Autobiography

vs.
Biography
What are the characteristics of a
biography and an autobiography?
 What Is an Autobiography?
 An autobiography is the story of a person’s
life, written or told by that person.

 Through My Eyes, by Ruby Bridges

 Boy: Tales of Childhood, by Roald Dahl
 Savion: My Life in Tap, by Savion Glover and
Bruce Weber
 What Is an Autobiography?
 The author of an autobiography:
 tells about his or her own life
experiences
 writes in first-person point of view, using
pronouns such as I, me, and we.
 Example
“When I was twelve, I began volunteering at the
local newspaper. I didn’t know it then, but my
plan to avoid dance lessons by working at The
Tribune two afternoons a week awakened in me
a thirst for journalism. Now, twenty years later,
though I’ve covered news stories in major cities
all over the world, I still haven’t learned how to
dance”
 What Is a Biography?
 A biography is the story of a real person’s life,
written or told by another person.

 Helen Keller: Rebellious Spirit, by Laurie Lawlor

 The Life and Death of Crazy Horse, by Russell
Freedman
 Sky Pioneer: A Photobiography of Amelia Earhart,
by Corinne
 What Is a Biography?

The author of a biography:

 thoroughly researches the subject’s life
 writes in third-person point of view, using

pronouns such as he, she, and they

 Example
“An award-winning international journalist,
Kathy Price discovered her love for news
reporting when she was just twelve years
old. To escape taking dance lessons,
young Kathy convinced her parents that
she would rather volunteer for the local
newspaper twice a week. The Tribune
taught her confidence and basic skills that
are at the foundation of her career.”
 Styles of Biographies

 Some biographies are written in a strictly factual

style and include only events and conversations
that really happened.

 Other biographies are written to read more like

novels and may include details that are historically
possible but may not have really happened.
 Memoir
Some think that a autobiography is also a memoir; however,
they are different. Like a biography a autobiography takes the
reader through the whole life of that person, but from that
persons point-of-view. A memoir is also written by the person
that it is about, but it is only about one specific time or event
in their lives.
Example: If I decided to write about my complete life up until
this point – including growing up in Markham, the 5 years I
spent in Waterloo, my time in Toronto and eventually landing
my teaching job – I’d write an autobiography. If I wrote a book
about getting my first teaching job, when I had to apply to
over 150 positions – I’d write a memoir
 Fact vs. Opinion
 Fact: something that can be proved to be
true

 Opinion: thoughts or feelings

 To check for opinions, ask yourself,
• “Does this tell a thought or feeling?”
• “Would the statement be true all of the time?”
 Look for clue words such as : feel, believe,
always, never, none, most, least, best, and worst
 Fact or Opinion?
1. Abraham Lincoln was the greatest president.
1. Although Abraham Lincoln was a president, it is an
opinion that he was the greatest one.
2. Marilyn Monroe was an actress.
1. Marilyn Monroe was in 29 movies. Since she acted in
those movies, that is a fact
3. Tiger Woods is the best golfer who ever played
the game.
1. Although Tiger Woods has won many golf titles,
whether he is the greatest golfer is an opinion.
 Fact or Opinion
1. Tiger Woods was the first African American to win
the Masters Golf Tournament.
1. In the history of the Masters Tournament, this is a fact.
Tiger Woods was the first African American to win the
Masters.
2. Dale Earnhardt died in a NASCAR race crash.
1. Dale Earnhardt died on February 18, 2001 as a result of
a crash during the 2001 Daytona NASCAR race. This is a
fact.
3. All Rap lyrics are offensive
1. Although Rap lyrics often contain questionable language,
whether they are offensive or not is an opinion, not a fact.
 Subjective vs. Objective
 Subjective = questionable, based on
opinion not fact (OPINION)

 Objective = able to be seen, heard, etc., it

can be proven, it is a fact (FACT)
 Subjective or Objective?
1. Ms. Ugarenko teaches Math.
-Objective
2. Ms. Ugarenko is the best teacher ever!
-Subjective
3. Taylor Swift is the CMA Entertainer of the Year.
-Objective
6. Taylor Swift is the best country entertainer.
-Subjective
 Exit Ticket
 Turn your notebook paper back over
to the front.
 We are doing a 3-2-1… using the
following slide, complete the
questions.
 Turn it into the blue bin when you are
finished.
 Summarizer
 3. Write THREE sentences that compare
and contrast biographies and
autobiographies.
 2. Write the definitions for biography and
autobiography (you have TWO
definitions).
 1. What would you prefer to read?
Biography or Autobiography? Write ONE
reason in a complete sentence as to why
you prefer the one over the other.
 In-Class Assignments
1. Take out a blank sheet of
notebook paper.
2. Title it “Autobiography vs
Biography” and put your name on
it.
 In-Class Assignments

1. We will be reading “An Unforgettable

Journey” on page 402 and answering a
few questions from the passage.
2. Write “Unforgettable Journey” on the
first line and then follow along with the
reading.
 “Unforgettable Journey”
Write your answers in COMPLETE sentences.
1. Which of the first three sentences in this reading is an
opinion?
2. Is this a biography or an autobiography? Why?
3. What point-of-view is this story written in? Give
examples to explain your answer.
4. Describe the person who wrote this story (where she is
from, what happened to her, her character as a person).
5. Write one detail from the story that is subjective.
6. Write one detail from the story that is objective.
 “Unforgettable Journey”- Answers
1. Which of the first three sentences in this reading is an opinion?
The third sentence– “…life seemed peaceful.” -- Cannot
be proven
2. Is this a biography or an autobiography? Why?
Autobiography
3. What point-of-view is this story written in? Give examples to explain your
answer.
First-Person
4. Describe the person who wrote this story (where she is from, what happened to
her, her character as a person).
Immigrant from Laos– was a refugee fleeing to Thailand
5. Subjective details
6. Objective details
 In-Class Assignments
NOW…
1. We are reading “Rosa Parks” on page
853 and answering a few questions from
the passage.
1. We will be using the same instructions
from the “Unforgettable Journey” reading
and questions
2. Write “Rosa Parks” at the top of your
paper.
3. Follow along with the reading.
 “Rosa Parks”
Write your answers in COMPLETE
sentences. SKIP lines.
1. Is this a biography or an autobiography? Why?
2. What point-of-view is this story written in? Give
examples to explain your answer.
3. What do the details tell you about Rosa Park’s
character?
4. Write one detail from the story that is subjective.
5. Write one detail from the story that is objective.
 “Rosa Parks”- Answers

1. Is this a biography or an autobiography? Why?

Biography- written by Rita Dove
2. What point-of-view is this story written in? Give
examples to explain your answer.
3rd Person (words like she, her, etc…)
3. What do the details tell you about Rosa Park’s
character?
Brave, courageous, strong-willed
4. Subjective Details
5. Objective details
 In-Class Assignments

NOW…
1. We are reading “Elizabeth I” on
page 416 and answering a few
questions from the passage.
1. We will be using the same instructions
from the “Unforgettable Journey”
reading and questions
2. Draw a line under your last question
and write “Elizabeth I”.
3. Follow along with the reading.
 “Elizabeth I”- Answers

1. Is this a biography or an
autobiography?
2. What point-of-view is this story
written in?
3. What do the details tell you about
Elizabeth’s character (page 416)?
4. Who did Elizabeth I marry?
 “Elizabeth I”- Answers
1. Is this a biography or an autobiography?
Biography
2. What point-of-view is this story written in?
Third-Person
3. What do the details tell you about Elizabeth’s character
(page 416)?
Smart (well educated), regal, active,
eager
4. Who did Elizabeth I marry?
She never married (said she was married to
England)