Last week we looked at how you could write about your own life. This is called an autobiography. This week we will look at writing about somebody else. If you write about the life of another person, this is called a biography. In some ways these can be more difficult to write. When you write about yourself, you know all the facts. When you write about somebody else, you have to do some research. This might include looking at some reference material. If the person is still alive, then you might be able to interview them. This first-hand information is very valuable. A good biography has some information about the person as well as some judgment about them. Read the fictional biography below. A Good Life Lam Kit Wai is a marvellous example for young people. He was born in 1937 in Shanghai. In those days his family was very wealthy. They owned a cotton mill on the outskirts of the town. But then one day things changed. When Lam was 12 years old, his family left everything they had and moved to Hong Kong. Hong Kong was a very different place in those days. Lam, his parents and his two sisters moved into a very small shack made of metal. It was in a cramped space on a hill in Shamshuipo. Some people called it a squatter village. There were thousands of families in the same situation. His father worked in a factory making toys. He was not his own boss anymore. Lam hated to see how sad his father was. When he was 14 years old, Lam decided to help. He promised to work hard at school to pass his exams. After studying long and hard, he went to university. When he was fully qualified, he joined the civil service. All his friends were amazed that Lam worked so hard. He was in the department that dealt with buildings. He earned enough money to buy a small flat for him and his family. But he still never forgot how difficult it was to live in a squatter village. There were lots of immigrants at that time. Lam worked six days a week to plan and build many new flats where lots of people could live. He also volunteered to help charities who worked with old, homeless women. He also became a member of the Shamshuipo District Board. Eventually Lam married and had three children. He is very happy. He was awarded a special medal for all his hard work. As he gets older, he is looking forward to relaxing and enjoying himself. Glossary Wealthy (adj) - rich Outskirts (n) - outer edge; fringe; away from the centre Shack (n) - shed; hut Qualified (adj) - skilled, with success at exams Immigrant (n) - someone who come from another country to live To award (v) - to give To volunteer (v) - to work without pay Questions 1. Where was Lam born? 2. What year did the family leave Shanghai? 3. Did Lam have any brothers? 4. How many days a week did Lam work? 5. What did Lam become a member of? Writing style Biographies contain information and sometimes an opinion or judgment. For example, in the sentence, 'The clown was 20 years of age, he was a good clown', the words 'he was a good clown' is the opinion. Read the list below and underline the opinion in each sentence. 6. My teacher is a kind man, he rides a bicycle. 7. Wing See's friend wears a red coat, she is very naughty. 8. The old man is a fool; he throws money in the litter bin. Crossword Lam worked for the government department that looks after buildings. There are many things that governments take care of. Read the clues below and fill the boxes in the crossword. slopes, hospitals, licences, transport, drains, roads 9. People need to go to these places to have an operation 10. This is the name for all the vehicles we travel in 11. These are on the sides of hills 12. You need these to drive a car or a motorcycle 13. Buses, cars and lorries travel on these 14. Water flows into these Answers: 1. Shanghai; 2. 1949; 3. No - two sisters; 4. six; 5. Shamshuipo District Board; 6. My teacher is a kind man; 7. she is very naughty; 8. The old man is a fool; 9. hospitals; 10. transport; 11. slopes; 12. licences; 13. roads; 14. drains