BIOPOEM
PURPOSE OF THE STRATEGY
This strategy is designed to help the writer approach the topic in a fresh, stimulating manner.
The subject of the poem may be a person, place, thing, idea, or event. The writer uses an
established outline to help explore their thoughts and knowledge about a topic.
DIRECTIONS
As a writing extension activity, students will compose a biopoem about one of the
characters in The Dark is Rising. Some of their choices might include the following: Will
Stanton, Merriman Lyon, the Rider, or Hawkin. The format below is design to give students an
outline for their poem, but allow them to exercise their creativity for this assignment.
Line 1. First name
Line 2. Four traits that describe character
Line 3. Relative (brother, sister, daughter, etc.) of____________
Line 4. Lover of____________(list three things or people)
Line 5. Who feels____________(three items)
Line 6. Who needs___________(three items)
Line 7. Who fears___________(three items)
Line 8. Who gives__________(three items)
Line 10. Who would like to see___________(three items)
Line 11. Last Name
Gere (1985)
EXAMPLE: Scarlet Letter (by Kathryn Collins)
PEARL
Her mother's only treasure: beautiful, brilliant, glimmering
Daughter of Dimmesdale and Hester
Lover of laughter, light, and her mother
Who feels fury, passion, and magic
Who needs to experience grief, to become human, to learn sympathy
Who fears nothing, never, null
Who gives love, torment, and joy
Who would like to see Dimmesdale on the scaffold in the daylight, Dimmesdale live, and her
mother explain the truth about the Scarlet Letter.
Resident of Boston.
Bastard.
Melissa Campbell, BYU, 2002
Personal BIOPOEM
MELISSA
Pink, translucent skin. Watchful, green eyes. A dimple. A paradox.
Daughter of Earth
Loves her father’s voice, the smell of dryer sheets, and graham
crackers dipped in milk,
Who feels dust on loosely sandaled feet, every inch of air displaced
by her presence, warm sunlight on bare arms
Who needs to find beauty in life, to find humor in everything,
to cheer for the underdog
Who fears herself, mediocrity, and fear itself
Who gives time, laughter, a listening ear.
Who would like to see the Scottish highlands, the aurora borealis,
and things as they really are.
Resident of Now
CAMPBELL
Melissa Campbell, BYU, 2002