Exploring biographical writing

Educational value

• Biographical writing provides insights into the lives and motivations of significant and influential people in our communities. It allows for an exploration of the formative experiences that are influential in shaping an individual's political, social and ideological convictions.
• In the primary lesson plans students examine the lives and values of significant young Australians. They then identify an issue and values that are important to themselves and think about how these might influence their future actions. Students write their autobiography, considering how their values have affected their own lives.
• The first secondary lesson plan assists students to explore the contribution made by historical figures who have helped achieve civil and political rights in Australia. They consider how such a study could help us effect change. The second lesson plan focuses on the experience of migrants and their contribution to the social, cultural and political life in Australia. Links from the lesson plan pages give access to a range of more detailed biographical sources.
• A section on biographical writing explains the different forms such writing can take, from simple epitaphs on gravestones to published works on individuals. There is an explanation of the relevance of this form to Civics and Citizenship and Values education. The page provides links to other biographical resources and to the website 'Biography Writer's Workshop'.
• The Civics and Citizenship Education website includes many examples of biographical writing. Historical biographies contain brief accounts of the lives of significant Australians, highlighting the important milestones in their lives. These are particularly suitable for primary school students. They include prime ministers, explorers and social reformers.
• The contemporary biographies feature condensed accounts of the lives of influential Australians from politics, sport, the arts, exploration and community activism. Developed for student investigation, they emphasise the characteristics of leadership and social activism, which are important to civics and citizenship participation.

Topics English language Resorts Politics Sportspeople Writers Dancers Classroom techniques Musicians Lesson plans