How to Write a Report on Someone

It may be helpful to write an outline for the report.

A report about a person, often called a biography, usually differs in style and tone from a typical research paper. Since the subject is about one person, the paper should be organized as a narrative of the person's life, major accomplishments or recognized impact on society. Whether the person is still living or is deceased, the paper should draw from several different sources and provide the most compelling and factual information about the person's life.

Instructions

1. Gather your sources. Draw from books, magazine articles, the Internet or personal interviews, and verify that each source is reputable. Have at least three to five different sources that provide enough information from which to pull when writing the report. Err on the side of having too many sources rather than not enough.

2. Make a written time line of the person's life or work. Organize important life events, contributions or accomplishments of the person in chronological order with bullet points. Organize the time line to note what topics will be covered in the report. Use the beginning of the time line to note what factors influenced the subject in childhood. The middle of the time line could include details about the beginning of the person's career or work. Use the end of the time line to note the person's contributions to or impact on society.

3. Decide what information will help you create an informative, factual story and leave out the rest. Small details such as where the person went to grade school or how many siblings he or she had may not be important.

4. Write a rough draft of the report. Read it to a friend who knows nothing about the person you are writing about to see if the paper makes sense and flows as a story of the person's life. Edit and revise, as necessary, to include missing details or add more information. Cite your sources with a bibliography or works cited page.

5. Do a thorough revision and make sure the paper is free of spelling, grammar or punctuation errors. Before turning it in, ensure your paper meets the guidelines and preferences of your teacher in terms of format and citations.

References

• Book Rags: How to Write a Biography