CBSE Class 8/9/10 - English - Writing A Biographical Sketch (#cbseNotes)

Write A Biographical Sketch

English Writing Skills

A biographical sketch or bio-sketch is a brief summary of a person's life achievements. It includes professional, educational accomplishments, publications and affiliations that highlight important aspects of his experiences, training etc.

While writing the bio-sketch,

• It should be written in the third form.
• It should outline important events of a person's life including experiences, competencies and interests.
• Special awards and recognitions be mentioned.
• Emphasize on portraying a person in an admirable manner

An Example of Biographical Sketch Format

•  Name and age
•  Main personality traits
•  Special interests
•  Education and training
•  Special contribution or research, if any
•  Why people like him/her

Question: On the basis of the information provided in the box below, write a short bio-sketch of Abraham Lincoln.

Born: 1809 in Northern Kentucky

Family: Father- a wealthy farmer, lost his land when Lincoln was 7, moved to Indiana
Mother- died when he was nine, the family moved to Illinois soon after

Education: Little formal education, loved to read. Studied law by reading law books- became a
lawyer in 1837, Springfield, Illinois

Political Career: began early- served in State Legislature, in the U.S. House of Representatives. Gifted Speaker, speeches against slavery, nomination for Presidency- won in 1860. Re-elected in 1864

Death: assassinated by John Wilks Booth on April 15, 1865. Remembered for wisdom, compassion, patriotism

Answer:

In 1809, Abraham Lincoln was born to a wealthy farmer family in Northern Kentucky. When he was 7 years old, his father lost his farming land and the family moved to Indiana. At the age of nine years old, after his mother passed away, his family moved to Illinois for livelihood.  Abraham had little formal education but had a strong interest in books and learning. He studied law books as his own and started his career as a lawyer in 1837, Springfield, Illinois. He soon moved into politics and served in State Legislature, in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was a talented orator. In his speeches, he talked about the abolition of slavery. Finally, he was nominated and became the president in 1860. In 1864 he was re-elected as president. He was shot by John Wilks Booth on April 15, 1865. Abraham Lincoln is often remembered for his wisdom, compassion and patriotism that led him to the nation's highest office.

Question: On the basis of the information given below, write the bio-sketch of Mahatama Gandhi.

Oct 2, 1869 : Born at Porbanadar, to Karamchand and Putlibai

1888-1893 : Completed studies in England.
Went to South Africa to practice law. Suffered discrimination there.
Started nonviolent civil disobedience for civil rights of the Indian community.

1914-1915 : Left South Africa and came back to India.

1915-1947 : Worked very hard through Satyagraha, civil disobedience, fasts, marches, movements and jail sentences to free India from the British.

Jan 30, 1948   : He was shot dead by Nathuram Godse at Birla House.

Answer:

Mahatma Gandhi was born on Oct 2, 1869, to Karamchand and Putlibai at Porbandar. After completing his studies in England, he went to South Africa. When he suffered discrimination, he started civil disobedience for civil rights of the Indian community. Around 1915, he came back to India. He started Satyagraha, civil disobedience, fasts, marches, movements and was sentenced many times. His efforts helped India gain freedom from the British. In 1948, a mad man named Nathuram Godse assassinated him outside Birla House.

Question: Following is a sample for writing a descriptive paragraph of a person (biographical sketch).

● Ruskin Bond was born on 19 May 1934 at Kasauli.
● Sent at a boarding school in Mussourie
● Schooling from Bishop Cotton School in Shimla where he graduated in 1950
● An Indian author of British descent
● An author and a poet by occupation
● Works influenced by life in the hill stations at the foothills of Himalayas
● Our Trees Still Grew in Dehra, A Flight of Pigeons, The Blue Umbrella and his autobiography Lone Fox Dancing are his notable works
● Awarded Padma Shree, Padma Bhushan, Sahitya Academy Award etc.
● Wrote fiction, short stories, novella, travelogue, books for children
● Influenced by Charles Dickens and Mark Twain

Answer:

Ruskin Bond was born on 19 May 1934 at Kasauli. In his childhood, he was sent to a boarding school in Mussourie. He did his schooling from Bishop Cotton School in Shimla and also graduated from there. He was an Indian author of British descent. Ruskin Bond was an author and poet by profession. He wrote fictions, short stories, novella, travelogues and books for children. Ruskin Bond’s works are very much influenced by life in the hill stations at the foothills of the Himalayas. The writings of Charles Dickens and Mark Twain influenced him very much. Our Trees Still Grow in Dehra, A Flight of Pigeons and The Blue Umbrella and his autobiography Lone Fox Dancing are some of his prominent works. He was awarded numerous awards like the Padma Shree, Padma Bhushan and the Sahitya Academy Award to name a few. He is really a gem of English Literature.