Biography

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 extensive research on the subject by conducting interviews, reading books, scripts, etc. The author must do extensive 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 Provides details that show the person in action Such as, their accomplishments, goals, behavior, etc. Such as, their accomplishments, goals, behavior, etc.

Characteristics of a Biography # 5 Shows how the person affects other people Shows how the person affects other people Such as, changes that they made in a person’s life which could include new discoveries in science and medicine or changes in laws; helping people, and includes the artists Such as, changes that they made in a person’s life which could include new discoveries in science and medicine or changes in laws; helping people, and includes the artists

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 Recounts key incidents/events in the author’s life Recounts key incidents/events in the author’s life

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

Visual and Oral Forms Autobiography Pictures and paintings that depict events or people they are familiar with Pictures and paintings that depict events or people they are familiar with Photo albums or video tapes that record important moments in their lives Photo albums or video tapes that record important moments in their lives Skits and plays based on their life stories Skits and plays based on their life stories

More Visual and Oral Forms Autobiography Informal anecdotes about their lives, shared in conversations with friends and family Informal anecdotes about their lives, shared in conversations with friends and family Tangible mementos and souvenirs, such as awards, seashells, or favorite childhood toys Tangible mementos and souvenirs, such as awards, seashells, or favorite childhood toys

Unauthorized Biography Biography about a person that was not approved by the subject that the book is about Biography about a person that was not approved by the subject that the book is about These are usually about celebrities. These are usually about celebrities. Risk of suit is great Risk of suit is great Purpose is the entertain Purpose is the entertain