Biography & Autobiography

NotesFictional Adaptations

Biography• A biography tells key facts about a person, and it is written by someone

else.• It describes key facts about a person such as, where, when and how

they live (or have lived if the person is no longer alive).• It is written in chronological order.

• The author must know a lot about the person and research the person, so that they can write a lot about them.

Point of View• It is about a real person, but is not written by the person. It is

written in third person.

Sources• Books• Encyclopedias• Websites• Articles

Primary or Secondary• Secondary

Things to look for and be aware of…• Less bias• More objectivity• Wide range of sources• A biography will talk about how the person feels about different

things.

• A biography might talk about a person’s achievements, things that have happened to them, and their likes and dislikes.

AutobiographyOn the BACK of page ???

Autobiography• An autobiography tells events in a person’s life and it is written by

that person.• It is written in chronological order.

Point of View• It is written in first person because it contains facts about the

author’s own experiences.

Sources• Autobiography books• Journals• Diaries• Memoirs

Primary or Secondary• (Normally) Primary

Things to look for and be aware of…• More bias/Personal thoughts and feelings• Less objectivity because an autobiography describes influences

upon the author.• An autobiography describes interactions between the writer and

significant people in his or her life.

Fictional Adaptation

Page ???

Fictional Adaptation• Stories and plays about people and events; a blend of fact and

fiction.

Point of View• Either (1st Person or 3rd Person)

Sources• Books• Movies• TV shows• Other media

Primary or Secondary• Secondary

Things to look for and be aware of…• May not all be true• Could be made up and/or mixed in with fact

Now you try!On the next 2 slides you’ll read the text and then see if you can figure out whether it’s an autobiography or a

biography.

#1.Autobiography or Biography?

Harriet Tubman was born around 1820 in Maryland. Her parents were slaves, so she also was a slave when she was born. She had to work even when she was a little child. When she was twelve years old, she suffered a serious injury when an overseer threw a heavy weight which hit her in the head. After that incident she slept a lot. This condition remained with her the rest of her life. People with narcolepsy will suddenly fall asleep wherever they happen to be. When she was 25, she married John Tubman who was not a slave, but a free African American.

Read the text and then see if you can figure out which type it is. Write #1 and then write your answer next to it and we’ll go over it and see if you’re correct.

#2.Autobiography or Biography?

However, I became very frustrated because I couldn't talk. I became very angry and began to throw temper tantrums. My family knew they had to do something to help me. They found a teacher named Anne Sullivan. Miss Sullivan herself had been blind, but had an operation and regained her sight. She understood what I was feeling. She taught me the signs for the letters of the alphabet. Then she would "spell" the words in my hand to communicate with her.

Same directions as #1 BUT this time I also want you to see if you can tell me the name of this person? Who is this about?