1990. His final performance as a conductor was at Tanglewood Music Center in August 1990.

5. Verify Your Information

Before publishing or presenting a biographical sketch on an individual, double-check all your sources. It’s important that the information being presented is confirmed and accurate. If you’re writing a biographical sketch, the subject is the best person to provide accurate information. Is an interview possible? If not, as you obtain information about your subject from other sources, be sure to verify its veracity. Here’s more on how to find credible sources .

Biographical Sketch Example for Students

If you need to write a biosketch about yourself, review the original example below for inspiration. It's about a fictional college student, but you can follow the biosketch format and tone to create your own personal statement.

Personal biographical sketch

Biographical sketch vs. capsule biography.

If you’re writing your own biographical sketch, it can be extended into a capsule biography or full-blown autobiography. A capsule biography covers six pertinent elements: name, birthdate, birthplace, parents’ names, major achievements, and death.

While the topics are similar, capsule biographies are able to include a little more detail than biosketches, which focus on major achievements, with possibly just a tiny little personal detail at the end.

Write Your Own Biographical Sketch Today

A biographical sketch is an important tool in a professional’s toolkit. If you’re a writer, it can help you formulate a byline . If you’re searching for jobs, it can help you formulate your professional summary .

Expand the Story Beyond a Biosketch

All in all, a biosketch is a springboard to your story. Now that you know how to write a biographical sketch, it can even extend into your very own autobiography, memoir or biography about someone else. There, you’ll be free to dive into all sorts of anecdotes and tales . Autobiographies and biographies are not limited to overarching achievements in roughly 500 words. Whether you’re writing a biography or autobiography, check out these tips on how to engage the reader . There, you’ll learn about the art of the hook , a practice helpful to every genre of writing.

How to Write a Biographical Sketch: Format & Examples

Are you struggling to write a compelling biographical sketch? Look no further! In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the process of creating a captivating biographical sketch. Whether you’re a college student, a professional, or simply someone interested in learning more about this genre of writing, this guide will provide you with all the essential information you need. From understanding the format to crafting engaging content, we’ve got you covered. So, let’s dive in!

What is a Biographical Sketch?

A biographical sketch, also known as a bio-sketch, is a concise yet informative description of a person’s life, highlighting their achievements, background, and significant contributions. It provides readers with a snapshot of a person’s life, capturing the essence of who they are and what they have accomplished. Biographical sketches are often used in various contexts, such as academic assignments, professional profiles, or introductions for public figures. The key to a successful biographical sketch lies in its ability to engage readers while providing them with a comprehensive understanding of the person being described.

Format of a Biographical Sketch

To create an effective biographical sketch, it is essential to follow a proper format. Here are the guidelines to help you structure your sketch:

Introduction : Start with a brief introduction that captures the reader’s attention and provides essential background information about the person.
Early Life : Describe the person’s early life, including details about their birthplace, family background, and upbringing. This section sets the foundation for understanding their journey.
Education : Provide information about the person’s educational background, including any notable institutions they attended and degrees they obtained. Highlight any academic achievements or areas of specialization.
Career and Achievements : Discuss the person’s professional journey, highlighting significant milestones, achievements, and contributions they have made in their field. Include awards, honors, and notable projects they were involved in.
Personal Life : Share some insights into the person’s personal life, such as their interests, hobbies, and values. This helps create a more well-rounded picture of their character.
Impact on Society : Discuss the person’s impact on society, whether through their work, advocacy, or philanthropy. Highlight any initiatives they have undertaken or positive changes they have brought about.
Legacy : Explore the person’s lasting legacy and their influence on future generations. Discuss how their work or ideas continue to resonate and shape the world today.
Conclusion : Wrap up the biographical sketch with a concluding paragraph that summarizes the person’s key accomplishments and highlights their significance.

Tips for Writing a Biographical Sketch

To make your biographical sketch stand out, here are some useful tips to keep in mind:

Be Concise : Biographical sketches are meant to be brief and to the point. Focus on the most important aspects of the person’s life and avoid unnecessary details.
Highlight Positive Aspects : Emphasize the person’s positive qualities, achievements, and contributions. Omit any unpleasant or irrelevant information that may detract from their story.
Research Thoroughly : Conduct in-depth research to gather accurate and reliable information about the person you are writing about. Verify facts and cross-reference multiple sources to ensure accuracy.
Craft Engaging Content : Use vivid language and storytelling techniques to make the sketch engaging and captivating. Incorporate anecdotes, quotes, or interesting facts to bring the person’s story to life.
Tailor the Sketch to the Audience : Consider the context in which the biographical sketch will be presented. Adapt the tone, language, and level of detail to suit the intended audience, whether it’s a scholarly paper or a professional bio.
Proofread and Edit : Before finalizing your biographical sketch, carefully proofread and edit it for clarity, grammar, and spelling errors. A polished and error-free sketch enhances your credibility as a writer.

Examples of Biographical Sketches

To illustrate the format and structure of a biographical sketch, let’s explore some examples:

A.R. Rahman : A renowned Indian composer, A.R. Rahman was born as Dileep Kumar in Chennai in 1966. Despite losing his father at a young age, he was greatly influenced by his mother. Rahman received training under Master Dhanraj and Illaiyaraja and graduated in Western classical music from Trinity College of Music. He established a recording studio in 1992, marking the beginning of his successful film career. Rahman’s music has garnered numerous awards, including two Academy Awards. He is considered a national icon in India.
Mahatma Gandhi : Born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, Gujarat, Mahatma Gandhi was a prominent leader of the Indian Freedom Movement. After studying law in England, he went to South Africa, where he protested against British apartheid policies. Gandhi returned to India and led the fight for freedom using non-violence and truth as his guiding principles. He advocated for equality and was against untouchability and partition. Gandhi was assassinated on January 30, 1948, but his legacy as a champion of democracy and advocate for change lives on.
Florence Nightingale : Florence Nightingale, born on May 12, 1820, in Florence, Italy, is widely regarded as the founder of trained nursing as a profession. She received education mainly from her father and became an expert on public health and hospitals. During the Crimean War from 1854 to 1856, Nightingale worked tirelessly as the head of nursing, overcoming shortages and difficult conditions. She dedicated her life to caring for the sick and made significant contributions to healthcare. Nightingale’s efforts were recognized when she was conferred the Order of Merit in 1907.
Aruna Asif Ali : A revolutionary freedom fighter of India, Aruna Asif Ali was born in 1909 in a Bengali family. Educated in Nainital, she married the renowned lawyer Asif Ali. Aruna gained prominence when she fearlessly hoisted the Tricolour in Mumbai in 1942, defying police threats. She remained active in politics, serving as the President of the Delhi Congress Committee and the Mayor of the Delhi Municipal Corporation. Aruna Asif Ali received several prestigious awards, including the Lenin Peace Prize and the Indira Gandhi Award. She passed away in 1996, leaving behind a legacy of courage and dedication.
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam : Known as the “Missile Man” of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was the 11th President of India. Born on October 15, 1931, in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, he pursued a career in aeronautical engineering. Dr. Kalam played a significant role in India’s space and defense programs, leading the development of successful missiles. His contributions to science and technology earned him numerous accolades, including the Padma Vibhushan and Bharat Ratna. Dr. Kalam’s vision for a technologically advanced India and his dedication to education continue to inspire generations.

Crafting a compelling biographical sketch requires careful research, organization, and attention to detail. By following the proper format and incorporating engaging content, you can create a captivating sketch that effectively portrays a person’s life and achievements. Remember to tailor your sketch to the intended audience and proofread it thoroughly before presenting it.

With the guidelines and examples provided in this comprehensive guide, you are well-equipped to write an impressive biographical sketch. So, go ahead and tell the extraordinary stories of extraordinary individuals through the art of biographical sketch writing!

How to Write a Biographical Sketch

Last Updated: March 9, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Gerald Posner . Gerald Posner is an Author & Journalist based in Miami, Florida. With over 35 years of experience, he specializes in investigative journalism, nonfiction books, and editorials. He holds a law degree from UC College of the Law, San Francisco, and a BA in Political Science from the University of California-Berkeley. He’s the author of thirteen books, including several New York Times bestsellers, the winner of the Florida Book Award for General Nonfiction, and has been a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in History. He was also shortlisted for the Best Business Book of 2020 by the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 549,917 times.

Writing a biographical sketch can help you learn about a figure’s importance and see the world through their eyes. Since you can’t cover a person’s entire life in a sketch, try to focus on their biggest accomplishments, then build the sketch around that. You can even use this technique to write about yourself!

Example Sketches

Researching Your Subject

Paper with research of the biographical sketch subject written down.

For example, suppose you need to write a biographical sketch of poet who lived in the 19th century. Look up poets you’ve covered in class, browse your textbook or anthology of poems, and search online for poets that fit your assignment.
After reading his blurb in your anthology, you might be interested in learning more about Charles Baudelaire, so you choose him for your sketch.

Step 2 Search for books and articles at your library.

For a major historical figure, you’ll probably have more results than you can handle. Search online for your historical figure and “authoritative biography” to find the most important sources.
If you have trouble finding information about your subject, you might need to choose another option.

If you’ve chosen a contemporary figure or famous person, searching online might be your best bet. The most credible sources would include reputable news publications, such as the BBC, The New York Times , and NPR.

Step 4 Gather primary and secondary sources.

You should be able to track down sources at your library or through its interlibrary loan program. If an autobiography or published collection of letters are available, you could also purchase them online or at a bookstore.
To find good secondary sources, use search terms such as "authoritative" or "definitive biography" of your figure.
When you find scholarly articles about your figure, check their footnotes or references. You'll definitely want to acquire a book or article about your figure that's referenced in lots of other sources.

Step 5 Review your figure’s life, achievements, and importance.

Figure out which of the figure's achievements, qualities, work, and life experience you want to emphasize.

Crafting an Autobiographical Sketch

Step 1 Explain what motivates you in a college or scholarship essay.

For example, writing, "My proudest moment is when I was elected class president," simply states that you're in student government.
Instead, write why you wanted to be class president: "On a school trip to the state capitol, my congressperson described public service to my class. As they spoke, I remember looking up in awe at the capitol building's towering dome. However, it wasn't awe that inspired my interest in politics; it was the notion that governing is service."

Step 2 Tell a story that highlights a job's desired attributes or skills.

Suppose a job description lists the skill "Cost management." Writing, "I cut operating costs by 17% at my prior position," just restates a line on your resume.
Instead, write in your bio, "The complex purchasing system at my last position was like a many-headed Hydra. For every challenge I solved, 2 more came my way. Ultimately, I managed to conquer the beast, consolidated our vendors, negotiated new contracts, and cut our spending by 17%."

Step 3 Keep your bio concise and focused.

Come up with a thesis as if you were writing about a historical figure. Instead of trying to cover everything you've ever done, focus on 2 or 3 key qualifications.
Try summing yourself up in a thesis statement, such as "Jane Doe encountered hardships, but every pitfall provided an opportunity to grow." You don't have to include your thesis verbatim in your bio, but it can help you keep your writing focused.

Drafting Your Essay

Step 1 Come up with a concise thesis for your sketch.

A thesis statement for a biographical sketch could be, “The principal themes of Charles Baudelaire’s poetry are rooted in his experience of urban life in Paris and his 1841 voyage to India.”
If you're writing about yourself, focus on the achievements you're proudest of or those that are most relevant to an application. Additionally, it's usually best to focus on more recent accomplishments.

For instance, your outline might look like this: I. Thesis: The principal themes of Charles Baudelaire’s poetry are rooted in his experience of urban life in Paris and his 1841 voyage to India. II. Emerging urbanism in Paris A. Describe city life in the 19th century B. Discuss Baudelaire and tavern culture C. Cite and analyze poetic elements: corruption of the city, melancholy, “Spleen” III. Romantic voyage A. Lay the context of the voyage in Romantic poetry B. Discuss Baudelaire’s trip to India C. Cite and analyze poetic elements: ships, the ocean, exoticism

Step 3 Introduce the subject and your sketch’s focus in the first paragraph.

Your intro should let your reader know what to expect in the coming paragraphs. For instance: "Baudelaire's personal letters and journal entries detail his life in Paris and travel abroad. Analyzing examples from his body of work will demonstrate how these encounters with urbanism and exoticism laid the foundation of his poetry's principal themes."
For an autobiography, summarize what makes you a winning applicant or state the main points you intend to make about yourself.
If you're writing an autobiography in the third person, introduce yourself in the first paragraph: "Jane Doe is a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Georgia."

Step 4 Provide details and supporting evidence in the body.

For the body an autobiography, describe the events that impacted on you, challenges you overcame, or occasions when you honed your skills.
Keep in mind your entire personal bio might only be a paragraph. You might introduce yourself in the first sentence, and the "body" might be 2 or 3 sentences long.

A better sentence would convey exactly why Baudelaire was important. “Charles Baudelaire dismantled Romantic poetry’s unquestioned adoration of nature” is stronger and more specific.

Step 6 Restate your main points in the conclusion.

Revising Your Draft

Step 1 Look for sentences that sound awkward or unclear.

Check for any places that seem confusing or leave you guessing. If you're not sure what you meant by a statement, your reader will definitely be lost.

Community Q&A

↑ https://penandthepad.com/write-impressive-biographical-sketch-4531922.html
↑ https://open.lib.umn.edu/writingforsuccess/chapter/11-4-strategies-for-gathering-reliable-information/
↑ https://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/writers-workshop-biographical-sketch-1039.html?tab=4#session1
↑ https://www.educations.com/articles-and-advice/motivation-letter-for-studies-abroad-13564
↑ https://www.cs.cmu.edu/~sfinger/advice/advice.html#biosketches
↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/deborahljacobs/2014/06/03/what-to-do-when-you-need-a-bio-rather-than-a-resume/#65cc18a34e43
↑ https://slc.berkeley.edu/you-start-writing-paper-guide-prewriting-techniques-0
↑ https://grammar.yourdictionary.com/grammar-rules-and-tips/tips-on-writing-a-biographical-sketch.html
↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/academic_writing/conciseness/index.html

About This Article

Once you’ve chosen someone to write about in your biographical sketch, choose a key detail about the person’s life, then use that to write a thesis statement. Once you have your thesis, craft an outline made up of 4-5 facts that support your thesis statement. Then, start your essay by introducing the reader to your subject, then follow by describing your thesis and a brief summary of the rest of your essay. The body of your essay should describe facts from your subject’s life that support your thesis. For tips on choosing a figure for your sketch, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Biographical Sketch Examples – A Guide to Biographical Sketches

A biographical sketch can be regarded as an account of the life and activities of a person or family. This sketch should be written by someone else and not the person that it is written for. When properly written, biographical sketches can tell many interesting facts about a person they are written for. It mentions the age the person lives, their occupation, hobbies, and many other things worth mentioning.

So, how do your Write a Biographical Sketch?

When you write a biographical sketch, you must remember the purpose of the sketch, be precise, and highlight the achievements and influences of the person. Arrange your information logically, and verify your information before putting them out there.

What Is A Good Example Of A Biographical Sketch?

An excellent example of a biographical sketch should include information on the individual or family’s names, residence, education, occupation, life activities, and other vital information. A biographical sketch must also have hobbies, friends, interests, and the influence of people in the individual’s life and achievements.

A biographical sketch should be around 500 words and should include answers to the following questions;

Where is the place of residence of the individual?
What did they do for a living?
Was the person married?
Did they had children?
What are the names of their parents or guardians?
How long did they live in their last place of residence?
Why did they join military or paramilitary forces like the Army or the Boys scout?
What happened to them when they joined the military?
What did they achieve in and outside of their main occupation?
When did they die?
How friends, family, and other people did remember them?

Please type your biographical sketch with the 12-point font and double-spaced. It is also essential to check for punctuation, spelling, and verbal usage errors. It would be best if you allowed friends, family, and another person who has come across the individual to contribute any vital information to the sketch, as they have the necessary information that can be useful in many ways.

You may not be able to answer all the biographical sketch questions fully; that is okay as long as you make the final report very interesting.

Tips And Ideas For Writing Biographical Sketch

A biographical sketch is supposed to paint the abbreviated picture of an individual’s life. It can be written about your own life or someone else’s. When written about someone else’s life, the sketch must explain who the person is and highlight their achievements. If a biological sketch is about you, then the same rule applies.

You must get permission before you write a biography sketch. You must approach the individual or their family members and ask for their permission to write about the individual’s life.

In some cases, asking for permission may not be necessary, for instance, if the individual is a public figure or deceased individual, but seeking approval will make your work a lot easier.

If an individual wants a biographical sketch, they will surely provide some vital information or resources you will need to do the work. You may throw in your skill into the write-up, but the primary information about the person is more important. For this reason, getting permission and a true story from the right source is always an excellent step to take.

In addition to presenting an individual or yourself in a positive light, you must keep readers engaged and wanting to know more.

The first thing you must keep in mind when writing a biographical sketch is to remember your purpose. This notion means the sketch must provide the core information about the individual. You must include the full names, place of birth, occupation, family background, and significant accomplishments.

If you are writing a biographical sketch about yourself, it is known as an autobiographical sketch. You may write this sketch to promote yourself, for instance, when you want to sell a book. When a biographical sketch is about you, then your primary focus should be your accomplishments.

Another tip that is vital for a successful biographical sketch is conciseness. It would be best if you were concise with all information provided. You should aim for 500 words or less with your biographical sketches. This should fit into a single-spaced, standard page. Keep in mind that a sketch is a condensed or compressed version of a fuller biography; hence you should pay attention to the core information.

The core information in a biographical sketch includes; background and history plus accomplishments. To be concise with the information provided, you must choose the essential sentiments due to the space confinement for the report.

It would be best if you highlighted the achievements and influences of the recipient of the biographical sketch. Highlighting the recipient’s accomplishments will impress the audience more and make them more interested in the person.

It would be best to mention how life’s accomplishments affected the individual’s life, and you may incorporate their influences into the sketch. An example of highlighting achievement in a biographical sketch is as follows;

“Marcus Rashford is a wall street Journal author who speaks worldwide about how small and medium businesses can escape the effects of marketing mediocrity to produce tangible results. Forbes named him one of the most influential people shaping modern business marketing”.

This brief highlight showcases the occupation of the individual and his achievement within the sector. Every other achievement mentioned in a biographical sketch should follow a similar format to save space.

Now that you have mentioned the life achievements of the individuals and their background, the next step is to arrange your information logically or in sequence. You must have gathered all the necessary information. Hence it would be best if you gathered your fact.

Keep in mind that 500-word content will probably give you 4-5 paragraphs to include all necessary information. You may want to write the biographical sketch in chronological order or retell their life in full, but the space constraint remains an issue.

In an autobiographical sketch, you may have to consider a bullet list to highlight achievements. It all depends on how much information you have and how well you want to summarize such. You must be ready to shorten your information to include all achievement highlights.

Verifying your information is as essential as any other tip here. Before you publish or present a biographical sketch of an individual, you must double-check all your sources. You must confirm your information to be accurate to prevent misrepresentation that can mislead people.

Sometimes, interviewing the person involved may be necessary; otherwise, you must have a credible source for your information.

What Is The Difference Between Biographical Sketch And Capsule Biographical?

People often confuse capsule biography with a biographical sketch, but there is a wide range of differences between the two.

The main difference is that a biographical sketch is like a summary of a capsule biography, which means you can extend a biographical sketch into a full bio. The Capsule biography covers some essential elements: name, birthplace, parents’ names, significant achievements, and death.

You may think that the elements in a capsule biography are the same as those in a biographical sketch, capsule biography can include more details on its descriptions. For instance, you can provide the achievements of the individual in more information; likewise, they may emphasize personal information more.

What You Must Avoid In Biography Sketch

Aside from making brief descriptions of the accomplishments of an individual, there are some things you should avoid including in such a biography.

For instance, you must not include attempts at any accomplishments. These are regarded as incomplete, and they should not be mentioned in the sketch except when references are made.

You must not include personal issues such as divorces, criminal convictions, and information on other related matters in biography sketches. Such sketches aim to emphasize the accomplishments of an individual and not their shortcomings.

You must not include fabricated accomplishments, titles, positions, and awards in a biography sketch. You can quickly discover false information in this modern digital age; hence You could remove your biography sketch, and you could be sanctioned. It is better to avoid exaggerated achievements than to get caught up in lies.

Everyone should have a biography sketch, and you don’t have to wait until you are old or passed away to have a biographical sketch. A biographical sketch can help generations after you know more about your life, and you may become a source of inspiration to them.

If you are writing about someone else, you should do comprehensive research and confirm every detail of the information you get before you publish them in the biographical sketch. Not gaining permission for a biographical sketch can lead to litigations, and you may find yourself paying huge fines or even go to jail for such. Please make sure the relatives of the individual get the sketch before you publish it.

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How to Write a Biosketch

How to write a biosketch, what is a biographical sketch.

BioSketches are a great tool to document an individual's qualifications, professional experience, and academic journey. Think of your BioSketch as a response to the question: “Tell me about yourself?”

Below are general tips on how to write your BioSketch, as well as step-by-step guides and examples of BioSketches for students ranging from first year students, transfer students, and students preparing to graduate. For additional help with your BioSketch or general questions, email us at [email protected] .

General Tips

Write in the third person. This means that instead of using “I” statements, use “he/she/they” statements.
The information you include in your BioSketch is unique to you and your circumstances. While your BioSketch may look different from the examples below, be sure to include the important general information outlined in the paragraph bullet points that fit you best.
Be sure to check your BioSketch for spelling, grammar, and sentence flow.

Step-By-Step

Paragraph 1:

Where are you from? Where/when did you graduate high school?
Did you earn any titles/awards or participate in extracurricular activities?
What did you do after high school? Did you go straight to college or enter the work field?

Paragraph 2:

What are you studying at OSU? Did you transfer from another university? Do you hold any degrees? What special achievements or awards have you earned in college?

Step-By-Step Continued

Paragraph 3:

What work/volunteer experience have you been a part of?
What skills did you develop from these experiences?
Have you participated in internships or research/lab work?

Paragraph 4:

When are you expected to graduate? What are your education and career interests?

BioSketch Examples

Benny Beaver is from Corvallis, Oregon. They graduated from Corvallis High School in 2021 with high honors and served as an officer on the school’s Associated Student Body (ASB) where they assisted in various leadership activities like fundraising, public speaking and community outreach.

Benny started attending Oregon State University in the fall of 2021, and earned the Finley Academic Excellence Scholarship upon enrollment. They are currently in the University Exploratory Studies Program (UESP) where they are taking a variety of courses and exploring all options before declaring a major.

Benny served as a lifeguard for two years, where they received valuable trainings in CPR/AED, basic water rescue, and first aid. Benny developed a passion for the water, as well as an interest in teaching by instructing weekly swim lessons. Working a part-time job while attending high school also taught them skills in communication, time management, and balancing responsibilities.

Benny is expected to graduate in June 2025. They are exploring learning opportunities and careers in education, oceanography, and sports therapy.

Bernice Beaver is from New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada. She graduated from New Westminster Secondary School in 2018 with a Dogwood Diploma and has a Diplôme de fin d'études secondaires en Colombie-Britannique, meaning she is fluent in French. Bernice was named the Career Female Athlete of the Year upon graduation from high school.

Bernice earned an Athletic Scholarship to Oregon State University where she competes for the Women’s Cross Country and Track & Field teams. She is majoring in Sociology and currently works for the university’s Global Community Kitchen as an Event Support Staff where she serves to assist in planning food service for future Experiential Learning & Activities campus events during weekly team meetings.

Bernice completed the URSA Engage program during her second year at Oregon State University where she conducted research to define the barriers faculty face while facilitating undergraduate research experiences. She presented her research at two university-wide undergraduate research symposiums in 2020 and has since been published in Experiential Learning & Teaching in Higher Education.

Bernice is expected to graduate in June 2022 with a B.A in Sociology. After graduation, she plans on attending graduate school and complete the Master’s of College Student Service Administration Program at Oregon State University. She has a particular interest in the fields of university student affairs and athletics.

Bo Beaver is from Los Angeles, California. They graduated from Venice High School in 2014 as salutatorian and participated in the school’s marching band, where they acted as drum major for two years. After high school, Bo entered the United States Marine Corps (USMC) where they served for four years.

Prior to attending Oregon State University, Bo attended Central Oregon Community College from September 2020 until June 2022. During this time, they earned an Associate of Science degree in Computer Science with high honors. Bo transferred to OSU-Cascades in September 2022 and is majoring in Computer Science with an option in Software Engineering.

Bo’s service in the USMC taught them important skills and attributes including confidence, self-discipline, teamwork and leadership. Since enrolling at OSU-Cascades, Bo has joined the university’s Tech Club where they hope to network and gain professional skills in the field of computer science among like-minded individuals. Bo has also been accepted into the 2022-2023 URSA Engage program, where they will be engaging in web applications research with Professor X.

Bo is expected to graduate in June 2024 with a B.S in Computer Science with an option in software engineering. They plan on attending graduate school and pursuing a career in software development.

Contact Info

618 Kerr Administration Building Corvallis, OR 97331

541-737-5105

How to Write Biographical Sketch (Format) 2024: Examples

Are you confused about how to write a biographical sketch or bio sketch? If yes, and searching the format of the biographical sketch then don’t worry because you’ve landed at the right place.

In this blog post, I will share the complete bio sketch format along with biographical sketch examples for college students which are valid for all classes/grade students. However, the word limit for biographical sketches may increase with the increase in class.

Format of Biographical Sketch: Guidelines

Useful tips for biographical sketch, marking scheme in exam, biographical sketch example for students, biographical sketch sample questions for practice, frequently asked questions (faqs), what is a biographical sketch.

A biographical sketch or bio-sketch is a brief description of a person’s life and his academic and other achievements in life. It is formal and factual. It focuses on those points which make the person special or respectable. One may write about one’s teacher, a parent or a grandparent.

Be brief and factual.
Omit unpleasant details about a personality.
Focus on what you find positive in a person.
details about birth (place, time, date)
family background
physical appearance
professional achievements
awards and honours
contribution to society
death (if the person is no more)
Use the past tense in case the person is dead.
If a person is alive, use the present tense to write his bio-sketch.
In case the person concerned is no more, use the past tense throughout. However, use the present tense to refer to something about his personality which has relevance in the present. For example, writing about William Shakespeare, we can say:

William Shakespeare is one of the greatest dramatists in the world. He was born in 1564 in England. His father was a farmer’s son. He wrote many plays which are read with great interest even nowadays.

Use the given clues carefully.
Use the present tense for information that is valid even now, and the past tense for something connected only with the past.
Well researched.

Example 1:- Using the information given below, write the bio-sketch of A.R. Rahman, a famous Indian composer, in about 100 words.

Born: Dileep Kumar-January, 1966, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu rises success as A.R. Rahman, music director and singer.

Family: loses father at an early age; mother’s influence great

Trained Under: Master Dhanraj, Illaiyaraja

Education: Graduate in Western classical music from Trinity College of Music

Significant year: 1992-sets up a recording studio; film career begins

Achievements: Awards: fourteen Film Fare, four National Films, two Grammys, two Academy, etc. Padma Bhushan in 2010.

Contribution to music: immense; a national icon

A. R. Rahman was born in January 1966 in Chennai as Dileep Kumar and is now a famous music director and singer. He lost his father when he was quite young. His mother influenced his personality greatly. He had his initial training under the legendary Master Dhanraj and Illaiyaraja. He did his graduation in classical music from Trinity College of Music in England. Back in India, he set up a recording studio in 1992, beginning his film career. His music brought him a lot of fame and covetous awards. He is the first Indian composer to have won two academy awards. He has to his credit fourteen Film Fare awards, four national awards, besides two Grammys. He was awarded Padma Bhushan in 2010. He is one of the national icons.

Example 2:- Using the information given below, write the biographical sketch of Mahatma Gandhi in about 100 words.

born on 2nd October 1869, Porbandar Gujarat
went to England to study law
went to South Africa, protested against the British policy of apartheid
returned to India, plunged into the fight for freedom
used non-violence and truth as his weapons
was against untouchability, partition
assassinated on January 30, 1948

Mahatma Gandhi, who was born on 2nd October 1869 at Porbandar in Gujarat, was the tallest leader of the Freedom Movement. He went to England to study law. Thereafter, he went to South Africa where he protested against the British policy of apartheid. He returned to India and led the struggle for freedom. He used truth and non-violence as his weapons. He was against any kind of untouchability. He wanted the people to treat the untouchables as their equals. He was not in favour of the partition of India. He was assassinated on 30th January 1948.

Example 3:- Using the information given below, write the bio-sketch of Florence Nightingale, the founder of trained nursing as a profession.

born on May 12, 1820, in Florence, Italy
taught mainly by her father, learnt several languages
become an expert on public health and hospitals
From 1854-to 56, during the Crimean War, worked in charge of nursing, struggling with shortages, in difficult conditions
worked day and night, seriously ill, become blind
the Order of Merit was conferred on her in 1907; died in 1910

Florence Nightingale, the founder of trained nursing as a profession, was born on May 12, 1820, in Florence, Italy. She was mainly taught by her father. She learns many languages. She becomes an expert on public health and hospitals. She realized that her mission was to look after the sick. In 1854-56, during the Crimean War, she worked in charge of nursing. She had to work in difficult conditions but she did not give in. She worked day and night, nursing the sick. As a result of her hard work, she became seriously ill and blind. The Order of Merit was conferred on her by the King in 1907, She passed away in 1910.

Example 4:- Using the information given below, write the bio-sketch of Aruna Asif Ali, a revolutionary freedom fighter of India in about 100 words.

born in 190 in a Bengali family
educated at Nainital, married a famous lawyer Asif Ali
hoisted the Tricolour in Mumbai in 1942 braving police threat
remained active in politics
President, Delhi Congress Committee; Mayor, Delhi, M.C. (1958)
Lenin Peace Prize, Indira Gandhi Award
died in 1996

Aruna Asif Ali was one of the well-known revolutionary freedom fighters of India. She was born in 1909 in a Bengali family. She was educated at Nainital. She married a famous lawyer Asif Ali. She hoisted the Tricolour in 1942 in Mumbai facing a police threat. She was very bold, daring and adventurous. She remained active in politics after India got freedom. She became President of the Delhi Congress Committee and the Mayor of the Delhi Municipal Corporation after Independence. She was honoured with the ‘Lenin Peace Prize’ and ‘Indira Gandhi Award’. She passed away in 1996.

Example 5:- Using the information given below, write the bio sketch of Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, the 11th President of India.

Name: Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam (A.P.J. Abdul Kalam)

Nickname: Missile Man

Nationality: Indian

Occupation: Engineer, Scientist, Author, Professor, Politician

Born: 15 October 1931

Place of Birth: Dhanushkodi, Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, India

Died: 27 July 2015

Place of Death: Shillong, Meghalaya, India

Famous as: Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, President from 2002 to 2007

Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was born on 15 October 1931 in Rameswaram, In Tamil Nadu. He was the youngest of five siblings. Dr Kalam earned a degree in aeronautical engineering from the Madras Institute of Technology and in 1958 joined the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). He soon moved to the Indian Space Research Organisation, where he was project director of the SLV-III, India’s first indigenously designed and produced satellite launch vehicle. Rejoining DRDO in 1982, Dr Kalam planned the programme that produced a number of successful missiles, which earned him the nickname, ‘Missile Man’.

From 1992 to 1997, Dr Kalam was scientific adviser to the defence minister, and he later served as principal scientific adviser (1999-2001) to the government of India with the rank of cabinet minister. His role in the country’s 1998 nuclear weapons tests established him as a national hero. In 1998, Dr Kalam put forward a countrywide plan called Technology Vision 2020, as a road map for transforming India from a less-developed to a developed society in 20 years. The plan called for increasing agricultural productivity, emphasising technology as a vehicle for economic growth, and widening access to healthcare and education.

In 2002, he was sworn in as the 11th President of India. He was in office till 2007. Dr Kalam wrote several books, including an autobiography, Wings of Fire (1999). Among his numerous awards were two of the country’s highest honours, the Padma Vibhushan (1990) and the Bharat Ratna (1997).

After leaving office, Dr Abdul Kalam chose the academic field and became a visiting professor at the Indian Institute of Management Shillong, the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, The Indian Institute of Management Indore and an honorary fellow of the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.

On 27 July 2015, Dr Abdul Kalam was delivering a lecture at IIM Shillong when he suffered a heart attack and his condition became critical, so, he was shifted to Bethany Hospital where he died of cardiac arrest.

Question 1:- Using the information given below, write a bio-sketch of Abraham Lincoln, the famous President of America in about 100 words.

born in 1809 in a log cabin
had to struggle hard to get an education
become President in 1861
champion of democracy
stressed equality
abolished the system of slavery
the civil war
defeated the states which had seceded from the Union
assassinated in 1865

Question 2:- Using the information given below, write a bio-sketch of Helen Keller, a miracle of our times in about 100 words.

Helen Keller was born in Tuscumbia, Alabama, in 1880
became deaf, dumb and blind due to a disease
Miss Sullivan taught her to read and write
began to read books through the Braille
passed many exams
got degrees
become a writer, helped the blind and the deaf

Question 3:- Write a biographical sketch of M.S. Dhoni based on the outlines given.

Full Name: Mahendra Singh Dhoni

Nicknames: Mahi, MSD, Captain Cool, Thala

Birth: 7 July 1981 (Ranchi, Bihar)

Profession: Indian International Cricketer

Captained India: Limited-overs format from 2007-16; Test cricket from 2008-14; Style: Right-handed middle-order batsman and wicket-keeper

Personal Achievements: One of the highest run scorers in ODIs with more than 10,000 runs scored; considered an effective ‘finisher’ in limited-overs formats; widely regarded as one of the greatest wicketkeeper-batsmen and captains in the history of the game

Achievements under his captaincy: India won the inaugural 2007 ICC World Twenty20, the 2010 and 2016 Asia Cups, the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup and the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy

How many words should a biographical sketch be?

Biographical sketches are usually not of many words. This is a one-paragraph description of your professional identity that includes all the important highlights of your life. It is written in about 50 to 200 words.

Are Biosketch and biography the same?

No, Biosketches are short descriptions of one’s achievements and events in life. A biography is a detailed account of one’s life written by someone else.

What are other words for a biographical sketch?

You can say a biographical sketch is a life story.

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Bio Sketch Format | How to Write a Biographical Sketch?

A Biographical Sketch is a short summary of someone’s life. It can be used to introduce someone to someone else or to describe their accomplishments. This blog post will discuss the basic of bio sketch format and provide some useful tips on how to write an impressive biographical sketch.

What is a Biographical Sketch?

A Biographical sketch (referred as Bio Sketch) is an overview of the life and work of a person, typically including information about their childhood, education , achievements, biographical details, and other important aspects of their life, usually written by someone else.

How to Write a Biographical Sketch?

To write a biographical sketch, you will need to include the basic facts about a person’s life, such as their date and place of birth, education, work history, and family. It should also provide some insight into the person’s personality and interests. While a biographical sketch can be as short as a paragraph, it is often half or one page long.

A biographical sketch should include the following information:

Who the person is
What they are known for
When and where they were born
What their early life was like
Their education and career
Their major accomplishments
What they are doing now

Remember, Writing a biographical sketch is not just about listing the facts. It also tells a story that gives the reader a sense of who the person is. An excellent biographical sketch should be exciting and informative, giving the reader a reason to want to learn more about the subject.

Bio Sketch Format:

A general biographical sketch format consists of a set of details that include:

Details of personal life (Name, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, etc.)
Family life details (Father’s name, Family background, etc.)
Details of education & professionallLife
Details of community activities, volunteer work, and honors
Details of Publications, awards, and notable achievements.

Guidelines for Writing a Biographical Sketch [Tips]

A biographical sketch is a short story about the life of an individual. It is used in reference to an author, musician, artist, historian, scientist, or any other person who has lived and worked.

The biographical sketch must contain enough information to describe the subject of the biography. The biographical sketch is not a research paper that should include lengthy lists of sources, facts, statistics, or personal opinions.

The following are general guidelines for writing biographical sketches. If you follow these rules, your biographical sketch will be successful.

Keep it brief and provide only the essential facts.
Be sure to include the person’s name at the beginning of the biography.
Include only those details that are significant to the subject’s life.
Provide a clear and concise summary of the person’s accomplishments.
Provide specific examples of the person’s achievements.
Use the first person when possible, but not too often.
If you are writing about someone deceased, use the third person.
Be sure to include the date of birth and death if a person is not alive.
Be sure to write the sketch in the past tense if a person is not alive.
Don’t refer to the subject by name unless he or she is still alive.

Video Credit: Nihir Shah

Biographical Sketch Example for Students

1. biographical sketch of apj abdul kalam.

Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam (15 October 1931 – 27 July 2015) was an Indian aerospace scientist who served as the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007. He was born in a Tamil Muslim family in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, and studied physics and aerospace engineering.

He spent the next four decades as a scientist and science administrator, mainly at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). He was intimately involved in India’s civilian space program and military missile development efforts.

He earned the nickname “Missile Man of India” for his work on developing ballistic missiles and launch vehicle technology. He also played a pivotal organizational, technical and political role in India’s Pokhran-II nuclear tests in 1998, the first since the original nuclear test by India in 1974.

Kalam was elected as the 11th President of India in 2002 with the support of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the then-opposition Indian National Congress. Widely referred to as the “People’s President”, he returned to his civilian life of education, writing and public service after a single term. He received several prestigious awards, including the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour.

Kalam was fondly known as the People’s President and referred to as the “Missile Man of India” due to his work in developing ballistic missiles and launch vehicle technology. He was also an accomplished author, having written several books, such as India 2020, Ignited Minds, Wings of Fire and Target 3 Billion.

He was also an inspirational speaker and was mainly known for his motivational messages to the youth of India. He was also a strong advocate of the modern education system and its integration with the culture of India. He passed away due to sudden cardiac arrest in 2015.

2. Biographical Sketch of Stephen Hawking

Stephen Hawking was one of the most renowned scientists of our time. He was born in Oxford, England, on January 8, 1942. When he was just eight years old, his family moved to St. Albans, Hertfordshire. Stephen Hawking began his schooling at the Byron House School in Highgate, London. He later attended St. Albans School, where he developed a passion for mathematics and physics.

In 1959, Stephen Hawking was accepted into Oxford University to study natural science. However, he soon realized that his true passion was physics. He transferred to the physics department and earned his Ph.D. in cosmology.

During his time at Oxford, Stephen Hawking made several important discoveries in the field of theoretical physics. In 1974, he published a paper on the nature of black holes. This work earned him a place as one of the leading experts on black holes.

In 1979, Stephen Hawking was appointed as the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge. This is a position that was once held by Isaac Newton.

Throughout his career , Stephen Hawking made many important contributions to the field of physics. In 1988, he published his best-selling book, A Brief History of Time. This book explained complex theories in a way that was accessible to the general public.

On March 14, 2018, Stephen Hawking passed away at the age of 76. His legacy will continue to inspire scientists and laypeople for generations to come.

3. Biographical Sketch of Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar is a former Indian cricketer and a former captain of the Indian national team. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time. He is the highest run-scorer and the most capped player in Test cricket history.

He is also the first batsman to score a double century in a One Day International. In 2002, he was the only Indian cricketer to be ranked among the top 10 players in the world by Wisden. Tendulkar has received many awards, including the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award in India.

Born on April 24, 1973, in Mumbai, Tendulkar began playing cricket at the age of eleven. He made his Test debut against Pakistan in November 1989 and One Day International debut in December 1989. He quickly established himself as one of the most talented batsmen in the world. He became the first Indian batsman to score a century in a Test match overseas and the youngest player to score a century in a Test match. He also holds the record for the most Test centuries and the most One Day International centuries.

Tendulkar has been a part of four World Cup winning teams and is the only player to have been a part of all three of India’s cricket World Cup winning teams. He was also the captain of the Indian team that won the 2011 World Cup. He retired from Test cricket in November 2013 and from One Day International cricket in December 2012.

4. Biographical Sketch of Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli is an Indian cricket player who currently captains the Indian national team. He is a right-handed batsman and occasional right-arm medium-pace bowler. Kohli is regarded as one of the best batsmen in the world. He plays for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League and has been the team’s captain since 2013.

Kohli was born on November 5, 1988, in Delhi, India. His father, Prem Kohli, was a lawyer and his mother, Saroj Kohli, is a housewife. He has two siblings, a brother, Vikas, and a sister, Bhawna. Kohli was raised in Uttam Nagar and started playing cricket at a young age. He attended Vishal Bharati Public School and West Delhi Cricket Academy.

Kohli made his debut for the Indian national team in 2008 and has since played over 200 matches for the team. He has been a regular team member in all three formats of the game and is considered a key player in the Indian batting lineup. Kohli has scored over 10,000 runs in international cricket and is the second-fastest player to reach the milestone, behind only Sachin Tendulkar. He has also been named as the ICC ODI Player of the Year on three occasions (2012, 2017, 2018).

Kohli is married to Anushka Sharma, a Bollywood actress, and the couple has a daughter named Vamika Kohli.

5. Biographical Sketch of PV Sindhu

Pusarla Venkata (PV) Sindhu is a professional badminton player from India. She is currently ranked as the second-best female player in the world by the Badminton World Federation. Sindhu has won many prestigious titles, including the BWF World Championships, the India Open, and the Syed Modi International Badminton Championships.

Born on July 5, 1995, in Hyderabad, Sindhu started playing badminton at a very young age. She was inspired by her father, who was a former volleyball player. Sindhu quickly rose through the ranks, winning several state and national level tournaments. She made her international debut in 2009 and won her first major title, the Malaysian Open, in 2013.

Since then, Sindhu has established herself as one of the top badminton players in the world. She has won numerous medals at the BWF World Championships and the Asian Games. In 2016, she became the first Indian woman to win an Olympic silver medal in badminton. Sindhu is also the first Indian to win the BWF World Championships.

Sindhu is known for her aggressive play style and ability to play long rallies. She has a powerful backhand and is capable of executing difficult shots. Sindhu is also known for her mental toughness, which has helped her in many close matches.

Sindhu has inspired many young girls to take up badminton. She is a role model for athletes all over the world.

6. Biographical Sketch of Rabindranath Tagore

Rabindranath Tagore was a Bengali writer, poet, and philosopher. He was born in Calcutta, India, on May 7, 1861, into a wealthy and well-educated family. His father, Debendranath Tagore, was a leader of the Brahmo Samaj, a religious reform movement.

He began writing poetry at an early age, and his first collection was published when he was only 17. By the time he was in his twenties, Tagore had established himself as one of Bengal’s leading writers, and his work began to be translated into other languages.

In 1901, Tagore published his most famous work, Gitanjali, a collection of poems that won him the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1913. He is the only Asian writer to have been awarded the Nobel Prize.

Tagore was a prolific writer, and his poetry, novels, short stories, and essays are widely read in both Bengali and English. His work explores the themes of love, humanity, and spiritualism, and deep respect marks his writings for Indian culture and tradition. Tagore was also an accomplished painter and musician, and his compositions are popular throughout India.

Tagore’s ideas and work profoundly influenced the development of Indian thought, and he is often hailed as one of the country’s most influential thinkers. He died in 1941 at the age of 80.

FAQs (People Also Ask)

1. what is a bio sketch.

A bio sketch (biographical sketch) is a short, usually one-page, summary of a person’s life and work. It is similar to a biography but usually shorter and less detailed. A bio sketch may be written about a person who is still alive, or it may be written about someone who has died.

2. What does a Biographical Sketch mean?

A biographical sketch is a short summary of a person’s life, typically written by someone else.

3. How to write a Biographical Sketch about yourself?

To write a biographical sketch about yourself, it is important to be honest, and to include as much relevant information as possible. Try to give a clear and concise overview of your life, and avoid including irrelevant or personal details.

Shobhit is the founder of Ishiksha, content writer and educator who has been creating educational content since 2021. His writing covers topics like science, technology, and the humanities. When he isn't writing, Shobhit enjoys reading nonfiction, watching documentaries, and going on nature walks.

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How to Write an Impressive Biographical Sketch

The biographical sketch gives a brief overview of a person's life and major accomplishments. You can write a biographical sketch about anyone -- a historical figure, a classmate or yourself. The sketch should be narrowly focused on an important aspect of a person's life and should include facts and anecdotes that contribute to the telling of that element of the person's story.

Do Thorough Research

Begin by researching the person who is the focus of your biographical sketch to find basic information the individual's life. Facts to consider including in the sketch are age or date of birth, special interests, education and any awards or honors the person has received. If possible, conduct an interview to find information about the person's personality. Once your research is complete, decide which facts are most impressive. Avoid including every piece of information you find. For example, if you were to write a biographical sketch of author Louisa May Alcott, you could include the name of her most famous novel, "Little Women," and the fact that her family was friends with many famous authors. Choose facts that contribute to the story of how she became the author of "Little Women."

Create a Narrative

Another way to ensure that your biographical sketch is impressive is to write it in the format of a narrative. Instead of listing all of the facts you find in your research, try to find an interesting story to tell about the person you are featuring. Include facts and accomplishments in the narrative, or story, you tell. This approach will reveal your subject's personality. For example, in the sketch of Alcott, you could tell the story of how she was involved in the women's voting rights movement and how her belief in women's rights led to strong female characters in her writing.

Develop a Hook

In the opening of your biographical sketch, instead of simply introducing the person by name, start by giving context to the person's life. For example, you could mention something interesting that happened in the year your subject was born. Then, introduce your subject and begin to tell her story. Throughout the biographical sketch, include important facts within the context of the story. In the example of Alcott, the hook of your sketch could be the fact that her family was poor because of her father's idealistic work. This hook would also contribute to explaining how Alcott was inspired to write "Little Women" with a poor family as its focus.

Use Concise Writing

Once you complete a draft of your biographical sketch, proofread it to ensure that you do not have any grammatical or spelling errors. Then, make sure that you have told the person's story in the most concise way possible. Double check to see that you have included the most important facts about the person's life. For example, if the focus of your sketch on Alcott is that her life led to her writing "Little Women," you will want to make sure that all elements of biography contribute to that point. While it is interesting to note that Alcott wrote under various pseudonyms and published works called "Flower Fables" and "Hospital Sketches," these facts may not contribute to a brief sketch of her life focused on her most famous novel.

AglaSem Schools: CBSE Class X English Support Material -- Writing -- Biography; Dileep Singh
Scholastic Teachers: Writing with Writers: Biography
ReadWriteThink: Writers’ Workshop: The Biographical Sketch
ibiblio.org: Louisa May Alcott

Based in Los Angeles, Jana Sosnowski holds Master of Science in educational psychology and instructional technology, She has spent the past 11 years in education, primarily in the secondary classroom teaching English and journalism. Sosnowski has also worked as a curriculum writer for a math remediation program. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in print journalism from the University of Southern California.

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, writing a biographical sketch about myself.

Hey all, I've been asked to write a biographical sketch about myself for a program I'm applying to. Can you guys share any tips, resources, or examples? I've never written one before and I'm not sure where to begin. Thank you!

Hello! Writing a biographical sketch about yourself can be an interesting task, but it's great that you're seeking help to make sure you do it well. Here are a few tips, resources, and examples to help you with your biographical sketch:

1. Start by brainstorming:

Make a list of important events, accomplishments, and characteristics that best define you. This can include your background, education, major milestones, professional achievements, personal hobbies, or anything else relevant to the program you're applying for.

2. Structure your sketch:

Create a rough outline for your biographical sketch, organizing your information into clear sections. A standard structure can include:

- Introduction: Introduce yourself, stating your full name and a brief overview of your background.

- Educational background: Describe your education, including the schools you attended and relevant degrees or certificates earned.

- Professional experience: Detail your work history and any prominent professional achievements.

- Personal interests and accomplishments: Talk about your hobbies, passion projects, or any significant personal achievements.

- Conclusion: Summarize the key points and relate them to the program you're applying to.

3. Keep it concise:

A biographical sketch is typically short and focused, so aim to keep it around 250-500 words. Be mindful of word count limitations given by the program and make sure to prioritize the most relevant information.

4. Use a professional tone:

Write your biographical sketch in third person to maintain a professional tone. Avoid using slang or informal language.

5. Review and revise:

Proofread your sketch carefully to check for grammar, syntax, and punctuation errors. Make revisions as necessary to ensure the final draft is polished and well-organized.

For example, your biographical sketch may look something like this:

Jane Doe is a dedicated marketing professional with a passion for digital media. Born and raised in New York City, she pursued a degree in Marketing at [University], where she graduated with honors in 20XX.

Upon graduating, Jane joined the marketing team at [Company], where she worked on numerous campaigns and contributed to the growth of the business. She has since been promoted to Marketing Manager and oversees campaigns for a variety of clients.

In her free time, Jane enjoys photography and volunteering at her local animal shelter. Her photography has been featured in several art shows, and she has been recognized with multiple awards. Through her volunteer work, Jane has helped to facilitate numerous adoptions and create a positive community presence for the shelter.

Overall, Jane's background in marketing, combined with her commitment to community impact, make her a fitting candidate for the [Program]. With support from this program, she hopes to further develop her skills and make a lasting impact in her field.

Best of luck with your biographical sketch, and I hope these tips help you create a compelling and memorable sketch that showcases your unique qualities!

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

How to Write a Professional Biosketch

A guide for people in university, health care, government, and nonprofit work..

Posted May 22, 2019 | Reviewed by Jessica Schrader

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As someone who reviews a lot of grant applications, conference submissions, and internship applications, I read a lot of “ biosketches ” (brief descriptions of professional identity ) from people at all career stages.

Unfortunately, many people do not put their best foot forward and sometimes don’t even seem to recognize their key professional strengths. Even distinguished senior professionals sometimes use very dated biosketches that do not communicate their status in the field.

Biosketches are yet another of the many “soft” professional skills that do not get taught in school, but are important for professional success. When you search the internet for guidance on writing a biosketch, the hits mostly take you to very business-oriented examples. Those are fine for corporate settings, but the culture in psychology and related human and social services is different. People who work in anything related to education , health, government, or social justice-oriented nonprofits need a biosketch that fits those professional cultures. If you work—or hope to work—in one of those settings, read on.

What Is a Professional Biosketch?

A biosketch (or sometimes shortened to just “bio”) is a one-paragraph description of your professional identity. It is generally no more than half a page long (single-spaced), and usually ranges from 50 to 300 words.

The main purpose of a professional biosketch is to identify the professional community to which you belong, and to briefly describe the steps you have taken to join that community. As you develop professionally, it also becomes important to describe the ways that your work has been recognized by your professional colleagues.

How Do Biosketches Compare to Other Professional Documents?

Professional biosketches are just one of several different types of personal descriptions that you might come across in human and social services: In addition to biosketches, there are also resumés , “ curriculum vitae ” (usually shortened to “cv”), and reflexivity statements (also called in positionality statements).

Biosketches are different from resumés or “ curriculum vitae ,” which are both more detailed descriptions of your work history and professional accomplishments, with dates and locations and other specifics. People in psychology and related fields say “cv” more than resumé, and cvs are usually much longer. My current cv, for example, is 22 pages long, and even at that length omits a lot of details from earlier in my career.

[Note: the National Institutes of Health has a short cv form that they also, unfortunately, call a biosketch, so you’ll sometimes hear people refer to an NIH biosketch. Those are four- to five-page versions of people’s full cvs. Although they look more like resumés or cvs, what they have in common with other biosketches is that they focus on highlights of your work, in this case those most relevant to the grant proposal. If you apply for federal grants, you can learn more about completing those here, including seeing a sample here .]

Reflexivity statements are also more detailed than biosketches, but focus on how your other personal, social, and historical characteristics can “situate” your work—exploring how your experiences growing up, or as a parent, or someone with a particular health history, for example, change the way you approach scientific questions. They are still work documents, unlike autobiographies, because the goal is to make you a better scholar or therapist.

When Do You Use Biosketches?

Some common places you will see biosketches:

1. Websites for universities, medical schools, government agencies, nonprofits, and other organizations. Most university departments have individual pages for each faculty member, and these often include biosketches. For other organizations, you’ll often see an “About Us” page that provides a brief description of key personnel.

2. Conference submissions and other presentations . If you are a student, researcher, or professional trainer, it is increasingly common that you will need to provide a brief biosketch as part of a conference or workshop submission. Many agencies that certify continuing education credits are now required to collect this information, to show that the people delivering the content have the appropriate education and training to do so.

More advanced professionals will also need a biosketch for such things as giving an invited speech or joining an advisory board. I have more than one version of my biosketch, adapted for whether the audience is more research-focused or provider-focused, and also versions for different topics I speak on. For example, sometimes I give talks that are more focused on resilience and other talks are more focused on violence or a specific type of violence, and I’ll adapt my biosketch to emphasize my experience that is most closely related to the topic I’m speaking on. You can see examples of a couple of different versions of my biosketch here and here . The first emphasizes my scientific credentials, the second my writing experience.

3. Grant applications . One of the most important parts of any grant proposal is the “why us” pitch , and there is always a section to describe the key personnel or team who will conduct the project. Each person will need a one-paragraph description of why they are well-suited for their role. This includes federal grants that also require the five-page biosketch form—you will still need to put a brief description of your credentials and why you are a good person to conduct this study in the text of the grant application (do it whether they explicitly ask for that or not).

What Goes in a Biosketch?

For most people, the biggest challenge in writing a biosketch is getting comfortable with what I call “the fine art of blowing your own horn.” I totally get that—my family’s roots are in rural Appalachia, where puttin’ on airs is just about the worst social crime you can commit. I still have to work at graciously accepting compliments—I don’t know if I will ever get over that ingrained discomfort. Nonetheless, the only way for people to find you and recognize that you’d be good for their job or conference or whatever is for you to tell them something about you. I have found that putting it in writing is easier than dealing with the same challenge in a face-to-face setting, so it can be good practice and can give you some lines you can use in interviews or similar situations.

Opening. The opening should introduce you and situate you professionally, by giving your name, degree(s), and current institutional affiliation. Stick to your main affiliations, but it is OK to list more than one (I do). Usually the wording is in the third person. For example (hypothetical made up example), “Maria Vasquez, M.A., is a graduate student in clinical psychology at Awesome University.”

Where You Fit in the Professional Universe. The next couple of sentences should identify your main areas of focus. If you are a senior person, you should communicate that experience. So for example, for me, I emphasize that the major focus of my work is on violence and that I have addressed this problem in multiple roles over the years (researcher, therapist, activist).

If you are a more junior person starting out, then it would be good to get a little more specific about the nature of your interests. For example, “My research interests focus on the impact of childhood neglect on academic achievement.”

If you are a more senior person, then you should stop saying what your research interests are and start describing your research accomplishments. You might think that this seems obvious, but it is probably the single most common mistake I see in professional biosketches—that some distinguished person still sounds like they haven’t finished their first research project. A lot of people will use the convention of saying what they are “best known for,” such as “Dr. Brown is best known for his work in preventing adolescent substance abuse ” or “Dr. Han is best known for creating a school-based curriculum in social-emotional learning.” [Again these examples are made up.]

The first half of your biosketch is also a good place to note any accomplishments regarding these topics, especially if you were the first person to develop a program or pass a law or study an issue. If you are an experienced person, then it is good to say that you “have more than 10 years’ experience providing expert testimony” or “Dr. Brown has authored or co-authored more than 100 publications on substance abuse.”

Your Relationships With Professional Organizations. The second half of your biosketch is a good place to describe some of the ways that you have interacted with or been recognized by professional organizations.

The organizations you emphasize depends somewhat on the purpose of your biosketch (and probably one of the main places that it might make sense to have different versions for different purposes).

If you are applying for a grant or submitting to a research-oriented conference or, for whatever reason, trying to impress university professors or other people in academia.

In these cases, it is good to mention sources of grant (aka “external”) funding that you have received, especially for research. If you are a student or junior professional, these can include funded fellowships or assistantships as well as small grants from your own university. If you are mid-career or senior person, then it is best to emphasize larger research grants from Federal agencies such as the National Institutes of Health or from large nonprofit foundations such as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

This is also a good place to mention any awards.

People often ask me about how far to go back on awards, and a good rule of thumb is to go back no more than one role or career/developmental stage. So, for graduate school applications, yes, put down undergraduate accomplishments, but most high school accomplishments should roll off both your biosketch and your cv or resumé. Once you have a college degree, no one wants to know that you were president of the chess club in high school. The only exception would be if you have some extraordinary high school accomplishment, such as being an Olympic gymnast.

If you have a graduate degree and are looking for a professional position such as professor or therapist, then most of your undergraduate accomplishments should roll off both your biosketch and cv. Again, unless they are exceptional. For the rest of us, it’s better to emphasize your more recent accomplishments.

If you don’t have any awards (yet), this section can still be a good place to note professional affiliations, professional licenses, or involvement with national organizations, such as chairing a committee or something like that.

The last type of organization to consider is media organizations. When I am giving talks to audiences that more mostly practitioners, students, or members of the general public, I often mention some of the news outlets where my work has appeared. This can be a way to show that your work is the kind that “breaks through” and gets outside of the ivory tower.

However, this same approach may turn some reviewers off if you are submitting a grant or a conference proposal. Unfortunately, some academics are quite proud of the fact that no one outside academe reads their work and they look down their nose at efforts to communicate science to the general public. They are wrong, of course, but sometimes you have to play the game before you can change the game, so I’d add these references cautiously, especially if you are not sure of the audience.

Playing with the content or pushing the boundaries of how personal to get. More and more, I see people experimenting with the content of biosketches in much the same way that people have re-vamped obituaries so that they are more personal. I think this is a great movement and I support it when I can (you’ll see some of the biosketches from ResilienceCon are anything but stiff). I encourage people to try to push those boundaries so that there is a bit more of our full true selves in our professional personas. However, I personally also recommend a pragmatic approach. If you are working on your first Federal grant, that is probably not the time to play with the traditional format, because you risk looking uninformed instead of revolutionary.

With a little practice, we can all learn how to put our best foot forward.

You can see some examples of professional biosketches here and here . Some of my colleagues' biosketches are here . Click here for examples of biosketches for students and more junior professionals from ResilienceCon scholarship winners.

Sherry Hamby, Ph.D. , is a research professor of psychology at Sewanee, the University of the South.

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Writers' Workshop: The Biographical Sketch

Resources & Preparation
Instructional Plan
Related Resources

While engaging in the processes of researching, writing, and evaluating short biographical sketches, students can master essential writing skills and enhance their content area learning. In this lesson, fourth grade students discuss standard elements in a biography and examine the characteristics of the genre in a workshop setting. After selecting and researching a contemporary or historical figure using online databases, students practice writing short biographies. They then offer feedback on others' compositions and publish final drafts for reading aloud and displaying in class.

Featured Resources

Bio-Cube : Students can use this tool to create a 3-D representation of the biographical information they find.

From Theory to Practice

Content mastery is demonstrated through reading and writing, and integrating the two enhances comprehension.
Checklists can have a significant effect on students' performance while "writing to learn." Checklists help take the mystery out of writing by providing students with concrete writing goals and identifying the desired characteristics of the finished work.

Common Core Standards

This resource has been aligned to the Common Core State Standards for states in which they have been adopted. If a state does not appear in the drop-down, CCSS alignments are forthcoming.

State Standards

This lesson has been aligned to standards in the following states. If a state does not appear in the drop-down, standard alignments are not currently available for that state.

NCTE/IRA National Standards for the English Language Arts

1. Students read a wide range of print and nonprint texts to build an understanding of texts, of themselves, and of the cultures of the United States and the world; to acquire new information; to respond to the needs and demands of society and the workplace; and for personal fulfillment. Among these texts are fiction and nonfiction, classic and contemporary works.
5. Students employ a wide range of strategies as they write and use different writing process elements appropriately to communicate with different audiences for a variety of purposes.
6. Students apply knowledge of language structure, language conventions (e.g., spelling and punctuation), media techniques, figurative language, and genre to create, critique, and discuss print and nonprint texts.
8. Students use a variety of technological and information resources (e.g., libraries, databases, computer networks, video) to gather and synthesize information and to create and communicate knowledge.
11. Students participate as knowledgeable, reflective, creative, and critical members of a variety of literacy communities.
12. Students use spoken, written, and visual language to accomplish their own purposes (e.g., for learning, enjoyment, persuasion, and the exchange of information).

Materials and Technology

Computers with Internet access
Blank transparency and markers
Overhead projector
Scissors and writing supplies (e.g., pencils, notebook paper, heavier paper for Bio-Cubes)
Writers' Workshop: Biographical Sketch Sign-Up Sheet
Writers' Workshop: List of Possible Subjects
Writers' Workshop: Biographical Sketch Rubric
Writers' Workshop: Proofreading and Publishing Checklist
Writers' Workshop: Performance Assessment

Preparation

Student objectives.

Students will

Access prior knowledge by discussing the writing process and the elements of biography
Apply prewriting strategies by generating ideas and organizing their writing
Improve comprehension by researching a contemporary or historical figure and reporting the most significant information about him or her
Demonstrate the ability to write a focused, engaging opening paragraph
Apply standard writing processes by creating short, publishable works
Analyze content area writing by evaluating and critiquing each other's work

Session 1: Introduction to Biography Writers’ Workshop (60 minutes)

If you have chosen to do the biography activity suggested in the Preparation section (see Step 1), do so before beginning this session.

Session 2: Project Research (30–45 minutes)

Session 3: writing practice and sharing (60 minutes), session 4: revision and reflection (60 minutes), session 5: proofreading and publishing (60 minutes).

Homework: Before the next session, students who did not complete the publishing process should finish. Also, all students should conduct a practice reading of their finished sketches.

Session 6: Author Readings and Celebration (60 minutes)

Student assessment / reflections.

Teacher observation and coaching during in-class writing and revision exercises
Monitored student feedback during workshop sessions
Writers’ Workshop: Biographical Sketch Rubric : Collect the rubrics to ensure that students have completed the self-assessment task.
Writers' Workshop: Proofreading and Publishing Checklist : Collect students’ checklists to ensure that they have completed the proofreading and publishing tasks.
Writers’ Workshop: Performance Assessment : Collect students’ assessments to ensure they are complete. Add any comments you have on the back for student review.
At the end of the writers’ workshop cycle (e.g., immediately following or one day after Session 6), invite students to share reflections on the experience in a class discussion. Pose some or all of the following questions:

What did you learn from this workshop? What was the most enjoyable thing about our workshop? What was the most surprising thing? If you could change one thing about the workshop experience, what would it be? How did using the Bio-Cube help with your writing? Why is it important to start a piece of writing with an interesting opening paragraph? Why is getting peer feedback on your writing helpful?

Bio Cube is a useful summarizing tool that helps students identify and list key elements about a person for a biography or autobiography.

The interactive Cube Creator helps students identify and summarize key elements. It can be used as a prewriting or postreading activity.

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BrandYourself Blog | ORM and Personal Branding

11 Tips On How To Write A Personal Biography + Examples

We’ve all been there: agonizing over how to write a bio that doesn’t sound too self-promotional or fall flat with modesty.

“What is a biography?” you may ask. A bio is a piece of work that details a person’s life. In addition to basic facts, like education and employment, it is meant to portray their lived experiences as well.

Writing a biography that’s professional and actually sparks interest can be tricky. And optimizing it for greater visibility in search engines can make your job even harder.

In many cases, your personal biography will define your first impression online when you’re Googled by:

A potential employer or client before an interview.
Someone at a networking event who wants to learn more about you.
A potential client or customer looking to get more info before working with you.

And when someone finds your social media profiles, personal website, or company bio page, your bio will be there to greet them.

It can make or break whether someone wants to take the next step and work with you.

So it’s important to make it count.

1. How to write a bio about yourself that checks all the boxes.

When it comes to writing a personal or professional bio, there are a few items that are standard to include. While a bio may not have all of these things, if any of the following apply to you, then they should be included. Use the following bullet points to write out a list of information about you. From there, you can draw info from each line item to start crafting your bio.

Your current role
Hometown/Current place of residence
Work experience
Education history
Special skills & attributes
Professional accomplishments
Personal accomplishments
High-level personal goals & aspirations
High-level professional accomplishments
Hobbies & pastimes
Personal passions
Awards or Accolades
Press Mentions
Miscellaneous (What makes you unique!)

Starting with a list ensures you won’t leave anything out.

2. Introduce yourself… like a real person.

This is one of the most important pieces of understanding how to write a personal biography. Always start with your name.

When many people start learning how to write a bio, they skip this important part. People need to know who you are before they learn what you do. Remember that your most important details should go in the very first sentence.

Keep the first sentence short and sweet, either by describing what you do at a high level or going into more detail about your specific role. Aim to describe yourself in a way that’s professional…but also human.

3. Watch your word count.

When you start writing a bio about yourself, determining the length may seem like an afterthought – something that just happens once you stop typing. However, it is something that you need to think about before you start writing – and your ideal word count may shift depending on your primary focus.

From an SEO perspective, the more words you use in your personal bio, the better. If you are filling in the bio section of a profile, find out the word or character limit – that’s how long your bio should be. If you are writing the bio on your personal website, the longer, the better. Plan to write 500 words – minimum. If you have 1,500 to 2,000 words in you, that’s even better.

From a branding perspective, you may have a different take on the length of your bio. Perhaps you would prefer to keep things short and sweet or don’t feel the immediate need for a 1,500-word count. If so, that’s fine too. Cater your personal bio to your goals. Start small. The length suggestion can change based on your situation and ultimate goals.

4. Write your biography in the third person.

This is one of the most common steps that you may struggle with when learning how to write a bio about yourself. While it can feel strange to talk about yourself in the third person at first, there are some very clear benefits from doing so:

From an SEO perspective, writing a bio in the third person allows you to include your full name throughout the bio. This lets search engines know that this lengthy, original, and well-written piece of content is about you . While making it clear that this awesome work is about you is important when it comes to search engine optimization, don’t let speaking in the third person become too much of a good thing.

Never overuse your name when writing a bio or include it in a way that seems unnatural. Instead, use your name when it is appropriate. By dropping your name too frequently, search engines may think that the article looks suspicious/spammy – or isn’t written very well.

5. Write a story, not a list.

When writing a personal bio, it can be easy to fall into the trap of rattling off accomplishments, but that’s what your resume is for. Your bio should go above and beyond your awards and get to the core of who you are and what you’re about.

Now, that may seem like a tall order, but with a bit of planning, you can pull it off. You can understand how to write a bio from a technical standpoint, but looking at it through this lens will help be your guideline going forward. Ask yourself questions like, “Who is your audience?” or, “What are the main takeaways for your reader?” and “What events in your life best illustrate those main points?”. Turn your biography into a story that engages the reader.

Those who have mastered the steps of how to write a bio spend a lot of time doing this. If you approach writing a bio like a story, you’re giving yourself the opportunity to differentiate yourself from others and truly connect with the reader.

6. Edit ruthlessly, analyze with free tools, and update constantly.

Your online bio is the authoritative source for you. That means that it needs to reflect you in the best light possible. This also means that it should be kept as up-to-date as possible. The proper action plan for how to write a bio is never truly finished because of this.

A lengthy, well-written, and regularly updated piece of content is like search engine gold. So when you complete your initial version of the longer personal bio that you will use on your website, know that you’re not finished.

As you gain more experience or perhaps shift your professional focus, include these changes in your bios. And keep asking other people that you trust to take a look at your main bios to edit them. Writing a bio is an ongoing process that you should never ignore for too long.

Read your bio aloud to yourself, use free editing tools like the Hemingway app , Slickwrite , or any other number of free resources that will help you write a great bio about yourself that keeps readers interested.

7. Link to your work.

Regardless of your profession, it’s likely that you have samples of your work that are pertinent to the audience reading about you. In addition to being an introduction to who you are and what you do, let your personal bio act as a marketing tool. In case you need some ideas, see this good real estate marketing teamwork where you can draw ideas. Many people want to learn how to write a bio effectively, but they don’t spend enough time learning how to use it as a promotion.

You can do this by including links to your product, company, or service. Avoid doing this in a heavy-handed way since nobody wants to read a direct sales pitch when they’re trying to learn about a human being. Mention the product, company, or service in a way that helps you tell your own story in a natural way.

These links should enhance and illustrate what you’re already describing yourself. This shouldn’t be a distraction or take anything away from the main thrust of your personal narrative.

If you have a lot of work and accomplishments to choose from, be selective! Highlight work that’s impressive, relevant, tells your story and makes you proud.

If you don’t currently have much to link to within your personal bio, don’t worry.

Start by learning more about personal branding . Make a note in your calendar, planner, or journal that this is something to work on outside of creating your personal bio. But don’t let this fall by the wayside. Set some time aside in the next few weeks to actively work on fixing this.

Whether it’s writing an article on your company’s website, submitting a post to a site that’s related to your industry, or finally getting your passion project’s website live… do it! And once that is live, get the most out of it by linking to it in your bios. Look to other professionals in your field who have a well-developed online presence for inspiration.

8. Don’t forget to share your contact information.

Even if you have a contact page on your site, or perhaps widgets on your website that link to your social media sites, make a point to include the most direct mode of connection at the end of your personal bio. This could be your email address, a link to your contact page, or a link to your LinkedIn account. When it comes down to it, understanding how to write a biography aids you in creating new and valuable connections.

By including this type of information at the end of your bio, you’re not only letting your audience know how you prefer that they get in touch with you but directing them to another hub that lets them learn even more information about you (if you so choose). Give some thought about what you want your audience to do after they have just been introduced to you through your personal bio.

9. Write a bio for all of your different profiles.

As you build your online presence, you will need different versions of your bio. They’ll vary in length depending on where you place them. So to start, don’t feel like you have to fit your entire life story into one bio.

It’s important to have multiple versions of your bio for two main reasons:

From a Search Engine Optimization (SEO) perspective, unique content helps your profiles and websites rank better in search results. Why? Because search engines like Google want to provide a broad range of information, not content that seems plagiarized (even if you just plagiarized yourself).
From a branding perspective, it’s helpful to have different versions of your bio at the ready for different platforms. For example, your Twitter bio will be very short due to character limitations, but your LinkedIn bio (called your summary) can be longer.

Both of these reasons fit into the bigger picture of managing your online presence. A lot goes into this process, which is why we put together this comprehensive online reputation management guide .

10. Use an online tool to ensure the bios on all your profiles are well-branded and optimized to rank high in search engines.

Understanding how to write a bio is a lot easier when you have a little help. At BrandYourself, we’ve built reputation management software that walks you through building an impressive online presence.

It includes a useful personal bio analyzer that helps you ensure your bios across all profiles (LinkedIn, Twitter, About.me, your website, etc.) are well-branded and optimized to show up as high as possible on Google. Just submit your profiles and quickly find out which bios need improvement.

If you want to analyze the bios on your own profiles, create a free account now . Just submit your main profiles, then click “optimize” on each one to see a list of ways you can improve them – including enhancing your personal bio.

11. Get help from an expert.

Sometimes you just need a second pair of eyes on your personal bio – or you can have a specialist write it for you. That’s part of the larger reputation management services we provide at BrandYourself.

If you’re interested in working with one of our in-house reputation specialists, we can help. As part of your kickoff strategy session, we’ll help define the most powerful way to talk about yourself, position yourself effectively against others in your industry, and ensure your bios are working for you across all your online profiles and websites. Our reputation specialists understand the ins and outs of how to write a bio that helps you achieve your goals, and it’s one of the first things they go over with you.

To learn more, check out our reputation management services here . Otherwise, don’t hesitate to check out our other blog posts as you continue your journey in building your brand. And if you don’t want to miss out on similar tips and tricks in the future, just scroll up and subscribe.

Personal Biography Examples

1. noah kagan.

Read Noah’s full bio .

This is a good biography example that does a lot of the things we’ve mentioned well. Noah links to his work, writes with a friendly style, and even connects the reader with the people he works with.

The reason why we’re highlighting this bio, though, is that Noah makes it easy to get in touch with him via email. So many biography examples that you might find will include links to social media accounts only, which is fine. However, if you want to build up a fast connection with someone who just found you, email is the way to go.

Not only that, but because he wrote this bio in a fun and conversational style (the little mention about taco gift cards), it actually encourages people to reach out. Noah is great at building connections with people, and this biography example is no exception.

2. Katerina Jeng

Read Katerina’s full bio .

The biography example from Katerina Jeng illustrates how to introduce yourself like a real person while demonstrating professionalism at the same time. Katerina covers her background, useful traits, current work, and hobbies – all while keeping things light and conversational.

The balance in this bio example can be tough to replicate, but it’s worth exploring if it fits your writing style.

Going too casual or stuffy can leave a bad impression professionally and won’t give you the best possible opportunity to stand out. This is a good example of how to write a bio that does both.

3. Barack & Michelle Obama

Read the full bios .

On Barack and Michelle Obama’s page, you can find textbook biography examples that show you how to write your bio in the third person without making it awkward to read. So many people struggle with this, so hopefully, these bio examples will make things easier by seeing it in action.

Both of these bios do a great job of not going overboard and varying the kind of third-person mentions you can include. This makes your biography more natural to read while still ensuring that it has the best chance of being seen when someone looks you up.

4. Darren Rowse

Read Darren’s full bio .

Using ProBlogger as a biography example for our tips is a perfect fit. When you check out the page, you’ll see that Darren wrote this bio to be comprehensive but also lead viewers right into his offerings (very smart).

He is mindful of his word count and makes sure to expand a bit more after he’s done talking about his background by continuing into what he’s working on now. This biography is a perfect example of how not being too brief can help the bio you wrote rank well in search engines while also catching the reader up if it’s their first time hearing of you.

5. Tim Ferriss

Read Tim’s full bio .

Tim is a master at promoting his work, and when he wrote his bio, he took full advantage of the opportunity.

Throughout Tim’s bio, he seamlessly links to his work, credentials, social media accounts, and books he’s written. If you had never heard of him before, he makes it quite easy to get up to speed and find out about his work.

One thing we like about this biography example is that he alternates between lists and paragraphs to help break things up. So many times, people write their bio as an extremely dense and text-heavy monster that ultimately never gets read fully. If you give the reader a break (especially in this age of skimming), more will be consumed in the long run.

6. Pete Kistler

Read Pete’s full bio .

Pete’s bio works in both his personal & professional story. Instead of being just a list of facts, it includes the story of how he was mistaken for a drug dealer in Google — and how it became the turning point in his career that led to BrandYourself .

38 Comments

Thank you for your post. A bio accompanied with a powerful and enticing resume are your two most important sales tools.

When presenting these documents you only have on chance, first impressions count. Your blog goes a long way in creating the correct image with a bio.

Thanks again

This info was very helpful. Is there any info on creating a health bio?

Thanks for the input. One way I was able to create my own personal brand was by using a new website called personavita.com. it was really helpful in bringing all my thoughts ideas and accomplishments together. It builds credibility and others can validate my work. You can also create different Bios based on who you are showing it to. ( Future/existing employers, family, friends etc.) I think it really sets me apart.

Thank you for the tips. Being in the process of publishing my first book I’ve had to generate a bio and despite the fact that I call myself a writer I had a tough time with it. This site has given me a much better feel for the whole thing. Keep an ey on my site for the updated version.

I had the same problem lol I call myself a writer, author but this at first was so freaking difficult to write until I found this web site to break it completly down to like what first grade level for me. lol now it makes so much since. I’m glad we got it. 🙂

I know more much than the bio rules of the kindes of the people

Thank you. These tips are easy to follow and I didn’t know about the 3 bio rule! I really enjoyed the breakdown of the other bio and used that to help me get started writing mine.

Thanks again!

Thanks this was nice and simpe and easy to use.

Thanks! As a novice this was really helpful.

Thanks for posting this tool to the web. Over and over again, I recreate the wheel college course after college course and more recently for my introduction into the civilian arena. I am more confident now that I have this standardized method of writing bios in hand. Army Strong!

@Craig: Thanks, glad you loved it!

@Martin: Absolutely! Your bio is one of the most powerful tools to control first impressions. It’s got to pack a concise and serious punch.

@EASanders: The principles of bio writing apply to all fields. Think about what you’ve done that is noteworthy, and say it in as few words as possible 🙂

@Tim: Good luck with your book, Tim!

@LaKaye: I’m glad both of my bio articles could help. Sometimes it takes inspiration from other people to compellingly talk about ourselves.

@Rose: Thanks for the kind words!

@Martie: We’ve got a bunch of other excellent articles on resumes, cover letters, interviews, etc. if you’re looking to work on your entire career toolkit.

@Sapp: Great! The beauty of your bio is that once you consciously sit down and write it once, then you have a strong foundation that you can tweak for the rest of your life.

– Pete Kistler CEO, Brand-Yourself.com @pete_kistler and @brandyourself

Go get ’em tiger!

Thanks for Guding ….. Wonderful tips..Thanks a lot

Guiding

hi thanks so much for this wonderful guide. am so grateful.

great article – thanks for the tips! you guys rock!

The tips are so helpful . Thanks

thank you for the tips

great tips it helps me alot….

Thank you for this amazing and helpful tip.

supper is ready yum, come and get your biscuits!

tips are very useful. thank you so much

The best I’ve see yet

thank you so much this will really help me get in to the film fest from cruisinwithkenny

useful tips for me

thanx helped me alot

helpful tips…thanks!

That’s what I looked for . Thanx for that ♡♥

if you want to make a biography you need to know all about you ,family , and friends so you can write a biography

Really good information…especially the getting feedback part. While we may not want to hear it, we NEED it sometimes. Good friends who know what they’re doing can be very valuable in this situation.

So many things I wouldn’t even consider. Thanks for the tips. They are timely, since I am just going through a total rebrand!

You raise a good point, in fact you are ‘fixing’ something right now. You are adding your unique perspective as an ‘innovator’ in the information age that can assist other unlikely writers to get branded and ranked. Maybe it would be a great idea to answer questions in Quora, Yahoo Answers and the like. That can be your links to your ‘works’.

Nice article. thanks for share.

Surely in your many years of experience there are some good/funny/genius problems/solutions or stories you’ve lived or caused. Share them. 🙂

Thanks! TIps #3, #5, and #6 were especially helpful for me. I also find useful this article on how to write a biography so I recommend reading it as well. I also find really helpful suing samples. At least, it’s really helpful for me!

Thank you so much for this great blog. You wrote lot of valuable information about how to write Personal Biography . I like your post. I agree to all of your points that you have mentioned.

For me, the key to this article is section 6. Anymore, I DON’T think the expectation is a list of your accomplishments. I think the people who make the decisions based on biographies are looking for something different, a way to truly distinguish one person from another. A list says one thing about a person–a STORY says something much different. It SHOWS you are creative. A story gives you a lot of flexibility and opportunity to qualify yourself; a list is often reduced to a quantity. Dylan makes an excellent point about ‘sources’ or achievement; in a technician’s role, resolution can be rote, but my experience is solving problems presents lots of opportunities to get creative. David also makes an outstanding point: even if you truly don’t have anything that qualifies as an accomplishment, in this day and age, there are numerous ways to create demonstrable achievement. I believe that’s what the Gig Economy is all about. Dave mentions two specifics; there are dozens more opportunities. This could be an important consideration if you have been stuck for a while in a job that TRULY sucks. I’ve been in those. Then, the story REALLY comes in handy–’cause you don’t have to dwell exclusively on work related stuff. Never hurts to show people you are compassionate, or generous, or kind.

Comments are closed.

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Biosketch Writing Tips

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A biosketch is used to highlight an individual’s qualifications for a specific role in a proposed project. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) requires a biosketch for senior/key persons applying for or renewing NIH grants.

Your biosketch may not exceed five pages per person. Figures, graphics, or embed files (e.g. video, graphics, sound, data) are not allowed.

eRA Commons User Name: An eRA Commons is an online interface where signing officials, principal investigators, trainees and post-docs at institutions or organizations can access and share administrative information relating to research grants.This field is required for the program director/principal investigator, primary sponsors of fellowship applicants, all mentors of candidates for mentored career development awards, and candidates for diversity and reentry research supplements.
Education/Training: Begin with baccalaureate or other initial professional education, such as nursing. Include postdoctoral, residency, and clinical fellowship training, as applicable, listing each separately. For each entry provide the name and location of the institution, the degree received, and the month and year of end date (or expected end date).
Personal Statement: In your statement describe why you are well-suited to participate in this project. This may include aspects of your training, previous work on this specific topic or related topics, technical expertise, or past performance in this field. You may cite up to four publications or research products that highlight your experience and qualifications for this project. Research products can include, but are not limited to, audio or video products; conference proceedings such as meeting abstracts, posters, or other presentations; patents; data and research materials; databases; educational aids or curricula; instruments or equipment; models; protocols; and software or netware.
Positions and Honors: In chronological order list the positions you’ve held that are relevant to this application, concluding with your current position. High school students and undergraduates may include any previous positions. Additionally, list any relevant academic and/or professional achievements and honors. This includes scholarships, traineeships, fellowships, and development awards as they relate to the position. As a clinician you should include information on any clinical licenses or specialty board certifications.
Contributions to Science: All senior/key persons should complete the following section except candidates for research supplements to promote diversity in health-related research who are high school students, undergraduates, and post-baccalaureates.Briefly describe up to five of your most significant contributions to science. The description of each contribution should be no longer than one half page, including citations. For each contribution, indicate historical background that frames the scientific problem, the central finding(s), influence of the finding(s) on the progress of science or the application of those finding(s) to health or technology, and your specific role in the described work. With each contribution, you may cite up to four publications or research products that are relevant to the contribution. If you are not the author of the product, indicate what your role or contribution was.
Research Support: This section highlights your accomplishments, and those of your colleagues, as scientists. List ongoing and completed research projects from the past three years that you want to draw attention to. Briefly indicate the overall goals of the projects and your responsibilities. Do not include the number of person months or direct costs.
Predoctoral applicants List by institution and year all undergraduate and graduate courses, with grades. In addition, explain any grading system used if it differs from a 1-100 scale; an A, B, C, D, F system; or a 0-4.0 scale. Also indicate the levels required for a passing grade.
Postdoctoral applicants: List by institution and year all graduate scientific and/or professional courses with grades. In addition, explain any grading system used if it differs from a 1-100 scale; an A, B, C, D, F system; or a 0-4.0 scale. Also indicate the levels required for a passing grade.

Adapted from the National Institutes of Health Instructions for a Biographical Sketch .

Additional Resources:

Non-fellowship Biosketch Example
Predoctoral Fellowship Biosketch Example
Postdoctoral Fellowship Biosketch Example

Adapted from the National Institutes of Health Biosketch Format Pages .

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Biographical sketch for students, Format, Solved Examples, Worksheet

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Hey, welcome with the new article “Biographical sketch”, it’s no matter in which class/grade/Standard you are 4, 5, 6, 7,8 9, 10, 11, 12, teacher or student, this may this article help you to understand completely what is biographical sketch format, how to write it etc. Here we have Solved Examples and worksheet help you to understand the topic in good way. So without wasting time let’s start.

A bio-sketch or Biographical sketch of a person contains a detailed account of his physical outlook, characteristics, nature, job profile and other relevant personal information as required. The data provided in the question is used to write a bio-sketch or personally compiled by the writer.

What is a biographical sketch?

A bio-sketch or a biographical sketch is a brief write up that to summarize a person’s life, achievements, character, experiences, etc. It is a short description highlighting the main traits of the personality of the chosen subject.

How to write a biographical sketch?

Biography sketch: It is always written by a person other than the one who is being described. The aim of a bio-sketch is large to present a positive picture of the person concerned. It is advisable to present all the information in chronological order while writing a bio-sketch so that the reader can trace the life of the subject from the beginning to the end.

Biographical Sketch Format for students

The main points that need to be incorporated while writing a bio-sketch are:

Full name, date of birth/age, place of birth
Major personality traits
Educational details highlighting any major achievements or awards
His/Her contribution to society
Any special interest
Why is he/she famous or known for?

Biographical sketch example for students

A biographical sketch is always written in the third person and aims at describing the significant achievements or impressive traits of a person’s personality.

Before writing a bio-sketch, the writer needs to conduct a thorough research about the life of the subject he/she has chosen. This can be done by reading reliable information in journals, books, libraries or online database.

The writer can then prepare a timeline of the person’s life and decide which points he/she wishes to highlight. Since a bio-sketch is a brief description, it describes such qualities, events and achievements .

In short, the writer should be able to paint a pen portrait of the subject and convince the reader that the person was unique and worth reading about.

Biographical sketch Solved example

Given examples are of “essay” biographical sketch solved example , you have to write an essay with the help of given clues.

Here we have two solved examples:

(Biosketch solved example 1) : In the first example “Write a biographical sketch on Vishwanathan Anand not more than 100-120 words”.
(Biosketch solved example 2) : In the Second example “Write a biographical sketch on Kailash Satyarthi not more than 100-120 words.

Biosketch solved example 1

Write a biographical sketch of Vishwanathan Anand – Grandmaster, a world Chess Champion in your own words in not more than 100-120 words . Clues have been given.

Biosketch solved example 2

Question: Write a biographical sketch of Kailash Satyarthi , a Nobel Peace Prize Honorary, in your own words in not more than 100-120 words , Clues have been given.

Kailash Satyarthi

Born 11 January 1954, Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh, India-academic qualification-Electrical Engineer-family-married, Two children-a daughter and a son-prize motivation – ‘His struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education’ – awards – Nobel Peace Prize, 2014 (shared with malala Yousafazai) – Defenders of Democracy Award (US), 2009- Alfonso Comin International Award (Spain), 2008 – The Robert. Kennedy Human Rights Award, 1995 – popular child Rights Activist- started a journal ‘The Struggle Shall Continue’ in 1980 (create awareness about child labour) – founder – Bachpan Andolan (BBA), a movement dedicated towards eradication of human trafficking and bonded child labour.

Biographical Solved Example Image

Worksheet for students

Here we have two worksheets read carefully.

(Worksheet 1): In the first worksheet, you have a paragraph and you have to write a biographical sketch with the help of given hints or Clues in the form of a paragraph .
(Worksheet 2): In the second worksheet, you have to write a paragraph/biographical sketch with the help of given clues.

Worksheet 1

Write the biographical sketch of Raghuram Rajan, former Governor of RBI, in your own words in not more than 100-120 words. Clues have been given: (biographical sketch example for students)

Former governor-RBI-23rd-born February 3, 1963- Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh – Tamil family – father was senior bureaucrat – graduate from IIT Delhi in 1985- management degree from IIM- Ahmedabad in 1987-doctoral degree in 1991 from MIT-HKUST (Hongkong University of Science and Technology)-vegetarian-loves swimming, squash, tennis, running-married to Radhika Puri-she is a lecturer of law-at Chicago Law School-he served as the Chief Economic Advisor to Finance Ministry- was the youngest Chief Economist- at IMF in 2003 – prestigious awards- Fischer Black Prize-Best Central bank Governor Award-Deutsche Bank Prize for financial economics

Worksheet 2

Write the biography sketch of Nelson Mandela, the first Black President, in your own words in not more than 100-125 words. Clues have been given.

Also, read:

Notice writing
Message writing
Report writing

Biographical Sketch PDF

25 thoughts on “biographical sketch for students, format, solved examples, worksheet”.

Hello, can I get clues for Richard Ebright in biography sketch. Please help…Thank you

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Thank you for your feedback

Write a biographical sketch of sirivennela seetha Rama sastry

Biographical sketch of sirivennela seetha Rama sastry

Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry (a.k.a. Sirivennela), born on May 20, 1955, in Andhra Pradesh, India, is a renowned Indian poet, lyricist, and songwriter. His lyrical prowess and deep understanding of human emotions have made him a prominent figure in the Indian film industry, particularly in Telugu cinema.

Sirivennela’s journey into the world of poetry and lyrics began during his college days, where he developed a passion for literature and music. His talent soon caught the attention of music directors and filmmakers, and he made his debut as a lyricist with the film “Kokila” in 1980. Since then, Sirivennela has penned thousands of songs for Telugu films, showcasing his versatility and creativity.

Known for his profound lyrics and poetic expressions, Sirivennela has collaborated with some of the most celebrated music composers in the industry, including Ilaiyaraaja, A. R. Rahman, and M. M. Keeravani. His songs often delve into themes of love, life, and human relationships, striking a chord with listeners across generations.

Apart from his work in films, Sirivennela has also published several collections of poetry, further establishing himself as a prolific writer. His contributions to the field of literature and music have earned him numerous awards and accolades, including several Nandi Awards and a National Film Award for Best Lyrics.

Sirivennela’s enduring legacy lies in his ability to touch hearts and evoke emotions through his words. His songs continue to be cherished by millions of fans, making him a beloved figure in the world of Telugu cinema and beyond.

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It helped me a lot specially in my exams. I did the worksheets and i saw improvement in me. I got full marks in biographical sketch. Thx for teaching me so well

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You’re welcome! I’m thrilled to hear that the site has helped improve your scores. If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask. Happy learning!

Biosketch Format Pages, Instructions and Samples

A biographical sketch (also referred to as biosketch) documents an individual's qualifications and experience for a specific role in a project. NIH requires submission of a biosketch for each proposed senior/key personnel and other significant contributor on a grant application. Some funding opportunities or programs may also request biosketches for additional personnel (e.g., Participating Faculty Biosketch attachment for institutional training awards). Applicants and recipients are required to submit biosketches

in competing applications for all types of grant programs,
in progress reports when new senior/key personnel or other significant contributors are identified, and
to support prior approval requests for changes in senior/key personnel status and changes of recipient organization.

Direct specific biosketch and other support related questions to [email protected]

This page last updated on: May 6, 2021

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How to Write a Biographical Sketch: A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Write a Biographical Sketch

Have you ever been asked to write a biographical sketch but didn’t know where to start? Or perhaps you’re curious about what a biographical sketch even is and why it’s important. In this blog post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about how to write a biographical sketch. It is asked for 5 marks in CBSE Board in different classes. Crafting an engaging and informative bio can be challenging. But fear not – with our step-by-step guide and helpful examples, you’ll be writing bio sketches like good student.

Biosketch And Biographical Sketch Example For Students
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Bio Sketch for Class 6 | Format | Worksheet| 10 Best Examples
Factual Description of a Person Example

What is a Biographical Sketch?

A biographical sketch, also known as a bio sketch or bio sketch, is a brief overview of someone’s life. It focuses on the most important and relevant aspects of the person’s personal and professional background. Unlike a full-length biography that covers every detail of a person’s life from their birth to death, a biographical sketch only includes essential information. This type of writing typically ranges from one paragraph to a few ones in length depending on its purpose. When it comes to writing an effective biosketch, it should provide readers with an insight into the person’s life and what makes the personality unique. It should highlight achievements, skills and experiences that make him/ her stand out from others. A well-written biographical sketch should capture the reader’s attention while providing them with enough information about your background to leave them curious for more.

How to write a biographical sketch

To write a biographical sketch, you need to start with the basics. A biographical sketch is a short summary of someone’s life or career. It should be concise and informative while highlighting key accomplishments and milestones. So how do you go about writing one? Firstly, identify your subject and research the background or take the hints already given in the Bio Sketch questions thoroughly. Start by gathering basic information such as their name, birthplace, education and profession. Once you have established these details, begin outlining the main points that you want to include in your bio-sketch. This could range from significant achievements to personal anecdotes that provide insight into who they are as a person. When writing the actual draft, keep sentences short and engaging while maintaining accuracy in conveying important details about your subject’s life story. Remember to use descriptive language that captures their unique personality traits and character qualities. Ensure that your final version is formatted properly with clear headings for each section – introduction/background info; career/achievements; personal life/family history etcetera- so readers can easily navigate through it all without feeling overwhelmed by too much text at once!

What to include in a Biographical Sketch

When writing a biographical sketch, it’s important to include key elements that will give the reader a clear understanding of the subject’s life and achievements. You are also advised to include their birthplace and date, family background, educational history, career accomplishments, notable publications or awards they’ve received. Be sure to focus on significant events or milestones in their life rather than trivial details that would distract from their impact or legacy. Additionally, incorporating quotes from the subject themselves or people who knew them well can add depth and perspective. End with an overview of what makes this individual noteworthy – what did they contribute to society or their field? What sets them apart from others in similar positions? Remember: A biographical sketch should be concise yet informative; it should capture both facts and feelings about its subject without becoming overly sentimental or lengthy.

Format of Writing a Biographical Sketch

Formatting is an essential part of any writing piece, and a biographical sketch is no exception. The way you structure your sketch will determine how easy it is for readers to follow the story of the person you’re writing about. Here are some tips on formatting your biographical sketch. Firstly, start with a clear introduction that briefly explains who the person is and what they have achieved in their life. This sets the tone for your entire sketch and should be captivating enough to keep readers interested. Next, divide your biography into sections that cover different aspects of the person’s life such as childhood, education, career highlights or achievements. Each section should begin with a subheading that summarizes what you’ll be discussing next. When writing each section, use short paragraphs and sentences to make it easier for readers to digest information quickly. Also try breaking up text with bullet points or images where appropriate. Use third-person point-of-view throughout when describing events from someone else’s life; avoid using “I” or “we.” End with a conclusion summarizing everything discussed in your biographical sketch without adding new information so as not to confuse readers.

Biographical Sketch Examples

1.Given below is a profile of Ashwini. Write a short bio-sketch of him in about 100 words.

Age-18 years
Physical Appearance–normal, 160 cm tall
college student
works part-time
parents old-father a primary teacher, mother housewife
wants to do B.A. then a job-further study
honest, hardworking, sincere
wants to lead a simple life

Answer Ashwini—A College Student

Ashwini is an 18-year old boy with a normal physical appearance having 180 cm height. He is, at present, a college student studying in B.A. Since his parents are poor, he works part-time. His father is a primary school teacher and his mother a housewife. His parents are old. Ashwini is ambitious she wants to complete his B.A. first. After that, he would search for a job because without that he can’t do much in life. Even after getting a suitable job, he would like to study further. As regards human values, Ashwini is honest, hardworking, and sincere. He wants to lead a simple life.

2. Given below is a profile of your favourite teacher Sh. Prashant Kumar. Write a short bio-sketch of your teacher using the clues given below in 100 words.

Age-25 years
Physical appearance—fair-complexioned and looks like a film hero
teaches English, teaches with examples, silence
how the class was an enjoyable experience
love for children
kind, patient, ever-smiling

Answer: Prashant Kumar Like others I, too, have my favourite teacher in Sh. Prashant Kumar. He is 25 years old and has a good physical appearance. He is fair-complexioned and looks like a film hero. He teaches us English. His method of teaching is very interesting and thought-provoking. He teaches through examples which make us understand the topic clearly. His method is so good that all of us wait for his period. There is pin-drop silence in the class and all listen to him with full attention. So the whole class enjoys his teaching. Sh. Prashant Kumar has a great love for children. As a man, he is kind, patient and ever-smiling. He is loved by all due to his qualities. May he live long!

3. Last year your school appointed a new T.C.T. who came to teach you English in class 9. You are very impressed with her. Write a description of your T.G.T. (English) in about 100 words. You may use the clues given below.

qualifications, college/university’
personality
attitude toward students
manner of teaching
problem-solving
course punctuality
weak students

Ans. My Favourite Teacher

Our English teacher Mrs Rita Raman is one of the best teachers that I have ever come across. She graduated from Hindu caw and then secured her B.Ed. degree from the University of Delhi. She is very friendly and charming. Her dresses are extremely interesting Instead of giving a monotonous lecture; she allows the students to and shares their views. The students are never afraid to approach her. The best thing about Mrs Rita Raman is her punctuality. She never fails to complete the syllabus on time. Mrs Raman gives special attention to the weaker students and motivates them to work hard. She is indeed a wonderful person.

Download the above Description in PDF

Why Write a Biographical Sketch?

A biographical sketch is a brief summary of someone’s life, achievements and significant events that have shaped their personality. So why would anyone want to write a biographical sketch? Firstly, it can be a great way to introduce yourself or someone else on various platforms such as social media profiles, personal websites or professional portfolios. A well-crafted bio sketch can leave an impression on the reader and help them understand who you are and what you do. Secondly, writing a biographical sketch can be an opportunity for introspection and reflection. It allows us to examine our own lives objectively and identify the key moments that have contributed to our personal growth. Moreover, a well-written bio-sketch can also serve as an inspiration for others. It may encourage readers to pursue their dreams by sharing stories of how those before them overcame obstacles through resilience and determination. In essence, writing a biographical sketch is not only informative but also motivational. It provides insights into one’s journey through life while inspiring others along the way.

Writing a biographical sketch doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can create an engaging and informative piece that accurately captures your subject’s life and accomplishments. Remember to start with research, organize your information into categories or themes, and use descriptive language that brings the person to life on the page. And don’t forget to tailor your approach based on your intended audience! Whether you’re writing for academic purposes or simply want to create a meaningful tribute to someone special, these tips will help you successfully tackle any biographical sketch project. So what are you waiting for? Start researching and get ready to tell some amazing stories!

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COMMENTS

Tips for Writing a Biographical Sketch (With Examples)
Looking for some tips on writing a biographical sketch? Explore these clear and concise steps to help you create the perfect bio sketch!
How to Write a Biographical Sketch: Format & Examples
To create an effective biographical sketch, it is essential to follow a proper format. Here are the guidelines to help you structure your sketch: Introduction: Start with a brief introduction that captures the reader's attention and provides essential background information about the person. Early Life: Describe the person's early life ...
5 Ways to Write a Biographical Sketch
1. Come up with a concise thesis for your sketch. You can't include all the information about a person's life in a short biographical sketch. After researching your figure, choose a key detail for your sketch's focus. Then write a sentence that sums up the main point you want to make about your figure. [8]
Biographical Sketch Examples
A biographical sketch is supposed to paint the abbreviated picture of an individual's life. It can be written about your own life or someone else's. When written about someone else's life, the sketch must explain who the person is and highlight their achievements. If a biological sketch is about you, then the same rule applies.
How to Write a Biosketch
Write in the third person. This means that instead of using "I" statements, use "he/she/they" statements. The information you include in your BioSketch is unique to you and your circumstances. While your BioSketch may look different from the examples below, be sure to include the important general information outlined in the paragraph ...
How to Write Biographical Sketch (Format) 2024: Examples
Example 1:- Using the information given below, write the bio-sketch of A.R. Rahman, a famous Indian composer, in about 100 words. Born: Dileep Kumar-January, 1966, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu rises success as A.R. Rahman, music director and singer. Family: loses father at an early age; mother's influence great.
How to Write a Biography: 6 Tips for Writing Biographical Texts
A biography usually structures the main points of a person's life in chronological order. Knowing the order of key events before you start writing can save you the hassle of having to reorganize your whole story later. 5. Use flashbacks. While writing the text of your biography, you may want to intercut between an experience from your subject ...
Tips for Writing a Biographical Sketch (With Examples)
A biographical sketch paints an abridge picture of someone's life.It canned be writers about someone else's life or yours own life.If you're written about someone else, next you must explain who the human is and set their major achievements. for the biographical sketch is about it, the equivalent standard employ, in addition to the aim are presenter yourself in a positive lights.
Bio Sketch Format
To write a biographical sketch, you will need to include the basic facts about a person's life, such as their date and place of birth, education, work history, and family. It should also provide some insight into the person's personality and interests. While a biographical sketch can be as short as a paragraph, it is often half or one page ...
How to Write an Impressive Biographical Sketch
Create a Narrative. Another way to ensure that your biographical sketch is impressive is to write it in the format of a narrative. Instead of listing all of the facts you find in your research, try to find an interesting story to tell about the person you are featuring. Include facts and accomplishments in the narrative, or story, you tell.
Writing a Biographical Sketch about Myself
2. Structure your sketch: Create a rough outline for your biographical sketch, organizing your information into clear sections. A standard structure can include: - Introduction: Introduce yourself, stating your full name and a brief overview of your background. - Educational background: Describe your education, including the schools you ...
10 Easy Steps: How to Write a Biographical Sketch in 2024
Step 4: Organize Your Thoughts and Create an Outline. Organize the information you have gathered and create an outline for your biographical sketch. Start with an introduction that provides background information about your subject. Then, divide the body of your sketch into sections, focusing on different aspects of their life. Finally ...
How to Write a Professional Biosketch
Opening. The opening should introduce you and situate you professionally, by giving your name, degree (s), and current institutional affiliation. Stick to your main affiliations, but it is OK to ...
Professional Bio Guide: Template and Examples
2. Your Twitter bio. Even a snappy, 160-character bio can help set you apart. To write a great bio for social media, grab the first two sentences of the bio we just drafted. We've crammed a lot of great info in there: who you are, what you do, who you do it for, how you do it, and what you believe about the work you do.
Writers' Workshop: The Biographical Sketch
Overview. While engaging in the processes of researching, writing, and evaluating short biographical sketches, students can master essential writing skills and enhance their content area learning. In this lesson, fourth grade students discuss standard elements in a biography and examine the characteristics of the genre in a workshop setting.
How To Write a Professional Short Bio (With Examples)
Here are some steps you can follow to help you write a successful short bio: 1. Choose a voice. The first step in writing a short bio is deciding on a voice. For our purposes, choosing a voice involves deciding whether you are writing in the first or third person. Writing in the first person means using the words "I" and "me", and writing in ...
Tips for Writing a Biographical Sketch (With Examples)
1. Remember Your Purpose. Biographical sketching usually provisioning an account of a person's life and include core information. If you're writing a biosketch concerning someone else, you'll want to focus on the following basic information: full print, date/place of birth, your background, occupation, and larger recent.
11 Tips On How To Write A Personal Biography + Examples
2. Introduce yourself… like a real person. This is one of the most important pieces of understanding how to write a personal biography. Always start with your name. When many people start learning how to write a bio, they skip this important part. People need to know who you are before they learn what you do.
Biosketch Writing Tips
Biosketch Writing Tips. A biosketch is used to highlight an individual's qualifications for a specific role in a proposed project. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) requires a biosketch for senior/key persons applying for or renewing NIH grants. Your biosketch may not exceed five pages per person.
BioSketch Writing
What is a Bio-Sketch?Bio-sketch is also known as Bio-Graphical Sketch is an account of the life and activities of the individual like Ratan Tata or family l...
Biographical sketch for students, Format, Solved Examples ...
Given examples are of "essay" biographical sketch solved example, you have to write an essay with the help of given clues. Here we have two solved examples: (Biosketch solved example 1): In the first example "Write a biographical sketch on Vishwanathan Anand not more than 100-120 words". (Biosketch solved example 2): In the Second ...
Biosketch Format Pages, Instructions and Samples
A biographical sketch (also referred to as biosketch) documents an individual's qualifications and experience for a specific role in a project. NIH requires submission of a biosketch for each proposed senior/key personnel and other significant contributor on a grant application. Some funding opportunities or programs may also request ...
How to Write a Biographical Sketch: A Step-by-Step Guide
1.Given below is a profile of Ashwini. Write a short bio-sketch of him in about 100 words. Age-18 years. Physical Appearance-normal, 160 cm tall. college student. works part-time. parents old-father a primary teacher, mother housewife. wants to do B.A. then a job-further study. honest, hardworking, sincere.

Tips for Writing a Biographical Sketch (With Examples)

1. Remember Your Purpose

2. Be Concise

3. Highlight Achievements and Influences

4. Arrange Your Information

5. Verify Your Information

Biographical Sketch Example for Students

Personal biographical sketch

Write Your Own Biographical Sketch Today

Expand the Story Beyond a Biosketch

How to Write a Biographical Sketch: Format & Examples

What is a Biographical Sketch?

Format of a Biographical Sketch

Tips for Writing a Biographical Sketch

Examples of Biographical Sketches

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How to Write a Biographical Sketch

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Researching Your Subject

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Bio Sketch Format | How to Write a Biographical Sketch?

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Biographical Sketch Example for Students

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