Activity #2 Biography

Just what is a biography?
The story of someone's life? A tale of accomplishment? A tale of woe? Or is it a boring list of facts that nobody cares about?
A good biography brings the person to life . . . makes us care about what she or he did with time and opportunity.

Follow these steps to making  good biography about the 'real' Shirley Temple.

Here's a couple of web sites that will help:

 Shirley Temple Biography

Shirley Movies and More

A great biography is driven by great questions.
Boring questions produce boring answers.
Boring answers put readers to sleep.
Simple lists of facts are a bit like dry cereal . . .
no milk

Step one:

Open a word processor file and type your person's name at the top. Then save the file with an appropriate file name in your private folder.

Step Two: 

1. Browse through the following questions to see which ones seem worth pursuing.
2. Identify the 4-5 questions you wish to research.
3. Copy and paste your questions on your word processing file.
4. Provide 2-3 inches of space between each question on your page so there will be plenty of room to type in findings as you move on to collect information about your person.

Biography Questions

1.       In what ways was Shirley Temple's life remarkable?

2.     In what ways was the life admirable?

3.     What human qualities were most influential in shaping the way this person lived and influenced his or her times?

4.     Which quality or trait proved most troubling and difficult?

5.     Which quality or trait was most beneficial?

6.     Did Shirley make any major mistakes or bad decisions? If so, what were they and how would you have chosen and acted differently if you were in their shoes?

7.     What are the two or three most important lessons you or any other young person might learn from the way this person lived?

8.     An older person or mentor is often very important in shaping the lives of gifted people by providing guidance and encouragement. To what extent was this true of Shirley Temple? Explain.

9.     What do you think it means to be a hero? Was your person a "hero?" Why? Why not? How is a hero different from a celebrity?

Step Three:

Add to your word processing document any important and intriguing questions which you have created yourself.
Save your work