English 3333: Children's Literature—Texts and Contexts
Dr. Sigler
BioPoem Exercise A "BioPoem" is a structured arrangement of vivid details about a character's life, personality traits and aspirations: a portrait in words. In creating your BioPoem, try to avoid generalizations, which tend to be bland and uninteresting, in favor of vivid, specific details which reveal interesting aspects of your subject. The structure of the Bio Poem is outlined below. Begin each line with the words in quotes where indicated, and supply the details requested in the parentheses.
Line 1: (character’s first name)
Line 2: (list four traits that describe his or her personality)
Line 3: "Relative of..." or "Friend of..." (list three relatives or friends)
Line 4: "Lover of ..." (three things, people, activities, whatever)
Line 5: "Who feels..." (three descriptions)
Line 6: "Who needs..." (three descriptions)
Line 7: "Who fears..." (three descriptions)
Line 8: "Who gives..." (three descriptions)
Line 9: "Who would like to see..." (three descriptions)
Line 10: "Resident of..." (description of place)
Line 11: (character's last name)
Sample: Winnie the Pooh
Winnie
Cheerful, optimistic, loyal, a "bear of very little brain,"
Friend of Piglet, Christopher Robin, Eeyore and Tigger
Lover of honey, impromptu songs and hums, "a little something" at 11:00, and more honey
Who feels adventurous on expotitions, fearful of Woozles, and protective of Piglet
Who needs advice from Christopher Robin, occasional mothering from Kanga, and lots of snacks
Who gives Eeyore the house he already had, the game of Pooh-Sticks to his friends, unlimited love to Christopher Robin
Who fears empty honey pots, Tigger's bounces, the occasional Heffalump or Woozle
Who would like to see Christopher Robin remain a child forever, the return of "Small," Eeyore happy at last
Resident of the 100-Acre Wood (and Christopher Robin's imagination)
The Pooh.