1. Biography

2. Characteristics of a Biography
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A story about a real person
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.

3. Characteristics of a Biography
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Describes the person’s environment
where, when and how they lived.
Provides details that show the
person in action like their
accomplishments, goals and
behavior.

4. Characteristics of a Biography
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Shows how the person affects other
people. Things like new discoveries
in science and medicine or changes
in laws.

5. Characteristics of a Biography
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States or implies how the writer
feels about the person
Different authors will have a
different view point of the person
he/she is writing about
The author’s point of view could be
positive or negative

6. Finding a Biography
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The call number of a biography is
921
Under the 921 are the first three
letters of the person’s last name
that the book is about.
For example,
Martin Luther King
921
KIN

7. Different types of Biographies
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Autobiography
Collective Biography
Unauthorized Biography

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

9. Autobiography
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Recounts key incidents/events in the
author’s life
Describes major influences (people,
events, places) on the writer

10. Autobiography
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Describes interactions between the
writer and significant people in his or
her life.
A teacher
A father
A mother

11. Finding an Autobiography
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The same way you would find a
biography. 921 and the first three
letters of the last name of the person
being written about.
Remember the person that the book
is about is also the author.

12. Collective Biography
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Has many different biographies that
are all contained in one book
An example, Portraits of African
American Heroes by Tonya Bolden.
This book would be found in 920
BOL.
This book has mini biographies of
famous African Americans.

13. Finding a Collective Biography
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The call number is 920. Under the
number 920 are the first three
letters of the last name of the author
of the book
How They Croaked
by: Georgia Bragg
Call #
920
BRA

14. Unauthorized Biography
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Biography about a person that was
not approved by him or her
These are usually about celebrities
Risk of being sued
Purpose is to entertain