Biographies and AutobiographiesElements of non-

fiction

What is a biography?

• A biography is the story of a famous or historical figure’s life told by someone other than that person.

• Prefix ‘bio’ means ‘life’• A biography is told from the third person point of

view. It uses pronouns such as he, she, them, they.• A biography may include:

– Anecdotes, or brief stories from the person’s life that reveal something about his/her character

– Examples of the person’s thoughts, feelings, or behavior– Statements made by or about that person

What is an autobiography?

• If someone asked you to write your life story, you would be writing an autobiography.

• An autobiography is the story of a person’s life, written by that person.

• Prefix ‘auto’ means ‘self’• Autobiographies are told from the first-person point

of view– Include pronouns such as I, me, myself, my– Share the writer’s personal thoughts and feelings about

his or her experiences.

Would your personal narrative essays be

categorized as biographies or

autobiographies?

autobiographies

The Story of My Lifeby Helen Keller

• What word in this title suggests that it is an autobiography rather than a biography?

• The Story of My Life

Spellbinder: The Life of Harry Houdiniby Tom Lalicki

• What clues tell you that this is a biography rather than an autobiography?

• It is a story about Harry Houdini written by Tom Lalicki