How to Write Biographical or Autobiographical Poetry

I was thinking about the Corona Virus and how this situation of “shelter in place” affects children. I am sure that like us, they are dealing with a myriad of emotions and questions. This is a great time for discussion and for reflective writing. Having kids and parents home together affords a wonderful opportunity to get to know each other better. So, I have put together instructions on how to write three different types of biographical or autobiographical poems.

As a teacher, I like to use these poem forms at the beginning of a school year to get to know my students, but they can really be used anytime. These formula poems are easy enough for children to write but still sophisticated enough for adults to try. Use these poem frames to write about yourself, a friend, or a character from a book. The steps are easy, but the thought process behind them can be challenging. Take your time and contemplate the best words that correspond with the instructions and embody the person you’d like to describe.

Here are the quick steps for each of the poems:

Read through the frame and make sure you understand how it works.
Jot down your thoughts and write a rough-draft, sloppy-copy.
Revise your poem until you have just the right words and it sounds good to you. A Thesaurus will help! One of my favorites for Google Docs is the add on: OneLook Thesaurus.
Edit your poem to make sure your spelling and punctuation look good.
Write or type a final draft with all of your corrections.
Share with your parents, students, and friends.
If you would like me to consider publishing your poem, paste it into the comments section of this blog or send it to MusingwithMelie@gmail.com with your first name and your age. I will post a few of my favorites.

Poem # 1: A Name Poem:

Directions: Copy the words in quotes word-for-word. Add your description for each line. Be reflective and descriptive.

Line 1 - First Name
Line 2 - Title given to the character
Line 3 - Four words which describe the character
Line 4 - "Lover of" (three items, objects, or ideas.)
Line 5 - "Who believed" (one idea or concept)
Line 6 - "Who wanted" (three things)
Line 7 - "Who used" (three things)
Line 8 - "Who gave" (three things)
Line 9 - "Who said" (a direct quote)
Line 10 - Last name or synonymous descriptor.

Here’s what mine looked like in 2012:

Melanie
Teacher
Wife, mother, daughter, friend.
Lover of God, truth, America, and justice.
Who believed that I could make a difference in the lives of others.
Who wanted my marriage to last forever, my children to know Jesus personally, and my family and friends to go to heaven.
Who used my Bible, brains, and brawn.
Who gave all that I have, all that I own, and all that I am.
Who said, “Pay attention!  This is important!”
Servant

Here’s a sample from one of my twelve-year-old students:

Ryane
Person
Girl, student, sister, friend.
Lover of music, books, and God.
Who believed that Disneyland is the happiest place on earth, until 5 PM.
Who wanted to eat ice cream, watch T.V. and wear P.J.s all day.
Who used her crazy, funniness and strong thumbs (from playing video games).
Who gave money, time, and homework.
Who said, “Oh my gosh, it’s Peter Pan!”
Weirdo

Poem # 2: A Diamante:

Directions: Diamantes are poems with a diamond shape. They use nouns, adjectives, and verbs. Substitute a word for each part of speech. Use words that describe the nouns that you choose. This poem is great for describing any noun from a concrete noun like a tree to an abstract noun like love. Type it out using “center alignment” so it looks like a diamond:

Here we are going to use a person, then an example describing a different noun.

Just for review: A noun is a person, place, thing or idea. An adjective is a word that describes a noun. A verb is an action word. For this poem we add “ing” to each verb.

Line 1: One noun

Line 2: Two adjectives describing the noun above

Line 3: Three verbs with “ing” added to each verb describing the noun above

Line 4: Four nouns or a four-word phrase or sentence connecting the noun above with the noun below

Line 5: Three verbs with “ing” added to each verb describing the noun below

Line 6: Two adjectives describing the noun below

Line 7: Another noun

Hint: Write Line 4 (the middle line) last, after you have described your bottom and top nouns.

Noun
Adjective, Adjective
Verb + ing, Verb + ing, Verb + ing
Noun, Noun, Noun, Noun
Verb, Verb, Verb
Adjective, Adjective
Noun

Here’s what mine looked like, March 2020:

Miss Melie
Instructor, educator
Motivating, inspiring, empowering
She desires to instruct
Creative, imaginative
Thinking, learning, discovering
Students

Here’s an example with a different noun, written by a 14-year-old student:

Tea
Toasty, hot
Brewing, drinking, sipping,
Peach, vanilla, apple, cinnamon
Refreshing, reviving, cooling
Cold, iced
Tea

Poem # 3: A Who am I? Poem

Directions: Take each line as a starting place to describe aspects of yourself. Use all or just some of the questions. Be descriptive. Add detail.

State your name; describe it if you want
Your face
Your voice
What do your parents think of you?
What do your teachers think of you?
How do you see yourself?
How are you a part of your family?
How do you fit in with your friends?
What do your enemies say about you?
What do strangers think?
What about you is very mature?
How are you like a child?
What really wakes you up, keeps you alert?
What would you like to be in twenty years?
What are you really smart about?
What do you dream about?
What do you always remember?
What do you always forget?
What do others really not understand about you?
What would make you want to be alone?
What wears you out?
Give three lines that describe you.

Here’s what mine looks like:

Who am I?

My name is Melanie. It means “mysterious”.

My face is thoughtful. My voice is quiet.

My parents still think of me as their little girl, but I am now an adult with children of my own.

I have many dear friends whom I prize like gold.

I have very few enemies.

I want to welcome strangers.

I am a teacher: organized, full of information; but I am like a child: impatient, anxious.

My students and children keep me awake and alert. I want them to be educated contributors to our world. I want them safe and saved and going to heaven.

In twenty years, I will probably be a grandmother, still teaching and still learning.

I dream of a future for my children.

I want to always remember that God loves me, but I often forget because I am so unworthy.

People don’t understand where I come from. I keep the past hidden, buried under the rocks on the bottom of a rushing stream.

Noise, the television, and constant interruptions wear me out and make me want to be alone.

I am a reader, a writer, and a dreamer.

Here’s a sample from a talented, past student of mine, written when she was nine-years-old:

Who am I?
I have a very square face.
Who am I?
My name starts with a “G” and ends with “a”.
Who am I?
My voice can be squeaky, but not usually.
Who am I?
I am quiet and I keep to myself when I am out.
Who am I?
I am big in some areas, but small in others.
Who am I?
I am the middle child out of three.
Who am I?
My friends like to play all day.
Who am I?
Thank God, I don’t have enemies.
Who am I?
Although I have many strangers.
Who am I?
My mouth is mature when I guard it.
Who am I?
In all ways, I am like a child.
Who am I?
My bird keeps me awake and alert.
Who am I?
I would like to be in twenty years either a zookeeper, a bird specialist, or whatever God wants me to be.
Who am I?
I am good at knowing what my bird wants.
Who am I?
I dream of having two birds.
Who am I?
I will and do remember the Lord.
Who am I?
I forget to clean my room.
Who am I?
People do not understand my personality.
Who am I?
My sister makes me want to be alone.
Who am I?
The farm wears me out.
Who am I?
I am active, book lover, bird lover.
I am Gloria and I am a child.

Poem Frames

So, there you have it! These three poem frames are tried and true. Use the formulas to write about yourself, review a character in a book, or describe a famous person you have studied in history. They are especially great for getting to know someone. After reading my samples, you probably know me a little better. Now it’s your turn. Write your own bio poem and share your final draft with me. I would enjoy getting to know you.