Meaning:-
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. It provides the pen picture of that person. A bio-sketch presents the facts about the person’s life including what the person did and how he/she influenced the world. It should describe the person’s personality and provide an explanation for why he or she acted in certain ways.
Most bio-sketches not only present the facts, but also tell what those facts mean.
Tips:-
- Written in third person
- Significant and impressive points be included
- Special awards or recognitions be mentioned
- Be descriptive
Main Points to be included:-
- Name and age
- Main personality traits
- Special interests
- Education and training
- Special contribution or research, if any
- Why people like him/her
Such sketches focus on the biographical details besides the achievements and honours conferred on.
SOLVED EXAMPLES:
Q-1 On the basis of the given profile, write short bio sketch of Dr. P.N. Agrawal. (6 marks)
Dr P.N. Agrawal
DM ,FRCS,Cardiac Surgeon
Full Name: PremNarainAgrawal
Father’s Name : Dr A.N. Agrawal,Cardiac Surgeon
Presently working as:Director,Heart Care Research Institute Agra
Achievements: Govt. of India honour-Padma Vibhushan.
For conducting 300 successful bypass surgeries
and four Human heart transplants.
ANSWER:
Dr.P.N. Agrawal, a renowned Cardiac Surgeon, is son of Dr A.N. Agrawal, a Cardiac Surgeon of world repute. He is presently the director, Heart Care Research Institute, Agra.
He has been awarded Padma Vibhushan, India’s greatest honour, for conducting 300 successful bypass besides four human heart transplant cases, etc.
Q 2 With the help of the given clues, write a bio sketch of Subhash Chandra Bose in not more than 80-100 words :
Name: Subash Chandra Bose; Netaji
Contribution: immense, Freedom Fighter
Born: January 23, 1897 in Cuttack, Orissa.
Career: Civil Services
Achievements: Joined struggle; established Indian National Army
Motto: Give me blood and I will give you freedom
Setback: Retreat after the defeat of Japan and Germany.
Death: Air crash over Taipei, Taiwan (Formosa) on August 18, 1945
Subhash Chandra Bose, affectionately called Netaji, was born on January 23,1897 in Cuttack, Orissa. He was one of the most prominent leaders of Indian freedom struggle. Deeply moved by the JallianwalaBagh massacre, he gave up a promising career in the Civil Service to join the Freedom Movement. He founded the Indian National Army to overthrow British Empire from India. His famous motto was “Give me blood and I will give you freedom”. However, defeat of Japan and Germany in the Second World War forced INA to retreat and it could not achieve its objective. Subhash Chandra Bose was reportedly killed in an air crash over Taipei, Taiwan (Formosa) on August 18, 1945.
Unsolved questions:
1-On the basis of given hints, write a biographical sketch of your English teacher.
Name: VineetKashyap
Profession: English teacher
Experience: 15 years as post graduate teacher
Qualification: MA in English with degree in teaching
Special areas of expertise: excellent teacher, talented in script writing, working for an NGO in his leisure for old aged
Others: head of department
Why is she popular? Calm, composed and helpful
2-Given below is some data on AbhinavBindra, an ace shooter who brought credit to India by bagging the first ever individual gold medal in Beijing Olympics in 2008. Use the information to write his biographical sketch in about 80 words.
Birth: – 28 September, 1983- Dehradun
Education: -Doon school, Dehradun till 8th St. Stephen’s school, Chandigarh XII BBA from Colorado University
Achievements: – 2000- youngest Indian contributor at the Olympic Games :- 2001Bronze medal in Munich World cup
2002Gold medal in Manchester Commonwealth Games
2008 Gold medal in Air Rifle shooting in Beijing Olympic
Awards: – 2000-Arjun Award
2009 -Padma Bhusan
3. Given below are a few details about Rabindranath Tagore. Use the information to write his short bio-sketch.
Birth : in 1861 in a wealthy family of Kolkata
Education : no formal education- left free to pursue his literary activities- interest in literacy creation shown even in childhood
Achievements: Nobel Prize for literature (Gitanjali) in 1913-first man from the east to win the prize
Interests : Versatile genius-painted, acted, composed music- keen and active interest in the freedom struggle.
4. Given below is a profile of Mr. Raj, the school gardener. Write a short biosketch of Mr. Raj in about 100 words.
- Age-around 50
- Height/weight-six feet/75 kgs, solid built
- Family-large-six children: four boys, two girls
- Education-high school
- His likes/dislikes-plants, nursery, organic manure
- Why he is popular /unpopular-believes children are like young saplings…
5. Read the notes on Shri V.V. Giri, the former President of India .Develop the given notes in a paragraph of about 100 words.
Birth-10 August 1894
Education- At Behrampur and Dublin.Practised law for some time An ardent fighter for the rights of labour President of All India Railway Men’s Federation
1929-36- Joint Secretary
1927- Represented AITUC at ILO, Geneva.
1930-31 Represented labour at RTC
Official posts held: Labour minister in Jawaharlal Nehru’s ministry Governor of Uttar Pradesh , Kerala and Karnataka
- Vice President of India
- President of India
Given below is some information about Maple, star detective of New York. Use the information to write a brief bio-sketch of Maple in about
Breed – German Shepherd-mixed
Age – 3 years, 7 months
Gender – Male
Complexion and built – Black, lean but strong
Height and weight – 76cm, 34 kg
Area of expertise – Raw sewage detection
(Sniffs out illegal sewage and laundry connections)
Trainer – Scott Reynolds
Work experience – worked on city and country projects in New York.
