Narrative Non-fiction Characteristics: factual can be proven and/or supported with other sources, especially primary sources mostly informative in nature May, at times, be persuasive

biography bio: life graph: written biographer; biographical; biographically a written account of someone’s life *covers a time span of birth – death or birth – present day, if individual is still living >written by a separate entity or individual

autobiography auto: self bio: life graph: written autobiographical; autobiographically a written account of one’s own life *covers a time span of birth – present day >written by the individual him/herself or by a ghostwriter with the individual’s input & guidance

memoir memoirs; memoirist; memory; memorable; memorably -a written account of a specific, significant, and memorable time period in an individual’s life that he/she wants to document, provide insight to, or share with others (therefore autobiographical); often the individual has been in a position of celebrity or significance *covers a limited time period of importance – for example a president’s time in office or political campaign >written by the individual him/herself or by a ghostwriter with the individual’s input & guidance

autobiographical narrative -a written account of part of an individual’s life told as a story; may contain some “poetic license” on behalf of the author in order to convey their message in the way they feel is best *covers a specific event, learning experience, time period, etc. >written by the individual him/herself

journal / diary journalist; journalistic an on-going record of routine personal entries providing an accounting of or reflection upon one’s life experiences and thoughts *covers experiences and thoughts as the writer sees fit with some regularity >written by the individual him/herself, usually with no intent to publish

Our Selections in English 8 Text Genre Author Focus Chasing Lincoln’s Killer biographical narrative James Swanson The assassination of Abraham Lincoln & the manhunt for his killer “The Diary of Anne Frank” play *most like memoir Frances Goodrich Albert Hackett A play based on the life & times of Anne Frank based on Anne Frank’s Diary diary Anne Frank Anne’s time in The Secret Annex during WWII “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” autobiographical narrative Maya Angelou A challenging and inspiring time in her life as a young girl