Biography

Characteristics of a Biography #1

A story about a real person

Characteristics of a Biography # 2

Shows that the author knows a lot about the person The author must do extensive research on the subject by conducting interviews, reading books, scripts, etc.

Characteristics of a Biography # 3

Describes the persons environment Such as, where, when and how they lived

Characteristics of a Biography# 4

Provides details that show the person in action Such as, their accomplishments, goals, behavior, etc.

Characteristics of a Biography # 5

Shows how the person affects other people Such as, changes that they made in a persons life which could include new discoveries in science and medicine or changes in laws; helping people, and includes the artists

Characteristics of a Biography #6

States or implies how the writer feels about the person Different authors will or may have a different view point of the person The authors point of view could be positive or negative

Finding a Biography

The call number of a biography is indicated by a B Under the B are the first three letters of the persons last name that the book is about. For example, Martin Luther King B KIN

Different types of Biographies

First-hand biography Autobiography Collective Biography Unauthorized Biography

First Hand Biography

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

Autobiography

The main character is the author For example, if you were to write a biography about yourself, then that would be an autobiography

Autobiography

Recounts key incidents/events in the authors life

Autobiography

Describes major influences (people, events, places) on the writer

A home teacher

A teacher

Home

A Speech

Autobiography

Describes interactions between the writer and significant people in his or her life

A teacher

A pastor

A father

A mother

Visual and Oral Forms Autobiography

Pictures and paintings that depict events or people they are familiar with Photo albums or video tapes that record important moments in their lives Skits and plays based on their life stories

More Visual and Oral Forms Autobiography

Informal anecdotes about their lives, shared in conversations with friends and family Tangible mementos and souvenirs, such as awards, seashells, or favorite childhood toys

Finding an Autobiography

The call number is also indicated by aB Under the B are the first three letters of the persons last name that the book is about Remember the person that the book is about is also the author

Collective Biography

Has many different biographies that are all contained in one book An example, Meet the Presidents by Cindy Bardon This book would be found in 920 BAR This book is about many different United States Presidents

Finding a Collective Biography

The call number is 920. Under the number 920 are the first three letters of the last name of the author of the book

Unauthorized Biography

Biography about a person that was not approved by the subject that the book is about These are usually about celebrities. Risk of suit is great Purpose is the entertain