Biography poem
A biography poem, often referred to as a bio poem, is a structured poetic form that reflects on the life and experiences of a person. It typically includes the individual’s name, descriptive adjectives, and personal interests, along with details about significant events, relationships, and aspirations. The format usually consists of about ten lines, starting and ending with the subject's name, and each line focusing on a different aspect of their life, such as their loves, fears, accomplishments, and significant places they have visited. While biography poems can be written about anyone—from acquaintances to historical figures—they also take a personal turn when written by individuals reflecting on their own lives, known as autobiographical poems. This poetic form has a rich history, with similar types of poems present since the twelfth century, often used to commemorate important milestones or figures. Additionally, the clerihew, a humorous four-line form invented by Edmund Clerihew Bentley, is a notable variation within the genre. Biography poems not only encourage self-reflection but also foster understanding and connection in educational settings, making them a versatile tool for both personal expression and research.
On this Page
Subject Terms
Biography poem
A biography poem, also known as a bio poem or a biographical poem, is a poem about a person. It follows a specific structure that includes the person’s name, adjectives describing him or her, and information about what the person enjoyed and the places he or she visited. It may also include other details about the person’s life. A biography poem can be about someone the poet knows, a famous person, or even the poet him- or herself. When a poet writes a biography poem about him- or herself, it is sometimes called an autobiographical poem.
Overview
People have been writing poems about people’s lives since at least the twelfth century. Poets have often written about famous people to commemorate a significant event, such as a person’s death. These poems are sometimes referred to as biographical poems but are more often called by other names. For example, a poem about a special accomplishment might be called a ballad, while poems about someone who has died are often called elegies. Contemporary biography poems are generally composed following a specific format. Each line of the poem deals with an aspect of the person who is the subject of the poem. The lines do not rhyme.
The poem starts and ends with the name of poem’s subject. The lines between include information about the person’s relationships (“daughter of ‗‗‗,” “friend of ‗‗‗”, etc.), things they love, hate or fear, important events or places they have been, where they live, accomplishments, and hopes or wishes. Other information that might be included are nicknames, meaningful sayings, quotes or words, or beliefs.
Biography poems may be structured in numerous ways. Many formats keep the poem to around ten lines in length. The poem’s first and last lines are the person’s name—either the person’s entire name on both lines or the first name on the first line and last name on the last line. Following a specific format is only important if the poem is being written for an assignment or a contest with exact guidelines. Otherwise, the general structure of starting and ending with the person’s name and including each type of information about them on a different line in between is sufficient.
Biography poems can serve a number of purposes. They can be a fun exercise to help people explore what matters to them, their family members and friends. When shared in a class, students can learn about their classmates as well. Poems written about famous people provide opportunities to practice research skills and help remember important information about them.
The clerihew is a form of biography poem that follows a different pattern. This style of poem was created by English writer and humorist Edmund Clerihew Bentley (1875–1956). When Bentley was eighteen, he wrote a short four-lined rhyming poem with a humorous twist. Bentley published a book of these poems, Biography for Beginners, in 1905. The format was adopted by many others.
Bibliography
“Become a Clerihew Master: Tips for Writing a Clerihew Poem.” Imagine Forest, 22 Nov. 2017, www.imagineforest.com/blog/tips-writing-clerihew-poem/. Accessed 10 March 2021.
“Bio-Poem.” Oklahoma State University, library.okstate.edu/files/OralHistory/collections/wotol/lessons/biopoem.pdf. Accessed 10 March 2021.
“Bio-poem: Connecting Identity and Poetry.” Facing History and Ourselves, www.facinghistory.org/resource-library/teaching-strategies/biopoem-identity-poetry. Accessed 10 March 2021.
“Bio-poems.” Dyslexia Support Services, www.dyslexiasupportservices.com.au/pdf‗files/BioPoem.pdf. Accessed 10 March 2021.
Boggs, Christina. “Biographical Poem: Definition & Examples.” Study.com, study.com/academy/lesson/biographical-poem-definition-examples.html. Accessed 10 March 2021.
Ferrara, Sue. “What are Bio Poems?” Seattle Pi, education.seattlepi.com/bio-poems-5438.html. Accessed 10 March 2021.
Hacikyan, Agop Jack. The Heritage of Armenian Literature: From the Sixth to the Eighteenth Century. books.google.com/books?id=2gZzD0N9Id8C&pg=PA362&lpg=PA362&dq=%22first+biographical+poem%22&source=bl&ots=dlavJt6tKA&sig=ACfU3U2axIyXniG4izg3UUfWblg74LmHYA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjgl5SRj6bvAhVuFVkFHeY3CCgQ6AEwD3oECA8QAw#v=onepage&q=%22first%20biographical%20poem%22&f=false. Accessed 10 March 2021.
Lewis, Beth. “How to Teach Your Students to Write Biography Poems.” Thought.Co, 19 Nov. 2019, www.thoughtco.com/sample-biography-poem-2081833. Accessed 10 March 2021.