This is the template for writing a biography. This template is just a rough outline, and biographies should not be limited in scope to only what's contained in the template. One may add or delete Chapters and Sub-Chapters where they see fit. This is also an attempt to describe what sort of information should go in each section below. It's just a guideline and writers should not limit themselves to the information below. Really dig into the person's life and history, if you're a fan or happen to know a lot about the individual, the get enthusiastic and include information which might not be known that others would find interesting.
However, don't make wild or unsubstantiated claims. Back up your writing with references. This is about a real person's life and it should be as correct and accurate as possible. To do anything less would be an injustice to the individual, and not reflect their life accurately. Again, back claims up with references.
The original template for a biography may be found here: People Starter Biographical Template
In this first section (right here) should be a brief introduction and overview of the individual being covered along with a nice photo. Make sure the photo is not copyrighted if possible.
Life and Career
Brief introduction into the person's life and their work.Early Years
Early years should contain history of their growing up, their family background. Any sort of hardships, or influences on them to guide them along their chosen path.Education
Detail the sort of education they had. Were they self-taught? Did they have any outstanding events during their education? Did they take a break in between years? What was their major area of interest? What degrees, if any or highest level of education did they receive?Career
Detail highlights of the individual's career. List companies or organizations they worked for. What their role was in the company they worked. If they worked for more than one company list them all in chronological order. Also, list major accomplishments or recognition they received for their work.Recent Times
What are they doing now? What is their life like? Do they have any hobbies or things they like to participate in? Are they still active in their work? Are they writing or touring giving lectures? Anything relavent to the person's present day life, and how they presently spend their time.
Notable Events and Accomplishments
List of prizes, recognition and accolades the person accomplished, as well as other major milestone events in their life which are notable. This could also include dates of discovery for important items, or dates and places along with a description of some sort of travel and what they did.
Controversy
Controversy contains personal conflicts or disagreements with popular legal positions, peer groups, fellow researchers, and politics. Generally these people will have positions which fall outside the typical social or moral norms. This is how they exert influence by questioning the societal norms and taking sometimes the unpopular stand.Political
Did they have a role in politics or a political movement? Did they ever testify to congress regarding policy or legislation?Legal
Were they ever involved in any sort of legal issues? Either brought against them or where they possibly testified in a landmark case.Peers
Did they have any particular individuals in their peer group they didn't exactly get along with, and disagree? What for, why and what was the outcome? Is it still on-going?
Influence
Brief discussion consisting of the overall influence the individual had on society, their peers, culture, business, their field of study.Culture
How did the person make their mark culturally? Did they create art or influence artists? Did they create a cultural shift, or did they disrupt the status quo?Was Influenced By
Who were the individuals that influenced this person's work, life, or helped motivate them to do what they did. What sort of impact did these people have on them?Had an Influence On
Who found this person influential on them and how? What sort of influence did they have?
Collected Works
Brief overview of any published material by the person. Put entries in the appropriate section by reverse chronological order - newer first. Try to locate the items in the Drugs Forum Document Archive if possible and provide a link to it. If it's not there, please try to download it and add it to the archive. If you need assistance, make a request to the Help from People With Access to Medline thread, they will be happy to assist.
This is also not an exhaustive list of works which might have been produced by an individual, feel free to add other categories of works.
Proper procedure for listing items may be found here on APA Criteria for References.Books
Articles
Research Papers
Music
Filmography
See Also
This could be links to threads in the forums or other Drugs Forum information. The person's official web site, or links to other background information. For instance, it might be a link to Erowid's Character Vault for that individual - for instance:
Erowid Character Vault: Alexander Shulgin
References
The references tags should be left in place as they will index corresponding footnote tags in the articles.
[REFLIST][/REFLIST]
Place the reference list in this chapter. See here for an explanation of the references function:
Footnote (Referencing)
Backup your claims as much as possible and add references as proof where possible. Please upload reference files to the file archive and pictures to the image gallery.
Please see information about proper referencing format. (APA Criteria For References)
Again, it is very important to provide accurate references for a biography. This is the individual's life and work. This is not the place for hearsay, rumor, propaganda, emotional bias or untruth. It should be presented with the utmost respect to the individual.