Role Model / Biography and Commentary

Present a mini-biography of and a commentary on a person you admire and who could be your role model. (300-500 Words).
A biography is a presentation of a person's Life. It can have a specific angle (e.g.focusing on career, family life etc.). A commentary is a reflection, from your own point of view, about the person.

Preparation

1. Think about a person you consider successful; someone Close to you or a famous person. In what ways do you admire them and their achievements?

2. For a famous person: research their Life and how they came to be successful.

    For somenone you know: interview them about the things in their life that you do not know much about.

    Topics: parents, childhood, teenage years, first job, important exeperiences, failures, their life now.

3. Use the text "Nick Brandt - Not Afraid of Change" as a model for how a biography can be structured.

Process

1. Decide on a title. This should give a hint of the angle of the profile (e.g. "Mary Watts - Always asking questions").

2. Use a five-paragraph structure for this text. Try to cover these points:

- Introduction: Present the person and their achievements in a way that catches the reader's attention (you can use a rhetorical question, a surprising statement, or a personal confession). Give some brief background information. Explain why you have chosen this person.

- Paragraphs 2-3: Give more detailed information about this person's life and achievements. This type of information is often presented chronologically. If you use information from other sources, you should refer to those sources.

- Paragraph 4: Express your own opinion about this person and their achievements in a commentary. State why you Think they are impressive. Use examples from their Life and, if possible, relate their story to your own thoughts and experiences. In what way are they a role model to you?

- Conclusion: Sum up this person's achievements, and you own impression of them.

Product

1 Proofread and revise.

2. Submit your text.

TIPS FOR REVISING:

Self-editing: Read the whole manuscript carefully, making sure that the structure is clear and that you have used correct vocabulary and grammar as well as descriptive language.

Peer feedback: Get feedback from a partner on structure, language and content. Rework and practice.