Autobiography vs. Biography

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

2. 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.

3. READING 1 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.

4. 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 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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?

8. 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.

9. First Person Point of View First person point of view is when the author/narrator tells the story from their perspective. The reader only knows what the author/narrator knows. Pronouns: I, we, us, my, mine, ours

10. 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.

11. 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?

12. 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.

13. Third Person Point of View Third person point of view in nonfiction is when the author reports the facts. The author tells the story! (In fictional text 3rd person POV the Narrator tells the story and knows about all characters) Pronouns: He, she, it, they, him, her, it, them, his, hers, its, their, theirs

14. Autobiographies and biographies can provide information that is collected through time consuming research. • Autobiographies only tell what the author wants share about his/her life. First Person POV • Biographies give facts about a persons life. Second Person POV • Neither should be the only source of information when researching a person, reference works such as encyclopedias have verifiable information.

15. 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

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. Assignment: Auto/Biographical Poem This week we will read about four famous mathematicians. You will choose one to research and gather relevant and essential information about. Remember to distinguish between facts & opinions about your mathematician. Next, you will take all that you learned about the person and write about them from their own point of view. You will present your information in the form of an “I Am” poem.

19. Exit Ticket • 1. Write THREE sentences that compare and contrast biographies and autobiographies. • 2. Write the definitions for biography and autobiography (you will have TWO definitions). • 3. 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.