Literary Concepts related to first quarter independent reading: * BIOGRAPHY * AUTOBIOGRAPHY * MEMOIR

BIOGRAPHY An account of a person’s life written by someone else.An account of a person’s life written by someone else. Focuses on the character, personal life and career or important activities of the subject.Focuses on the character, personal life and career or important activities of the subject. Biographies usually cover the subject’s entire life.Biographies usually cover the subject’s entire life.

AUTHOR’S PURPOSE FOR WRITING a AUTHOR’S PURPOSE FOR WRITING a BIOGRAPHY? Ideally a biography should be an accurate, well-rounded and factual life history of a particular person set in the times in which he/she lived.Ideally a biography should be an accurate, well-rounded and factual life history of a particular person set in the times in which he/she lived. Many biographers write biographies that are biased in favor of or against the subject.Many biographers write biographies that are biased in favor of or against the subject.

“Authorized” biographies—written with cooperation from the subject/family; usually positive or neutral in tone.“Authorized” biographies—written with cooperation from the subject/family; usually positive or neutral in tone. “Unauthorized” biographies—written without permission or even against the wishes of the subject/family“Unauthorized” biographies—written without permission or even against the wishes of the subject/family –often deliberately malicious or negative in tone –“kiss and tell” book by former employee or lover –expose by a career “journalist”

AUTOBIOGRAPHY An account of a person’s own life written by the subject himself or herself.An account of a person’s own life written by the subject himself or herself. Usually takes the form of a narrative of significant events that cover the subject’s whole life.Usually takes the form of a narrative of significant events that cover the subject’s whole life. Usually a blend of memory, introspection and retrospection.Usually a blend of memory, introspection and retrospection.

Greek Root Words – ADD TO LIST spec = “observe”, “view” or “examine” intro = “inside” retro = “earlier time”

Vocabulary word IntrospectionIntrospection –Noun –the act of examining one's own inner thoughts, impressions, and feelings –the contemplation of your own desires, decisions and conduct

Vocabulary word retrospectionretrospection –Noun –the act or an instance of looking back –the act or an instance of looking back on or reviewing past events, experiences, etc. –reference to a past event –a survey of past life or experiences

AUTOBIOGRAPHY (noun) vs. AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL (adj) Diaries, journals and letters are autobiographical writings, but they are not an autobiography because they are not continuous narratives.

Autobiographical novel “A novel (a work of fiction) based on the life of the author. Names and locations are usually changed and events are recreated to make them more dramatic, but the story still bears a close resemblance to that of the author’s life. To be considered an autobiographical novel by most standards, there must be a protagonist (main character) modeled after the author and a central plotline that mirrors events in his or her life.” (excerpted from

Why write an autobiography? Most people who write autobiographies do so at a particular time for a specific reason.Most people who write autobiographies do so at a particular time for a specific reason. –Turning point in life or career –To clear up public misconceptions, set the record straight about something –To take advantage of current fame –To make money when possible or needed –To celebrate his/her life and thank those who helped

Semi-autobiographical novel “A semi-autobiographical novel draws on the experiences of the author's own life for its plot but significant parts are changed. Authors may opt to write a semi- autobiographical novel rather than a true autobiography for a variety of reasons: to protect the privacy of their family, friends, and loved ones; to achieve emotional distance from the subject; or for artistic reasons, such as simplification of plot lines, themes, and other details.” –(excerpted from

MEMOIR Usually an account of specific period in the writer’s life.Usually an account of specific period in the writer’s life. Often that period coincides with important historical events or a significant personal turning point.Often that period coincides with important historical events or a significant personal turning point.

MEMOIR Less structured and shorter than a full autobiography.Less structured and shorter than a full autobiography. Usually about part of a person’s life rather than the chronological story of the person’s entire life story.Usually about part of a person’s life rather than the chronological story of the person’s entire life story.

“…The memoir, especially as it is being used in publishing today, often tries to capture certain highlights or meaningful moments in one's past, often including a contemplation of the meaning of that event at the time of the writing of the memoir. The memoir may be more emotional and concerned with capturing particular scenes, or a series of events, rather than documenting every fact of a person's life (Zuwiyya, N. 2000). For example, Homer Hickam, Jr. has written several memoirs about his life, including October Sky (formerly Rocket Boys) and The Coalwood Way. Both cover his high school days in Coalwood, West Virginia. They are full length books, but the scope of time is brief compared to Hickam's entire life and all the events of his life.” Excerpted from

“... Focus on a brief period of time or series of related events... Narrative structure, including many of the usual elements of storytelling such as setting, plot development, imagery, conflict, characterization, foreshadowing and flashback, and irony and symbolism.... The writer's contemplation of the meaning of these events in retrospect... Has a fictional quality/feel even though the story is true.... Higher emotional level... More personal reconstruction of the events and their impact... Therapeutic experience for the memoirist, especially when the memoir is of the crisis or survival type of memoir.” Excerpted from

Do autobiographies and memoirs tell the truth? "An autobiography may be largely fictional. Few can recall clear details of their early life and are therefore dependent on other people's impressions, of necessity equally unreliable. Moreover, everyone tends to remember what he wants to remember. Disagreeable facts are sometimes glossed over or repressed...." Cuddon, J. A. The Penguin Dictionary of Literary Terms and Literary Theory, 1991.

Literary Concept compare and contrast –compare (What is similar?) –contrast (What is different?) –To “compare and contrast” two things means: to take note of their similarities and differences; to be able to discuss, explain and make judgments about how the two things are related to each other.