1. Jason Lovorn and Tyler Santiago
Biography genre
Jason Lovorn and Tyler Santiago

2. What is a biography?
Biography – A story of a real person’s life written by someone other than that person
Autobiography – A biography written by the person it is about
Memoir – a written account in which someone describes past experiences
*definitions found at

3. Key components of a good biography
Contains accurate information about the subject
Includes parts of the subject’s life that are critical to their formative years
Identifies social climates or situations that make the subject important
Describes the strengths and weaknesses of the subject without idolizing them
Tells an interesting story with an interconnected theme

4. Contains accurate information about the subject
Facts and details should be accurate
Stories should not be fictionalized or embellished
Best information comes from primary resources and not second hand accounts.

5. Includes parts of the subject’s life that are critical to their formative years
Background information is included that explains the subject’s ideas or beliefs
Describes situations or individuals who had an influence on the main character
Provides a set up to key events in the subject’s life

6. Identifies social climates or situations that make the subject important
Historical context is accurately portrayed
Cultural climates and events are correctly included (racism and equal rights, women’s right, religious persecutions)
Imperative to maintain correct context to show how the subject was connected to the current times

7. Describes the strengths and weaknesses of the subject without idolizing them
Provides the character’s strengths that are significant to their story
Shows weaknesses of the subject and how they relate to others
Remains objective and does not create a “super hero” persona of the main character

8. Tells an interesting story with an interconnected theme
Story keeps the reader interested and involved
Answers many of the questions on the readers mind
Has an overall theme to help tie key events together without becoming a chronology

9. Resources
mybrary.wikispaces.com/file/view/Ten_Elements_of_Biography.ppt