Jason Lovorn and Tyler Santiago Biography genre Jason Lovorn and Tyler Santiago

What is a biography? Biography – A story of a real person’s life written by someone other than that person Autobiography – A biography written by the person it is about Memoir – a written account in which someone describes past experiences *definitions found at http://www.merriam-webster.com

Key components of a good biography Contains accurate information about the subject Includes parts of the subject’s life that are critical to their formative years Identifies social climates or situations that make the subject important Describes the strengths and weaknesses of the subject without idolizing them Tells an interesting story with an interconnected theme

Contains accurate information about the subject Facts and details should be accurate Stories should not be fictionalized or embellished Best information comes from primary resources and not second hand accounts.

Includes parts of the subject’s life that are critical to their formative years Background information is included that explains the subject’s ideas or beliefs Describes situations or individuals who had an influence on the main character Provides a set up to key events in the subject’s life

Identifies social climates or situations that make the subject important Historical context is accurately portrayed Cultural climates and events are correctly included (racism and equal rights, women’s right, religious persecutions) Imperative to maintain correct context to show how the subject was connected to the current times

Describes the strengths and weaknesses of the subject without idolizing them Provides the character’s strengths that are significant to their story Shows weaknesses of the subject and how they relate to others Remains objective and does not create a “super hero” persona of the main character

Tells an interesting story with an interconnected theme Story keeps the reader interested and involved Answers many of the questions on the readers mind Has an overall theme to help tie key events together without becoming a chronology

Resources http://teacher.scholastic.com/reading/bestpractices/comprehension/genrechart.pdf mybrary.wikispaces.com/file/view/Ten_Elements_of_Biography.ppt http://images.epals.com/gc/ccic/Lesson_Elements%20of%20Biographies.pdf http://www.education.com/reference/article/characteristics-good-biographies/ www.merriam-webster.com