Planning and writing the introduction of a biography about Harriet Tubman | English

Starter quiz

Select the correct definition of 'biography'.
- a poem that tells a story
- a non-fiction text that informs the reader about a subject
- a report that informs the reader about a real-life event
- a non-fiction text that informs the reader about a person ✓
Put the sections of a biography about Harriet Tubman in the correct order.
- 1
  
  ⇔
  
  introduction
- 2
  
  ⇔
  
  early life
- 3
  
  ⇔
  
  activism
- 4
  
  ⇔
  
  conclusion
Which country was Harriet Tubman born in?
- England
- America ✓
- France
When was Harriet Tubman born?
- around 1820 ✓
- around 1865
- around 1920
__________ is a war between the citizens of a country.
- An Underground Railroad
- A conductor
- A civil war ✓
Select a synonym for 'fugitive'.
- runaway ✓
- enslaved
- excited

Exit quiz

Match the keywords to their definitions.
- purpose
  
  ⇔
  
  the aim of the text ✓
- introduction
  
  ⇔
  
  the first paragraph that encourages the reader to read on ✓
- general information
  
  ⇔
  
  the most basic and necessary information ✓
Match these parts of the introduction to their functions.
- introductory sentence
  
  ⇔
  
  introduces the reader to who the biography is about ✓
- general information
  
  ⇔
  
  gives the reader some necessary information about the person ✓
- linking sentence
  
  ⇔
  
  indicates what the next section will be about ✓
Put these parts of the introduction in the correct order.
- 1
  
  ⇔
  
  introductory sentence
- 2
  
  ⇔
  
  general information
- 3
  
  ⇔
  
  linking sentence
Which of these make up the purpose of the introduction?
- engage the reader ✓
- make the reader want to read on ✓
- give the reader some specific information
- give the reader some general information ✓
Plans should include which of the following?
- bullet points ✓
- paragraphs
- notes ✓
- facts and dates ✓
Put the stages of the writing process in the correct order.
- 1
  
  ⇔
  
  plan
- 2
  
  ⇔
  
  draft
- 3
  
  ⇔
  
  edit
- 4
  
  ⇔
  
  rewrite

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Lesson Details

Key learning points

The introduction provides the reader with general information about who the biography is about.
The introduction explicitly outlines which aspects of the subject's life will be explored.
In the introduction, information should be kept general and it should encourage the reader to read on.
When writing, we should orally rehearse sentences and use our plans and success criteria to guide us.

Common misconception

Pupils may use facts that are too specific in the introduction.

General facts and information should be explicitly shared. Visuals that represent **general** versus **specific** information should be referred to throughout the planning process. Visuals help pupils 'see' which information belongs where.

Keywords

Purpose - the aim of the text
Introduction - the first paragraph of a non-fiction text that encourages the reader to read on
General information - the most basic and necessary information