Bio Writing
As part of my first week at Microsoft, I had to write a brief bio about myself. I didn’t want to use the one that I used on the MHCI Bio page, so I started doing some research, and came across a number of “How to Write a Good Bio” sites, including this one from essortment.
Among other things, the site suggests that writers start their bio “with first person references and midway through change to the third person. … By using a delicate combination of first person and third person tenses, you can give a professional element to your resume or bio.”
Is this some new kind of writing style? I rarely see first and third person mixed together in the same passage, even in a bio. And when I do see the two voices mixed together, it looks like someone forgot to proofread it. I certainly don’t think it looks professional. But maybe I’m just behind the times, so if you’ve written successfully this way, let me know. I also welcome the opinion of any English majors (Sarah).
I always think it’s weird when I read a bio written in third person when I know the person wrote it themselves. It makes it seem as though this person is so important that someone else wrote it about them. I guess that’s ok. I mean, everybody does it. But, if you switch in the middle it breaks the pretense.
Eric read the example from the web site and decided it sounded too awkward. He then advised his friend Zaiss to stick with one voice.
Comment by Eric — July 15, 2006 @ 6:10 pm
ZACH! That is so awful!
1. Don’t switch tenses.
2. Don’t do it.
3. Thanks for mentioning me in your blog :-).
All in all, I would like to be dramatic and say that this piss-poor advice you received online is a perfect example of the evils of the internet. It’s just a den of sin, leading innocent people astray into lives of ruin and heartache. (I swear I am not being brainwashed at my new job.)
I also want you to be sure to include some of your more impressive talents in the bio you write–especially the Big Bunny voice and your elegant hopscotch skills.
And yes, my away message about being eccentric was due to what you said.
I went to my little sister for reassurance, and all I got was crap. Stupid kids.
Comment by Sarah — July 15, 2006 @ 10:29 pm