1. Guiding Questions:  How have I become the person I am today?  How do life events shape us and make us who we are?

2. An Autobiography

3. What is an autobiography? True story of a person's life Written by that same person Reveal the effects of certain events on their lives Elements:  well-developed characters  Lots of details  Chronological order of events (or not)  First-person point of view (intimate)  Purpose/theme/message

4. Autobiographies Have you read one? Who was it about? Why did you read it? What makes us so interested?

6. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian Events from life of Albert Spirit (Junior) 14 year old boy who’s growing up Some elements from Sherman Alexie’s real life Semi-autobiographical

7. Bildungsroman What the heck is that?

8. Bildungsroman: Type of autobiography German word bildung: to shape, to form French word roman: novel Novel of formation, novel of education Coming-of-age story

9. Bildungsroman or Coming-of-age Stories Protagonist's journey from childhood or adolescence to adulthood Grows from boy to man or girl to woman Focuses on development of their mind and personality Tells us experiences/events that they go through which lead to this transition (growth)

10. More about Bildungsroman... Reason that protagonist goes on journey (loss, discontent) Shifts away from home or family setting Process of maturing is long, difficult, and slow Many conflicts arise between character and world around him/her Overcomes struggles - grows, changes, and reaches maturity Ends on positive note: recognizes identity & role in the world

11. Examples Books : Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton,The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, Harry Potter by J.K Rowling, Twilight by Stephanie Meyers

12. More Examples Movies : The Matrix, Star Wars, Good Will Hunting, The Breakfast Club, Almost Famous, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, 13 Going on 30, Juno, TV Shows : Boy Meets World, That 70’s Show, Freaks & Geeks, Degrassi, The OC, Others?

13. What is a Bildungsroman? 5 minute writing exercise.

14. YOUR TASK Writing autobiography/bildungsroman/coming- of-age story How you developed as a person (grown up & matured) Elements:  Beginning  3 events  You now  Theme

15. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian READING TIME

16. Getting Started on Your Story