how to write biography in tense

Professional Ghost

What tense should I use in my book?

There are plenty of things to think about when penning a biography. Remembering all those key moments is crucial. The names of important people in your life is another. And dates. And who said what and when.

The one thing you probably won’t consider is what tense to write it in. A biography deals with events of the past, right? Ergo, you write it in the past tense.

While this is perfectly fine and indeed the norm for the majority of biographies, it doesn’t necessarily follow. Believe it or not, you do have a choice. Writing a book in the present tense is a riskier choice stylistically, particularly when penning a life story, but it can be very effective when trying to convey a sense of excitement and immediacy.

Before I go through the options in more detail, let me just say, tense choice doesn’t always ‘automatically’ happen. I’ve reviewed many manuscripts from new authors who flip flop between tenses at an alarming rate and it can be very off-putting and definitely distracts from the main narrative. My tip for any writer would be to think about tenses  before they type their first word and to be consistent. If you get to the end of your book and discover the tenses are all over the place, it is extremely time-consuming to correct.

The only time it is OK to switch tense is when using a mix of narrative and direct quotations.

After he’d seen the mess I’d made, my teacher had launched into the then, well-worn, lecture about me being a waste of space who would never, ever amount to anything.

‘You have no prospects, son,’ he roared. ‘Get out of my class.’

If you are new to book-writing, sticking to the past tense in your main narrative is the easier option. It’s the way we’ve been told stories since our school days and it was the same for many generations before us. You know the sort of thing. ‘Once upon a time, somewhere before today, there was this fantastic character, who had a great adventure, survived to tell the tale and is now eager to tell you all about it.’ It’s not just easy to write, it is easy to read too. We barely notice the style because we are so accustomed to it. If the tense is ‘invisible’ to a reader, they can enjoy the bits that count, like the story and the characters you describe.

Another plus for the past tense, is it is flexible. It allows you to play with the timeline and skip forward when you need to. So, for example;

‘ After a quick breakfast I’d ran for the bus. The traffic had been achingly slow that morning, but I made it to the big showdown with a minute to spare.’

The breakfast and the traffic are not the interesting bits of the story. If you told it in ‘real time’ (as you are pretty much committed to in the present tense, if you want it to sound convincing) it is inevitable you’d be committed to boring the reader with a lot of unnecessary details. Instead, by telling it in this way you’ve got your character (you) out of the house and over to the important event in a couple of sentences by  telling the story. You can then slow down the action when you reach the showdown and use dialogue (in present tense if appropriate) to explain everything that happened next. When your story looks back in time, you can fast forward the dull bits and take your time over the interesting stuff.

Are there any arguments in favour of using the present tense? Well, yes. In fact, there have been a number of extraordinarily successful books written in this way, so I wouldn’t completely write it off (ahem). The Hunger Games, is a good example, as is  The Bleak House, Wolf Hall  and  All quiet on the Western Front.  In each case the device is used to convey a specific intense emotion. In the latter book, for example,  Erich Maria Remarque  uses the present tense to raise the tension and give a more realistic, penetrating vision of the horrors of war.

It has also been said that writing in the present tense gives a book more of a cinematic feel. A movie is, after all, a series of scenes, played out in real time. Back stories can be told in flashback, but it’s not advisable to overdo it. It’s not easy to fast forward action when you are writing scene by scene.

Present tense is still mostly seen as the ‘more experimental’ side of book writing. It takes a great deal of attention to detail and creativity to get it right. Plus, in the same way that reading the past tense is normal for everyone, reading books in the present tense can be annoying and jarring for many readers. In fact, some people have such strong feelings about it, they abandon books that use the present tense.

If this is your first attempt at writing a book, my advice would be to play it safe and stick to the past tense. Most importantly, make up your mind to do it and stick to it. It’ll feel entirely natural after a while, leaving you to get on with remembering all the most important moments of your life to make your memoir a gripping read.

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How to Write a Biography in English With Example

At some point in your education career, you will be asked to write a biography about yourself or someone else. Writing a biography is not a difficult task if you know what biography is then you can easily write. If you don’t know how to write a biography in English, read carefully the following article.

How to Write a Biography in English

A biography is a detailed description or account of a person’s life. It entails more than basic facts (education, work, relationship, and death). A biography also explains the subject’s experience of these events. Like a profile or curriculum vitae (resume).

A biography presents a subject’s life story, highlighting various aspects of his or her life, including intimate details of experience, and may include an analysis of a subject’s personality.

Biographical works are usually non-fiction, but fiction can also be used to portray a person’s life. One in-depth form of biographical coverage is called legacy writing. Biographical works in diverse media—from literature to film—from the genre known as a biography.

Biography of General Muhammad Musa

General Musa Khan Hazara (H.PK., HJ, HQA, MBE, PSC 1908 – 1991) was the commander in chief of Pakistan Army. He succeeded Filed Marshal Ayub Khan, who assumed the presidency of Pakistan.

He was the eldest son of Sardar Yazdan Khan, born on 20 October 1908 in a Hazara Shia Muslim family in Quetta. He was from the Sardar family of the Hazara tribe in Baluchistan, Pakistan. He was a Naik (Junior Non-commissioned Office) in the 106 th Hazara Pioneers, went to the Indian Military Academy in Dehra Dun as a cadet, and graduated with the first batch of British Indian commissioned officer on 1 February 1935.

He was posted to the 6 th Royal Battalion, the 13 th frontier Force Rifles as a platoon commander in 1936. He took part in the Waziristan Operations in 1936-1938 and in World War 2, where he served in North Africa. He served with distinction in the Pakistan Army and rose to the rank of the commander in chief of Pakistan Armed Forces during President Muhammad Ayub Khan’s regime (1958-1969).

His promotion to commander in chief saw the suppression of two seniors: Major General Sher Ali Khan and Major General Latif Khan, both Sandhurst graduated in 1933.

General Muhammad Musa commanded the Army in the Indo-Pakistan war of 1965 and had overall responsibility for operations throughout the conflict. As army chief, he was criticized for not anticipating an assault across the international border. However, he was given credit for blunting the Indian offensive towards Sialkot during the Battle of Chawinda.

He has narrated the events and experiences of the war his book” My Vision”. In the book, he was given accounts of the secret war that was going on in Kashmir between the two countries, long before the real war actually began.

General Musa is the author or his autobiography, “Jawan to General” in which he describes his life experiences from a simple foot-soldier rising to the rank of a general.

After the retirement from Pakistan Army, President Ayub Khan appointed him as the Governor of West Pakistan (now Bangladesh) from 1967 to 1979. After serving for few years, he retired and settled in Karachi.

In 1987, he was once again involved in politics. He was appointed as Governor of Baluchistan Province by then president General Zia-ul-Haq. In Baluchistan, Governor General (Retd) Musa dissolved the provincial assembly in December 1988. However, the Baluchistan High court restored the assembly amid public condemnation of Governor’s move. The step towards dissolving the assembly was believed to have been taken with the consent to the president and prime minister.

He died on 12 March 1991 at Governor House in Quetta.

Conclusion:

I hope now you know how to write a biography in English. If you have any question please don’t hesitate to comment it in the comment section below.

Also, read:  How To Write An Autobiography In English

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How to Write Biography in English?

By: EnglishCentral Intern 1

Writing a biography is the process of documenting a person’s life journey, experiences, and impact. It involves a detailed exploration of their personal and professional history, motivations, and character. A well written biography can provide valuable insights into the subject’s life, their contributions to society, and the histories, but they can also be written about people who have had a significant impact on the author’s life or on the lives of others. You can continue reading our article to learn how to write a biography and what it is.

What Is a Biography?

A biography is a written account of a person’s life. It can be long or short, and it can focus on any aspect of the person’s life, from their personal relationships to their professional achievements. Biographies are often written about famous individuals, historical figures, or people who have made significant contributions to society. They serve to provide insights into the person’s character, experiences, and impact on the world.

What Is the Purpose of a Biography?

Biographies can serve a variety of purposes. They can educate readers about the lives of important people, inspire them to follow their dreams, or simply entertain them with a fascinating story. Biographies can also be used to teach readers about different cultures, time periods, and historical events.

What Are the Main Features of a Biography?

A good biography should include the following elements:

Accuracy: The biography should be based on factual information and should be well-researched.

Completeness: The biography should provide a well-rounded overview of the person’s life, including their strengths and weaknesses, their successes and failures, and their personal and professional relationships.

Objectivity: The biography should be written in an objective and unbiased manner. The author should avoid expressing their personal opinions or beliefs about the subject.

Engagement: The biography should be written in an engaging and interesting way. The author should use vivid language and storytelling techniques to capture the reader’s attention.

Types of Biographies

There are many different types of biographies, including:

Traditional biographies: These biographies cover the entire life of the subject, from their birth to their death. “Steve Jobs” by Walter Isaacson is a traditional biography that covers the entire life of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, from his birth to his death. It explores his personal life, career, and the impact he had on the technology industry.

Thematic biographies: These biographies focus on a specific aspect of the subject’s life, such as their career, their personal relationships, or their political beliefs. “The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt” by Edmund Morris focuses on a specific aspect of Theodore Roosevelt’s life, namely his early political career and rise to the presidency.

Autobiographies: These biographies are written by the subject themselves. “The Autobiography of Malcolm X” by Malcolm X and Alex Haley written by Malcolm X himself. It offers insights into his personal journey, activism, and transformation.

Authorized biographies: These biographies are written by someone who has the subject’s permission to do so. “My Life” by Bill Clinton is an authorized biography of former U.S. President Bill Clinton was written with his cooperation and permission, providing an in-depth look at his life and political career.

Unauthorized biographies: These biographies are written without the subject’s permission. “The Many Lives of Marilyn Monroe” by Sarah Churchwell. This biography was written without Marilyn Monroe’s permission and delves into her life, career, and the complexities surrounding her public image.

8 Tips on How to Write a Biography

Choose a subject that you are interested in and passionate about: When selecting a subject for your biography, opt for someone or something that genuinely piques your curiosity and passion. This is important because writing a biography is a long process.

Obtain permission if writing an authorized biography: If you plan to write an authorized biography, which is a biography written with the subject’s permission, it’s essential to secure their consent. This typically involves a formal agreement or understanding with their subject or their representatives. Without permission, you may face legal and ethical issues.

Do your research: Research is the foundation of a well crafted biography. Delve into a wide range of sources, including books, articles, interviews and personal correspondence related to the subject. The goal is to gather as much information as possible to verify facts and details about the subject’s life.

Develop a thesis statement: This is a brief statement that summarizes the main point of your biography. It should summarize what you want to convey about the subject’s life and why it’s important or interesting.

Create an outline: This will help you to organize your thoughts and ensure that your biography is well-structured. Your outline should include key events, milestones and the sequence in which you will present them. This can help prevent you from getting lost in the wealth of information you have gathered.

Write in a clear and concise style: Avoid using jargon or overly complicated sentences. Instead, aim for a writing style that is straightforward and easy to understand.

Use vivid language and storytelling techniques: Bring your subject’s life to life for the reader. Use descriptive language to paint a vivid picture of the subject’s experience and the historical context.

Proofread carefully: Make sure to check for any errors in grammar, spelling, or punctuation. The errors can distract the reader and the quality of your writing.

20 Famous Examples of Biographies

Here are some famous examples of biographies:

Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson

Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela

Barracoon: The Story of the Last “Black Cargo” by Zora Neale Hurston

Churchill: A Life by Martin Gilbert

Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo by Hayden Herrera

Napoleon: A Life by Andrew Roberts

Will in the World: How Shakespeare Became Shakespeare by Stephen Greenblatt

Einstein: His Life and Universe by Walter Isaacson

The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

A Beautiful Mind by Sylvia Nasar

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand

The Wright Brothers by David McCullough

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

Mao: The Unknown Story by Jung Chang and Jon Halliday

The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life by Alice Schroeder

The Life of Charlotte Brontë by Elizabeth Gaskell

The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill by William Manchester and Paul Reid

Frequently Asked Questions About How to Write Biography in English

What is a biography?

A well-written biography can provide valuable insights into the subject’s life, their contributions to society, and the historical context in which they lived.

What is the difference between a biography and an autobiography?

A biography is written by someone about another person’s life. An autobiography is written by someone about their own life.

What is the difference between a biography and a historical fiction?

A biography is an accurate account of a person’s life. Historical fiction is a fictional story set in a historical time period.

What are some famous examples of biography?

Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou Napoleon: A Life by Andrew Roberts Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela

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