Name: _____________________________
English II
Hour: _____________________
Date: _____________________
Junior’s Body Biography
You will work together in assigned pairs to create a body biography-a visual and written
portrait illustrating several aspects of either Junior’s life within The Absolutely true Diary
of a Part-time Indian.
What is a body biography?
A body biography is a combination of artwork and writing (quotes from the book and
your own explanations of those quotes). You will decorate your body biography with
these things in order to demonstrate your understanding of Junior’s character. Please
note: your body biography is not suppose to be a literal representation of what Junior
looks like. Instead it should be more like a giant collage of written ideas, drawings, and
symbols that work together to show us how well you understand your character, but we
also want you to be CREATIVE!
What is the purpose?
The purpose behind creating a body biography is to allow you to take a DEEP look at
one character from The Absolutely True Diary. You will have to review significant
events, choices that your character made, and changes that your character went
through internally within the course of the book. You will have to take a serious look
into what makes your character tick—what your character’s motivations are, how your
character feels about himself at the beginning of the book, and how those feelings may
have changed by the end of the book.
What should be included?
1. Name of your character should be displayed somewhere on your body biography.
2. Make a personal connection between an experience, feeling, or trait that your
character had and you (each person/group needs to include one, total of 2 personal
connections).
3. Best and worst: What are your character’s best and worst qualities?
For each quality you must:
 Write the quality
 Draw a symbol to represent the quality (example: a trash can of
garbage for a mouth = a trash talker)
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4. Include 4 events that were key in helping your character to grow:
For each event you must include:
 An important quote from the event
 A visual symbol that represents the event
 A written explanation of why or how the event helps you to
understand your character
Finally, think about where you want to place your writing and artwork on the body. For
example: a heart might represent an important relationship.
How do I create one?
Stage 1: You and your partner will go through the book together and discuss which
events (#4) you think are the most important in the book in relationship to your character.
The following questions may help you when deciding which parts to include:

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What words would I use to describe my character before this event? What
words would I use to describe my character after this event? If the words are
different then explain why they are different.
How did that event change how you viewed your character?
Did your character learn something about himself from the event?
As you decide on an event, write down different quotes and the page numbers that you
might use to support why that event is important and/or what that event says about your
character. Also address # 2 and #3 (see above section). On a piece of paper plan out
where you want to put different symbols, quotes, etc.
You must show this portion to one of us before moving on to stage 2.
Due Date for Stage 1: _______________________________________
Stage 2: After you have done all of this you are ready to begin drawing your body
biography. One of you will trace the outline of the other’s body on butcher paper. The
body outline will become the “body” of Junior. Within this outline you will draw the
pictures, symbols, quotes, and explanations that you previously planned out.
This is a final project so please do your best work. Also you should make your body
biography neat, colorful, and creative! They will be displayed around the school. Have
fun.
Final Project Due Date: ______________________________________
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