Autobiography

vs.
Biography
What is the point of view of the
writing? What are the
characteristics of a biography and
an autobiography?
 Autobiography-
First Person Point of View
 In the first person point of view, the
narrator does participate in the action of
the story
 When reading stories in the first person,
we need to realize that what the narrator is
recounting might not be the objective truth
 We should question the trustworthiness of
the accounting
 First Person Point of View-
Example
“For nearly a year, I sopped around the
house, the Store, the school, and the
church, like an old biscuit, dirty and inedible.
Then I met, or rather got to know, the lady
who threw me my first lifeline.”

from I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

by Maya Angelou
 Biography-
Third Person Point of View
 A narrator zooms in on the thoughts and
feelings of just one character in the story
 This point of view helps us share that
character’s reactions to the story’s events
 Third Person Point of View-
Example
 “In December of 1851 when she started out
with the band of fugitives that she planned to
take to Canada, she had been in the vicinity
of the plantation for days planning the trip,
carefully selecting the slaves that she would
take with her.”
from Harriet Tubman Conductor of the
Underground Railroad
By Ann Petry
 Activity:
 We will be looking at two readings.
 They are both very similar, but they
are both different as well.
 Be on the look out for the difference.
 Activity
READING 1
Aunt Cindy was a big part of Jane’s
childhood. Jane and her parents visited
Aunt Cindy at least once a month. She
remembers many visits to Aunt Cindy’s
tiny, dark apartment. It was very quiet in
that building– maybe because tenants
were not allowed to have children or pets.
In spite of that, Aunt Cindy found a way to
express her love for animals; she spent
days working at an animal shelter near her
home, and scouting out alleyways for
strays and finding them homes.
READING 2 Activity

Aunt Cindy was a big part of my

childhood. My parents and I visited her at
least once a month. I remember many
visits to Aunt Cindy’s tiny, dark apartment.
It was very quiet in that building– maybe
because tenants were not allowed to have
children or pets. In spite of that, my Aunt
Cindy found a way to express her love for
animals; she spent days working at an
animal shelter near her home, and
scouting out alleyways for strays and
finding them homes.
 Activity
 Look at your notesheet.
 Take a few minutes to complete the
Venn Diagram.
 We will share our answers in just in a
moment.
 Activator

Reading 1 Reading 2
1. 1.
1.
2. 2.
2.
 Autobiography
1. The main character is the author
(First Person Point of View)
2. Recounts the key incidents in the
writer’s life
3. Describes major influences
(people, events, places) on the
writer
 Autobiography

4. Describes interactions between

the writer and significant people
in his or her life
5. Reveals the writer’s feelings,
reactions, values, and goals
6. Gives details about time, place,
and key events
 Let’s Review #1
* What clues tell us that the first
reading was an autobiography?
Aunt Cindy was a big part of my childhood.
My parents and I visited her at least once a
month. I remember many visits to Aunt
Cindy’s tiny, dark apartment. It was very
quiet in that building– maybe because
tenants were not allowed to have children
or pets. In spite of that, my Aunt Cindy
found a way to express her love for
animals; she spent days working at an
animal shelter near her home, and scouting
out alleyways for strays and finding them
homes.
 Let’s Review #1: Autobiography

Aunt Cindy was a big part of my

childhood. My parents and I visited her at
least once a month. I remember many
visits to Aunt Cindy’s tiny, dark apartment.
It was very quiet in that building– maybe
because tenants were not allowed to have
children or pets. In spite of that, my Aunt
Cindy found a way to express her love for
animals; she spent days working at an
animal shelter near her home, and
scouting out alleyways for strays and
finding them homes.
 Biography
1. Tells about a real person
2. Shows that the writer knows a lot
about this person ((Third Person
Point of View)
3. Describes the person’s
environment (time, place, events)
 Biography

4. Provides anecdotes or details

that show this person in action
5. Shows how the person affects
other people
6. States or implies how the
writer feels about the person
 Let’s Review #2
* What clues tell us that the first
reading was an biography?
Aunt Cindy was a big part of Jane’s
childhood. Jane and her parents visited
Aunt Cindy at least once a month. She
remembers many visits to Aunt Cindy’s tiny,
dark apartment. It was very quiet in that
building– maybe because tenants were not
allowed to have children or pets. In spite of
that, Aunt Cindy found a way to express her
love for animals; she spent days working at
an animal shelter near her home, and
scouting out alleyways for strays and
finding them homes.
 Let’s Review #2- Biography

Aunt Cindy was a big part of Jane’s

childhood. Jane and her parents visited
Aunt Cindy at least once a month. She
remembers many visits to Aunt Cindy’s
tiny, dark apartment. It was very quiet in
that building– maybe because tenants
were not allowed to have children or pets.
In spite of that, Aunt Cindy found a way to
express her love for animals; she spent
days working at an animal shelter near her
home, and scouting out alleyways for
strays and finding them homes.
 In-Class Assignments
1. Take out a blank sheet of
notebook paper.
2. Title it “Autobio vs Bio
Summarizer” and head it
properly.
3. Then FLIP IT OVER TO THE
BACK…
 “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)