A Life Story
Everyone has a story. They were born somewhere, went to school, found a job, perhaps moved to a new city or started a family. In English, we call these life events, and being able to write about them in a clear, connected way is a key skill.
In this activity, you will learn to write a timeline paragraph — a short text that takes someone's life events in order and connects them using time expressions and narrative connectors like after that, a few years later, and since.
You will study a model story, build your own visual timeline, and then write a paragraph about someone — a real person or an imaginary one. This is a skill you can use immediately: in conversation, in writing tasks, and in formal English exams.
Key Vocabulary — Life Events
These are the most useful past simple verbs and phrases for writing about someone's life. Study them before reading the model story.
All these verbs are in the past simple. When writing a life story, keep all verbs in the past simple unless you are talking about the present with since or today.
Connectors & Time Expressions
Good timeline writing uses different connectors for each sentence — avoid repeating then, then, then. Study the three groups below.
| Function | Connectors | Example |
|---|---|---|
| To start |
In [year], At the age of [X], He/She was born in... |
In 1985, Ana was born in Concepción. At the age of six, she started school. |
| To continue |
After that, Then, A few years later, [X] years later, After [X] years, Shortly after, |
After finishing school, she studied at UDEC. Three years later, she got married. |
| To conclude |
Finally, Eventually, Today, Since [year], |
Since 2015, she has been teaching at PUCV. Today, she lives in Valparaíso with her family. |
You can also use these time expressions to say exactly when something happened:
- Use a comma after connectors at the start of a sentence: "After that, she..." ✓ "After that she..." ✗
- Try to use a different connector each sentence — this makes your writing flow much better.
Read Ana's Profile
Look at Ana Rojas's profile below. The key events from her life are shown on the timeline. Then read the example paragraph on the next section to see how the events are written in English.
12 March 1985 · Concepción, Chile
1991–2003 · Liceo Santa Teresa
2004–2009 · Pedagogía en Inglés, UDEC
2009–2014 · English Teacher, Concepción
2012 · Pedro Muñoz
2014 · Son, Benjamín
2015 · Moved to Valparaíso
Since 2015 · Teacher at PUCV
The timeline moves from left to right — past to present. When you write your paragraph, your sentences should follow the same order: start with birth and end with the most recent event.
Read the Example Paragraph
Read this paragraph about Ana. Pay attention to how each sentence starts with a different connector. The connectors are highlighted in colour.
Ana Rojas was born on 12 March 1985 in Concepción, Chile. In 1991, she started primary school at Liceo Santa Teresa, where she studied for twelve years.
After finishing school, she studied Pedagogía en Inglés at UDEC and graduated in 2009. Shortly after, she got her first job as an English teacher in Concepción.
Three years later, she got married to Pedro Muñoz. In 2014, their son Benjamín was born. A year later, the family moved to Valparaíso, and since 2015 Ana has been teaching at PUCV.
- Each sentence starts with a different connector — no two sentences begin the same way.
- All main verbs are in the past simple: was born, started, studied, graduated, got, moved.
- Time moves forward throughout — birth → school → university → job → family → present.
Choose the Right Connector
Choose the best connector to complete each sentence about Ana's life.
_____ 1985, Ana was born in Concepción.
She studied at UDEC. _____ graduating, she got a job as a teacher.
She got her first job in 2009. _____ years later, she got married.
The family moved to Valparaíso in 2015. _____ 2015, Ana has been teaching at PUCV.
Which sentence uses a connector correctly?
Build Your Timeline
Think of someone you know — a family member, a friend, or even yourself. Fill in the key events below. You don't need every field. The preview on the right updates as you type.
You don't need to know exact dates. You can write approximate phrases in your paragraph like "in her twenties", "a few years later", or "when she was young". Use the timeline to plan — not to limit yourself.
Write the Paragraph
Use your timeline to write a short life story. You can write about the person in the third person (he / she), or about yourself (I). Use connectors from the Preparation tab to link your events. Maximum 60 words.
Keep it concise — aim for quality over quantity. 60 words is enough for 4–6 well-connected sentences.
Check Your Writing
Read your paragraph again and tick each item you have included. Be honest — this is for you.
If you have unchecked items, go back and revise your paragraph. Once you are happy with your writing, click View Sample above to compare your paragraph with a model answer.
Activity Complete!
You've completed "A Life Story". Here's what you've practised:
Before you look:
Make sure you have written your own paragraph first. Use this sample only to compare your work — not to copy it.
Ana Rojas was born on 12 March 1985 in Concepción, Chile. In 1991, she started primary school at Liceo Santa Teresa, where she studied for twelve years.
After finishing school, she studied Pedagogía en Inglés at UDEC and graduated in 2009. Shortly after, she got her first job as an English teacher in Concepción.
Three years later, she got married to Pedro Muñoz. In 2014, their son Benjamín was born. A year later, the family moved to Valparaíso, and since 2015 Ana has been teaching at PUCV.
- Did you use a different connector at the start of each sentence?
- Are all your verbs in the past simple?
- Do your sentences follow the same order as the timeline?
- Did you use a comma after every opening connector?