— , a novel by Fyodor Dostoevsky
The linear structure is the standard for most biographies; it starts at a specific point in the protagonist's life and moves forward in chronological order. Nonlinear structure is more complex as this style moves between time periods with time skips and flashbacks. Thematic structure strategically conveys given and new information to frame and insert specific themes.
For your biography essay, your subject will be the person whose life story you will be writing. In order for your biography essay to be effective, you will have to pick a subject who is interesting, important, or otherwise qualified to be the subject of a biography essay. You should ask yourself the question: why choose your subject, and what has your subject done that deserves to be recorded and remembered?
Of course, there's a sense in which every single human life is interesting and important. But for the purposes of your biography essay, you will want to dig deeper and consider why your subject is worthy of being remembered in the collective cultural memory.
An effective biography usually focuses on someone who has affected history, or someone who has achieved a high level of excellence within his/her discipline or field.
Søren Kierkegaard: A very important philosopher
Kierkegaard would be an example a good subject for a biography essay, because his works are generally considered a turning point in modern philosophy.
The subject of your biography essay does not necessarily need to be well-known. In fact, it can be a lot of fun to dig into the life of someone is not well known but should be. The important thing is that your subject must be compelling, and there must be a solid reason why his/her story should be told.
Also, when picking a subject, you may want to make sure that you actually like your subject. That can make writing a biography essay more fun, and your respect for the subject (or lack thereof) will also probably come across in your writing. If you want to convince others that your subject is compelling, then it would help if you find him/her compelling.
A lot can happen in a life, and it would probably be impossible for you to include everything there is to know about your subject within a single biography essay. So, you should choose the high point, or the most important points, and then focus on those.
Events in the life of Kierkegaard
These are key events that could be the focus of a biography essay on Kierkegaard.
Event | Rationale | |
Kierkegaard is born on the 5th of May, 1813. | Logical starting point for the biography essay. | |
Kierkegaard breaks his engagement with a girl named Regine Olsen on the 11th of August, 1841. | This is considered to be a turning point in his life and a major catalyst behind several of his works. | |
affair | Kierkegaard gets into a bitter public dispute with a tabloid called the . | This renewed his creativity in the later part of his life. |
Kierkegaard dies on the 11th of November, 1855. | Logical ending point for the biography essay. |
Garff, Joakim. Søren Kierkegaard: A Biography. Princeton: Princeton U P, 2007.
Now that you know about the elements of a biography essay, you can follow these steps in order to ensure that your biography essay turns out to be a success.
Next, integrate the specific biography related aspects listed below.
Again, your biography essay won't be able to include everything there is to know about your subject. So, you will want to map out the scope of your biography essay before you get started. The birth and death of your subject are the logical starting and ending points for your essay. Then, you will want to select a few events or accomplishments in the life of your subject that are worthy of remembrance.
You can develop a full-fledged outline, or you can use a table like the one developed above. Either way, though, you will have to have a clear idea of where you will begin, where you will end, and the path that you will take from the beginning to the end.
Your biography essay has to be rooted in verifiable facts about the life of your subject. This means that it is important that you identify and document the sources of your information. The essay sources should generally be scholarly in nature, and you should avoid using websites to the greatest extent possible. This is because it is often difficult to tell whether the content on websites have been drawn from credible sources.
Questions to ask when compiling sources
If there are references listed on a website about your subject, then you should trace those references back to the original academic sources. Those are the sources you should use for your biography essay.
Remember: with your biography essay, you are at least partly trying to show your reader why your subject is interesting and why he/she deserves to have an essay written about him/her.
Your interest in your subject should come across in your writing style. After all, if you feel bored with your subject, then why should anyone else pay attention?
The language you use should be scholarly (but still filled with imagery ), but you should also focus on varying sentence structure, using excellent word choice, and other writing techniques that tell the life story of your subject in a compelling way that does justice to the importance of your subject.
See the example biographical essay below for a clear example of how it needs to be written.
As the sample shows, it’s very important to be focused on true details. Please see the list of blog posts below for more examples of biography essays:
If you need more help or would like something written for your own needs, consider buying custom essays from Ultius . Our talented writes can help you get something done in as fast as three hours.
That brings us to the close of this guide on the biography essay. Here is a recapitulation of some of the best practices that have been covered here.
Develop a focused arc
You should use a linear narrative structure, starting with the birth of your subject, ending with their death, and focusing on selected key events and accomplishments in the subject's life.
Write in the scholarly mode
Although a biography essay is a kind of "story," it should still be written in a rational, scholarly way, and referencing in MLA or Chicago style is usually required for this kind of essay.
Love your subject
If you get to choose your subject, then you should pick a subject that you personally admire. This will make the writing process more fun, and your interest will also show in your writing and make the biography essay more enjoyable for the reader.
Find help if you need it
Finally, Ultius has plenty of resources that can help you write a successful biography essay and hone your skills as a writer. Please feel free to lean on us.
Ultius can help
Ordering takes 5 minutes
Tested Daily
Click to Verify
With every order, you can count on the following:
Ultius is the trusted provider of content solutions for consumers around the world. Connect with great American writers and get 24/7 support.
© 2024 Ultius, Inc.
Biographies are big business. Whether in book form or Hollywood biopics, the lives of the famous and sometimes not-so-famous fascinate us.
While it’s true that most biographies are about people who are in the public eye, sometimes the subject is less well-known. Primarily, though, famous or not, the person who is written about has led an incredible life.
In this article, we will explain biography writing in detail for teachers and students so they can create their own.
While your students will most likely have a basic understanding of a biography, it’s worth taking a little time before they put pen to paper to tease out a crystal-clear definition of one.
A biography is an account of someone’s life written by someone else . While there is a genre known as a fictional biography, for the most part, biographies are, by definition, nonfiction.
Generally speaking, biographies provide an account of the subject’s life from the earliest days of childhood to the present day or, if the subject is deceased, their death.
The job of a biography is more than just to outline the bare facts of a person’s life.
Rather than just listing the basic details of their upbringing, hobbies, education, work, relationships, and death, a well-written biography should also paint a picture of the subject’s personality and experience of life.
Teaching unit.
Teach your students everything they need to know about writing an AUTOBIOGRAPHY and a BIOGRAPHY.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ( 26 reviews )
Before students begin writing a biography, they’ll need to have a firm grasp of the main features of a Biography. An excellent way to determine how well they understand these essential elements is to ask them to compile a checklist like the one-blow
Their checklists should contain the items below at a minimum. Be sure to help them fill in any gaps before moving on to the writing process.
Biography structure.
ORIENTATION (BEGINNING) Open your biography with a strong hook to grab the reader’s attention
SEQUENCING: In most cases, biographies are written in chronological order unless you are a very competent writer consciously trying to break from this trend.
COVER: childhood, upbringing, education, influences, accomplishments, relationships, etc. – everything that helps the reader to understand the person.
CONCLUSION: Wrap your biography up with some details about what the subject is doing now if they are still alive. If they have passed away, make mention of what impact they have made and what their legacy is or will be.
LANGUAGE Use descriptive and figurative language that will paint images inside your audience’s minds as they read. Use time connectives to link events.
PERSPECTIVE Biographies are written from the third person’s perspective.
DETAILS: Give specific details about people, places, events, times, dates, etc. Reflect on how events shaped the subject. You might want to include some relevant photographs with captions. A timeline may also be of use depending upon your subject and what you are trying to convey to your audience.
TENSE Written in the past tense (though ending may shift to the present/future tense)
Like any form of writing, you will find it simple if you have a plan and follow it through. These steps will ensure you cover the essential bases of writing a biography essay.
Firstly, select a subject that inspires you. Someone whose life story resonates with you and whose contribution to society intrigues you. The next step is to conduct thorough research. Engage in extensive reading, explore various sources, watch documentaries, and glean all available information to provide a comprehensive account of the person’s life.
Creating an outline is essential to organize your thoughts and information. The outline should include the person’s early life, education, career, achievements, and any other significant events or contributions. It serves as a map for the writing process, ensuring that all vital information is included.
Your biography should have an engaging introduction that captivates the reader’s attention and provides background information on the person you’re writing about. It should include a thesis statement summarising the biography’s main points.
Writing a biography in chronological order is crucial . You should begin with the person’s early life and move through their career and achievements. This approach clarifies how the person’s life unfolded and how they accomplished their goals.
A biography should be written in a narrative style , capturing the essence of the person’s life through vivid descriptions, anecdotes, and quotes. Avoid dry, factual writing and focus on creating a compelling narrative that engages the reader.
Adding personal insights and opinions can enhance the biography’s overall impact, providing a unique perspective on the person’s achievements, legacy, and impact on society.
Editing and proofreading are vital elements of the writing process. Thoroughly reviewing your biography ensures that the writing is clear, concise, and error-free. You can even request feedback from someone else to ensure that it is engaging and well-written.
Finally, including a bibliography at the end of your biography is essential. It gives credit to the sources that were used during research, such as books, articles, interviews, and websites.
Biography writing tip #1: choose your subject wisely.
There are several points for students to reflect on when deciding on a subject for their biography. Let’s take a look at the most essential points to consider when deciding on the subject for a biography:
Interest: To produce a biography will require sustained writing from the student. That’s why students must choose their subject well. After all, a biography is an account of someone’s entire life to date. Students must ensure they choose a subject that will sustain their interest throughout the research, writing, and editing processes.
Merit: Closely related to the previous point, students must consider whether the subject merits the reader’s interest. Aside from pure labors of love, writing should be undertaken with the reader in mind. While producing a biography demands sustained writing from the author, it also demands sustained reading from the reader.
Therefore, students should ask themselves if their chosen subject has had a life worthy of the reader’s interest and the time they’d need to invest in reading their biography.
Information: Is there enough information available on the subject to fuel the writing of an entire biography? While it might be a tempting idea to write about a great-great-grandfather’s experience in the war. There would be enough interest there to sustain the author’s and the reader’s interest, but do you have enough access to information about their early childhood to do the subject justice in the form of a biography?
While the chances are good that the student already knows quite a bit about the subject they’ve chosen. Chances are 100% that they’ll still need to undertake considerable research to write their biography.
As with many types of writing , research is an essential part of the planning process that shouldn’t be overlooked. If students wish to give as complete an account of their subject’s life as possible, they’ll need to put in the time at the research stage.
An effective way to approach the research process is to:
1. Compile a chronological timeline of the central facts, dates, and events of the subject’s life
2. Compile detailed descriptions of the following personal traits:
3. Compile some research questions based on different topics to provide a focus for the research:
As the student gets deeper into their research, new questions will arise that can further fuel the research process and help to shape the direction the biography will ultimately go in.
Likewise, during the research, themes will often begin to suggest themselves. Exploring these themes is essential to bring depth to biography, but we’ll discuss this later in this article.
Researching for biography writing is an excellent way for students to hone their research skills in general. Developing good research skills is essential for future academic success. Students will have opportunities to learn how to:
Students will have access to print and online information sources, and, in some cases, they may also have access to people who knew or know the subject (e.g. biography of a family member).
These days, much of the research will likely take place online. It’s crucial, therefore, to provide your students with guidance on how to use the internet safely and evaluate online sources for reliability. This is the era of ‘ fake news ’ and misinformation after all!
Teach your students ESSENTIAL SKILLS OF THE INFORMATION ERA to become expert DIGITAL RESEARCHERS.
⭐How to correctly ask questions to search engines on all devices.
⭐ How to filter and refine your results to find exactly what you want every time.
⭐ Essential Research and critical thinking skills for students.
⭐ Plagiarism, Citing and acknowledging other people’s work.
⭐ How to query, synthesize and record your findings logically.
Though predominantly a nonfiction genre, the story still plays a significant role in good biography writing. The skills of characterization and plot structuring are transferable here. And, just like in fiction, exploring themes in a biographical work helps connect the personal to the universal. Of course, these shouldn’t be forced; this will make the work seem contrived, and the reader may lose faith in the truthfulness of the account. A biographer needs to gain and maintain the trust of the reader.
Fortunately, themes shouldn’t need to be forced. A life well-lived is full of meaning, and the themes the student writer is looking for will emerge effortlessly from the actions and events of the subject’s life. It’s just a case of learning how to spot them.
One way to identify the themes in a life is to look for recurring events or situations in a person’s life. These should be apparent from the research completed previously. The students should seek to identify these patterns that emerge in the subject’s life. For example, perhaps they’ve had to overcome various obstacles throughout different periods of their life. In that case, the theme of overcoming adversity is present and has been identified.
Usually, a biography has several themes running throughout, so be sure your students work to identify more than one theme in their subject’s life.
While the defining feature of a biography is that it gives an account of a person’s life, students must understand that this is not all a biography does. Relating the facts and details of a subject’s life is not enough. The student biographer should not be afraid to share their thoughts and feelings with the reader throughout their account of their subject’s life.
The student can weave some of their personality into the fabric of the text by providing commentary and opinion as they relate the events of the person’s life and the wider social context at the time. Unlike the detached and objective approach we’d expect to find in a history textbook, in a biography, student-writers should communicate their enthusiasm for their subject in their writing.
This makes for a more intimate experience for the reader, as they get a sense of getting to know the author and the subject they are writing about.
“The Rock ‘n’ Roll King: Elvis Presley”
Elvis Aaron Presley, born on January 8, 1935, was an amazing singer and actor known as the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Even though he’s been dead for nearly 50 years, I can’t help but be fascinated by his incredible life!
Elvis grew up in Tupelo, Mississippi, in a tiny house with his parents and twin brother. His family didn’t have much money, but they shared a love for music. Little did they know Elvis would become a music legend!
When he was only 11 years old, Elvis got his first guitar. He taught himself to play and loved singing gospel songs. As he got older, he started combining different music styles like country, blues, and gospel to create a whole new sound – that’s Rock ‘n’ Roll!
In 1954, at the age of 19, Elvis recorded his first song, “That’s All Right.” People couldn’t believe how unique and exciting his music was. His famous hip-swinging dance moves also made him a sensation!
Elvis didn’t just rock the music scene; he also starred in movies like “Love Me Tender” and “Jailhouse Rock.” But fame came with challenges. Despite facing ups and downs, Elvis kept spreading happiness through his music.
Tragically, Elvis passed away in 1977, but his music and charisma live on. Even today, people worldwide still enjoy his songs like “Hound Dog” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” Elvis Presley’s legacy as the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll will live forever.
Long Live the King: I wish I’d seen him.
Elvis Presley, the Rock ‘n’ Roll legend born on January 8, 1935, is a captivating figure that even a modern-day teen like me can’t help but admire. As I delve into his life, I wish I could have experienced the magic of his live performances.
Growing up in Tupelo, Mississippi, Elvis faced challenges but found solace in music. At 11, he got his first guitar, a symbol of his journey into the world of sound. His fusion of gospel, country, and blues into Rock ‘n’ Roll became a cultural phenomenon.
The thought of being in the audience during his early performances, especially when he recorded “That’s All Right” at 19, sends shivers down my spine. Imagining the crowd’s uproar and feeling the revolutionary energy of that moment is a dream I wish I could have lived.
Elvis wasn’t just a musical prodigy; he was a dynamic performer. His dance moves, the embodiment of rebellion, and his roles in films like “Love Me Tender” and “Jailhouse Rock” made him a true icon.
After watching him on YouTube, I can’t help but feel a little sad that I’ll never witness the King’s live performances. The idea of swaying to “Hound Dog” or being enchanted by “Can’t Help Falling in Love” in person is a missed opportunity. Elvis may have left us in 1977, but he was the king of rock n’ roll. Long live the King!
Elvis Presley: A Teen’s Take on the Rock ‘n’ Roll Icon”
Elvis Presley, born January 8, 1935, was a revolutionary force in the music world, earning his title as the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Exploring his life, even as a 16-year-old today, I’m captivated by the impact he made.
Hailing from Tupelo, Mississippi, Elvis grew up in humble beginnings, surrounded by the love of his parents and twin brother. It’s inspiring to think that, despite financial challenges, this young man would redefine the music scene.
At 11, Elvis got his first guitar, sparking a self-taught journey into music. His early gospel influences evolved into a unique fusion of country, blues, and gospel, creating the electrifying genre of Rock ‘n’ Roll. In 1954, at only 19, he recorded “That’s All Right,” marking the birth of a musical legend.
Elvis wasn’t just a musical innovator; he was a cultural phenomenon. His rebellious dance moves and magnetic stage presence challenged the norms. He transitioned seamlessly into acting, starring in iconic films like “Love Me Tender” and “Jailhouse Rock.”
However, fame came at a cost, and Elvis faced personal struggles. Despite the challenges, his music continued to resonate. Even now, classics like “Hound Dog” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love” transcend generations.
Elvis Presley’s impact on music and culture is undeniable. He was known for his unique voice, charismatic persona, and electrifying performances. He sold over one billion records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling solo artists in history. He received numerous awards throughout his career, including three Grammy Awards and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
Elvis’s influence can still be seen in today’s music. Many contemporary artists, such as Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga, and Justin Timberlake, have cited Elvis as an inspiration. His music continues to be featured in movies, TV shows, and commercials.
Elvis left us in 1977, but his legacy lives on. I appreciate his breaking barriers and fearlessly embracing his artistic vision. Elvis Presley’s impact on music and culture is timeless, a testament to the enduring power of his artistry. His music has inspired generations and will continue to do so for many years to come.
Use our resources and tools to improve your student’s writing skills through proven teaching strategies.
We have compiled a sequence of biography-related lessons or teaching ideas that you can follow as you please. They are straightforward enough for most students to follow without further instruction.
This session aims to give students a broader understanding of what makes a good biography.
Once your students have compiled a comprehensive checklist of the main features of a biography, allow them to use it to assess some biographies from your school library or on the internet using the feature checklist.
When students have assessed a selection of biographies, take some time as a class to discuss them. You can base the discussion around the following prompts:
Looking at how other writers have interpreted the form will help students internalize the necessary criteria before attempting to produce a biography. Once students have a clear understanding of the main features of the biography, they’re ready to begin work on writing a biography.
When the time does come to put pen to paper, be sure they’re armed with the following top tips to help ensure they’re as well prepared as possible.
This session aims to guide students through the process of selecting the perfect biography subject.
Instruct students to draw up a shortlist of three potential subjects for the biography they’ll write.
Using the three criteria mentioned in the writing guide (Interest, Merit, and Information), students award each potential subject a mark out of 5 for each of the criteria. In this manner, students can select the most suitable subject for their biography.
This session aims to get students into the researching phase, then prioritise and organise events chronologically.
Students begin by making a timeline of their subject’s life, starting with their birth and ending with their death or the present day. If the student has yet to make a final decision on the subject of their biography, a family member will often serve well for this exercise as a practice exercise.
Students should research and gather the key events of the person’s life, covering each period of their life from when they were a baby, through childhood and adolescence, right up to adulthood and old age. They should then organize these onto a timeline. Students can include photographs with captions if they have them.
They can present these to the class when they have finished their timelines.
Instruct students to look over their timeline, notes, and other research. Challenge them to identify three patterns that repeat throughout the subject’s life and sort all the related events and incidents into specific categories.
Students should then label each category with a single word. This is the thematic concept or the broad general underlying idea. After that, students should write a sentence or two expressing what the subject’s life ‘says’ about that concept.
This is known as the thematic statement . With the thematic concepts and thematic statements identified, the student now has some substantial ideas to explore that will help bring more profound meaning and wider resonance to their biography.
Instruct students to write a short objective account of an event in their own life. They can write about anyone from their past. It needn’t be more than a couple of paragraphs, but the writing should be strictly factual, focusing only on the objective details of what happened.
Once they have completed this, it’s time to rewrite the paragraph, but they should include some opinion and personal commentary this time.
The student here aims to inject some color and personality into their writing, to transform a detached, factual account into a warm, engaging story.
Teach your students to write AMAZING BIOGRAPHIES & AUTOBIOGRAPHIES using proven RESEARCH SKILLS and WRITING STRATEGIES .
Use this valuable tool in the research and writing phases to keep your students on track and engaged.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (92 Reviews)
To Conclude
By this stage, your students should have an excellent technical overview of a biography’s essential elements.
They should be able to choose their subject in light of how interesting and worthy they are, as well as give consideration to the availability of information out there. They should be able to research effectively and identify emerging themes in their research notes. And finally, they should be able to bring some of their personality and uniqueness into their retelling of the life of another.
Remember that writing a biography is not only a great way to develop a student’s writing skills; it can be used in almost all curriculum areas. For example, to find out more about a historical figure in History, to investigate scientific contributions to Science, or to celebrate a hero from everyday life.
Biography is an excellent genre for students to develop their writing skills and to find inspiration in the lives of others in the world around them.
The writing process of a biography begins after you have researched your subject and compiled the information you will share with readers. An engaging first paragraph not only introduces readers to your subject but also provides a glimpse into the biography as a whole. Be concise, accurate and interesting in your introduction in order to capture your reader's attention.
Introduce your subject, including her name and any pseudonyms.
Add the subject's dates of birth and death (if applicable).
Include context, which tells the location where your subject was born, her nationality and ethnicity.
Explain briefly why your subject is important or notable. Give a one- or two-sentence summary of what she accomplished.
Tie in the subject's accomplishments to your reader's experience. Let the reader know why your subject is or was significant to others.
Lalaena Gonzalez-Figueroa has worked as a freelance writer since 1997. She has contributed to a number of print and online publications including BabyZone.com, "The Tallahassee Democrat," "Broker Agent Magazine" and "MD News" magazine." She also writes creative fiction for adults and children. Gonzalez-Figueroa graduated in 1998 from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Arts in creative writing.
Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, generate accurate citations for free.
Published on February 4, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on July 23, 2023.
A good introduction paragraph is an essential part of any academic essay . It sets up your argument and tells the reader what to expect.
The main goals of an introduction are to:
This introduction example is taken from our interactive essay example on the history of Braille.
The invention of Braille was a major turning point in the history of disability. The writing system of raised dots used by visually impaired people was developed by Louis Braille in nineteenth-century France. In a society that did not value disabled people in general, blindness was particularly stigmatized, and lack of access to reading and writing was a significant barrier to social participation. The idea of tactile reading was not entirely new, but existing methods based on sighted systems were difficult to learn and use. As the first writing system designed for blind people’s needs, Braille was a groundbreaking new accessibility tool. It not only provided practical benefits, but also helped change the cultural status of blindness. This essay begins by discussing the situation of blind people in nineteenth-century Europe. It then describes the invention of Braille and the gradual process of its acceptance within blind education. Subsequently, it explores the wide-ranging effects of this invention on blind people’s social and cultural lives.
Upload your document to correct all your mistakes in minutes
Step 1: hook your reader, step 2: give background information, step 3: present your thesis statement, step 4: map your essay’s structure, step 5: check and revise, more examples of essay introductions, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about the essay introduction.
Your first sentence sets the tone for the whole essay, so spend some time on writing an effective hook.
Avoid long, dense sentences—start with something clear, concise and catchy that will spark your reader’s curiosity.
The hook should lead the reader into your essay, giving a sense of the topic you’re writing about and why it’s interesting. Avoid overly broad claims or plain statements of fact.
Take a look at these examples of weak hooks and learn how to improve them.
The first sentence is a dry fact; the second sentence is more interesting, making a bold claim about exactly why the topic is important.
Avoid using a dictionary definition as your hook, especially if it’s an obvious term that everyone knows. The improved example here is still broad, but it gives us a much clearer sense of what the essay will be about.
Instead of just stating a fact that the reader already knows, the improved hook here tells us about the mainstream interpretation of the book, implying that this essay will offer a different interpretation.
Next, give your reader the context they need to understand your topic and argument. Depending on the subject of your essay, this might include:
The information here should be broad but clearly focused and relevant to your argument. Don’t give too much detail—you can mention points that you will return to later, but save your evidence and interpretation for the main body of the essay.
How much space you need for background depends on your topic and the scope of your essay. In our Braille example, we take a few sentences to introduce the topic and sketch the social context that the essay will address:
Now it’s time to narrow your focus and show exactly what you want to say about the topic. This is your thesis statement —a sentence or two that sums up your overall argument.
This is the most important part of your introduction. A good thesis isn’t just a statement of fact, but a claim that requires evidence and explanation.
The goal is to clearly convey your own position in a debate or your central point about a topic.
Particularly in longer essays, it’s helpful to end the introduction by signposting what will be covered in each part. Keep it concise and give your reader a clear sense of the direction your argument will take.
Discover proofreading & editing
As you research and write, your argument might change focus or direction as you learn more.
For this reason, it’s often a good idea to wait until later in the writing process before you write the introduction paragraph—it can even be the very last thing you write.
When you’ve finished writing the essay body and conclusion , you should return to the introduction and check that it matches the content of the essay.
It’s especially important to make sure your thesis statement accurately represents what you do in the essay. If your argument has gone in a different direction than planned, tweak your thesis statement to match what you actually say.
To polish your writing, you can use something like a paraphrasing tool .
You can use the checklist below to make sure your introduction does everything it’s supposed to.
My first sentence is engaging and relevant.
I have introduced the topic with necessary background information.
I have defined any important terms.
My thesis statement clearly presents my main point or argument.
Everything in the introduction is relevant to the main body of the essay.
You have a strong introduction - now make sure the rest of your essay is just as good.
This introduction to an argumentative essay sets up the debate about the internet and education, and then clearly states the position the essay will argue for.
The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts is on the rise, and its role in learning is hotly debated. For many teachers who did not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This concern, while understandable, is misguided. The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its critical benefits for students and educators—as a uniquely comprehensive and accessible information source; a means of exposure to and engagement with different perspectives; and a highly flexible learning environment.
This introduction to a short expository essay leads into the topic (the invention of the printing press) and states the main point the essay will explain (the effect of this invention on European society).
In many ways, the invention of the printing press marked the end of the Middle Ages. The medieval period in Europe is often remembered as a time of intellectual and political stagnation. Prior to the Renaissance, the average person had very limited access to books and was unlikely to be literate. The invention of the printing press in the 15th century allowed for much less restricted circulation of information in Europe, paving the way for the Reformation.
This introduction to a literary analysis essay , about Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein , starts by describing a simplistic popular view of the story, and then states how the author will give a more complex analysis of the text’s literary devices.
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is often read as a crude cautionary tale. Arguably the first science fiction novel, its plot can be read as a warning about the dangers of scientific advancement unrestrained by ethical considerations. In this reading, and in popular culture representations of the character as a “mad scientist”, Victor Frankenstein represents the callous, arrogant ambition of modern science. However, far from providing a stable image of the character, Shelley uses shifting narrative perspectives to gradually transform our impression of Frankenstein, portraying him in an increasingly negative light as the novel goes on. While he initially appears to be a naive but sympathetic idealist, after the creature’s narrative Frankenstein begins to resemble—even in his own telling—the thoughtlessly cruel figure the creature represents him as.
If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!
College essays
(AI) Tools
Your essay introduction should include three main things, in this order:
The length of each part depends on the length and complexity of your essay .
The “hook” is the first sentence of your essay introduction . It should lead the reader into your essay, giving a sense of why it’s interesting.
To write a good hook, avoid overly broad statements or long, dense sentences. Try to start with something clear, concise and catchy that will spark your reader’s curiosity.
A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . Everything else you write should relate to this key idea.
The thesis statement is essential in any academic essay or research paper for two main reasons:
Without a clear thesis statement, an essay can end up rambling and unfocused, leaving your reader unsure of exactly what you want to say.
The structure of an essay is divided into an introduction that presents your topic and thesis statement , a body containing your in-depth analysis and arguments, and a conclusion wrapping up your ideas.
The structure of the body is flexible, but you should always spend some time thinking about how you can organize your essay to best serve your ideas.
If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.
McCombes, S. (2023, July 23). How to Write an Essay Introduction | 4 Steps & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved September 6, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/academic-essay/introduction/
Other students also liked, how to write a thesis statement | 4 steps & examples, academic paragraph structure | step-by-step guide & examples, how to conclude an essay | interactive example, get unlimited documents corrected.
✔ Free APA citation check included ✔ Unlimited document corrections ✔ Specialized in correcting academic texts
A biography is a written account of the series of events that make up a person's life. Some of those events are going to be pretty boring, so you'll need to try to make your account as interesting as possible!
Every student will write a biography at some point, but the level of detail and sophistication will differ. A fourth grade biography will be much different from a middle school-level biography or a high school or college-level biography.
However, each biography will include the basic details. The first information you should gather in your research will include biographical details and facts. You must use a trustworthy resource to ensure that your information is accurate.
Using research note cards , collect the following data, carefully recording the source for each piece of information:
While this information is necessary to your project, these dry facts, on their own, don't really make a very good biography. Once you've found these basics, you'll want to dig a little deeper.
You choose a certain person because you think he or she is interesting, so you certainly don't want to burden your paper with an inventory of boring facts. Your goal is to impress your reader!
Start off with great first sentence . It's a good idea to begin with a really interesting statement, a little-known fact, or really intriguing event.
You should avoid starting out with a standard but boring line like:
"Meriwether Lewis was born in Virginia in 1774."
Instead, try starting with something like this:
"Late one afternoon in October, 1809, Meriwether Lewis arrived at a small log cabin nestled deep in the Tennessee Mountains. By sunrise on the following day, he was dead, having suffered gunshot wounds to the head and chest.
You'll have to make sure your beginning is motivating, but it should also be relevant. The next sentence or two should lead into your thesis statement , or main message of your biography.
"It was a tragic end to a life that had so deeply affected the course of history in the United States. Meriwether Lewis, a driven and often tormented soul, led an expedition of discovery that expanded a young nation's economic potential, increased its scientific understanding, and enhanced its worldwide reputation."
Now that you've created an impressive beginning , you'll want to continue the flow. Find more intriguing details about the man and his work, and weave them into the composition.
You can find interesting facts by consulting diverse sources.
Fill the body of your biography with material that gives insight into your subject's personality. For instance, in a biography about Meriwether Lewis, you would ask what traits or events motivated him to embark on such a monumental exercise.
Be sure to use transitional phrases and words to link your paragraphs and make your composition paragraphs flow . It is normal for good writers to re-arrange their sentences to create a better paper.
The final paragraph will summarize your main points and re-assert your main claim about your subject. It should point out your main points, re-name the person you're writing about, but it should not repeat specific examples.
As always, proofread your paper and check for errors. Create a bibliography and title page according to your teacher's instructions. Consult a style guide for proper documentation.
December 27, 2023
A biography essay delves into the life of a person. Thanks to it, the writer can tell their story through engaging writing style. This essay type is more than just a collection of dates and events. It’s a detailed exploration of the personal and professional achievements, challenges, and impact on the world. A biography writing requires a clear thesis, a well-structured narrative, and a fascinating portrayal of the person’s life. Your subject can be a historical figure, a public personality, or someone from your own life. Still, the goal is to provide a comprehensive and concise narrative that captures the essence of their story.
In crafting a biography essay, you immerse yourself in the personal world. It is where you gain a deeper understanding of their motivations, decisions, and the context in which they lived. This involves extensive research, from primary sources like letters and diaries to secondary sources like biographies and scholarly articles. Through this process, you uncover the nuances that make your subject unique and significant. A well-written biography essay informs and inspires, offering readers new perspectives and insights. Whether you highlight a well-known figure’s contributions or bring the reader’s attention to a lesser-known individual’s compelling life story, your essay becomes a testament to their legacy.
After understanding what a good biography essay is, a lot of people are eager to write it. However, it is when the first question arises: who to write about?
The first thing to consider is to choose the right person for you! It would be best if you wrote a biography essay about someone who you are interested in. You should be the one who is fascinated by the story of your character. Some tips to find this person:
You found your character – perfect! However, this is only the beginning. Now it is time to conduct the research. It is the foundation of compelling biographical essays. Writing a thorough piece will be possible if you collect accurate and thorough material. Luckily, we will help you to structure this process. The steps you may follow are easy but crucial to remember:
After finishing research, we do not recommend jumping into writing. The first thing to do is to craft a thesis. The thesis statement is the backbone of your biographical essay. It is a guide for the reader. With it, you will set the tone of your essay. There is a lot of advice on how to craft a compelling thesis. But we will stick to these:
This approach captivates your audience and provides a clear direction for your biographical essays.
Writing a good biography essay requires a clear and organized structure. Structure helps convey the life and significance of the subject effectively.
A well-structured essay not only helps the writer stay focused. It also ensures that the reader can easily follow the narrative. The structure serves as the framework that supports the detailed storytelling within each section of the piece.
From creating a strong biography essay outline to developing the body and providing context: each component plays a crucial role in crafting an insightful biography. Now we will walk you through the essential steps of structuring your paper. After reading it, you can create a cohesive and engaging narrative.
A biography essay outline serves as your roadmap. It ensures a coherent and logical progression of ideas. Start by organizing your research into key sections such as:
This structure will help you maintain focus and provide a clear pathway for your narrative. Each section should build upon the previous one. The story itself should weave together to highlight the subject’s significance. A well-crafted biography essay outline not only aids in writing but also in revising. It can help you identify gaps or areas needing further detail.
The body of your biographical essay is where you delve into the detailed narrative of your subject’s life. Each body paragraph should focus on a specific event, period, or theme. They provide evidence and examples to support your thesis statement.
Use vivid descriptions, thought-provoking quotes, and anecdotes! | |
Ensure that each section flows smoothly into the next! | |
Reveal the complexities of the subject! |
Contextualizing involves placing your subject within their time’s broader historical, cultural, or social framework. This enriches your narrative and helps readers understand the significance of the subject’s actions and achievements.
Explain how their life events were influenced by and, in turn, influenced the world around them. Providing context allows readers to appreciate the challenges your subject faced and the innovations they brought about. Whether it’s highlighting societal norms, historical events, or cultural trends, contextualization adds depth to your biography essay.
A biographical essay conclusion writing involves more than just summarizing the character’s life. It’s about reinforcing the thesis and leaving a lasting impression on your reader.
Reflect on the subject’s legacy, contributions, and lessons learned from their experiences. Highlight any unresolved questions or continuing impacts they have on today’s world.
A strong conclusion ties together the narrative, emphasizes the significance of the subject’s life, and provides closure. It should inspire readers to further reflect on the subject’s journey and its relevance to contemporary issues.
You put the last dot, amazing. It still isn’t it. Time for editing your masterpiece!
Editing is a critical step in writing, transforming your initial draft into a polished, professional biography essay. This phase involves more than just correcting grammar and spelling errors. It’s about refining your content, enhancing clarity, and ensuring coherence throughout your narrative.
So, there are essential things you have to review in your biographical essay for logical flow. They are:
Edit it to ensure the flawlessness of your biographical essay! This important step ensures that it effectively communicates the significance and impact of the person’s life.
Remembering the part when you’ve been doing research? It is time to give some credit! Citing your sources is a fundamental aspect of writing a biography essay. It gives credit to the original authors and helps establish the credibility of your work.
Proper citation allows readers to trace the origins of the information, ensuring transparency and academic integrity. It also protects you from plagiarism. Citing demonstrates that you have conducted thorough research and respect the intellectual property. When you cite sources, you provide a framework for readers to verify facts and explore further reading. Choose what type of citing suits your essay more: direct quotes, paraphrasing, or referencing specific ideas.
Always ensure you follow the appropriate citation style required by your academic or publication guidelines. Proper citation enhances your essay’s authority. It also honors the contributions of those who have previously explored your subject.
Congratulations, you are at the finishing line! The final touch in writing your biography essay is about bringing all elements together to create a seamless and captivating narrative.
This stage involves:
Once these final adjustments are made, your essay transforms from a draft into a polished essay. The magic begins when your carefully crafted, compelling narrative informs and resonates with readers.
After this long journey, you leave a lasting impact and a deeper understanding of your character’s life and legacy in your essay. It was worth it, we assure you! In case you haven’t started yet, perhaps it is time you craft a biographical essay about someone or even your own life story.
Sociology Research Topics Ideas
Importance of Computer in Nursing Practice Essay
History Research Paper Topics For Students
By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy. We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related emails.
Debating in class or composing a persuasive paper is a fruitful intellectual practice. Doing so, participants and writers are expected...
Most students wonder whether it is possible to cite an article in an essay. The answer is “Yes”! Why not...
Let us explain what is what and how it can be used. An anthology is a published collection of poems...
I want to feel as happy, as your customers do, so I'd better order now
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
What this handout is about.
This handout will explain the functions of introductions, offer strategies for creating effective introductions, and provide some examples of less effective introductions to avoid.
Introductions and conclusions can be the most difficult parts of papers to write. Usually when you sit down to respond to an assignment, you have at least some sense of what you want to say in the body of your paper. You might have chosen a few examples you want to use or have an idea that will help you answer the main question of your assignment; these sections, therefore, may not be as hard to write. And it’s fine to write them first! But in your final draft, these middle parts of the paper can’t just come out of thin air; they need to be introduced and concluded in a way that makes sense to your reader.
Your introduction and conclusion act as bridges that transport your readers from their own lives into the “place” of your analysis. If your readers pick up your paper about education in the autobiography of Frederick Douglass, for example, they need a transition to help them leave behind the world of Chapel Hill, television, e-mail, and The Daily Tar Heel and to help them temporarily enter the world of nineteenth-century American slavery. By providing an introduction that helps your readers make a transition between their own world and the issues you will be writing about, you give your readers the tools they need to get into your topic and care about what you are saying. Similarly, once you’ve hooked your readers with the introduction and offered evidence to prove your thesis, your conclusion can provide a bridge to help your readers make the transition back to their daily lives. (See our handout on conclusions .)
Note that what constitutes a good introduction may vary widely based on the kind of paper you are writing and the academic discipline in which you are writing it. If you are uncertain what kind of introduction is expected, ask your instructor.
You never get a second chance to make a first impression. The opening paragraph of your paper will provide your readers with their initial impressions of your argument, your writing style, and the overall quality of your work. A vague, disorganized, error-filled, off-the-wall, or boring introduction will probably create a negative impression. On the other hand, a concise, engaging, and well-written introduction will start your readers off thinking highly of you, your analytical skills, your writing, and your paper.
Your introduction is an important road map for the rest of your paper. Your introduction conveys a lot of information to your readers. You can let them know what your topic is, why it is important, and how you plan to proceed with your discussion. In many academic disciplines, your introduction should contain a thesis that will assert your main argument. Your introduction should also give the reader a sense of the kinds of information you will use to make that argument and the general organization of the paragraphs and pages that will follow. After reading your introduction, your readers should not have any major surprises in store when they read the main body of your paper.
Ideally, your introduction will make your readers want to read your paper. The introduction should capture your readers’ interest, making them want to read the rest of your paper. Opening with a compelling story, an interesting question, or a vivid example can get your readers to see why your topic matters and serve as an invitation for them to join you for an engaging intellectual conversation (remember, though, that these strategies may not be suitable for all papers and disciplines).
Start by thinking about the question (or questions) you are trying to answer. Your entire essay will be a response to this question, and your introduction is the first step toward that end. Your direct answer to the assigned question will be your thesis, and your thesis will likely be included in your introduction, so it is a good idea to use the question as a jumping off point. Imagine that you are assigned the following question:
Drawing on the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass , discuss the relationship between education and slavery in 19th-century America. Consider the following: How did white control of education reinforce slavery? How did Douglass and other enslaved African Americans view education while they endured slavery? And what role did education play in the acquisition of freedom? Most importantly, consider the degree to which education was or was not a major force for social change with regard to slavery.
You will probably refer back to your assignment extensively as you prepare your complete essay, and the prompt itself can also give you some clues about how to approach the introduction. Notice that it starts with a broad statement and then narrows to focus on specific questions from the book. One strategy might be to use a similar model in your own introduction—start off with a big picture sentence or two and then focus in on the details of your argument about Douglass. Of course, a different approach could also be very successful, but looking at the way the professor set up the question can sometimes give you some ideas for how you might answer it. (See our handout on understanding assignments for additional information on the hidden clues in assignments.)
Decide how general or broad your opening should be. Keep in mind that even a “big picture” opening needs to be clearly related to your topic; an opening sentence that said “Human beings, more than any other creatures on earth, are capable of learning” would be too broad for our sample assignment about slavery and education. If you have ever used Google Maps or similar programs, that experience can provide a helpful way of thinking about how broad your opening should be. Imagine that you’re researching Chapel Hill. If what you want to find out is whether Chapel Hill is at roughly the same latitude as Rome, it might make sense to hit that little “minus” sign on the online map until it has zoomed all the way out and you can see the whole globe. If you’re trying to figure out how to get from Chapel Hill to Wrightsville Beach, it might make more sense to zoom in to the level where you can see most of North Carolina (but not the rest of the world, or even the rest of the United States). And if you are looking for the intersection of Ridge Road and Manning Drive so that you can find the Writing Center’s main office, you may need to zoom all the way in. The question you are asking determines how “broad” your view should be. In the sample assignment above, the questions are probably at the “state” or “city” level of generality. When writing, you need to place your ideas in context—but that context doesn’t generally have to be as big as the whole galaxy!
Try writing your introduction last. You may think that you have to write your introduction first, but that isn’t necessarily true, and it isn’t always the most effective way to craft a good introduction. You may find that you don’t know precisely what you are going to argue at the beginning of the writing process. It is perfectly fine to start out thinking that you want to argue a particular point but wind up arguing something slightly or even dramatically different by the time you’ve written most of the paper. The writing process can be an important way to organize your ideas, think through complicated issues, refine your thoughts, and develop a sophisticated argument. However, an introduction written at the beginning of that discovery process will not necessarily reflect what you wind up with at the end. You will need to revise your paper to make sure that the introduction, all of the evidence, and the conclusion reflect the argument you intend. Sometimes it’s easiest to just write up all of your evidence first and then write the introduction last—that way you can be sure that the introduction will match the body of the paper.
Don’t be afraid to write a tentative introduction first and then change it later. Some people find that they need to write some kind of introduction in order to get the writing process started. That’s fine, but if you are one of those people, be sure to return to your initial introduction later and rewrite if necessary.
Open with something that will draw readers in. Consider these options (remembering that they may not be suitable for all kinds of papers):
Pay special attention to your first sentence. Start off on the right foot with your readers by making sure that the first sentence actually says something useful and that it does so in an interesting and polished way.
Ask a friend to read your introduction and then tell you what they expect the paper will discuss, what kinds of evidence the paper will use, and what the tone of the paper will be. If your friend is able to predict the rest of your paper accurately, you probably have a good introduction.
1. The placeholder introduction. When you don’t have much to say on a given topic, it is easy to create this kind of introduction. Essentially, this kind of weaker introduction contains several sentences that are vague and don’t really say much. They exist just to take up the “introduction space” in your paper. If you had something more effective to say, you would probably say it, but in the meantime this paragraph is just a place holder.
Example: Slavery was one of the greatest tragedies in American history. There were many different aspects of slavery. Each created different kinds of problems for enslaved people.
2. The restated question introduction. Restating the question can sometimes be an effective strategy, but it can be easy to stop at JUST restating the question instead of offering a more specific, interesting introduction to your paper. The professor or teaching assistant wrote your question and will be reading many essays in response to it—they do not need to read a whole paragraph that simply restates the question.
Example: The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass discusses the relationship between education and slavery in 19th century America, showing how white control of education reinforced slavery and how Douglass and other enslaved African Americans viewed education while they endured. Moreover, the book discusses the role that education played in the acquisition of freedom. Education was a major force for social change with regard to slavery.
3. The Webster’s Dictionary introduction. This introduction begins by giving the dictionary definition of one or more of the words in the assigned question. Anyone can look a word up in the dictionary and copy down what Webster says. If you want to open with a discussion of an important term, it may be far more interesting for you (and your reader) if you develop your own definition of the term in the specific context of your class and assignment. You may also be able to use a definition from one of the sources you’ve been reading for class. Also recognize that the dictionary is also not a particularly authoritative work—it doesn’t take into account the context of your course and doesn’t offer particularly detailed information. If you feel that you must seek out an authority, try to find one that is very relevant and specific. Perhaps a quotation from a source reading might prove better? Dictionary introductions are also ineffective simply because they are so overused. Instructors may see a great many papers that begin in this way, greatly decreasing the dramatic impact that any one of those papers will have.
Example: Webster’s dictionary defines slavery as “the state of being a slave,” as “the practice of owning slaves,” and as “a condition of hard work and subjection.”
4. The “dawn of man” introduction. This kind of introduction generally makes broad, sweeping statements about the relevance of this topic since the beginning of time, throughout the world, etc. It is usually very general (similar to the placeholder introduction) and fails to connect to the thesis. It may employ cliches—the phrases “the dawn of man” and “throughout human history” are examples, and it’s hard to imagine a time when starting with one of these would work. Instructors often find them extremely annoying.
Example: Since the dawn of man, slavery has been a problem in human history.
5. The book report introduction. This introduction is what you had to do for your elementary school book reports. It gives the name and author of the book you are writing about, tells what the book is about, and offers other basic facts about the book. You might resort to this sort of introduction when you are trying to fill space because it’s a familiar, comfortable format. It is ineffective because it offers details that your reader probably already knows and that are irrelevant to the thesis.
Example: Frederick Douglass wrote his autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave , in the 1840s. It was published in 1986 by Penguin Books. In it, he tells the story of his life.
Writing an effective introduction can be tough. Try playing around with several different options and choose the one that ends up sounding best to you!
Just as your introduction helps readers make the transition to your topic, your conclusion needs to help them return to their daily lives–but with a lasting sense of how what they have just read is useful or meaningful. Check out our handout on conclusions for tips on ending your paper as effectively as you began it!
We consulted these works while writing this handout. This is not a comprehensive list of resources on the handout’s topic, and we encourage you to do your own research to find additional publications. Please do not use this list as a model for the format of your own reference list, as it may not match the citation style you are using. For guidance on formatting citations, please see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial . We revise these tips periodically and welcome feedback.
Douglass, Frederick. 1995. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Written by Himself . New York: Dover.
You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Make a Gift
Table of Contents
It’s challenging to write a biography essay introduction . You’ll need a lot of time, a little knowledge, and a passion for the subject.
If you are writing a biography essay, you may be wondering how to start the essay. An excellent opening includes a brief outline of the issue and how it ties to your key characters.
It’s also essential to give your audience a little bit of an explanation behind the subject, to make it clear why you’re writing it.
In this essay, we will break down everything you need to know to write good introductions. However, before we begin, let’s simply define what a biography is.
A biography is a third-party account of a person’s life. Essays on notable people’s lives are among the earliest forms of writing (fictional and otherwise).
A biography is more than a list of essential statistics (birth, marriage, divorce, death). It’s a narrative of the person’s evolution via the events that molded their life.
Biography essays demand a deep dive into the subject’s worldview, beliefs, and personal traits.
Since most biographies are on well-known figures, research materials are readily available. A well-written biography essay will include tidbits of information that aren’t publicly known. Selecting these pieces of evidence such that they strengthen your theory is essential.
There must be an overarching argument or thesis in every biography essay. Thesis statements are one-liners that sum up the central idea of a person’s life. Thesis statements are broad statements about a person’s life that explain most of their behaviors.
An essay on a famous person’s life, or biography, reveals their professional and personal accomplishments.
Differentiating between a formal essay about a person and a Biography essay is like night and day. You must convey the true character of your subject in a biography essay. It can be utilized to shed light on an underexplored aspect of a public figure’s personality.
The works of the subject of your biography are only one part of a well-written paper on that person. You need to set the mood by channeling the person of interest’s true nature.
Your essay should read like a recreation of the person’s life and times. It’s a fun and informative method to gain insight into the life of a well-known figure. Standard procedures for writing a biography will allow you to maintain the correct structure throughout your paper. These procedures are as follows:
Choosing a well-known figure to write a biography essay about goes without saying as the initial stage in the process. Since you are expected to write extensively, picking a prominent individual is a good idea.
Books, journals, periodicals, newspapers, etc., are all excellent resources to glean knowledge. Choose someone in whom you have some genuine interest. Doing so will inspire you to learn more about that individual.
If you’re writing a biography essay, it’s easy to tell a good one apart from a mediocre one. The quality of a biography essay depends on how thoroughly the author has researched the subject.
The more you look into the person, the more of a complete picture you’ll have of who they were. Well-known details about the person should be scanty.
The best biographies provide information about the subject that most people don’t know. All pieces of evidence should back up your claim. Note the controversial views held by that person, the dates that had significant meaning in their life, etc.
Make a plan for the biography essay. Separate your essay into an introduction, at least two body paragraphs, and a conclusion, as in the conventional five-paragraph structure.
Keep in mind that you need to stick to the specified word count. The biography essay outline is there to help guide you through the writing process.
The outline will serve as a guide for structuring and organizing your essay. You should write your biography chronologically to effectively express the substance of the person’s life.
Presenting the information chronologically will give readers a better sense of the profiled individual. It is equally important to focus on the essay structure and stick to it.
An outline is a schematic strategy that will help you organize the information in your biography essay according to the essential details. To keep the essay organized, use bullet points in the outline by assigning numbers to them.
The Biography essay should follow the typical essay writing pattern. A typical essay writing pattern should include an introduction, a thesis, at least two body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
Now, let’s discuss the steps to take to write a brilliant introduction. In a biography essay, the introduction must hook the reader immediately . You can achieve instant reader interest in several ways such as using:
You can kick things off with a famous phrase or quote that the subject of your study is credited with saying. Insight into their character and character quirks can be gained from this quote.
You can provide a personal anecdote or story. This anecdote or narrative should be concise while conveying an essential point about the discussed individual. The attention of the essay’s readers is thus maintained.
Once you’ve made an impression with your opening remarks, you should go on to describe the person’s background. Outline their name, date of birth, place of birth, education, marriage/relationship status, etc.
A summary of the person’s background and qualifications should do as an introduction. It’ll facilitate a deeper emotional connection between the essay’s readers and the author.
Finally, a thesis statement should be placed at the end of the introduction. A person’s genuine character can be summed up in a single sentence that serves as a thesis statement.
A thesis statement is an original observation you’ve made about the person. It might be a criticism of them or an account of an experience that profoundly affected who they are today. It functions as a model for the rest of the essay.
The rest of your essay’s content should be molded around supporting your thesis statement.
A biography essay opening conveys a reader’s curiosity about a subject’s life and the writer’s opinions on their history, personal achievements, and life thoughts.
Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.
The different ways to start a comparative essay.
Some writers intend to compare two specific things or ideas through their articles. They write these essays to compare and…
Are you into writing essays that tackle a still-unknown fact? Do you know how to write an expository essay? Before…
Students are required to express their opinions on a topic in an opinion essay. Pertinent illustrations and explanations support their…
A typical academic assignment is the essay, which must meet certain requirements in order to be written properly. Even students…
One of the most exciting assignments you could have is writing a synthesis essay. For a college or university student,…
Music is food for the soul, or so they say. A music essay analyzes or describes a piece of music,…
The introduction of an essay plays a critical role in engaging the reader and providing contextual information about the topic. It sets the stage for the rest of the essay, establishes the tone and style, and motivates the reader to continue reading.
What is an essay introduction , what to include in an essay introduction, how to create an essay structure , step-by-step process for writing an essay introduction , how to write an essay introduction paragraph with paperpal – step -by -step, how to write a hook for your essay , how to include background information , how to write a thesis statement .
Check and revise – checklist for essay introduction , key takeaways , frequently asked questions .
An introduction is the opening section of an essay, paper, or other written work. It introduces the topic and provides background information, context, and an overview of what the reader can expect from the rest of the work. 1 The key is to be concise and to the point, providing enough information to engage the reader without delving into excessive detail.
The essay introduction is crucial as it sets the tone for the entire piece and provides the reader with a roadmap of what to expect. Here are key elements to include in your essay introduction:
Before we get into how to write an essay introduction, we need to know how it is structured. The structure of an essay is crucial for organizing your thoughts and presenting them clearly and logically. It is divided as follows: 2
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to write an essay introduction:
Unsure of how to start your essay introduction? Leverage Paperpal’s Generative AI templates to provide a base for your essay introduction. Here’s an example of an essay outline generated by Paperpal.
Use the generated essay outline as your base for the introduction. If you’re stuck writing, you can use Paperpal’s Predictive AI writing features to continue writing.
Use Paperpal’s Preditive AI writing features to maintain your writing flow
This is one of the key steps in how to write an essay introduction. Crafting a compelling hook is vital because it sets the tone for your entire essay and determines whether your readers will stay interested. A good hook draws the reader in and sets the stage for the rest of your essay.
Write essays 2x faster with Paperpal. Try for free
Including background information in the introduction section of your essay is important to provide context and establish the relevance of your topic. When writing the background information, you can follow these steps:
A thesis statement is a concise summary of the main point or claim of an essay, research paper, or other type of academic writing. It appears near the end of the introduction. Here’s how to write a thesis statement:
Here are examples of essay introductions for different types of essays:
Topic: Should the voting age be lowered to 16?
“The question of whether the voting age should be lowered to 16 has sparked nationwide debate. While some argue that 16-year-olds lack the requisite maturity and knowledge to make informed decisions, others argue that doing so would imbue young people with agency and give them a voice in shaping their future.”
Topic: The benefits of regular exercise
“In today’s fast-paced world, the importance of regular exercise cannot be overstated. From improving physical health to boosting mental well-being, the benefits of exercise are numerous and far-reaching. This essay will examine the various advantages of regular exercise and provide tips on incorporating it into your daily routine.”
Text: “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee
“Harper Lee’s novel, ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,’ is a timeless classic that explores themes of racism, injustice, and morality in the American South. Through the eyes of young Scout Finch, the reader is taken on a journey that challenges societal norms and forces characters to confront their prejudices. This essay will analyze the novel’s use of symbolism, character development, and narrative structure to uncover its deeper meaning and relevance to contemporary society.”
Write strong essays in academic English with Paperpal. Try it for free
Writing a strong introduction is crucial for setting the tone and context of your essay. Here are the key takeaways for how to write essay introduction: 3
The purpose of an essay introduction is to give an overview of the topic, context, and main ideas of the essay. It is meant to engage the reader, establish the tone for the rest of the essay, and introduce the thesis statement or central argument.
An essay introduction typically ranges from 5-10% of the total word count. For example, in a 1,000-word essay, the introduction would be roughly 50-100 words. However, the length can vary depending on the complexity of the topic and the overall length of the essay.
An essay introduction is critical in engaging the reader and providing contextual information about the topic. To ensure its effectiveness, consider incorporating these key elements: a compelling hook, background information, a clear thesis statement, an outline of the essay’s scope, a smooth transition to the body, and optional signposting sentences.
The process of writing an essay introduction is not necessarily straightforward, but there are several strategies that can be employed to achieve this end. When experiencing difficulty initiating the process, consider the following techniques: begin with an anecdote, a quotation, an image, a question, or a startling fact to pique the reader’s interest. It may also be helpful to consider the five W’s of journalism: who, what, when, where, why, and how. For instance, an anecdotal opening could be structured as follows: “As I ascended the stage, momentarily blinded by the intense lights, I could sense the weight of a hundred eyes upon me, anticipating my next move. The topic of discussion was climate change, a subject I was passionate about, and it was my first public speaking event. Little did I know , that pivotal moment would not only alter my perspective but also chart my life’s course.”
Crafting a compelling thesis statement for your introduction paragraph is crucial to grab your reader’s attention. To achieve this, avoid using overused phrases such as “In this paper, I will write about” or “I will focus on” as they lack originality. Instead, strive to engage your reader by substantiating your stance or proposition with a “so what” clause. While writing your thesis statement, aim to be precise, succinct, and clear in conveying your main argument.
To create an effective essay introduction, ensure it is clear, engaging, relevant, and contains a concise thesis statement. It should transition smoothly into the essay and be long enough to cover necessary points but not become overwhelming. Seek feedback from peers or instructors to assess its effectiveness.
References
Paperpal is a comprehensive AI writing toolkit that helps students and researchers achieve 2x the writing in half the time. It leverages 21+ years of STM experience and insights from millions of research articles to provide in-depth academic writing, language editing, and submission readiness support to help you write better, faster.
Get accurate academic translations, rewriting support, grammar checks, vocabulary suggestions, and generative AI assistance that delivers human precision at machine speed. Try for free or upgrade to Paperpal Prime starting at US$19 a month to access premium features, including consistency, plagiarism, and 30+ submission readiness checks to help you succeed.
Experience the future of academic writing – Sign up to Paperpal and start writing for free!
Types of plagiarism and 6 tips to avoid it in your writing , you may also like, dissertation printing and binding | types & comparison , what is a dissertation preface definition and examples , how to write a research proposal: (with examples..., how to write your research paper in apa..., how to choose a dissertation topic, how to write a phd research proposal, how to write an academic paragraph (step-by-step guide), maintaining academic integrity with paperpal’s generative ai writing..., research funding basics: what should a grant proposal..., how to write an abstract in research papers....
As a high school or college student, you have probably written dozens, if not hundreds, of essays of all types. However, a biographical essay is nothing like you have written before. In fact, despite seeming relatively easy, the task of writing a biography essay can get very confusing to inexperienced students.
Instead of your ideas, a biography essay utilizes facts, but it takes a lot of research and writing skills to write a biography essay that will impress both your peers and your professor. Our essay writing service has prepared a detailed guide on how to write a good biography essay, and here is everything you need to know.
Before you can find out how to write a biography essay, you need to learn the answer to the essential question: what is a biography essay? A biographical essay is a type of academic paper where the author tells the story of someone’s life.
In some ways, biographical essays are similar to other types of essays, especially narrative papers. They both tell a story that should captivate and inform the readers. However, a biographical essay focuses solely on the story of one person and often includes an analysis of the person’s personality, not just a list of significant events from the subject’s life story.
Typically, the biography essay format deals with the life story of another person. In some cases, you may be tasked with writing a biography about yourself. In that case, your paper will be called an autobiography essay, and it’s a common assignment in high school and during the college application process.
At first glance, a biography essay may seem like just another type of written assignments that you simply have to do for a good grade. However, a bibliography essay is actually a very important piece of writing that allows you to tell a story of another person’s greatness, significance, or vulnerability through his life events.
Biography essay outline.
Even though a biographical essay is a unique form of writing, it still requires you to follow a specific format and structure. The biography essay outline helps you keep your thoughts in order and never miss a single significant fact or quote.
So, how to write a biography essay outline? Unless otherwise specified by your professor, you should follow the standard five-paragraph essay structure. It means that your biography essay outline will include the following chapters:
Now that you know what is biography essay and how to create a good biography essay outline, it is time to finally find out how to write a biography essay. In this part of our guide, we will focus on a personal biography essay, or autobiography.
Students are often wondering: how to start off a biography essay to make a good impression on the readers? The introduction is the first part of your paper the readers will encounter, and you should pay extra attention to what you write in this chapter.
How to write an introduction for a biography essay? Start with a hook — an attention-grabbing sentence that sets the tone for the paper. It can be a personal anecdote, a fact, or a quote from someone else describing you.
In the rest of the introduction, write a little about yourself without giving up any important facts — save those for the upcoming chapters of the essay. Finish the introduction with a thesis statement, where you should describe the essence of your biography essay.
If you went for the classic five-paragraph structure with your biography, you will have three body paragraphs. There is no standard way to distribute your biography between those three paragraphs, but since you are writing about yourself — a young person whose later years are still ahead of them — you can use the following structure:
Since it’s a personal essay, you probably won’t use too much research to support your claims, which will be based on your own life. However, you should carefully choose the wording, not to exaggerate your achievements. Be as close to your own life events as possible.
A conclusion is an essential part of any essay, and it’s equally true for a biography essay. Since you are retelling your own life story, and it’s difficult to assess your contribution to the society simply because you are only at the beginning of your own career, you should write about the way your life until this point impacted your development as a person.
Our essay service has already covered how to write a personal biography essay, but in most cases, you will be tasked with writing a biography essay about a different person — usually, someone famous and significant in their own field. This person can be dead or alive, but they will likely have a rich biography that is relatively easy to write about.
The key to writing a strong biography essay is to rely strictly on facts, not on fiction. It doesn’t mean that you should simply list the facts from the person’s life story without any opinions of your own, but those opinions and assumptions must always be based on the official statements from the person’s biography.
Wondering how to write a biography essay to make it absolutely flawless? Check out these extra writing tips from our expert team of authors that specialize in essay writing in the United States:
Protect your data
This site uses cookies and related technologies for site operation, and analytics as described in our Privacy Policy . You may choose to consent to our use of these technologies, reject non-essential technologies, or further manage your preferences.
7 min read · Updated on August 28, 2024
A short professional biography is a great tool to have in your career marketing toolkit.
As you progress through your career, there will likely come a time when someone wants you to provide them with a professional biography. It could be that your boss wants to include something on the team page of the company website or perhaps you need to write a blurb about your biggest achievements for a social media page.
Regardless of the reason, you should always have one ready to go. Many people have quite a few questions about writing short professional bios, though, including
What is a bio?
How to write a short bio?
What voice to use in a short bio – first person or third person?
What is the format of a short biography?
What is a good bio example?
Let's just say that you're in the right place to find out.
Have you ever heard the phrase “elevator pitch?” Well, that's what a bio is. It's about 200 words that define who you are, what you do, what you've accomplished, and what your goals are. If that seems like a lot to put into a couple hundred words, you're right.
This isn't the time to go on and on about everything you've ever done. Since the purpose of a short professional bio is to introduce you to whoever is reading it, it's best to worry about only hitting the high notes.
Think about what you say when someone asks you the following:
What do you do?
How long have you done it?
What do you like most about it?
Have you ever won an award ?
Why do you want to keep doing what you do?
Your answers to those questions will help you craft your biography, though you'll probably have to pare down the wording to keep it within the requisite word count. Always remember KISS – Keep it Short and Simple.
Just like with your resume, a short professional bio should contain key details. Those details should also appear in a predictable order.
Your name and current job title
Your professional philosophy
Some of your best skills
Career achievements
What you have your sights set on for the future
You could also include things like links to online portfolios or your contact information, depending on where the bio is going to be used. For example, if you're adding the short professional bio to a web page that already has your contact info, then you don't need to add it to the bio itself.
Before you start writing, you have to decide which voice you're going to use for your biography. Meaning, are you going to write it using first-person or third-person?
First-person writing involves using pronouns like “I,” “me,” and “my”
Third-person writing is when you avoid using personal pronouns and stick to possessive pronouns or possessive adjectives like "he," "she," "his," and "her"
It all depends on your audience. You'd choose to write your short professional bio in the first person if you're using it for personal websites, social media profiles , and networking events. It's better to use the third person when you're writing for company websites, professional directories, or other formal settings.
This may seem like a given, but because it's such a simple thing, a lot of people try to overdo it. You literally only need to write something like this
Third-person: Janet Plunder is the Head of Marketing for We Are Creatives, Inc.
First-person: My name is Jeff Safeport, and I am the Network Manager for BitBytes.
Have you ever thought about the values and ethics you possess and how those shape your work and interaction with others? That is the basis of your professional philosophy. Prospective employers and future clients want to know how you distinguish yourself from others. The way you come up with your professional philosophy is through a little self-assessment. Ask yourself
What do I believe in?
What am I committed to?
What values are most important in my professional life?
How do I approach challenges?
Have I made any type of impact in my field?
This is what the philosophy statement could look like in your short bio:
Going back to the concept of KISS, you want to avoid trying to include a laundry list of every skill you possess. The idea here is to focus on the abilities that set you apart in your field. You need to be specific not only about what you excel at but also how the particular skills you choose for your short professional bio have helped you be successful.
For example:
Back when you were writing your resume, you probably heard over and over again how important career achievements are. There are millions of articles out there that tell you how to quantify the things you've accomplished in past jobs because that's how prospective employers know you'll be a benefit to their team.
The same holds true for your short professional bio. Your readers will be able to tell how you can help them by getting a glimpse into your career wins. Focus on notable awards and major projects that point to you achieving milestones.
Here's what that could look like:
The one thing that distinguishes a short professional bio from your other career marketing documents is that it not only showcases your history but it's also future-facing. This gives you a great opportunity to talk about your aspirations and which direction you are heading in your career.
You can show prospective employers and future clients that you're going to be around a while by talking about things like being “forward-thinking” and emphasizing your “commitment to growth,” as examples.
Here are a couple of short professional bio examples you can use as inspiration for your own professional goals :
No matter what type of document you're writing for your career, the object is always to leave a lasting impression. That holds true even for a short professional bio. It may only be a couple hundred words, but they're very important words. Keep it concise, relevant, and engaging, and the right doors will open to propel you along your career journey.
The best way to get the right details into your short professional bio is to use information from your resume. Does your resume say what you need it to say about your skills, qualifications, and achievements? Upload it for a free review and find out.
20 Funny and Awkward Zoom Fails: Meetings Gone Wrong
10 Things Every Job Seeker Should Know Before Starting Their Search
Why the Handshake May Go Away — and Options to Replace It
7 Best Personal Skills for Your Resume (With Examples)
Great Jobs for Teens: Top Picks for 16-Year-Olds
Functional Resume: Writing Guide, Examples, & Template
See how your resume stacks up.
Our experts gather the best career & resume tips weekly. Delivered weekly, always free.
Thanks! Career advice is on its way.
Share this article:
Let's stay in touch.
Subscribe today to get job tips and career advice that will come in handy.
Your information is secure. Please read our privacy policy for more information.
In job interviews, making a great first impression can make or break your chances of success. Alison Greene, author and hiring expert, believes that knowing how to introduce yourself professionally and confidently is crucial in setting you apart from other job seekers.
We gathered insights and tips from various human resource professionals for the most memorable ways to create an impactful opening during your job interview .
Read their expert advice, match them to your style, skills, and context, and you have a formula for best presenting yourself in front of your interviewer.
In this comprehensive guide, you'll learn the best practices for standing out during your job interview, which begins with an unforgettable opening greeting, sample scenarios, and even follow-up strategies. Are you ready to be the master of introductions?
Preparing your introduction, the components of a good introduction, dos and don'ts when introducing yourself, adapting your introduction for different formats, examples of effective introductions, handling difficult introduction scenarios, follow-up strategies, frequently asked questions (faqs).
You must do a lot of pre-game preparation before you even set foot in the interview venue or turn on your camera. Dean Davidson, executive general manager at Hudson Recruitment Australia, says this includes researching the following before an interview :
Reading about the organisation shows you how its core values align with yours . Recheck the job description of the position you want. These details allow you to tailor your introduction to fit the organisation's and the role's needs. When you mention how your background, skills, and achievements are suited perfectly for the job, you instantly give your interviewer a reason to keep listening – and to stay engaged.
When they hear that you know about their recent win at the Singapore Business Awards or that their stock went public, it shows them your sincere enthusiasm for the job.
Should you be upbeat or earnest? Should you engage in small talk or be more straightforward? What should you wear? Use your initial research to figure out these first steps.
Each industry has some cultural standards. Design agencies are typically more laid-back, while banks or financial institutions may likely appreciate a more dignified stance. These "stereotypes" can be your jumping-off point when deciding on the appropriate tone for your introduction.
However, practising interpersonal flexibility is more crucial when meeting your interviewer for the first time. This skill means you can adjust your behaviour to suit the situation. After all, bank managers can be more relaxed, too.
But whether the company is casual or formal, don't forget to stay enthusiastic, polite, and respectful.
Writing a script beforehand is also a good idea. It allows you to check how comprehensive your introduction is, not to mention your cadence and pace. Make your script concise, direct, and company-tailored.
You don't have to recite your speech verbatim at the interview – you want to sound prepared, not overly rehearsed. However, these notes are a solid foundation for the details you should cover.
Sample introduction script: Generally, you should be able to mention your name, professional background, and relevant skills, and enumerate experiences that make you an ideal candidate.
In a job interview setting, a basic self-introduction should sound like this:
"Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I have a background in [your field] with experience in [relevant skills]. I am excited about this opportunity because [reasons for interest in the company and role]."
In this example, you quickly reinforce the skills cited in your resume. You're telling the interviewer why you're worth their time, and you're about to prove that further as you progress through the interview, impressing them with your answers and personality.
Don't just write your script. Say it out loud to really evaluate your pitch and tempo. Observe how the sentences roll off your tongue. Is a word causing you to buckle? Change it to something that fits the flow of your speech better. You can also use JobStreet's Interview Tool to record yourself. Hearing your introduction back might give you ideas on how to improve it further.
What information should your introduction include? Remember that this is your opportunity to hook your interviewer, so it's necessary to make your delivery persuasive.
Get straight to your "why”: You never know if your interview could get cut short due to an emergency or another reason. Highlight your strengths, even if subtly. According to Positive Psychology , affirming your skill set can increase confidence and aptitude – and banish those interview jitters.
"Hi, I'm [Your Name], a marketing professional with five years of experience in social media management and content creation."
Your interview isn't a coffee-shop catch-up where you can go on and on about your entire life. Focus on skills and experiences most pertinent to the job. Explain your achievements and make tangible references to make yourself more relatable to your interviewer.
“Employers are likely looking to hear stories of what you did and how your experiences have prepared you for this role," writes career development author Vicki Oliver for the Harvard Business Review .
“During my time at [Company], I led a team that increased our social media engagement by 30%."
Don't hide your excitement for the opportunity. Show how appreciative you are to be there – although, of course, you do have to rein it in if you're too giddy. Your eagerness doesn't just serve to flatter your interviewer.
According to an article from Singapore Management University, enthusiasm shows your motivation to do the work. It also tells the interviewer how well you can handle stressful situations, such as an interview.
"Employers increasingly value enthusiasm for the job, as well as a positive work attitude and willingness to learn when they recruit starters," notes Professor Karin Sanders, a University of New South Wales professor who published a study on enthusiasm during job interviews.
"I'm truly excited about joining [Company] because I admire your innovative approach to marketing and commitment to delivering outstanding results. I just know that I belong here!”
You can end your introduction by opening yourself up to the series of questions prepared by the interviewer.
"I'd be glad to answer any questions about my background and what I can contribute to your company."
Study common interview questions, and prepare the best ways to answer them. After all, the opening act is one thing. You have to nail the finish, too.
Lack of preparation is the surest way to make a mistake during the interview.
As a rule, remember to keep it simple, sincere, and natural. A Perspectives in Psychological Science study reveals that being conscientious and orderly are personality traits employers found most appealing in applicants. So, remember to keep your skills clear and focused. Here are more notes to guide your self-introduction.
Set the stage for a successful interview as soon as possible by focusing on the skills and experiences that directly relate to the job you're applying for. Don't forget: Any stage of the job application should validate why you have the abilities for the role.
If you talk about your past experiences, avoid putting former employers or colleagues in a bad light.
Interviews can run for 30 and 90 minutes, and you can be sure your interviewer has several questions prepared. Aim to deliver your introduction in no more than 2 minutes. A brief but succinct start draws in the interviewer while still giving you sufficient time to get to the meat of the Q&A.
Refrain from mentioning unrelated details or going off on a tangent. Fill the time by citing specific situations that highlight your skills. There may be a point in the interview where you can chat casually – perhaps after you get hired!
You don't have a lot of time for a long and slow approach. Natural enthusiasm helps you focus and become more courageous. Who doesn't want that during a self-introduction? Expressing your passion for the role and the company will only help you. However, don't lay it on too thick.
Body language is the key to demonstrating your sincerity – or lack of. Sit straight, maintain active eye contact, respond with gestures such as nods or smiles, and always actively listen. Active listening means you're engaged, absorbing every word and reacting accordingly. It confirms your genuine interest.
Harvard Business Review says practising your self-introduction is essential. When you do it in a low-stakes setting, you may just be able to build up your confidence. However, don't go overboard.
Overpreparedness, according to life coach Helen McLaughlin, can lead to a performance mentality, which is when you feel the need to come across as an expert. It may make you appear insincere, unnatural, and overconfident.
So what have you learned? Zoning in on your accomplishments and skills, being natural and enthusiastic, and staying concise are the steps you need to follow to communicate your value and create a lasting, positive impression on interviewers.
How will this interview be conducted? What type of interview is it? Adjusting your behaviour or delivery to the context will help you communicate your qualifications better and make a positive impression on the interviewer, regardless of the scenario and different types of communication at play.
Pivoting demonstrates your adaptability, professionalism, and genuine interest in the position, which can significantly increase your chances of interview success.
Before the interview, ensure you have the following:
The few years of staying at home may have taught you that technology presents some communication barriers: muted mics, unstable connections, background noise, and malfunctioning wireless earphones. Cover your bases by ensuring none of these technical details hampers your conversation. Do a tech run, lock the doors, or have another space ready if your kids suddenly walk in.
Without complications, you can be more focused and confident when you begin.
Start with a warm greeting. Interviews via these channels are terrific because you can place cue cards or notes strategically to check occasionally. Practise affirmative body language via your voice (for audio calls) and your face (for video calls). You don't have room for hand gestures, so instead, smile a lot, speak clearly, and add enthusiastic inflections to your voice.
What about recorded interviews? Recorded interviews are when you receive questions and document your answers via video. Since it allows for more preparation, you might go overboard with your spiel. Don't forget the conciseness rule! This interview isn't two-way, so you have more chances of losing the interest of the viewer. Stick to interesting and relevant points, talk as if someone is in front of you (it helps maintain enthusiasm in your tone), and show off your personality.
An interview in a group setting means you have to stand out. Acknowledge the presence of your fellow applicants before your introduction. Support your qualifications with actual scenarios and accomplishments. You may have the same skills, but your experiences are all yours.
During the Q&A, don't speak over others. However, pay attention to what they're saying and make appropriate reactions. James Eling, managing director of IT firm Extreme Networks, says group interviews show how well you collaborate as well as your teamwork and leadership skills.
Behavioural interviews help the interviewer learn more about how you handled past situations. Your experiences help the interviewer deduce how you'll approach future problems or scenarios.
Focus on specific examples from your past that demonstrate your ability to handle the challenges and responsibilities of the position. The interviewer would be interested in your active listening and critical thinking skills, so be sure to angle your narrative to highlight these skills. You can use the “CAR” mnemonic (context, action, and results) to do this.
Context: Your supervisor had to take an emergency leave during a product launch event. As second in command, you had to take over.
Action: You gathered the entire team to tell them you're heading the event. You reassured them everything was going according to plan, but reiterated your expectations and everyone's tasks. You checked the progress and made yourself available during the event for potential troubleshoots.
Results: The client never even knew your boss had to leave!
These interviews are more of a practical test in Q&A form. You often encounter these for more technical jobs, such as programming, writing, and driving.
Don't get lost in the technicalities, though. Don't forget to show your sincerity and enthusiasm for the role. Explain how your recent class in TikTok marketing represents your willingness to evolve, or how creating new software taught you the value of teamwork.
Case interviews give you a tricky scenario to solve. The goal is to assess your analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Mask your nerves and show you're confident, comfortable, and eager for the challenge. You've declared your skills. Now you have to back them up.
When formulating an answer, business analyst Katrina Lu recommends looking at the “Big Picture.” Keep the central problem in mind and connect the dots. Ask yourself: Why is this the case? What is our goal here? Use your reasoning skills to get to the bottom of things. You can also ask the interviewer insightful questions. It shows your understanding and willingness to assess every detail of the case before making a decision.
Here are examples of successful introductions that use different techniques. Use them as a basis for formulating yours.
“ Hello, I'm [Name]! I'm a computer science graduate, specialising in software development and project management. I am excited to discuss how my skills and experience align with your organisation's needs."
In this example, you clearly underscore the crucial details of your application, such as your name, background, and the fact that you have what they're looking for. It also invites the interviewer to start with the formal Q&A.
“Hello, I'm [Name]. I'm an associate marketing executive from [former company]. I believe I'm a perfect fit for the position because I'm more than capable of problem-solving most marketing concerns, and due to my practical experience in the field…”
Situation (S): Advertising revenue was going down for my agency due to a low rate of contract renewals.
Task (T): My goal was to generate new ideas, materials, and incentives that would result in a reproducible increase in advertisers from the year before.
Action (A): I designed a new promotional packet to go with the rate sheet and compared the benefits with other ad media in the area.
Result (R): We signed contracts with 15 former advertisers for daily ads and five for special supplements. We increased our new advertisers by 20% over the same period last year.
The S.T.A.R. method is ideal for behavioural interviews. It allows you to show your credentials in a practical manner, letting your experience speak for itself. This method is the perfect example of "show, don't tell."
“Hi, my name is [Name], and I am thrilled to be here today to talk to you about my interest in this role and my passion for this company's mission. As someone who has followed this company's work for a long time, I am happy to have the opportunity to apply my skills and experience to help you achieve your goals. I am confident that my experience in project management and software development will be a valuable asset to your team, and I am excited to discuss how I can contribute to your success.”
Remember the note about how much employers love enthusiasm? Interviewers interpret excitement as motivation, which will only work in your favour. The Management Development Institute of Singapore also states that guts and determination can make an indelible impression on interviewers.
No matter how well-prepared you are, sometimes, you encounter problems. Take a breath and recover. Here are common introduction faux pas you can prepare for.
You don't remember the interviewer's name
Your excitement and/or nerves may have blocked your ears a bit, preventing you from registering the first few minutes of the meeting. It happens. In a face-to-face setting, hold out your hand and politely ask them to repeat their name.
"I'm sorry I didn't quite catch your name. Could you repeat that please?"
It's easier in a remote set-up. Their name is usually on the screen. If not and you missed it, you can blame technology.
"I'm sorry, there was slight feedback. Could I get your name again, ma'am/sir?"
Research shows that attempts to bridge a language gap create stronger interpersonal ties. Be patient and helpful. Use basic terms and shorter sentences. Talk slower but not necessarily louder. Pause between points.
If you're still mastering the interviewer's language, say it right away, so they can also be aware of how they phrase things. Don't be afraid to ask for clarification or repeat a question.
Try not to see cultural differences as a problem. If the interviewer is from a different country, study their customs, such as basic etiquette. Familiarise yourself with appropriate greetings, gestures, and body language. Generally, be open to your differences. They shouldn't factor in your hireability.
Do you have to repeat your name and credentials? Don't get dismayed and take it personally. The interviewer might be meeting several applicants, so at least they're interested enough to know who you are. Repeat your spiel, emphasising your name, background, and skills.
Here are some exercises to settle your jitters:
Make your stress work for you. Harvard Business Review says a healthy amount of pressure can encourage you to try new things, tackle problems, and grow your capabilities – factors that may help strengthen your interview.
Remember that technology can break down at the most inconvenient moments. Test all your devices and line up alternatives in case something happens.
Following up after your interview can show your determination and passion for the role. A simple thank-you message conveys your appreciation for the interviewer's time and effort. You could also use it to reiterate your interest.
Did you know that 80% of recruiters believe a thank-you note helps them make hiring decisions? Unfortunately, only 24% of applicants send one. Don't fall under that statistic! Here are some quick tips when you want to send an appreciatory message.
Subject Line: Thank you for the interview
Hi, Ms/Mr [Name of Interviewer],
This is [Name], the data scientist from Woodlands, whom you interviewed today. Thank you so much for the opportunity to apply for the position of [insert role]. I enjoyed our conversation today. I particularly loved your insights regarding my paper on using data to drive sales teams. Our talk has only strengthened my conviction to join your company. Likewise, I believe my skills, experience, and attitude fit your organisation.
Please let me know if I can provide any information that could be helpful to you. Thank you again.
Sincerely yours,
[Your Name]
If you're following up and sending a thank you, it's important not to look too pushy. After all, it's only been a day – perhaps screening hasn't even ended. Saying your name, background, and interest should be enough. Displaying gratitude is one thing; showing patience is another!
However, if it's been a week or two, you can follow up with a brief message reiterating your credentials and enthusiasm.
Preparation, research, and customisation are the three steps to make a standout introduction during a job interview. Write a script for guidance, practise until you're confident, and you'll impress the interviewer from the get-go.
But rehearsing is only half the job. Adapt your script, tone, and delivery to the interview's context. Is the interviewer upbeat? Match their energy. Is the chat on Zoom? Make sure your tech details are on point.
Follow this guide to help you figure out how to tailor your self-introduction your way, and establish a solid foundation to impress during the actual interview.
Looking for new opportunities? Sign up or update your JobStreet profile and find openings that fit your skill set and values. Download the JobStreet app on Google Play and the App Store for mobile updates. If you want more articles like this, drop by our Career Advice page for professional advice.
Breathe deeply.
Practise beforehand.
Remind yourself of your value and strengths.
Exercise before the interview.
Popular on jobstreet, explore related topics, subscribe to career advice.
Loading metrics
Open Access
* E-mail: [email protected]
Affiliation Department of Psychology and eScience Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
Published: September 5, 2024
As large, high-dimensional data have become more common, software development is playing an increasingly important role in research across many different fields. This creates a need to adopt software engineering practices in research settings. Code review is the engineering practice of giving and receiving detailed feedback on a computer program. Consistent and continuous examination of the evolution of computer programs by others has been shown to be beneficial, especially when reviewers are familiar with the technical aspects of the software and also when they possess relevant domain expertise. The rules described in the present article provide information about the why, when, and how of code review. They provide the motivation for continual code reviews as a natural part of a rigorous research program. They provide practical guidelines for conducting review of code both in person, as a “lab meeting for code,” as well as asynchronously, using industry-standard online tools. A set of guidelines is provided for the nitty-gritty details of code review, as well as for the etiquette of such a review. Both the technical and the social aspects of code review are covered to provide the reader with a comprehensive approach that facilitates an effective, enjoyable, and educational approach to code review.
Scientists are increasingly writing code as part of their research. Code review is a common practice in software engineering, which entails detailed and continual examination of additions and changes to a software code-base. This article explains why and how this practice is applied to the software that researchers write as part of their work. It provides a set of rules that motivates, explicates, and details the process of using code review in a didactic, effective, and enjoyable manner.
Citation: Rokem A (2024) Ten simple rules for scientific code review. PLoS Comput Biol 20(9): e1012375. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1012375
Editor: Scott Markel, Dassault Systemes BIOVIA, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Copyright: © 2024 Ariel Rokem. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License , which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Funding: AR's open-source software development (and review!) work has been funded by the National Institutes of Health (MH121868, MH121867), the National Science Foundation (#1934292), National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (EB027585) the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative's Essential Open Source Software for Science program, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and the Gordon & Betty Moore Foundation. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.
Competing interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
The availability of large, heterogeneous, and noisy datasets has led to the adoption of data-intensive research methodologies in many fields that previously did not experience such datasets. For example, computer programming, which was once a tool mostly used by a small group of experts, is now part of many scientists’ toolbox [ 1 ]. The spread of programming has increased the need to adopt software engineering practices into many different research settings [ 2 , 3 ].
The present article focuses on code review, a software engineering practice that has the potential to expose software errors early in the research process, increasing the veracity and reproducibility of research results that depend on software. It can also benefit the training and professional development of researchers who are still honing their programming craft. Code review is a very common practice among professional software developers and software engineers. In these professional settings, it has been directly linked to code quality [ 4 , 5 ]. For example, McIntosh and colleagues [ 5 ] showed that increased review coverage (i.e., how much of the code gets comments in the review process) can increase code quality (in terms of errors that make it into released code and need to be subsequently fixed). In addition, how much discussion a code review entails also increases code quality. Code reviewer expertise (e.g., understanding of the research domain) is also a factor that contributes to code quality. When practiced in scientific research settings, it has also been demonstrated to yield benefits in terms of accuracy, efficiency, and the adoption of better software practices [ 6 ]. Fortunately, based on its common use in software engineering, there is a large body of research literature that addresses the questions about the most effective approaches to code review. The brief set of rules presented below aims to introduce scientists from a broad range of backgrounds to code review, suggesting a few best practices taken from this research and incorporating some of the author’s experience conducting code review in various scientific settings.
Rule 1: review code just like you review other elements of your research.
The first step in adopting code review practices is to recognize the importance of this practice. If you are working with collaborators, students, or supervisors who have not conducted code review before, you may need to advocate for it. This paper provides references to some of the empirical evidence in favor of code review. Another important point of view is that reviewing code is equivalent to the many other review procedures that accompany a research project. For example, no reasonable scientist would submit a paper manuscript that has not been thoroughly checked by their coauthors. In the process of writing, we expect our collaborators to examine the flow of a paper and its logic, as well as to check the clarity, grammar, and syntax of the written text. Code, while not always a public-facing element of the research, should be submitted to (at least) a similar level of scrutiny. Once submitted to such scrutiny by mentors and collaborators, its publication together with the paper could become both psychologically and technically easier. This has the added benefit that the research becomes more reproducible [ 7 ].
In data-intensive research projects where software is involved, the correctness of the result depends on the correctness of the software (prominent counterexamples are fuel for computational scientists’ nightmares [ 8 ]). This suggests that a substantial cost can be mitigated by building continuous review rounds into the research process from its very beginning. Furthermore, because code review is most effective when done in limited chunks (see point 8), it benefits from committing a little bit of time on a regular basis [ 6 ]. In addition, just like experimental research benefits from early feedback, to work out the issues with experimental design and assure that alternative explanations are properly controlled, analysis software can benefit from early feedback, even before it is entirely complete. Reviewing code continuously throughout the life of a research project also helps avoid the accrual of “technical debt” [ 9 ]. These are the aspects of the code that researchers refer to when you ask them to show you their code and they say something like “I just need to clean it up a bit.” A corollary of rules 1 and 2 is that code review is an important element of training junior programmers and to the extent that all data-intensive research now involves programming, it has become an important part of the training of junior scientists, just like journal clubs and scholarly peer review.
The scientific context and premise of your research are crucial to understanding what your code does. One of the findings of [ 5 ] was that “reviewer expertise has a measurable impact on post-release defect counts in the larger studied releases.” This means that rather than supporting the notion that some external expert in software engineering would be the best reviewer of your code, these results suggest that appropriate reviewers—that can help reduce errors in your code—are close by, in your lab mates, collaborators, mentors, and students. In fact, the best reviewer of your code may be even closer than that, as it is often a good idea to read carefully through your own code and think it through properly before submitting it for review by others. As in the case of written notes, the fact that someone else will read your code is likely to make your reading of the code more critical and will already likely lead to improvements.
One of the main barriers to effective code identified in Petre and Wilson’s study [ 6 ] was that the code was not properly documented and lacked automated build tools and example datasets. Making your software easy to install and run, providing example data, and rudimentary documentation will make it easier to understand and to provide useful feedback. These steps also increase the value of the software, as they can potentially make the software reusable by others. In fact, code that is used and reused should not remain in scripts or computational notebooks but rather be organized in reusable and testable libraries, where it is also easier to review the individual functions and modules. Instructions on how to create a software library are beyond the scope of the present paper and the interested reader is referred to resources for the commonly used Python ([ 10 ]; Chapter 7) and R [ 11 ] programming languages. With regard to sharing of example data: share as much as is practical and useful. Comprehensive and complete example datasets provide a sense of what is possible and expected with a particular software package and provide the basis for reproducing or building upon your results. On the other hand, reducing friction in understanding the software is a high priority as well, and it should not entail downloading and storing very large amounts of data, or waiting for long-running processing pipelines. For example, in neuroimaging software that my group and I develop [ 12 , 13 ], we provide functions that download test datasets and datasets that serve as the basis for documentation examples. In some cases, we provide data that have only been minimally preprocessed, demonstrating end-to-end functionality of the software, but because neuroimaging data can be rather large and processing can be time-consuming, we also sometimes provide fetching functions for data that have been partially processed (along the lines of a cooking show). These partially processed data allow us to demonstrate or test particular functionality that depends on data that have already undergone multiple time-consuming steps.
One way to conduct code review is by looking at code together side-by-side. In many contexts, a “lab meeting for code” is a good idea (I first learned about this idea from Fernando Pérez, who also wrote a blog post that lays out this idea and describes the provenance of this term: https://web.archive.org/web/20170701202441/http://fperez.org/py4science/code_reviews.html ). To implement this idea, you would:
Asynchronous, remotely conducted code review is the standard operating procedure in many open-source scientific software projects. Many tools support asynchronous code review, but the tool that is most commonly used in these projects is the GitHub “pull request” (PR) interface [ 14 ]. This interface allows a programmer to introduce a set of changes into existing software (requesting that someone else “pull” these changes into the main branch of the software development repository). Other contributors to the software can then provide line-by-line comments on the code and propose specific changes that can be immediately integrated into the PR. Additional tools within the GitHub interface provide the ability to automatically check the code for its compliance with project coding standards (e.g., the PEP8 coding standard for the Python programming language, as implemented in the flake8 software, which also checks the code for “flakiness,” such as unused imports; https://flake8.pycqa.org/en/latest/ ), and even to automatically run a software test suite [ 15 ]. One way for students to receive code review from domain experts who also have software engineering expertise and to improve their programming is to propose and contribute changes to an open-source software project within their field. Many scientific software projects participate in software internship programs, such as Google’s Summer of Code internship ( https://summerofcode.withgoogle.com/ ), providing students an opportunity to gain experience and also receive continuous and consistent review of their code contributions. One of the benefits of asynchronous code review is that recording actionable comments and suggestions is built into the process. Furthermore, the process provides a persistent record of the review, and the comments and suggestions provided through this process can be referred to in the future, to understand why certain changes were made.
There are many ways to review code, and code review will vary slightly depending on the stage of a project, and depending on the type of feedback needed. One systematic approach is to review the code in several iterations, focusing on different aspects of the code in different passes through, starting from high-level design and execution, and then focusing on specific low-level aspects.
Empirical studies demonstrate that review quality decreases precipitously when reviewing more than approximately 200 lines of code in one sitting [ 19 ]. The same research suggests that you should expect to spend about 60 minutes reviewing 500 lines of code and that you should take your time doing it. This means that you should take a break after about 30 to 60 minutes of reviewing code. This also sets a clear limit on how much code you can request others to review for you. These types of limitations can also affect the conceptual units into which software is divided, encouraging better modularity and separation of concerns, both of which make code easier to test, debug, and more general to use.
Many research fields, and the researchers within them, are still adjusting to the need to incorporate software development into their research practice. Software development is also an area that is particularly prone to imposter syndrome and stereotype threat [ 20 – 22 ]. Remember that the code was written by a person, who expended creative effort into writing the code, and may already be feeling vulnerable sharing the code with others and submitting their work to scrutiny. Do not be dismissive, even if this person did things that you consider to be grave mistakes. This can be particularly hard to remember when conducting asynchronous code review, without the other person’s immediate presence. A review that is delivered with kindness is more likely to be accepted with attention.
Much like one of the best ways to learn about your research field is to teach it to others, one of the best ways to become a better programmer is to read a lot of software written by others. Therefore, don’t hesitate to reciprocate and review other researcher’s code. If nothing else, you will be helping them root out errors and improve their software. In the best case, you might also learn some new tricks along the way. Needless to say, both being kind and reciprocating a review will also pay off in good karma.
Adopting code review as a practice can yield benefits in many different research settings. Introducing this practice may sometimes meet with resistance. Especially in contexts in which it is not currently common. Nevertheless, researchers can motivate the investment of time and effort based on the extensive research that demonstrates the efficacy of the practice [ 4 , 5 ] and based on the potential cost of software errors in research [ 8 ]. The rules provided here provide both inspiration, as well as the nuts and bolts of code review in a research setting. The goal is that as code review becomes increasingly practiced in research settings, the quality of code and, as a direct consequence, the quality of research overall, will increase.
Thanks to Fernando Pérez for reviewing a neophyte programmer’s code and for introducing me to the developmental benefits of code review. This article is based on a blog post written by the author, who would like to acknowledge helpful feedback from Yaroslav Halchenko, Kendrick Kay, and Pradeep Raamana in that context. Thanks also to Naomi Alterman for comments on an earlier draft of this manuscript.
Verify originality of an essay
Get ideas for your paper
Cite sources with ease
Updated 02 Sep 2024
If you wish to know how to write a movie review, then you are on the right page. A movie review forms part of essays college students writes. While many cinema-loving students find it interesting, others don’t. A film review does not mean writing what happened in a film; instead, it involves doing a critical assessment of the same as an art form that reflects cultural and societal values. Also, you can proof your paper instantly with the Edubirdie plagiarism tool .
What is a movie review? A movie review is a detailed analysis of a film or a documentary. It involves analysis, research, and reporting the writer’s views in a structured way. The writer assumes a position of educating readers whether they have watched the film or not. In fact, many people read movie reviews to decide whether they want to see a film or not.
Film criticism, as a historical and evolving practice, shapes the discourse around cinema. Notable critics and the transition of film reviews from traditional media to various platforms highlight the importance of analysis and personal insights in creating effective movie reviews.
A film review tests students’ critical thinking and reporting skills. It also examines their dexterity in writing in a logical, concise, lucid, and creative manner. This post shall teach you to craft the best film review in your class without being redundant in writing , and you can find many interesting tips on how to write a movie review for college and movie reviews examples. Writing a movie review requires critical analysis and attention to detail, and if you need assistance, a literature review writing service can help you craft a comprehensive and insightful review.
Watch the movie:.
Before you can review any film, you must watch it. You cannot review a motion picture you have not watched. Therefore, for success watch the film at least twice. Note: do not watch it like you’re a regular moviegoer or movie enthusiast. Be focused and conscious through the film. Take notes if necessary.
You will need to take notes hence have a notebook and pen handy. Record all events and characters (major and minor). Try to be meticulous do not overlook anything.
Watching the film should give you the overview and feel of the movie. With that, it should be easy and exciting to research the movie. The research augments what you have watched in the movie. In your research, you should find out who the filmmaker is, what prompted the making of the movie, the characterization, historical events the lead to the film, location, plot and so on.
If you are aware of the details behind the movie, the movie will be more understandable and engaging. Note also that if you do not understand the movie you cannot move to the next step which involves analysis. Try not to proceed to the next step unless you vividly understand the movie. If it entails watching it again until you fully get it, do it. The following should form part of your findings regarding the film:
Draft an outline with which you will write the review. The overview will help you organize your review concisely and logically. The outline is more like the skeletal frame on which the whole study will stand. A good draft will yield a perfect report, and the reverse is also true.
An outline enhances the quality of the film review, and it is essential you have your outline before you start writing. A sample outline looks like this:
Main characters and their significance in the plot
4. creative elements, 5. opinions (add examples to back up your claims).
Analyze the movie.
After fully understanding the movie, you can start its analysis. Critically evaluate the film from the beginning to the end, noting every detail. While analyzing, if you observed any confusing part, re-watch to grasp the idea portrayed there fully. After you fully understand it, then you are set to write the movie review. To write a decent analysis, you need to know how to write a film critique. Observing different camera angles can enhance the viewer's understanding and engagement with the film.
While watching the movie, your observations should be supported with examples, i.e., mention scenes the event took place. If the plot is faulty, mention it but state examples to support that claim. You can also mention poorly developed characters evident in the movie and others. Everything you observed in the film must be noted.
Examples of notables include locations, faulty or beautiful dialogues, quotes that appeal to you, poorly made speeches, bloopers, editing errors and so on. Do take note that it is not enough to make general statements about how awesome or awful the movie is, you must support your claim with evidence in the film. That is why it is called a movie review and not opinion sampling interview about the movie.
Finally mention the uniqueness of the film which you noticed in the one you’ve watched. But even if the movie happens to be a standard feature with conventional approaches, you can still mention this as well. A regular film is still a film.
With all the fact gathered above, you can now use the outline to write your film review. Make every part easy and enjoyable to read. Importantly, make the introduction engaging and captivating. You should go for a grand opening that will grab the attention of any reader. A good opening keeps the reader on the article.
Let us assume your introduction is watertight and engaging; any sloppy body will lose your reader. Hence, make the body informative and engaging. The review aims to reveal as much information as possible. Therefore, do your best to give all the details in the film to the reader. Engage your analytic mind. Analyzing technical aspects such as cinematography, lighting, and sound quality is crucial for a comprehensive review.
Another essential part of the review is the closing or conclusion. Here you give your view about the movie with evidence revealed in the body. Connect the conclusion with the introduction creatively.
After writing your first version of the review, you can re-write the final one after editing. Also, you should check the final draft for spelling errors, grammar mistakes, and so on. Ensure sentences connects logically to each other and watch the format used. Make a final comparison of your work with the requirement by your professor or lecturer.
With the help of free word counter check the number of words required and cut them if more than needed but if not, add relevant information to make them up. Do not add irrelevant details for the sake of space. Ensure your final submitted draft is well edited, polished, plagiarism-free and presented in the recommended format or style.
Connect with our top writers and receive a movie review sample crafted to your needs.
Since a movie review essay requires dedication and time investment, you might want to know the special tips to get you through the assignment seamlessly. Do recall that perfect conclusion of this assignment will add to your grades, hence the need to take it seriously. If you wish to know How to write a movie critique easily, then this section will tell you that.
The useful tips you should consider are as follows:
Read also: How to write an editorial Essay: Useful Tips for Those Who Want To Perfect Their Skill
One similar thing about these reviews is that they all should contain the same elements regardless of the genre. The elements of a movie review provide the structure on which you will base the analysis. A proper movie review format comprises the following components:
It’s not enough that the movie title appears on the headline, it must appear in the review too. Mention it in the text and feature it in the introductory paragraph; there is no harm in doing that. A movie review evaluates a particular film and helps readers decide whether to watch it.
The motion picture review itself refers to the summary of the movie. Present it in a concise way for people who are yet to watch it. When you are beginning to write a movie review, never have the mindset that your professor or any would-be reader has watched the movie. Therefore, never leave important points or events out. Your job is to elucidate the movie clearly to the reader: mention the faults observed, and the filmmaker’s brilliant points or downers. Including a plot summary provides a brief overview of the film's plot, which is essential for a comprehensive review.
What is a movie analysis without the filmmaker? Your review must feature him or her. Therefore, dedicate a paragraph to him, write about the kind of personality he or she is. Reveal the filmmaker’s political stance (if relevant), background, the controversial life of the person (if he is one), etc. You can also use the opportunity to talk about other movies the director has worked on before now, and then connect it with the one under review.
Relate the content of the film or documentary to your course topic. Check its importance for historical accuracy. If the film is for history class, discuss any over-dramatization noticed in the act. However, if the film was based on a book you have reviewed in one of your classes, mention the connection between the book and the movie: state variances, comparisons and other elements present in the book that are missing in the film.
Creative elements make or mar films, that is why filmmakers go out of their ways to add them to their movies. It is your job to state how these elements work in the plot and the film in general. For instance, comment on the effectiveness of the sound effect in enriching the viewing experience of the movie? Talk about the lighting, costume, makeup, colors, camera, etc.
The cast carry the movie; without them, there is no movie. Your review should reveal if they acted well or poorly. State if their acting was realistic or not. Do not fail to mention if they have the skills and charisma to portray the role they played. You can also state if they were the right actors to play the role they did. Furthermore, you can suggest actors who could have played certain roles better than those in the film.
Receive high-quality, original papers, free from AI-generated content.
After your arduous work of submitting your film report, you might be shocked to learn that your hard work received a query. You may wish to know why, well it could be because you commit any of the following common mistakes:
Here are a few examples of movie review topics to steer you in the right direction:
As you can see, a movie review essay is an interesting paper to write. Recall that the whole point of a movie review is to inform the reader about the film and the ideas behind it. Also, it reflects your unbiased and objective view about the film. Adopt all our tips, and you shall submit a professional-looking report.
However, if you don't care about movies or still have issues coming to terms with all we have explained above, then contact us for help. At EduBirdie, our movie and book review writing service are poised to help with your assignment and guarantee a high-quality review at an affordable price. With us, you shall learn how to do a movie review that will wow any professor.
Thanks for your feedback.
Seasoned academic writer, nurturing students' writing skills. Expert in citation and plagiarism. Contributing to EduBirdie since 2019. Aspiring author and dedicated volunteer. You will never have to worry about plagiarism as I write essays 100% from scratch. Vast experience in English, History, Ethics, and more.
Best capstone project ideas for students across subjects.
The most challenging aspect of crafting a top-tier capstone project is often getting started. The initial hurdle involves selecting a strong, impac...
Writing an annotated bibliography is one of academic work's most challenging yet essential parts. This helpful EduBirdie guide will tell you all ab...
All students dream of an easier way to learn a subject. Writing a survey paper example can effectively synthesize and consolidate information, help...
Brad Montague is an internet creator (behind hits like “ Kid President ”), book writer and illustrator (of titles like “ The Fantastic Bureau of Imagination ” and “ The Circles All Around Us ”), and public speaker . And despite his impressive resume, he’s also a big ol’ failure like the rest of us.
Well, at least that’s what he reckons with in his latest book — “ Fail-A-Bration ” — created with his wife, Kristi. The picture book “made for children and former children alike” confronts how failure is just as much a part of trying as succeeding — and is equally worth celebrating.
Good Good Good interviewed Brad about what it means to confront failure with joy, inspiration, and courage.
Brad: I was writing an entirely different book, but it wasn’t working. Writing can be a very isolating thing at times, so I set out to throw a party. I invited some of my friends to share stories, but only stories of things that went wrong. I told them it needed to be like a TED Talk, except … terrible.
This messy “Fail-A-Bration” turned out to be beautiful! Stories were shared of failed businesses, dented cars, embarrassing auditions, heartbreaks, and more.
We laughed, cringed, and cried. I discovered how good it feels to connect with people around those vulnerable stories we too often hide.
After the big party, people continued throwing parties! Fail-A-Brations started popping up all over. I began receiving emails from groups of friends gathered in apartments and offices all over the world.
This idea just really struck a nerve with people. I was encouraged to discover I wasn’t alone in needing to work through my idea and relationship with failure.
I went all-in on the “Fail-A-Bration” picture book when I learned that one in three young people in America deal with extreme anxiety.
This number tracked with what I was experiencing in classroom visits . It also spoke to what I felt as a student who worried about my grades and being perfect.
I wanted to create a book that repositioned failure not as an end point or a catastrophe, but a normal part of the learning process.
Failure doesn’t have to be catastrophic! Failure can be a catalyst for creativity and new discoveries! It has been for me.
The book is a picture book for all ages — and I mean it. I believe the best picture books work for children and former children. The language might be simple, and the illustrations are childlike, but it really is for humans of any age.
The idea of reimagining failure and working through it with community is something every person needs.
Brad: It’s natural to want to hide our mistakes. We’re taught that failing is shameful. The idea that a failure could be shareable is somewhat radical.
This project has taught me just how contagious vulnerability can be. We’re hungry for it. Seeing someone be real about a setback or disappointment gives us permission to do the same. We begin to see shame transform into shared wisdom. It makes everyone around it stronger, braver, and more resilient.
Brad: It’s very simple to throw a Fail-A-Bration! It can be as big or small as you’d like.
All you do is simply bring people you care about together. This can be family and friends. This can be co-workers. This can be classmates. It’s an invitation to bring people together and celebrate your failed attempts, mishaps, and falls.
We’re seeing everyone from preschoolers to people in prisons taking this idea and making it part of their community. It’s overwhelmingly beautiful to see.
People are providing space for people to share vulnerable stories, which is already a big deal. We’re also seeing that all these vulnerable storytellers are being celebrated. We ask people throwing these parties to be generous with standing ovations, snacks, and surprises!
Brad: One of my dream Fail-A-Brations already took place! We were in an arena with more than 5,000 educators! LeVar Burton was there . It was absolutely incredible.
Best of all, though, each educator shared a story of something embarrassing or painful. I watched as this massive crowd became a family. It was like the arena became a living room. People sharing, laughing, crying, and growing together.
But my big dreamy Fail-A-Bration Of All Fail-A-Brations would be an Academy Awards-style celebration where some of the biggest stars in the world present awards to kids who fell off bicycles, came in last at science fairs, or missed words in spelling bees.
I think it’d also be helpful to have every elected official, entrepreneur, creator, or successful superstar interviewed by children. Every question would be about failures! No story of success from leaders allowed. Just tell us what went wrong! That’s where the good stories are! That’s where the good stuff is!
To be clear, this is not about celebrating mediocrity. This is all an invitation to fail better .
We spend so much time avoiding failures. That’s a life lived from a place of fear. We cannot and must not avoid failure.
“Failing better” means knowing you’re not alone.
Communities of growth and cultures of growth are needed if we’re going to be people who reimagine what our relationships to failure look like.
Brad: I often create the things I myself need. I wrote the Kid President pep talk because I was in need of a pep talk. I share things on Instagram because they’re also things I need. I’ve discovered that when I do that, these creations tend to find the people who also need them, too.
My wife and I have a sign up in our studio. It says “Be Who You Needed When You Were Younger.” That has been a guiding principle. We look deep down for the things we needed as children.
We’re also listening closely to the children in our paths to find out what they need now. It’s led us to places of joy and pain, light and heavy.
What keeps me going is discovering that these things — be they stories or experiences or whatever — these things can be of help to people on their journeys. So, it’s not always easy to dig deep and get vulnerable, but it leads to rewarding places.
“Fail-A-Bration” by Brad and Kristi Montague is available wherever books are sold starting September 10, 2024.
A version of this article was originally published in The Courage Edition of the Goodnewspaper.
Get your own Goodnewspaper by becoming a good news subscriber today .
Want to stay up-to-date on positive news.
The best email in your inbox. Filled with the day’s best good news.
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
How to Write a Biography in 8 Steps (The Non-Boring Way!)
See why leading organizations rely on MasterClass for learning & development. Biographies are how we learn information about another human being's life. Whether you want to start writing a biography about a famous person, historical figure, or an influential family member, it's important to know all the elements that make a biography worth ...
Let's break down the process step by step. 1. Choose Your Subject. Decide who you want to write about. It could be a well-known celebrity, a historical figure, or someone close to you. In addition to figuring out who you're writing about, this is also the step where you figure out why you want to write about them.
How to write a biography essay. After you choose a subject for your essay, it is time to begin writing. Let's look at the biography essay outline you need to follow. Introduction of a biographical essay. The first thing you need to understand is how to start a biography essay. Every academic paper always starts with an introduction.
7. Get feedback and polish the text. If you're going to publish your own biography, you'll have to polish it to professional standards. After leaving your work to rest for a while, look at it with fresh eyes and edit your own manuscript eliminating passive voice, filler words, and redundant adverbs.
By acknowledging both successes and challenges, readers gain a more honest understanding of their journey. Balancing positives and negatives helps readers empathise with the subject, connecting them on a deeper level and offering a more genuine insight into their lives. Emotions are a potent tool in biography writing.
The simplest way to do it is to follow a chronological order, looking in each rubric at the key points in your subject's life: Parents, place of birth, family background. Significant childhood ...
Ibrahim Akturk. March 29, 2022. A biography essay is a type of academic writing that tells the story of someone's life, typically focusing on their achievements, struggles, and impact on the world. In this article, we'll provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to write a compelling biography essay that engages readers and tells the ...
4. Create an outline. The next step of learning how to write a biography is to outline your story. It's critical to outline your biography before you begin writing it. Among other things, it helps ensure you cover every topic you'd like to and get the book in the correct chronological order.
How to Write a Great College Essay Introduction | Examples
First, determine the scope of the person's life (years), pick a central theme, and write out the biography using the classic narrative arc. Many college courses include an essay writing component, and a biography essay is one of the types of essays that you may encounter, especially if you are taking courses in liberal arts disciplines such ...
BIOGRAPHY WRITING Tip #3: Find Your Themes In Biography Writing. Though predominantly a nonfiction genre, the story still plays a significant role in good biography writing. The skills of characterization and plot structuring are transferable here. And, just like in fiction, exploring themes in a biographical work helps connect the personal to ...
Add the subject's dates of birth and death (if applicable). Include context, which tells the location where your subject was born, her nationality and ethnicity. Explain briefly why your subject is important or notable. Give a one- or two-sentence summary of what she accomplished. Tie in the subject's accomplishments to your reader's experience.
How to Write an Essay Introduction | 4 Steps & Examples
How to Write a Biography: The Proven 5-Step Ultimate Guide. Learn how to write a biography in 5 proven steps. From research to publishing, our experts will help you create a compelling story your readers will love!
8. Send a copy to your subject. Consider sending a copy of your manuscript to the person whose life you wrote about in your book. The copy may serve as a thank-you gift, but also, if you intend to publish your work, you will need them to approve, as well as fact check, everything you put into the story.
Including Basic Details. Date and place of birth and death. Family information. Lifetime accomplishments. Major events of life. Effects/impact on society, historical significance. While this information is necessary to your project, these dry facts, on their own, don't really make a very good biography.
Writing a good biography essay requires a clear and organized structure. Structure helps convey the life and significance of the subject effectively. A well-structured essay not only helps the writer stay focused. It also ensures that the reader can easily follow the narrative.
1. The placeholder introduction. When you don't have much to say on a given topic, it is easy to create this kind of introduction. Essentially, this kind of weaker introduction contains several sentences that are vague and don't really say much. They exist just to take up the "introduction space" in your paper.
Note the controversial views held by that person, the dates that had significant meaning in their life, etc. 3. Create a Plan. Make a plan for the biography essay. Separate your essay into an introduction, at least two body paragraphs, and a conclusion, as in the conventional five-paragraph structure.
Here are the key takeaways for how to write essay introduction: 3. Hook the Reader: Start with an engaging hook to grab the reader's attention. This could be a compelling question, a surprising fact, a relevant quote, or an anecdote. Provide Background: Give a brief overview of the topic, setting the context and stage for the discussion.
Writing biography books: How to write, structure, and outline a biography. ... You're writing a biography. A full-length book. Good for you! Biographies continue to sell very well, and they're very popular with nonfiction readers. ... You'll probably have an introduction and a conclusion, which can be half to two-thirds the length of the ...
It means that your biography essay outline will include the following chapters: Introduction. Body paragraph #1. Body paragraph #2. Body paragraph #3. Conclusion. Now that you know what is biography essay and how to create a good biography essay outline, it is time to finally find out how to write a biography essay.
First-person vs third-person for your short professional bio. Before you start writing, you have to decide which voice you're going to use for your biography. Meaning, are you going to write it using first-person or third-person? First-person writing involves using pronouns like "I," "me," and "my"
Preparing a script for your introduction. Writing a script beforehand is also a good idea. It allows you to check how comprehensive your introduction is, not to mention your cadence and pace. ... The components of a good introduction. ... Your interview isn't a coffee-shop catch-up where you can go on and on about your entire life. Focus on ...
Author summary Scientists are increasingly writing code as part of their research. Code review is a common practice in software engineering, which entails detailed and continual examination of additions and changes to a software code-base. This article explains why and how this practice is applied to the software that researchers write as part of their work. It provides a set of rules that ...
The outline is more like the skeletal frame on which the whole study will stand. A good draft will yield a perfect report, and the reverse is also true. An outline enhances the quality of the film review, and it is essential you have your outline before you start writing. A sample outline looks like this: 1. Introduction Title Date released
Brad Montague is an internet creator (behind hits like "Kid President"), book writer and illustrator (of titles like "The Fantastic Bureau of Imagination" and "The Circles All Around Us"), and public speaker.And despite his impressive resume, he's also a big ol' failure like the rest of us. Well, at least that's what he reckons with in his latest book — "Fail-A-Bration ...