1 Biography and Autobiography Unit Notes 2 Reading

1) Biography and Autobiography Unit Notes 2) Reading Clips 3) Brain Pop

Learning Target • Today I am learning how to analyze the interactions between individuals, events, and ideas in a text (e. g. , how ideas influence individuals or events, or how individuals influence ideas or events) because it will help me comprehend literary nonfiction and make a real-world connection.

How could you describe these definitions in your own words? 1. A biography is a story of a person’s life told by someone else and written from the third- person point of view. The writer, or biographer, usually gets information about the subject by doing detailed research using a number of sources. Sometimes, the biographer might even interview the subject directly. 2. An autobiography Is also the story of a person’s life, but it is told by that person and is written from the first- person point of view. Although most of the information is from the subject’s mind and memories, he or she may still consult others for help in remembering details about his or her life.

BIOGRAPHY • The writer IS NOT the subject • Forms: • Biographical books • Encyclopedia entries • Feature articles in newspapers and magazines or on websites • SOURCES: • Letters to and from the subject • Interviews with the subject and/or others • Books about the subject • Diaries or journals AUTOBIOGRAPHIES • The writer IS the subject • Forms: • • Autobiographical books Diaries and journals Personal essays memoirs • SOURCES: • • Memories Thoughts and feelings Family, friends, or associates Memorabilia

Memoir- A Snapshot • As a literary genre, a memoir (from the French: mémoire from the Latin memoria, meaning "memory", or a reminiscence), forms a subclass of autobiography – although the terms 'memoir' and 'autobiography' are almost interchangeable in modern parlance. Memoir is autobiographical writing, but not all autobiographical writing follows the criteria for memoir. • Memoirs are structured differently from formal autobiographies which tend to encompass the writer's entire life span, focusing on the development of his/her personality. The chronological scope of memoir is more focused and flexible than the traditional arc of birth to childhood to old age as found in an

Biographies *A biography is a story of a person’s life told by someone else *Written from the thirdperson point of view. *Typically organized in chronological order *The writer, or biographer, usually gets information about the subject by doing detailed research using a number of reliable sources. Factual information used to tell a true account of the subject’s life. *Sometimes, the biographer might even interview the subject directly. *Usually mentions challenges faced by the subject as well as accomplishments. Autobiographies Memoirs *An autobiography is also the A memoir is form of narrative writing which the writer story of a person’s life told by explores a particular part of his/her life – Focused on one that person. (From the root event at one point in the author’s life words meaning SELF and * A memory; a description of an event from the past. Think LIFE and STUDY) Snapshot. *Written from the first- person *It describes the events and then shows, either directly or point of view. indirectly, why they are significant. *Typically organized in *Often more about the author’s experience more than chronological order about the event itself *Most of the information is from the subject’s mind but Is focused in time; doesn't cover a great span of years -- he or she may consult others that's an autobiography for help in remembering details about his or her life. A good memoir…… *Unlike memoirs, these Connects to the audience typically covers a larger span 1 st person point of view of the person’s life. Based on the truth *Think photo album “Shows” doesn’t just “tell” - uses descriptive language Uses dialogue Expresses the author’s thoughts and feelings (emotional) Reveals the importance of the memory to the reader –

Model 1: “The Wright Brothers” by Russell Freedman This excerpt is from a biography about Wilbur and Orville Wright, two brothers who invented and flew the first machine- powered airplane. Close Reading Questions: 1. What clues tell you that this is a biography rather than an autobiography? 2. How were Wilbur and Orville different? Cite details to support your answer.

Model 2” “The Invisible Thread” by Yoshiko Uchida 1. What clues in the boxed sentences signal that this is an autobiography? 2. Name two things you learn about Uchida from her description of her own thoughts and feelings.

Part 2: Reading Biographies and Autobiographies • On page 756, we will read the two paragraphs up top. • Take special note of the two text features in the middle of the page describing biography and autobiography. • What do you do when you read a biography? An Autobiography? • What should you ask when reading either?

Part 2, Model 1: “Christopher Reeve” from Current Biography. 1. Look at the boxed details. How would you describe the author's attitude toward Reeve? 2. What source does the author use for quotes by and about Reeve? 3. Based on the article, how would you describe Reeve?

Part 2, Model 2: “Living Without Fear” In 1995, a fall from a horse left Reeve paralyzed from the neck down, and he died in 2004. In this essay, Reeve reminds people not to let fear take over their lives. Reeve conquered his own fears when he participated in research for spinal cord injuries. 1. Describe Reeve’s personality at this point in his life. In your opinion, has attitude toward life changed or stayed the same? 2. What picture do you get of Reeve’s life as a whole? Explain how this picture would be different if you had only read one

Part 3: Analyze The Literature • In 1955, a 42 - year- old African -American woman in Montgomery, Alabama, refused to give up her seat on a public bus. Her action sparked a citywide bus boycott and helped break down the barriers of racial segregation in the South. Her name was Rosa Parks.

From Rosa Parks by Mary Hull 1. How can you tell that this excerpt is from a biography? What details supports your answer? 2. Consider how the author describes Parks’ words and actions in lines 3 -13. How does the author seem to feel about Parks? 3. What do you learn about Parks’ upbringing from this biography? 4. One of the sources for this biography was Rosa Parks’ own autobiography. As a result, the author was able to include detail about Parks’ thoughts and feelings. One example is boxed. Find one more.

Rosa Parks: My Story 1. Reread the boxed sentences. Would you say that this autobiography was written in the 1950 s or later? Explain. 2. How can you tell that the author of the biography used Parks’ autobiography as a source? What are the details you can come up with to support your thoughts? 3. By revealing her thoughts and beliefs in lines 13 -25, Parks gives readers a real sense of her personality. How would you describe her? In your opinion, do you get this same sense from reading the biography about her?