1. Narrative Non-fiction
Characteristics:
factual
can be proven and/or supported with other sources, especially primary sources
mostly informative in nature
May, at times, be persuasive

2. biography bio: life graph: written
biographer; biographical; biographically
a written account of someone’s life
*covers a time span of birth – death or birth – present day, if individual is still living
>written by a separate entity or individual

3. autobiography auto: self bio: life graph: written
autobiographical; autobiographically
a written account of one’s own life
*covers a time span of birth – present day
>written by the individual him/herself or by a ghostwriter with the individual’s input & guidance

4. memoir
memoirs; memoirist; memory; memorable; memorably -a written account of a specific, significant, and memorable time period in an individual’s life that he/she wants to document, provide insight to, or share with others (therefore autobiographical); often the individual has been in a position of celebrity or significance *covers a limited time period of importance – for example a president’s time in office or political campaign >written by the individual him/herself or by a ghostwriter with the individual’s input & guidance

5. autobiographical narrative
-a written account of part of an individual’s life told as a story; may contain some “poetic license” on behalf of the author in order to convey their message in the way they feel is best *covers a specific event, learning experience, time period, etc. >written by the individual him/herself

6. journal / diary journalist; journalistic
an on-going record of routine personal entries providing an accounting of or reflection upon one’s life experiences and thoughts
*covers experiences and thoughts as the writer sees fit with some regularity
>written by the individual him/herself, usually with no intent to publish

7. Our Selections in English 8
Text
Genre
Author
Focus
Chasing Lincoln’s Killer
biographical narrative
James Swanson
The assassination of Abraham Lincoln & the manhunt for his killer
“The Diary of Anne Frank”
play
*most like memoir
Frances Goodrich
Albert Hackett
A play based on the life & times of Anne Frank
based on
Anne Frank’s Diary
diary
Anne Frank
Anne’s time in The Secret Annex during WWII
“I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”
autobiographical
narrative
Maya Angelou
A challenging and inspiring time in her life as a young girl