Autobiography vs. Biography

1
Autobiography vs. Biography

• What is the point of view of the writing? What
  are the characteristics of a biography and an
  autobiography?

2
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

3
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

4
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
  characters reactions to the storys events

5
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

6
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.

7
Activity
READING 1

• Aunt Cindy was a big part of Janes childhood.
  Jane and her parents visited Aunt Cindy at least
  once a month. She remembers many visits to Aunt
  Cindys 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.

8
Activity
READING 2

• 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 Cindys 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.

9
Activity

• Look at your notesheet.
• Take a few minutes to complete the Venn Diagram.
• We will share our answers in just in a moment.

10
Activator
Reading 1
Reading 2
1.
1.
1.
2.
2.
2.
11
Autobiography

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

12
Autobiography

1. Describes interactions between the writer and
   significant people in his or her life
2. Reveals the writers feelings, reactions, values,
   and goals
3. Gives details about time, place, and key events

13
Lets 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 Cindys 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.

14
Lets 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 Cindys 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.

15
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 persons environment (time, place,
   events)

16
Biography

1. Provides anecdotes or details that show this
   person in action
2. Shows how the person affects other people
3. States or implies how the writer feels about the
   person

17
Lets Review 2
What clues tell us that the first reading was
an biography?

• Aunt Cindy was a big part of Janes childhood.
  Jane and her parents visited Aunt Cindy at least
  once a month. She remembers many visits to Aunt
  Cindys 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.

18
Lets Review 2- Biography

• Aunt Cindy was a big part of Janes childhood.
  Jane and her parents visited Aunt Cindy at least
  once a month. She remembers many visits to Aunt
  Cindys 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.

19
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

20
(No Transcript)
21
Elizabeth I- Answers

• Is this a biography or an autobiography?
• What point-of-view is this story written in?
• What do the details tell you about Elizabeths
  character (page 416)?
• Who did Elizabeth I marry?

22
Elizabeth I- Answers

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