Autobiography vs. Biography

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

Daily Objective • SPI 0701.8.3 Distinguish among different genres using their distinguishing characteristics.

Essential Questions • What are the characteristics of autobiographies and biographies?

Set • 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 Set 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 Set 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.

Set • Think: How are the two readings alike and how are they different? • Pair: Turn to the person next to you and share the ways that the two readings are alike and different. • Share: Volunteers to share with the class.

Autobiography • The main character is the author • Recounts the key incidents in the writer’s life • Written in first person point of view. • 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 • Shows how the person affects other people • States or implies how the writer feels about the person • Written in the third person point of view

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.

Fact vs. Opinion • Fact: something that can be proved to be true • Opinion: thoughts or feelings • To check for opinions, ask yourself, • “Does this tell a thought or feeling?” • “Would the statement be true all of the time?” • Look for clue words such as : feel, believe, always, never, none, most, least, best, and worst

Fact or Opinion? • Abraham Lincoln was the greatest president. • Although Abraham Lincoln was a president, it is an opinion that he was the greatest one. • Marilyn Monroe was an actress. • Marilyn Monroe was in 29 movies. Since she acted in those movies, that is a fact • Tiger Woods is the best golfer who ever played the game. • Although Tiger Woods has won many golf titles, whether he is the greatest golfer is an opinion.

Fact or Opinion • Tiger Woods was the first African American to win the Masters Golf Tournament. • In the history of the Masters Tournament, this is a fact. Tiger Woods was the first African American to win the Masters. • Dale Earnhardt died in a NASCAR race crash. • Dale Earnhardt died on February 18, 2001 as a result of a crash during the 2001 Daytona NASCAR race. This is a fact. • All Rap lyrics are offensive • Although Rap lyrics often contain questionable language, whether they are offensive or not is an opinion, not a fact.

Subjective vs. Objective • Subjective = questionable, based on opinion not fact (OPINION) • Objective = able to be seen, heard, etc., it can be proven, it is a fact (FACT)

Subjective or Objective? 1. Ms. Leonard teaches reading. -Objective 2. Ms. Leonard is the best teacher ever! -Subjective 3. Taylor Swift is the CMA Entertainer of the Year. -Objective 6. Taylor Swift is the best country entertainer. -Subjective

Autobiography Paper • You will write a one page autobiography that includes the major events in your life. • Make sure you include: • Your birthday • A few subjective details about yourself – underline them • One page in length • Your name on the paper.

Exit Ticket • 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 • Take out a blank sheet of notebook paper. • Title it “Autobiography vs Biography” and put your name on it.

In-Class Assignments • We will be reading “An Unforgettable Journey” on page 402 and answering a few questions from the passage. • Write “Unforgettable Journey” on the first line and then follow along with the reading.

“Unforgettable Journey” Write your answers in COMPLETE sentences. • 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). • Write one detail from the story that is subjective. • Write one detail from the story that is objective.

“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 5. Subjective details 6. Objective details

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 • Write “Rosa Parks” at the top of your paper. • Follow along with the reading.

“Rosa Parks” Write your answers in COMPLETE sentences. 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? • Write one detail from the story that is subjective. • Write one detail from the story that is objective.

“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 4. Subjective Details 5. Objective details

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