Introduction to Biography

Our goals I can describe the characteristics of a biography. I can describe the characteristics of a biography. I can find biographies in the media center. I can find biographies in the media center.

Characteristics of a Biography #1 A story about a real person A story about a real person

Characteristics of a Biography # 2 Shows that the author knows a lot about the person Shows that the author knows a lot about the person The author must do a lot of research on the subject by conducting interviews, reading books, scripts, etc. The author must do a lot of research on the subject by conducting interviews, reading books, scripts, etc.

Characteristics of a Biography # 3 Describes the person’s environment Describes the person’s environment Such as, where, when and how they lived Such as, where, when and how they lived

Characteristics of a Biography# 4 Provides details that show the person in action: their behavior, their accomplishments, etc. Provides details that show the person in action: their behavior, their accomplishments, etc.

Characteristics of a Biography # 5 Shows how the person affects other people Shows how the person affects other people Describes changes that they made in a person’s life, new discoveries in science and medicine, changes in laws, or how they helped people. Describes changes that they made in a person’s life, new discoveries in science and medicine, changes in laws, or how they helped people.

Characteristics of a Biography #6 States or implies how the writer feels about the person States or implies how the writer feels about the person Different authors will or may have a different view point of the person Different authors will or may have a different view point of the person The author’s point of view could be positive or negative The author’s point of view could be positive or negative

Finding a Biography The call number of a biography is indicated by a B The call number of a biography is indicated by a B Under the B are the first three letters of the person’s last name that the book is about. Under the B are the first three letters of the person’s last name that the book is about. For example, For example, Martin Luther King B KIN KIN

Different types of Biographies First-hand biography First-hand biography Autobiography Autobiography Collective Biography Collective Biography Unauthorized Biography Unauthorized Biography

First Hand Biography Reveals another person though the eyes of a writer who has had an ongoing, face-to-face, personal relationship with the person Reveals another person though the eyes of a writer who has had an ongoing, face-to-face, personal relationship with the person

Autobiography The main character is the author The main character is the author For example, if you were to write a biography about yourself, then that would be an autobiography For example, if you were to write a biography about yourself, then that would be an autobiography

Autobiography Describes major influences (people, events, places) on the writer Describes major influences (people, events, places) on the writer A teacherHome A teacherhome A Speech

Autobiography Describes interactions between the writer and significant people in his or her life Describes interactions between the writer and significant people in his or her life A teacherA pastorA fatherA mother

Finding an Autobiography The call number is also indicated by a B The call number is also indicated by a B Under the B are the first three letters of the person’s last name that the book is about Under the B are the first three letters of the person’s last name that the book is about Remember the person that the book is about is also the author Remember the person that the book is about is also the author

Collective Biography Discusses more than one person in a single book. Discusses more than one person in a single book. An example, Meet the Presidents by Cindy Bardon An example, Meet the Presidents by Cindy Bardon

Finding a Collective Biography The call number is BC (Biography collection) and the first 3 letters of the author’s last name. The call number is BC (Biography collection) and the first 3 letters of the author’s last name. They are located in the biography section of the media center. They are located in the biography section of the media center.