Organizing Biographical Materials for Writing
Organization is an Extremely Critical Step For Storytellers
Dec 16, 2008
There are a number of ways to organize what may seem to be an insurmountable quantity of material. The most straight-forward manner is simple chronological order; for example, birth to present (or death if the subject has already passed). If there are a number of standout events to be emphasized, you might organize around those instead. If you wish to be unique, organize by individuals (other than your subject) who have contributed significantly to your notes. Your choice should make the biography interesting and easy to read.
Using Outlines
If you have transcribed your tapes, or even if you just have hand-written notes, start by making a skeleton outline of general events. It might look something like this example:
I. birth on the farm
II. growing up
III. school years
IV. leaving home
V. first employment
After you have noted the major events you wish to write about, go back through your notes and begin to flesh out each event in more detail. For example:
I. Birth on the Farm
- by mid-wife (no doctor)
- 15-hour labor
- older sister helped
- born at 6 a.m. on a Tuesday
II. Growing Up
- chores from age three
- learning to ride the farm horse
- playing in the creek
- snake in the barn
III. School Years
- did not begin until 8 years old
- loved arithmetic
- afraid of teachers
- average grades
If you are using a computer or word processor, you will be able to move and change items easily. If you do not have a computer available, a good supply of index cards will substitute. Write headings (chapter topics) on separate cards and add details to the cards as you go. Sub-topics are placed on new cards behind the main topic of each group. Cards are easily shifted within the stack as you determine the appropriate order of material.
Expanding the Basic Outline
Your outline will grow again with details at a third level:
Birth on the Farm
a. by mid-wife (no doctor)
1. doctor drove wagon from town-to-town visiting each about once a month
2. mid-wife was a neighbor that subject's father did not like
3. subject (the baby) was delivered after long labor at 6 a.m. on a Tuesday
4. subject's older sister stayed home from school for two weeks to help
5. mother sickly for months after the birth (maybe blood poisoning)
You may wish to organize and complete one topic before continuing to the next. It is likely these individual topics will become future chapters of the biography. You may find that your subject has told the same story on different interview tapes but has remembered the details differently each time. If you cannot verify details with the subject, contact other family members, family friends, or check historical documents to find the data. Remember, this biography will be an historical record of your subject's life which will be read by those directly and indirectly involved with the subject throughout his life. It is your responsibility to make the document as accurate as possible.
Related articles:
Write a Family Heirloom Biography
Questions that Motivate Memories
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