Writing a Biographical Narrative

A biographical narrative is a nonfiction account of life. In this type of writing, another

person is described through the eyes of the writer. It is one of many types of narrative
writing that relies on concrete details, images, spoken words, sensory description, and
actions. Through these narrative elements, writer’s illuminate or chronicle perceptions
of a memorable person.

Find someone of interest that was or is currently in your life.

1st Paragraph
Write about the significance of this person in your life. Who is it? What relation, if any?
Explain the usual information about them so the reader gets a good well-rounded picture
of them.

2nd Paragraph
Why did you choose this person? What did this person do that makes him/her a
significant person in your life? You’ll need to provide the information and/or incident that
illustrates and describes why you chose them.

3rd Paragraph
What sort of impact has this person had on your life? Again, you may use an
incident/event that helps you illustrate a particular point.

4th Paragraph
Conclusion

Consider point of view, voice, and tone to communicate scenes that illustrate the
subject’s importance. Your essay may be written in first person, third person, or from an
omniscient point of view. The narrative conveys the significance of the person, place, or
event.

Strategies for Developing a Narrative

Characterization Incident (s) to Support Characterization

• Concrete details that create visual • Orienting reader to the incident

imagery.
• Description of subject’s immediate
environment, workplace, or living
place.
• Description of subject’s routines,
habits, or typical activities.
• Use of dialogue, sayings, or verbal
expressions.
• Comparison or contrast to other
people.
• Assertions or generalizations about
the subject’s character based on his
or her actions.
(time, place, and context).
• Using dialogue that moves the
action.
• Naming people, objects, quantities,
or numbers.
• Describing specific narrative action
(movement, gestures, or
expressions).
• Building tension through surprise or
suspense.

Significance Tone

• Stating the significance explicitly. • Using language that evokes a sense

• Giving a history of the relationship
between the writer and the subject.
• Describing incidents that implicitly
reveal the importance of that person.
• Presenting details about the subject
in such a way that the significance is
clearly conveyed.
of the writer’s attitude toward the
subject.
• Selecting details that convey a sense
of the person’s significance.
Organization
• Developing the incident
chronologically.
• Developing through a sequence of
related anecdotes.