BIOGRAPHY The Legacies of ‘Ordinary’ People

BIOGRAPHY Interviewing a Subject  Select an adult at least 25 years of age to interview  Develop a list of questions to ask your interviewee At least 5-6 different headings for questions 7-10 questions under each heading At least 50 questions total

BIOGRAPHY Interviewing a Subject  Conduct at least one interview with the subject lasting minutes (or more!)  Audio- or Videorecord the interview; take only brief notes  Take home the tape, review it, write answers and comments  Organize the notes into a formal outline (we’ll go over this in class)  Conduct other interviews, gather other info as necessary

BIOGRAPHY The Final Biography: Project Option 1  3-5 pages, typed, double-spaced, Times New Roman font, size 12  Focused on giving the main impression with details to support that impression Standard Written Biography

BIOGRAPHY The Final Biography: Project Option 2  pages, including illustrations  Biographical children’s picture book  Text can be larger, must use original illustrations Children’s Story

BIOGRAPHY Reading a Biography  Everyone will read a biography 100 pages or longer  Must be a biography (not autobiography, journal, memoir, diary, etc.)  While you read:  Mark quotes, facts, important events, interesting sources, etc., with post-it notes  Complete Biography Book Worksheet (given in class, link on Mr. Port’s web page).

BIOGRAPHY Overview of Assignments  50 – 75 Questions (20 pts)  Interview Notes/Answers/Comments (10 pts)  Interview Outline (20 pts)  Rough Draft (20 pts)  Final Biography (100 pts)  Biography Book Worksheet (30 pts)

BIOGRAPHY How to Ask Someone to Be Your Interview Subject 1. Tell him you are doing an English/school project 2. Explain the basics of the project:  You have to interview someone  You have to write her biography  The bio will be shared with other students 3. Tell her you have to tape the interview 4. Tell him the interview will last about an hour 5. Tell him why you thought of him (something nice) 6. Ask her if she is willing to be your subject for the bio 7. Set up a date, time, and place for the interview

BIOGRAPHY The Interview 1. If possible, set up site ahead of time  Arrange chairs comfortably, as discussed  Have refreshments for your guest  Set up all recording equipment (already tested) 2. Bring all materials  Notebook with questions, paper, pen/cils  Recording equipment, incl. charging cord, spare batteries, extension cord, etc. 3. Be polite: welcome warmly, say thanks, indicate that you’ll share the final bio in Nov.