1. Biography Autobiography Memoir
Unit 3: Nonfiction
Biography Autobiography Memoir
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Literary Analysis
Unit 3: Nonfiction
Biography, Autobiography, Memoir
Level I
NOTE: This presentation contains slides with fields for recording student responses. Any text you insert will remain in the fields until you delete it manually.

2. Truth is not only stranger than fiction, it is more telling
Truth is not only stranger than fiction, it is more telling. To know that a thing actually happened gives it a poignancy, touches a chord, which a piece of acknowledged fiction misses.
—W. Somerset Maugham
Lecture Notes Outline
Truth is not only stranger than fiction, it is more telling. To know that a thing actually happened gives it a poignancy, touches a chord, which a piece of acknowledged fiction misses. —W. Somerset Maugham
Navigation Note
In all Literary Analysis presentations in Units 3 and 4, slides 3–6 introduce the genre of nonfiction. If you choose to skip the genre introduction, use the “<skip intro>” button below the quotation. This button will advance the presentation to the introduction of the specific literary element on slide 7.
<skip intro>

3. What is nonfiction? Nonfiction is writing about real lives places
things
events
ideas
Lecture Notes Outline
What is nonfiction? Nonfiction is writing about real lives, places, things, events, and ideas.
Extension Options
• Ask students to discuss how nonfiction has been traditionally viewed and how that reputation has changed in recent years.
• Have students consider what factors have led to the surge in popularity of reading nonfiction. Discuss the current trend of narrative or creative nonfiction. This type of nonfiction uses a narrative format (interesting characters, colorful settings, an engaging story line, and significant themes) to communicate factual information. Have students volunteer titles of nonfiction books that they have read that fall into this category of narrative nonfiction.
• Tell students that the American Library Association sponsors the Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal, an award given annually to the authors and illustrators of the most distinguished informational book for children and adolescents. One criterion for this award is that the nominated book be suitable for children through age fourteen. For a list of past medal winners, have students visit the American Library Association website at

4. What are the most popular forms of nonfiction?
The most popular forms of nonfiction are
biographies
autobiographies
memoirs
essays
speeches
informational text
Lecture Notes Outline
What are the most popular forms of nonfiction? The most popular forms of nonfiction are biographies, autobiographies, memoirs, essays, speeches, and informational text.

5. What are your favorite types of nonfiction?
Biographies
Self-help books
Autobiographies
Newspaper, magazine,
and Internet articles
Eyewitness accounts of
newsworthy events
Essays
Memoirs
Lecture Notes Outline
What are your favorite types of nonfiction? Biographies; self-help books; autobiographies; newspaper, magazine, and Internet articles; eyewitness accounts of newsworthy events; essays; memoirs.
Extension Options
Discuss with students their experiences with nonfiction, their favorite types of nonfiction and why they like them, and the hallmarks of memorable nonfiction.

6. What are the purposes of nonfiction?
To entertain readers
To teach readers by providing information, explanation, or instruction
To persuade readers to understand a particular viewpoint
To offer readers advice
To present snapshots of different life experiences for readers
Lecture Notes Outline
What are the purposes of nonfiction? Nonfiction can entertain readers; teach readers by providing information, explanation, or instruction; persuade readers to understand a particular viewpoint; offer readers advice; and present snapshots of different life experiences for readers.
Extension Options
Have students discuss the different purposes of reading nonfiction and fiction and the merits of reading each genre.

7. Biography, Autobiography, and Memoir
There are many different types of nonfiction.
Biography, autobiography, and memoir tend to be favorites among preteens and teenagers.
Among the most popular are books about
athletes
entertainers/recording artists
adventurers
historical/political figures
Lecture Notes Outline
There are many different types of nonfiction. Biography, autobiography, and memoir tend to be favorites among preteens and teenagers. Among the most popular are books about athletes, entertainers/recording artists, adventurers, and historical/political figures.

8. Biography is history seen through the prism of a person.
—Louis Fischer
Why do you think biographies are such a popular form of nonfiction?
Lecture Notes Outline
Biography is history seen through the prism of a person.—Louis Fischer
Why do you think biographies are such a popular form of nonfiction? How do biographies provide insight into history?
Navigation Note
An interactive text field has been provided to record student responses. Any text you insert will remain in the fields until you delete it manually.
How do biographies provide insight into history?

9. Biography
A biography is the story of a person’s life told by another person.
Biographies are often written about well-known people.
Biographies can also be written about little-known people who have had interesting lives.
In all cases, biographers must select the best details to explain what is remarkable about their subjects.
Lecture Notes Outline
A biography is the story of person’s life told by another person. Biographies are often written about well-known people. Biographies can also be written about little-known people who have had interesting lives. In all cases, biographers must select the best details to explain what is remarkable about their subjects.
Extension Options
• Explain to students that the word biography comes from the Greek roots bio meaning “life” and graph meaning “writing.”
• Discuss with students the difference between an authorized and an unauthorized biography. Have students debate the advantages and disadvantages of obtaining permission from the subject of a biography and its impact on the research, content, writing, and reception of the biography.

10. Aside from fame, what characteristics or life experiences might make a person an interesting subject of a biography?
Characteristics/Experiences of an Interesting Biography Subject
Lecture Notes Outline
Aside from fame, what characteristics or life experiences might make a person an interesting subject of a biography?
Navigation Note
An interactive text field has been provided to record student responses. Any text you insert will remain in the fields until you delete it manually.

11. Primary Sources
Writers of biographies rely on many sources to tell the story of a person’s life.
Primary sources provide first-hand accounts of the life experiences of the subject.
Primary sources of information
are original
come straight from individuals who experienced, witnessed, or participated in an event or activity
Lecture Notes Outline
Writers of biographies rely on many sources to tell the story of a person’s life. Primary sources provide first-hand accounts of the life experiences of the subject. Primary sources of information are original and come straight from individuals who experienced, witnessed, or participated in an event or activity.

12. Primary Sources Examples of primary sources include letters
diaries/journals
interviews
photographs, films, or artwork
autobiographies
business papers
court documents
Lecture Notes Outline
Examples of primary sources include
• letters
• diaries/journals
• interviews
• photographs, films, or artwork
• autobiographies
• business papers
• court documents

13. Secondary Sources
Primary sources are not the only sources used to create a biography.
Secondary sources are second-hand accounts of the life experiences of the subject.
Secondary sources of information
are based on the interpretation and analysis of primary sources
are written by people who were not involved in the life experiences of the subject
Lecture Notes Outline
Primary sources are not the only sources used to create a biography. Secondary sources are second-hand accounts of the life experiences of the subject. Secondary sources are based on the interpretation and analysis of primary sources and are written by people who were not involved in the life experiences of the subject.

14. Secondary Sources Examples of secondary sources include interviews
other biographies
specialized dictionaries
encyclopedias
textbooks
newspaper and magazine
articles
Lecture Notes Outline
Examples of secondary sources include
• interviews
• other biographies
• specialized dictionaries
• encyclopedias
• textbooks
• newspaper and magazine articles

15. Example of Biography
To write the biography of Abd al-Rahman Ibrahima, author Walter Dean Myers used both primary and secondary sources.
What types of primary and secondary sources might Myers have drawn from in writing the passage on the next slide?
Lecture Notes Outline
To write the biography of Abd al-Rahman Ibrahima, author Walter Dean Myers used both primary and secondary sources. What types of primary and secondary sources might Myers have drawn from in writing the passage on the next slide?
The selection referenced on this slide and the next slide, “Abd al-Rahman Ibrahima,” by Walter Dean Myers, can be found on page 271 of the textbook.

16. Example of Biography
Ibrahima was inspected on the shore, then put into irons and herded into a small boat that took him out to a ship that was larger than any he had ever seen.
The ship onto which Ibrahima was taken was already crowded with black captives. Some shook in fear; others, still tied, fought by hurling their bodies at their captors. The beating and the killing continued until the ones who were left knew that their lot was hopeless.
—from “Abd al-Rahman Ibrahima,”
by Walter Dean Myers
Lecture Notes Outline
Ibrahima was inspected on the shore, then put into irons and herded into a small boat that took him out to a ship that was larger than any he had ever seen.
The ship onto which Ibrahima was taken was already crowded with black captives. Some shook in fear; others, still tied, fought by hurling their bodies at their captors. The beating and the killing continued until the ones who were left knew that their lot was hopeless.
—from “Abd al-Rahman Ibrahima,” by Walter Dean Myers

17. Organization of Biographies
Biographies are typically organized chronologically—the events are described in the order in which they happened.
This format helps show how a person’s life experiences affect him or her.
“Abd al-Rahman Ibrahima” follows a chronological format.
Myers uses phrases that move readers through Ibrahima’s life, such as “when he reached twelve” and “he was in his mid-twenties when….”
Lecture Notes Outline
Biographies are typically organized chronologically—the events are described in the order in which they happened. This format helps show how a person’s life experiences affect him or her. “Abd al-Rahman Ibrahima” follows a chronological format. Myers uses phrases that move readers through Ibrahima’s life, such as “when he reached twelve” and “he was in his mid-twenties when….”
Extension Options
Remind students of the transition words and phrases that are used to signify chronological order: first, second, next, then, later, before, while, afterward, during this time, and long ago. Also, tell students that quite often biographies contain flashbacks that interrupt the chronological sequence of events with events that occurred earlier. These flashbacks are typically used to provide background information about characters or situations.

18. Understanding Biographies
A graphic organizer, such as a Time Line or Sequence Map, can help readers to better understand biographies.
A Time Line can help readers remember the chronological order of the events.
A Sequence Map can help readers follow and connect those events.
Consider the sample Sequence Map on the next slide.
Lecture Notes Outline
A graphic organizer, such as a Time Line or Sequence Map, can help readers to better understand biographies. A Time Line can help readers remember the chronological order of the events. A Sequence Map can help readers follow and connect those events. Consider the sample Sequence Map on the next slide.
Extension Options
Assign students the task of writing interview questions to help them prepare outlines for the biographies of other students in the class. When they have finished writing their questions, have students interview and record each other’s responses. Then have students use a blank Sequence Map to outline, in chronological order, the major experiences and events of their subjects’ lives.
Graphic Organizer Sources
A blank Sequence Map in both interactive and printable PDF formats can be found in the Graphic Organizers section of the Visual Teaching Package. Students may access interactive graphic organizers at

19. The Sequence Map below has been filled out for “Abd al-Rahman Ibrahima
Ibrahima is born in Fouta Djallon, Guinea.
As a young man, he meets Dr. John Cox.
In his 20s, he is forced into slavery in the U.S.
Lecture Notes Outline
The Sequence Map below has been filled out for “Abd al-Rahman Ibrahima.”
1. Ibrahima is born in Fouta Djallon, Guinea.
2. As a young man, he meets Dr. John Cox.
3. In his 20s, he is forced into slavery in the U.S.
4. Twenty years later, Cox and others try to help.
5. Ibrahima and his wife are eventually freed.
6. In 1829, Ibrahima dies while traveling home.
Twenty years later, Cox and others try to help.
Ibrahima and his wife are eventually freed.
In 1829, Ibrahima dies while traveling home.

20. Autobiography and Memoir
An autobiography is the story of a person’s life, written by that person.
This written account includes all or most of the significant experiences of the individual’s life.
A memoir is also the story of a person’s life, written by that person.
This written account extracts and focuses on one or more significant experiences of the individual’s life.
Lecture Notes Outline
An autobiography is the story of a person’s life, written by that person. This written account includes all or most of the significant experiences of the individual’s life. A memoir is also the story of a person’s life, written by that person. This written account extracts and focuses on one or more significant experiences of the individual’s life.
Extension Options
• Explain to students that the terms autobiography and memoir are often used interchangeably. Remind students about the Greek roots that are part of the word autobiography: auto, meaning “self”; bio, meaning “life”; and graph, meaning “writing.” Tell students that the word memoir comes from the Middle French root mémoire, meaning “memory.”
• Tell students about Six-Word Memoirs, a creative project that was initiated by SMITH magazine in The catalyst for this project came from a well-known story about author Ernest Hemingway. Supposedly, Hemingway was challenged to write a six-word memoir to summarize his life. He responded to the challenge by writing, “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” Inspired by Hemingway’s brief insight into his own life, the SMITH magazine editors asked readers, as well as famous writers, to sum up their lives in six-word memoirs and submit their results for publication. What resulted was the book Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous and Obscure. You may want to check out this book at your school or local library and share some of the close to one thousand Six-Word Memoirs published. Then challenge your students to write their own Six-Word Memoirs.

21. Organization of Autobiography and Memoir
Like biographies, autobiographies typically follow chronological order.
Memoirs, however, may have less structured organizations. They often use
flashbacks, which interrupt time sequence and present events that occurred earlier or in the past
and
foreshadowing, which provides a clue to events that will occur in the future or later in the story
Lecture Notes Outline
Like biographies, autobiographies typically follow chronological order. Memoirs, however, may have less structured organizations. They often use flashbacks, which interrupt time sequence and present events that occurred earlier or in the past, and foreshadowing, which provides a clue to events that will occur in the future or later in the story.

22. Example of Autobiography
In her autobiography “Mi Familia,” Carmen Tafolla flashes back to a time before she was born to explain who she is.
My roots in New Mexico go back for centuries—espanoles arriving in the 17th century to indios parientes already there. The move to Texas happened between 1848 and 1865 (a few wars got in the way, causing strange demographic reshuffles). My great-great-grandmother was already there, and had a seamstress shop in “downtown” San Antonio; my great-grandmother washed clothes in the San Antonio River…. She later married two (one at a time) Confederate veterans.
—from “Mi Familia,”
by Carmen Tafolla
Lecture Notes Outline
In her autobiography “Mi Familia,” Carmen Tafolla flashes back to a time before she was born to explain who she is.
My roots in New Mexico go back for centuries—espanoles arriving in the 17th century to indios parientes already there. The move to Texas happened between 1848 and 1865 (a few wars got in the way, causing strange demographic reshuffles). My great-great-grandmother was already there, and had a seamstress shop in “downtown” San Antonio; my great-grandmother washed clothes in the San Antonio River…. She later married two (one at a time) Confederate veterans.
—from “Mi Familia,” by Carmen Tafolla

23. Example of Memoir
In his memoir “The Jacket,” author Gary Soto describes a few years of his childhood.
Soto feels that these years were greatly affected by the ugly green jacket he had to wear at the time.
To keep track of the major events in an autobiography or memoir, readers can use a Sequence Map or a Time Line.
Lecture Notes Outline
In his memoir “The Jacket,” author Gary Soto describes a few years of his childhood. Soto feels that these years were greatly affected by the ugly green jacket he had to wear at the time. To keep track of the major events in an autobiography or memoir, readers can use a Sequence Map or a Time Line.

24. This Time Line outlines the events that Soto describes in his memoir.
Gary tells his mother he wants a black leather biker jacket.
Gary’s dog rips an L-shaped tear in the jacket’s sleeve.
Gary gets bad grades and no girls like him; he blames the jacket.
Gary cries and asks his mom for a new jacket; she says no.
Lecture Notes Outline
This Time Line outlines the events that Soto describes in his memoir.
1. Gary tells his mother he wants a black leather biker jacket.
2. Gary’s mother buys him an ugly green jacket that is too big.
3. Gary’s dog rips an L-shaped tear in the jacket’s sleeve.
4. Gary wears the jacket to school and gets a D on a math test.
5. Gary gets bad grade and no girls like him; he blames the jacket.
6. The jacket becomes too small; the L-shaped rip gets bigger.
7. Gary cries and asks his mom for a new jacket; she says no.
8. Gary seems to learn to accept the jacket, but he still doesn’t like it.
Point out to students that if more information was given about the dates when the events in the memoir happened, it would be possible to fill in the date boxes on the Time Line. However, the only information about the time period given in “The Jacket” is at the beginning when the narrator says he wore the jacket in fifth and sixth grade.
Gary’s mother buys him am ugly green jacket that is too big.
Gary wears the jacket to school and gets a D on a math test.
The jacket becomes too small; the L-shaped rip gets bigger.
Gary seems to learn to accept the jacket, but he still doesn’t like it.

25. If you were to write an autobiography, what major events would you want to include? Place them on the Time Line below.
Lecture Notes Outline
If you were to write an autobiography, what major events would you want to include? Place them on the Time Line below.
To help students organize their ideas and determine which events they want to include, have them use the following categories: birth to age 4, age 5 to age 9, and age 10 to present. They may want to add more information boxes to their Time Lines.
Navigation Note
An interactive text field has been provided to record student responses. Please note that any text you insert will remain in the text field unless manually deleted.
Graphic Organizer Sources
A blank Time Line in both interactive and printable PDF formats can be found in the Graphic Organizers section of the Visual Teaching Package. Students may access interactive graphic organizers at

26. SUMMARY: Biography, Autobiography, and Memoir
Whether they are reading a biography, an autobiography, or a memoir, readers can
find out more about a person’s life
learn more about a person’s character
gain insight into themselves
and the world around them
Lecture Notes Outline
Whether they are reading a biography, an autobiography, or a memoir, readers can find out more about a person’s life, learn more about a person’s character, and gain insight into themselves and the world around them.