Biography Project
Due: Friday, March 20, 2015
□Step 1: Decide on a person who you find fascinating or would like to know more about.
Choice: ______
□Step 2:Research & Writing
You will begin researching your chosen person. You may use books, websites, magazines, encyclopedias or any other appropriate source. You will need to use at least 2 sources for your research (they can be any combination of internet, book, etc.). If you choose to use books, make sure you have two different books; if you choose to use just websites, make sure to use two different websites. It is important that you “cite” all of your sources. To help you with this, we are working in the library to gather resources.
What to research and write about…
***You will NOT be required to hand in your rough draft. You may get a parent or another adult to edit your work with you at home, or ask a teacher to edit with you at school whenever we are working on these in class. In order to have this project completed in time, your rough draft should be completed by Tuesday, March 17, 2015.
□Describe the early life of your person.
-Tell about what kind of person he or she was.
-What was it about your character that helped him or her to succeed?
-Did your character know what he or she wanted to become in the future?
-How did your character prepare for his or her future?
□Tell about the work your person did.
-Tell why his/her work or contribution was important.
-Did he or she invent something or teach others?
-How did he or she change the world?
-What lasting effects did your character have on the lives of others?
□What should we all know about your person?
- How do we benefit today from him or her?
- What do you think was the most impressive thing about your character?
□Tell how your person has inspired you.
- In what ways would you like to be him or her?
□Step 3:Choose one of the following formats to complete your biography.
***Projects may either be type written or written neatly by hand.
Poster board(Can also be done as a collage with written pieces) / Mobile
/ Cereal Box
Brochure
/ PowerPoint Presentation
NOTE:Whichever format you choose, you MUST include a picture of your selected person somewhere in/on your project.
NOTE: Remember to proofread, proofread, proofread! Have an adult or older sibling proofread for you as well.
How to do your Bibliography
A book with one author:
Keller, Helen. Helen Keller: The Story of my
Life. New York: Watermill,1980.
A book with two or more authors:
Smith, Arnold, Steve Jones, and Ken
Anderson. Thomas Jefferson. CA: Puffin,
1993.
Encyclopedia Articles:
Block, Judy. “George Washington.” World
Book. New York: Macmillan, 2004.
Website:
The Anthony Trial: An Account. Douglas
Linder. 2001. 18 January 2007 <
Biography Rubric
Level 4 / Level 3 / Level 2 / Level 1Ideas & Content
Lively, interesting, & memorable writing keeps the reader's attention.
Ideas are supported by details. / •Writer knows topic really well
•Early Life, Significant Events, Contributions, Char. Traits & Conclusion all included
•Many interesting details / •Early Life, Significant Events, Contributions, Char. Traits & Conclusion all included
•Writer knows the topic
•Most details fit & are interesting / •Missing ONE or more of the following: Early Life, Significant Events, Contributions, Char. Traits & Conclusion
•Writer doesn’t know enough about the topic
•Needs more details / •Missing TWO or more of the following: Early Life, Significant Events, Contributions, Char. Traits & Conclusion
•Writer doesn't know topic
•Details lacking
•Ideas missing or don't make sense
Organization
Introduction is inviting.
Ideas & important details & paragraphs fit well together.
Transitions used effectively between ideas & paragraphs.
Ending is effective. / •Carefully organized with varied transitions
•Lead grabs reader's attention
•Conclusion works well
•Details & paragraphs are in right order / •Has some transitions
•Most parts of paper fit together
•Most details & paragraphs are in right order / •Few transitions used
•Too many details are out of order / •Paragraphs and/or transitions missing
•Too many details are out of order
Word Choice AND Sentence Fluency
Writer uses appropriate descriptive vocabulary.
The writing flows. Writer uses different beginnings & lengths for sentences. / •Has a variety of strong words
•Words create vivid pictures in reader's mind
•Has creative sentences of different kinds & lengths
•Sentences flow, making the writing enjoyable to read / •Writing has some strong words
•Some words create pictures in the reader's mind
•Sentences are different lengths
•Sentences have varied beginnings
•Sentences fit together well / •Too many dull, ordinary words
•Some words just don't fit
•Sentences are too short or too long
•Same beginnings used over and over
•Reader is confused & has to re-read for meaning / •Words don't show the writer's meaning
•Reader is confused by the writer's choice of words
•Not enough complete sentences
•Writing does not make sense
Conventions
The writer shows a clear understanding of capitalization, punctuation, spelling & grammar. / •Has NO errors in capitalization, punctuation, spelling & grammar
•Writing is easy to read / •Has FEW errors in capitalization, punctuation, spelling & grammar
•Sounds correct when read aloud / •Too many errors in capitalization, punctuation, spelling & grammar make the writing difficult to read •Editing needed / •Capitalization, punctuation, spelling & grammar mistakes make the writing impossible to read & understanding.
•Major editing needed
Biography Bibliography
- ______
- ______
- ______
- ______
Editing Checklist
This will be done at home with a parent, some other adult, or a much older sibling (after our rough drafts are finished).
Student’s Name: ______Date: ______
Editor’s Name: ______
The editor should check items that need attention before the final draft / Checked by editor if item needs attention / Student checks when corrections have been madeCaptials
Sentences start with capital letters
Names and proper nouns (cities, states, etc.) begin with capitals
Each important word in the title begins with a capital
Punctuation
Each sentence ends with a period or other appropriate punctuation
Commas are used appropriately
Quotation marks are used when someone talks or if you quote directly from a book
General
Words are spelled correctly
There are no run-on sentences
There are no fragment sentences
Transitions are used at the beginning of a paragraph
A lot and all right are both separate words
Sentences are not started with numbers (use two instead of 2)
Its (shows ownership) / It’s (means it is)
Their (ownership) / There (a location) / They’re (they are)
Boring words are not used (good, really, very, bad, little, big, stuff, things, sad, nice, etc.)
Other items that need attention
Project is neat and organized.
Title, your name and date is on project.
Project is turned in on time. (10 points off for every day late)