Teach biography structure with engaging sorting worksheets that help students understand the key sections of a biography using authentic text examples.
Teach Biography Structure with Example Texts
Structure is a key component of any text, and biography writing is no exception! Students must present their ideas in the correct sequence to write a successful text that meets the audience’s expectations.
This set of six biography structure sorting worksheets has been designed by our team to support you in teaching your students the structure of biographical texts. Each text contains six paragraphs. Students are required to read each paragraph, cut them out and paste them under the correct subheading in the table provided to create a complete, well-structured biography. The tables contain subheadings that relate to key aspects of the subject’s life, such as family, childhood, education, achievements, challenges and legacy.
To engage learners, six notable people from various walks of life have been included in this set of biography structure sorting worksheets. These people are:
- Dr Mae Jemison (astronaut)
- Yo-Yo Ma (musician)
- Roald Dahl (author)
- Lionel Messi (soccer player)
- Marie Curie (scientist)
- Malala Yousafzai (activist)
By completing these sorting worksheets, students will learn the structure of a biography. This will assist them greatly when it comes time to write a biography of their own!
Cater to Different Interests While Teaching Biography Writing
This resource is designed to be adaptable for students with different interests and ability levels, making it a valuable tool for differentiated instruction in the classroom. Here’s how:
- Varied Biographical Figures – The inclusion of six different notable individuals allows students to engage with a person they find inspiring or relatable. Teachers can assign biographies based on student preferences, ensuring higher engagement.
- Choice-Based Learning – Instead of assigning all students the same biography, allow them to choose which person they want to work with. This increases motivation and makes the task feel more personal and meaningful.
- Cross-Curricular Connections – Students interested in science, history, sports or activism can explore figures from these fields, reinforcing connections between biography writing and other learning areas.
Download to Teach the Structure of a Biography
These biography structure sorting worksheets are available as either an easy-print PDF or an editable Google Slides version. Use the Download button to access your preferred file format. (Note: You will be prompted to make a copy of the Google Slides template on your personal drive before accessing it.)
As the resource contains multiple answer sheets, we suggest printing one copy, then removing the answer sheet before making copies for your students.
This resource was created by Kaylyn Chupp, a teacher and a Teach Starter collaborator.
More Resources for Teaching the Structure of a Biography
Click below to pursue more teacher-created, age-appropriate resources to use when teaching your students the structure of a biography:
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Write a Biography PowerPoint
Use this age-appropriate biography PowerPoint to teach your students about the purpose, structure and features of biographical texts.
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Biography Poster With Annotations
Use this biography poster to introduce your students to the structure and language features of biography writing through an annotated example.
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Write a Biography Booklet
Use this biography booklet to help your students organise and present information about any person in a structured, engaging format.
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