Biography,

Autobiography,
and Memoir
 Biography

A branch of nonfiction:

• tells the story of the life -- or part of

the life -- of a real person

• Focuses on the person’s relation to

historical events going on at the time
 Now…

Writers / publishers view biography

as a chance for children to learn
about the lives and times of people
who have made a significant impact
on the world
GRAMMAR AND LANGUAGE FEATURES
OF BIOGRAPHY
• The following are the language features of
biography:
• 1. Use of simple past tense.
• 2. Sometime, use other past tenses.
• 3. Focus on chronological sequence.
4. Focus on specific participants.
5. Use of action verbs
 Biography
People like biographies about people
they are interested in.

Sports biographies are a wonderful way

to engage a non-reader.
Evaluating Biography
May include:
• List of resources
• Source notes
• Bibliography
• Glossary
• Photographs
 Evaluating Biography

• Settings are clearly & accurately

depicted
• Full of interesting social details
• Linked to the development of the
subject’s character & accomplishments
 Evaluating Biography
• Plots blend factual background with
a good story
• Distinguishes between fact and
opinion
• Subjects portrayed as
multidimensional – with strengths
and weaknesses
 Memoir
Based on events in the life of the author

The author selects certain events from

their life to bring out a particular theme
(i.e Holocaust memoirs)

Not meant to be a source of facts, but a

story of the subject’s life in the subject’s
own words
 Memoir and Autobiography

Memoir is less grounded in fact – based

on memory and perception
•Events are interpretive

•Usually have some theme

– growing up
– remaining true to culture
– determination
Memoir and Autobiography
• Autobiography and biography:
typically move between birth & fame
• Autobiography is written BY THE
PERSON THE BOOK IS ABOUT
• Biography can be written by anyone

• Memoir: a collection of moments,

like snapshots that bring out some
truth about the writer’s life