BiographyBiography

Characteristics of a Biography #1Characteristics of a Biography #1

A story about a real personA story about a real person

Characteristics of a Biography # 2Characteristics of a Biography # 2

Shows that the author knows a lot Shows that the author knows a lot about the personabout the person

The author must do extensive The author must do extensive research on the subject by research on the subject by conducting interviews, reading conducting interviews, reading books, scripts, etc.books, scripts, etc.

Characteristics of a Biography # 3Characteristics of a Biography # 3

Describes the person’s environmentDescribes the person’s environment Such as, where, when and how they Such as, where, when and how they

livedlived

Characteristics of a Biography# 4Characteristics of a Biography# 4

Provides details that show the person Provides details that show the person in actionin action

Such as, their accomplishments, Such as, their accomplishments, goals, behavior, etc.goals, behavior, etc.

Characteristics of a Biography # 5Characteristics of a Biography # 5 Shows how the person affects other Shows how the person affects other

peoplepeople Such as, changes that they made in Such as, changes that they made in

a person’s life which could include a person’s life which could include new discoveries in science and new discoveries in science and medicine or changes in laws; helping medicine or changes in laws; helping people, and includes the artistspeople, and includes the artists

Characteristics of a Biography #6Characteristics of a Biography #6

States or implies how the writer feels States or implies how the writer feels about the personabout the person

Different authors will or may have a Different authors will or may have a different view point of the persondifferent view point of the person

The author’s point of view could be The author’s point of view could be positive or negativepositive or negative

First Hand BiographyFirst Hand Biography

Reveals another person though the Reveals another person though the eyes of a writer who has had an eyes of a writer who has had an ongoing, face-to-face, personal ongoing, face-to-face, personal relationship with the personrelationship with the person

AutobiographyAutobiography

The main character is the authorThe main character is the author For example, if you were to write a For example, if you were to write a

biography about biography about yourselfyourself, then that , then that would be an autobiographywould be an autobiography

AutobiographyAutobiography Recounts key incidents/events in the Recounts key incidents/events in the

author’s lifeauthor’s life

AutobiographyAutobiography Describes major influences (people, Describes major influences (people,

events, places) on the writerevents, places) on the writer

A teacher Home

A teacherhome

A Speech

AutobiographyAutobiography Describes interactions between the Describes interactions between the

writer and significant people in his or writer and significant people in his or her lifeher life

A teacher A pastor A father A mother

Unauthorized BiographyUnauthorized Biography Biography about a person that was Biography about a person that was

not approvednot approved by the subject that by the subject that the book is aboutthe book is about

These are usually about celebrities. These are usually about celebrities. Risk of suit is greatRisk of suit is great Purpose is the entertainPurpose is the entertain

Autobiographical Write-A-ThonAutobiographical Write-A-Thon

10 Writing Tasks, 5 Minutes Each10 Writing Tasks, 5 Minutes Each

Are you up for the challenge?Are you up for the challenge?

Silly question! Of course you are!Silly question! Of course you are!

Task #1Task #1What’s in a Name?:

Names are an integral part of who we are. They shape our sense of who we are.

Are these the names you would have chosen for yourself? Surname, middle name, first name?

Is there a story behind your naming? Someone famous, a family member, weird initials? Does your name have symbolic meaning? Is it ethnic or historic or literary?

Did your parents consider other names?

Task #2Task #2

Likes / Dislikes List:

Make TWO columns, one titled “Likes,” the other “Dislikes,” and list from TEN to FIFTEEN specific items in each column.

Task #3Task #3

Personal MetaphorsPersonal Metaphors

AnimalAnimal MovieMovie ColourColour Season of the YearSeason of the Year

Task #4Task #4

Extended MetaphorsExtended Metaphors

If you are like an alley cat, discuss If you are like an alley cat, discuss four characteristics of an alley cat four characteristics of an alley cat and explain the ways in which you and explain the ways in which you have the same characteristics.have the same characteristics.

Task #5Task #5

Unfinished SentencesUnfinished Sentences

I am moody when...I am moody when... I feel frustrated when...I feel frustrated when... I feel sentimental when...I feel sentimental when...

Which is wiser? A pen or a pencil?Which is wiser? A pen or a pencil? Which is smarter? A clock or a Which is smarter? A clock or a

calendar?calendar? Which is happier? Music or art?Which is happier? Music or art?