Biography Grade
Characteristics of a Biography A story about a real person written by someone else
Characteristics of a Biography Shows that the author knows a lot about the person The author has done extensive research on the subject (the topic of the biography) by conducting personal interviews, reading books and other materials about the subject
Characteristics of a Biography Describes the person’s environment such as, where, when and how he or she lived
Characteristics of a Biography Provides details that show the person in action such as his or her accomplishments, goals, behavior
Characteristics of a Biography Shows how the person affects other people such as changes that he or she made in other people’s lives (examples: new discoveries in science, medicine, changes in laws and helping people)
Characteristics of a Biography States or implies how the writer feels about 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
Different types of Biographies First-hand biography Collective Biography Unauthorized Biography Autobiography
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
Collective Biography Has many different biographies that are all contained in one book Also known as a compilation of biographies
Unauthorized Biography Biography about a person that was not approved by the subject that the book is about These are usually about celebrities. Purpose is to entertain
Autobiography The main character is the author For example, if you were to write your own biography, then that would be an autobiography
Autobiography Recounts key incidents/events in the author’s life
Autobiography Describes major influences (people, events, places) on the writer A teacherHome A Speech
Autobiography Describes interactions between the writer and significant people in his or her life A teacherA pastorA fatherA mother
Biography or Autobiography? Read the statements. Decide whether it came from a biography or an autobiography. 1.She was born in July 1965 in England. 2.I had a happy childhood. My parents always brought me to the most fantastic places. 3.This famous painter had a sad life.