WRIT 2005: Biography Writing

Hong Kong Baptist University Classroom: OEM602

Department of Humanities & Creative &
Professional Writing
Lecturer: Hanh M. Dong
Email: hanhmd@hkbu.edu.hk /
hmd273@nyu.edu
Tues. 18:30-21:20
Section 1 / Number of Units: 3
Office Hours: By Appointment
Phone (whatsapp): 9689.5667

Course Goals and Objectives

This course aims at introducing to students a particular genre of personal writing, the biography. In
this reading and writing course, students will conceptualize, research, write and revise biographical
narratives. Questions of how to structure and select, how lives can be written in an authentic way,
and how to do justice to other’s lives will be tackled. Students will also experience, through
appreciating masterpieces of biographical writing, the diverse ways in which other authors have
also written lives.

Course Format
Each week, we will explore a concept that affects biography writing and/or read excerpts of
biographical masterpieces. The readings consist of autobiographies, biographical sketches, and notable
biographers writing about notable people. To cement our theoretical understanding of these key
concepts, you will submit tasks in the style of or pertaining to biographies. In terms of input, you will
analyze lectures, powerpoints, readings, videos, and transcripts. In terms of output, it is imperative that
you engage in class discussions (ask questions, clarify meanings, etc.), submit high-quality
assignments, and strive to work well within your teams.

Preparing for class

It is critical that you complete the readings for each class in advance. Take care to absorb and analyze
each week’s resources. Working with a classmate to prepare is helpful and recommended.

The readings provide key ideas and theoretical insights into human behavior and its impact on
biographical writing. To be sure you have grasped the gist of the readings, ask yourself:

 What is the author’s main idea?

 What are the key principles and concepts introduced?
 How can I apply this to my understanding of biography writing?

Readings will center on dynamic writers, scientists, activists, and other historical and literary figures
from varying time periods.

All resources will be PPTs, handouts, PDFs or links on Moodle. Materials will be uploaded to Moodle.
Print, read and bring to class the documents indicated on a week-to-week basis.

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 1. COURSE INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (CILOS)

By the end of the course, students should be able to:

 Outline the tradition, history and development of biography as a genre of writing with its own distinctive features.
 Apply basic writing and narrative techniques commonly used in biographies.
 Critically analyze biographies with diverse perspectives by applying theories in literary and cultural studies.
 Produce biographical works and all the activities related to the product –conceptualization, research, and revision.
 Evaluate the various stages of producing the biographical works.

Writing Focus:
 Choosing your subject
 Planning your writing—referential material, preface and prologue, and structure
 Research
 Truth and ethics in biography
 How to manage fictional techniques
 Writing time, viewpoint, and how to manage balance
 Imagery, symbolism, irony and humour, playing with order and tense
 Good openings, satisfying endings, what to avoid in all writings

2. TEACHING & LEARNING ACTIVITIES (TLAS)

Students will actively engage in the below acts:

 Appreciate the specific features of biographical writing by examining and analyzing famous examples of such
work, and present them in an organized manner of their own choice.
 Research and learn how to select relevant and useful data for the writing of biographies.
 Discuss and comment on various famous biographical works, the variety of writing strategies and structures used,
and their cultural and literary impact.

 Review their own and others’ work and reflect on and analyze their own experiences as biographers. In the
preparation of the memoir, students will reflect on the theoretical issues involved in writing a biography.

3. ASSIGNMENTS & GRADING

Grades are based on the quality of your submitted work and participation. Each day an assignment is
late, one letter grade will be deducted; ex: a B+ becomes a C+.

Your grade for the course will be based on the following components:
Coursework: 50%
Final Project: 50%

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Type of Assessment
Weighting Description of Assessment Tasks
2 assignments 10% + 20% 1) Write a short biography or obituary of a family member/friend/pet
(100 words with a visual representation);
-Short Bio 2) Approximately 600 words describing an incident that could be
-Memoir
included in your memoir.

Group Project 40% + 10% In groups of 4, write a 2000-word biography on a person of interest.
-Biography
-Presentation Give a 10-minute presentation on your subject and the biographical
writing process.

Oral presentation 10% In groups, students will give a 30-minute presentation on weekly
readings.
Participation 10% Based on the students’ participation in in-class activities, such as
discussion and in-class exercises

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Attendance Policy (Adapted from “General Regulations for the 4-year Undergraduate…”)

If you anticipate an absence, then email me before the class session in question. “If your absence
is due to conditions beyond [your] control and [you] wish to establish that fact in order to justify
make-up work (e.g. papers, assignments), a written explanation together with supporting
documents must be presented to the course lecturer for approval within 5 days after the absence.
A student who is reported a) to have been absent without approval for more than 15% of
scheduled classes, or b) to have attended less than 70% of scheduled classes (with approved and
unapproved absence) shall receive an F grade for the course. The student will not be allowed to
sit for the course examination, if any. A student who is more than 15 minutes late for a class may
be counted as absent by the course lecturer. All unapproved absences will be counted.”

Academic Honesty (Adapted from “General Regulations for the 4-year Undergraduate…”)

HKBU encourages and expects the highest standards of academic honesty from all students. “A
student who is found to have committed an act of academic dishonesty such as plagiarism,
submission of material(s) for assessment which is not the student’s own work, the use of
fabricated or copied data for assessment, shall receive an “F” grade for the course. In addition,
the case may be submitted to the Student Affairs Committee for further action.” Plagiarism is
often due to students waiting until the last moment to write their assignment. If you are worried
about an assignment, please contact me, and I will be happy to give you some help on your work.

Students with Disabilities

A supportive academic environment will be maintained for all students, including students with
special educational needs. If you need alternative arrangements, please do not hesitate to speak
to me.

Technology in the Classroom

Electronics can be useful tools for learning! Within the classroom, mobile phones, laptops, and
tablets can be used to research, check online reference materials, and to play educational games
recommended by and created by the lecturer. Outside of the classroom, electronics can be used
for socializing, completing other courses’ assignments, and for your leisure.
Tentative Schedule:
Please note that the below schedule is subject to change. Please attend all classes and adhere to
the week-to-week instructions.
Week 1 Topic: Introduction to Biography Writing
Jan 14 Read: Biography from Britannica Online Encyclopedia

Week 2 Topic: Evolution of Biography } Artist Frida Khalo

Jan 21 Read: Nigel Hamilton’s Chapter 1 Evolutionary Biography
Wilcox and Henestrosa’s Frida Kahlo’s Making Herself Up

Week 3 Topic: Biographical Structure and Beginnings} Edison, Jobs, Moses, &
Jan 28 Totto
Read: Beginnings of 4 Biographies
Week 4 Topic: Historical Biographies & Research} Empress Dowager Cixi
Feb 4 Read: Sardica’s The content and form of conventional historical biography
Excerpt from Jung Chang’s Empress Dowager Cixi
Deadline: Short biography of a friend/family member 7 Feb (Sun)

Week 5 No Class: Lunar New Year Holiday

Feb 11

Week 6 Topic: Memoirs & Truth} Survivalist Tara Westover

Feb 18 Read: Snider’s The ethics of writing about family in memoir fiction
Excerpt from Tara Westover’s Educated

Week 7 Topic: Film Biographies} Filmmaker Wong Kar Wai

Feb 25 Read: Nigel Hamilton’s The Rise of Film
Excerpt from Peter Brunette’s Wong Kar-wai
Film Screening: Days of Being Wild

Week 8 Topic: Biographies with Multiple Biographers} Writer William Faulkner

Mar 4 Read: Inner Working’s William Faulkner and his Biographers
Excerpt from Hamblin's Myself and the world a biography of William
Faulkner
Form groups for podcast project
Deadline: Memoir 7 March (Sun)

Week 9 Topic: Complexity of Biography} Scientist Albert Einstein, Apple

Mar 11 Founder Steve Jobs
Read: Nigel Hamilton's Biography Today
Excerpt from Walter Isaacson’s Steve Jobs
Excerpt from Denis Brian’s Albert Einstein
Week 10 Topic: Autobiography and Fantasy} TV personality Totto-chan
Mar 18 Read: Spicer's Autobiography and the Fantasy of the Individual
Excerpt from Kuriyanagi’s Totto Chan: The Little Girl at the Window
Week 11 Topic: Complexities and Validity} Playwright Shakespeare 1
Mar 25 Read: Brian Cummings’ Last Words: The Biographemes of Shakespeare
Excerpt from Bryson’s Shakespeare The World as Stage
Week 12 Topic: Perspectives and Reflections} Playwright Shakespeare 2
Apr 1 Read: Ellis’ Biography and Shakespeare: An Outsider’s Point of View
Excerpt from Bate’s Soul of the Age A Biography of the Mind of William
Shakespeare

Week 13 Topic: No class: Easter Holiday

Apr 8
 Hong Kong Baptist University / January 2021

WRIT 2005 Biography Writing | Writing Assignment Guidelines

Short Biographical Writing (10%)

The short biographical writing invites you to highlight a person or animal in your life. In 100
words, write a biography (or obituary) of a friend or family member, currently living or passed.
Consider the purpose of your writing, may it be commemorative, didactic, or humorous. Provide
a glimpse of the person’s character, their contribution to your family or society at large, and most
importantly comment on your relationship. Include a picture and be prepared to share in small
groups.

Due: Sunday, February 7 (11:59 PM). Submit via Moodle.

Memoir (20%)
This assignment requires you to sift and select any incident of significance in your life that could
be included in your memoir. In approximately 600 words, the narrative piece should function as
a standalone, meaning that it should cover all necessary background information and detail. It
could appear anywhere in your hypothetical memoir (e.g. the opening, a middle chapter, or the
concluding chapter).

The structure is rooted in beyond a single subject (pair/couple or group) as discussed in class,
and the tone and style should reflect your individual preference but consider your audience's
expectation to be entertained / educated.
Details of assignment:

• Option 1: Consider a person that has experienced a similar/complementary

moment of significance that changed them. Interview the other person. Tell
both your stories. 300 words each.
Option 2:  If another person was a key player in the selected scene, and
equally impacted, you can write it in a “he said, she said” structure. Interview
the person. Tell both your stories. 300 words each.
• For your interview, summarize the key points and include it in the appendix.

Due: Sunday, March 7 (11:59 PM). Submit via Moodle.

Final Project: Biography and Presentation (50%)

The Final Project demonstrates your ability to write biographically and to analyze critically your
work. The project should be approximately 2000-word, and workload should be allocated evenly
among 4 group members.

The subject of the biography is agreed upon by your group and can be any person of interest.
 Include an introduction, body, and conclusion. Optional: Preface and Prologue
 Consider the most effective beginning for your story.
 Consider what type of biography you are producing: fictional, mainstream, scholarly, etc.
 Skim and select the most relevant details of the person’s life. Most biographies will
explore the personal and the professional.
 To add interest to a life story, your work should answer a question, unravel a mystery,
dispel a myth, or show a way not to live a life.
You must include research in the form of at least 3 references. Support your introduction with
scholarly and literary evidence. Your references may be in the form of books, journal articles,
primary documents, interviews, video or audio recordings, etc.
The presentation of your final project will be in the form of slides sharing about your
biographical subject as well as your process of collecting information and writing your
biography. Include the rationale for choosing your subject, the purpose of the piece, and an
interesting anecdote from the person’s life. In terms of writing process, describe why you have
chosen a particular opening and closing, and any challenges along the way.
Paper and Presentation Due: Thursday, April 22 (11:59 PM). Submit via Moodle.

Guidelines for Leading Class Discussion (10%):

The purpose of leading class discussion on an assigned reading is to practice a close reading of
biographies and their contexts, and to encourage a conversation about the reading among your
classmates. Please follow these requirements, and feel welcome to consult with me at any time:
1. Use no more than 20 slides or no more than a 1-page, double-sided handout;
2. Use your own words to describe the reading—do not simply read sentences from the text;
3. Cite any outside references, such as books, & maintain clear grammar and proper spelling;
4. Provide the author’s background, a summary of the readings, & examples to illustrate the
weekly theme(s).
5. Be sure to include questions for the class to discuss during your class discussion session;
6. You are encouraged to lead the class in a brief activity;
7. Submit one hardcopy and one softcopy of your slides or handout on your discussion day;
8. Each group should include approximately 5 students—include everyone’s names on your
submission;
9. Each group has 30 minutes in total, including a brief creative activity and questions;
10. Practice what you want to say, so that it goes smoothly and you do not run overtime.

Format Requirements for Writing Assignments:

All of your writing assignments must be double-spaced in 12-point Times New Roman font with
1-inch margins and page numbers. Include a title page with student’s full names. Use the MLA
or APA style for citing your sources. Be sure to proofread your work, so that you maintain
clarity and economy of language. Please adhere to the word count as far as possible.