BIOSKETCH
Class 11 PCMB English Grammar
BIOSKETCH
Biographical sketch means an account of the life and activities of an individual or family. It would include information about the person’s name, place of residence, education, occupation, life and activities and other important details. A biographical sketch is always written by someone else except the person on whom it is written.
Biographical Sketches (Biosketches) are used to describe an individual’s qualifications and experiences for a specific role in the project. Most federal agencies require a biosketch and some state and private funding agencies.
Biographical sketches tell a lot of interesting facts about the person. It tells about the age in which he lived. Biographical sketch also talks about the hobbies, interests, friends, influences in the life of that person and about his accomplishments
A bio-sketch or a biographical sketch is a brief write up that to summarize a person’s life, achievements, character, experiences, etc. It is a short description highlighting the main traits of the personality of the chosen subject.
While writing the bio-sketch
- It should be written in the third form.
- It should outline important events of a person’s life including experiences, competencies and interests.
- Special awards and recognitions be mentioned.
- Emphasize on portraying a person in an admirable manner
An Example of Biographical Sketch Format.
- Name and age
- Main personality traits
- Special interests
- Education and training
- Special contribution or research if any
- Why people like him/her
SAMPLE
- On the basis of the information provided in the box below, write a short bio-sketch of Abraham Lincoln.
Answer:
In 1809, Abraham Lincoln was born to a wealthy farmer family in Northern Kentucky. When he was 7 years old, his father lost his farming land and the family moved to Indiana. At the age of nine years old, after his mother passed away, his family moved to Illinois for livelihood. Abraham had little formal education but had a strong interest in books and learning. He studied law books as his own and started his career as a lawyer in 1837, Springfield, Illinois. He soon moved into politics and served in State Legislature, in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was a talented orator. In his speeches, he talked about the abolition of slavery. Finally, he was nominated and became the president in 1860. In 1864 he was re-elected as president. He was shot by John Wilks Booth on April 15, 1865. Abraham Lincoln is often remembered for his wisdom, compassion and patriotism that led him to the nation’s highest office.
- On the basis of the information given below, write the bio-sketch of Mahatma Gandhi.
Answer:
Mahatma Gandhi was born on Oct 2, 1869, to Karamchand and Putlibai at Porbandar. After completing his studies in England, he went to South Africa. When he suffered discrimination, he started civil disobedience for civil rights of the Indian community. Around 1915, he came back to India. He started Satyagraha, civil disobedience, fasts, marches, movements and was sentenced many times. His efforts helped India gain freedom from the British. In 1948, a mad man named Nathuram Godse assassinated him outside Birla House.
- Following is a sample for writing a descriptive paragraph of a person (biographical sketch).
Answer:
Ruskin Bond was born on 19 May 1934 at Kasauli. In his childhood, he was sent to a boarding school in Mussourie. He did his schooling from Bishop Cotton School in Shimla and also graduated from there. He was an Indian author of British descent. Ruskin Bond was an author and poet by profession. He wrote fictions, short stories, novella, travelogues and books for children. Ruskin Bond’s works are very much influenced by life in the hill stations at the foothills of the Himalayas. The writings of Charles Dickens and Mark Twain influenced him very much. Our Trees Still Grow in Dehra, A Flight of Pigeons and The Blue Umbrella and his autobiography Lone Fox Dancing are some of his prominent works. He was awarded numerous awards like the Padma Shree, Padma Bhushan and the Sahitya Academy Award to name a few. He is really a gem of English Literature.
- Write a biographical sketch of Kailash Satyarthi, a Nobel Peace Prize Honorary, in your own words in not more than 100-120 words, Clues have been given.
Kailash Satyarthi
Clues
Born 11 January 1954, Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh, India-academic qualification-Electrical Engineer-family-married, two children-a daughter and a son-prize motivation – ‘His struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education’ – awards – Nobel Peace Prize, 2014 (shared with malala Yousafazai) – Defenders of Democracy Award (US), 2009- Alfonso Comin International Award (Spain), 2008 – The Robert. Kennedy Human Rights Award, 1995 – popular child Rights Activist- started a journal ‘The Struggle Shall Continue’ in 1980 (create awareness about child labour) – founder – Bachpan Andolan (BBA), a movement dedicated towards eradication of human trafficking and bonded child labour.
Answer.
Biographical Sketch Example:
