Autobiography vs. Biography

Autobiography vs. Biography What are the characteristics of a biography and an autobiography?

Key Learning: Texts are structured in a way to help the reader comprehend the information more easily. 701.8.3, 701.8.4, 701.6.3, 701.6.4 Unit Essential Question: How does analyzing text structure help you better understand the information you are reading? Concept: Concept: Nonfiction Text Features Concept: Types of Prose Concept: Biography and Autobiography Poetry, Prose and Drama Lesson Essential Questions: How do I distinguish among poetry, prose, and drama? 701.8.3, 701.8.4 Lesson Essential Questions: How do the features of nonfiction texts aid in comprehension? 701.6.3, 701.6.4 Lesson Essential Questions: How do you explain the characteristics of biography and autobiography? 701.8.3 Lesson Essential Questions: What are the distinguishing characteristics of the different types of prose? 701.8.3, 701.8.4

Unit Vocabulary Poetry Prose Drama Text features (headings, key words, captions, footnotes, maps, charts, graphs, timelines, tables, diagrams) • Fiction • Nonfiction • Genre • Biography • Autobiography

Table of Contents for: Text Structure

Activator • 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.

READING 1 Activator 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 Activator 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.

Activator • 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 • The main character is the author • Recounts the key incidents in the writer’s life • Describes major influences (people, events, places) on the writer

Autobiography • Describes interactions between the writer and significant people in his or her life • Reveals the writer’s feelings, reactions, values, and goals

Let’s Review #1 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. * What clues tell us that the first reading was an autobiography?

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 • Tells about a real person • Shows that the writer knows a lot about this person • Describes the person’s environment

Biography • Provides anecdotes or details that show this person in action • Shows how the person affects other people • States or implies how the writer feels about the person

Let’s Review #2 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. * What clues tell us that the first reading was an biography?

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 • Take out a blank sheet of notebook paper. • Title it “Autobio vs Bio Summarizer” and head it properly. • Then FLIP IT OVER TO THE BACK…

In-Class Assignments • We will be reading “An Unforgettable Journey” on page 402 and answering a few questions from the passage. • Remember, we are using the back of your paper… • Write “Unforgettable Journey” on the first line and then follow along with the reading.

“Unforgettable Journey” Write your answers in COMPLETE sentences ON THE BACK. SKIP lines. • Which of the first three sentences in this reading is an opinion? • Is this a biography or an autobiography? Why? • What point-of-view is this story written in? Give examples to explain your answer. • Describe the person who wrote this story (where she is from, what happened to her, her character as a person).

“Unforgettable Journey”- Answers • Which of the first three sentences in this reading is an opinion? The third sentence– “…life seemed peaceful.” -- Cannot be proven • Is this a biography or an autobiography? Why? Autobiography • What point-of-view is this story written in? Give examples to explain your answer. First-Person • Describe the person who wrote this story (where she is from, what happened to her, her character as a person). Immigrant from Laos– was a refugee fleeing to Thailand

In-Class Assignments NOW… • We are reading “Rosa Parks” on page 853 and answering a few questions from the passage. • We will be using the same instructions from the “Unforgettable Journey” reading and questions • Draw a line under your last question and write “Rosa Parks” under the line. • Follow along with the reading.

“Rosa Parks” Write your answers in COMPLETE sentences ON THE BACK. SKIP lines. • Is this a biography or an autobiography? Why? • What point-of-view is this story written in? Give examples to explain your answer. • What do the details tell you about Rosa Park’s character?

“Rosa Parks”- Answers • Is this a biography or an autobiography? Why? Biography- written by Rita Dove • What point-of-view is this story written in? Give examples to explain your answer. 3rd Person (words like she, her, etc…) • What do the details tell you about Rosa Park’s character? Brave, courageous, strong-willed

Summarizer • Turn your notebook paper back over to the front. • We are doing a 3-2-1… using the following slide, complete the questions. • Turn it into the blue bin when you are finished.

Summarizer • 3. Write THREE sentences that compare and contrast biographies and autobiographies. • 2. Write the definitions for biography and autobiography (you have TWO definitions). • 1. What would you prefer to read? Biography or Autobiography? Write ONE reason in a complete sentence as to why you prefer the one over the other.

In-Class Assignments NOW… • We are reading “Elizabeth I” on page 416 and answering a few questions from the passage. • We will be using the same instructions from the “Unforgettable Journey” reading and questions • Draw a line under your last question and write “Elizabeth I”. • Follow along with the reading.

“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 Elizabeth’s character (page 416)? • Who did Elizabeth I marry?

“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 Elizabeth’s character (page 416)? Smart (well educated), regal, active, eager • Who did Elizabeth I marry? She never married (said she was married to England)

Autobiography vs. Biography