Helping middle school students to recognise te difference between bio and autobiographies. Study of excerpts.

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

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

3. Essential Questions
 What are the characteristics of
autobiographies and biographies?

4. 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.

5. 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 1

6. 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.
READING 2

7. 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.

8. Autobiography
1. The main character is the author
2. Recounts the key incidents in the
writer’s life
3. Written in first person point of view.
4. Reveals the writer’s feelings,
reactions, values, and goals

9. 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?

10. 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.

11. Biography
1. Tells about a real person
2. Shows that the writer knows a lot about this
person
3. Describes the person’s environment
4. Shows how the person affects other people
5. States or implies how the writer feels about
the person
6. Written in the third person point of view

12. 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?

13. 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.

14. 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

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

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

17. 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)

18. 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

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. 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.

22. In-Class Assignments
1. Take out a blank sheet of
notebook paper.
2. Title it “Autobiography vs
Biography” and put your name on
it.

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

24. “Unforgettable Journey”
1. Which of the first three sentences in this reading is an
opinion?
2. Is this a biography or an autobiography? Why?
3. What point-of-view is this story written in? Give
examples to explain your answer.
4. Describe the person who wrote this story (where she is
from, what happened to her, her character as a person).
5. Write one detail from the story that is subjective.
6. Write one detail from the story that is objective.
Write your answers in COMPLETE sentences.

25. “Unforgettable Journey”- Answers
1. Which of the first three sentences in this reading is an opinion?
The third sentence– “…life seemed peaceful.” -- Cannot
be proven
2. Is this a biography or an autobiography? Why?
Autobiography
3. What point-of-view is this story written in? Give examples to explain your
answer.
First-Person
4. 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

26. In-Class Assignments
NOW…
1. We are reading “Rosa Parks” on page
853 and answering a few questions from
the passage.
1. We will be using the same instructions
from the “Unforgettable Journey” reading
and questions
2. Write “Rosa Parks” at the top of your
paper.
3. Follow along with the reading.

27. “Rosa Parks”
1. Is this a biography or an autobiography? Why?
2. What point-of-view is this story written in? Give
examples to explain your answer.
3. What do the details tell you about Rosa Park’s
character?
4. Write one detail from the story that is subjective.
5. Write one detail from the story that is objective.
Write your answers in COMPLETE
sentences. SKIP lines.

28. “Rosa Parks”-
Answers
1. Is this a biography or an autobiography? Why?
Biography- written by Rita Dove
2. What point-of-view is this story written in? Give
examples to explain your answer.
3rd Person (words like she, her, etc…)
3. What do the details tell you about Rosa Park’s
character?
Brave, courageous, strong-willed
4. Subjective Details
5. Objective details

29. In-Class Assignments
NOW…
1. We are reading “Elizabeth I” on
page 416 and answering a few
questions from the passage.
1. We will be using the same instructions
from the “Unforgettable Journey”
reading and questions
2. Draw a line under your last question
and write “Elizabeth I”.
3. Follow along with the reading.

30. “Elizabeth I”- Answers
1. Is this a biography or an
autobiography?
2. What point-of-view is this story
written in?
3. What do the details tell you about
Elizabeth’s character (page 416)?
4. Who did Elizabeth I marry?

31. “Elizabeth I”- Answers
1. Is this a biography or an autobiography?
Biography
2. What point-of-view is this story written in?
Third-Person
3. What do the details tell you about Elizabeth’s character
(page 416)?
Smart (well educated), regal, active,
eager
4. Who did Elizabeth I marry?
She never married (said she was married to
England)