Lesson 1:

The Biography and

Autobiography
 OBJECTIVE
I can describe
biography and
autobiography as a
type of creative
non-fiction
 What do you know
about
autobiographies?
Whose autobiographies
have you read and
found interesting?
 “Autobiography
is usually
honest but it’s
never truthful.”
- Robert Heine
 A biography is a
kind of narrative
that deals with the
life of a person.
Classical biographies
are about the lives
of popular figures
like national heroes
or celebrities.
 Autobiography
An autobiography is a kind of
biography that centers on the
life of the narrator
himself/herself.

Etymology: Greek word

autos (“self”) ,
bios (“life”)
and graphein (“to write”)
 An autobiography does not
simply list down or relate
events chronologically.
It borrows some of the
literary strategies and
devices of fiction, such as
characterization and plot, in
order to make one’s life
story interesting.
In writing autobiography, one
should also exercise
discernment in choosing the
details that a writer wishes
to include, particularly
details that are not only
memorable but are also worth
sharing with the readers.
The autobiography shares certain
characteristics with other types
of creative nonfiction,
primarily its being in the first
person. But unlike the personal
narrative, which usually focuses
on a single event or episode,
the autobiography deals with a
chain of events and covers a
longer period of time.
 Activity
In a ½ yellow paper. Try to
recall episodes from your
childhood and teenage life that
are worth sharing and which you
may include in a possible
autobiography. Indicate dates,
places, and other details. The
incomplete table below serves as
your example and guide.
 Date Place Event

June 1998 Manila Birth

2012 Bagumbong High First year in

School school, belong to
the Special Science
Class
Writing a Biography
• Analyse and interpret the events of the life
of the person
• Commonly written in chronological order
• Can focus on specific topics or person’s
accomplishments
• Uses third person point of view
• Features the personality of the subject
 Sources
1. Primary Source
-Diary
-Letter
2. Family members
3. The person
Interview
Asking personally
 It should include the following
1. Family
2. Early Life
3. Education
4. Skills or talent
5. Accomplishments
6. Adjectives to describe the person
7. What examples from their life illustrates those qualities?
8. What makes this person special to you
9. Did he/she overcome the obstacles in life? If so, How?
10. Source of Inspiration of the Person
 Format:
1st paragraph: Birth, Early life, Family
2nd paragraph: Education, Skills and talent,
Accomplishments
3rd paragraph: Adjective to describe the
person, examples to illustrate it, What makes
the person, Special to you, Overcoming
obstacles, Source of inspiration of the person.
 WW#1 Creating
Biography
Using the facts written on the ½ sheet of yellow paper of
your classmate. Write a biography of the student in a
paragraph form.

Format: Short Bond Paper, Cambria, 12

Minimum of 300 words.

Rubric:
Correctness and Reliability 20:
Grammar and Creativity: 15
Indention, Spacing, Margin:5
Neatness:3
Timeliness:2
Total: 45points