Biography,

Autobiography, and
Memoir

Jessica Dockter University of Minnesota

Adapted from Beth Brendler 2008
Biography
A branch of nonfiction:

• tells the story of the life -- or part of the life -

- of a real person

• Focuses on the person’s relation to historical

events going on at the time
Now…
Writers / publishers view biography
as a chance for children to learn
about the lives and times of people
who have made a significant impact
on the world
Biography
Contemporary people
living out their lives

One Boy from Kosovo

by Trish Marx
Biography
Villains:

The Life and Death of Adolf Hitler

by James Cross Giblin

Good Brother, Bad Brother:

The Story of Edwin Booth and
John Wilkes Booth
by James Cross Giblin
Biography
People like biographies about people they are
interested in.

Sports biographies are a wonderful way to

engage a non-reader.
Evaluating Biography
May include:

• List of resources
• Source notes
• Bibliography
• Glossary
• Photographs
Evaluating Biography
• Settings are clearly & accurately depicted

• Full of interesting social details

• Linked to the development of the subject’s

character & accomplishments
Evaluating Biography
• Plots blend factual background with a
good story

• Distinguishes between fact and opinion

• Subjects portrayed as multidimensional –

with strengths and weaknesses
Memoir
Based on events in the life of the author

The author selects certain events from their life

to bring out a particular theme (i.e Holocaust
memoirs)

Not meant to be a source of facts, but a story of

the subject’s life in the subject’s own words
Memoir and Autobiography
Memoir is less grounded in fact – based on
memory and perception

•Events are interpretive

•Usually have some theme

• growing up
• remaining true to culture
• determination
Memoir and Autobiography
• Autobiography and biography: typically
move between birth & fame
• Autobiography is written BY THE PERSON
THE BOOK IS ABOUT
• Biography can be written by anyone

• Memoir: a collection of moments, like

snapshots that bring out some truth
about the writer’s life
Memoir & Autobiography
for Adolescents
I
For Your Book Report for the 4th 6 weeks:
•You must choose and read a biography, autobiography or memior. This book needs
to be pre-approved by our librarian or approved by me.

•It needs to be reading level appropriate as well.

• You are to create a “suitcase” for the person you are reading about

•In this suitcase which can be a paper bag etc. You must include FIVE items that
represent your person or their life

•You will include a paragraph per item that explains why you chose to include that
item in their “suitcase.”

• On the front of your suitcase you will include a summary of your book

• Your items will have specific guidelines that are on your paper

•THIS IS DUE ____________________

•The best suitcases will be displayed