Understanding Biographies and Autobiographies

The video tutorial introduces biographies, explaining that they are non-fiction accounts of someone's life written by another person. It contrasts biographies with autobiographies, which are self-written. The tutorial emphasizes the importance of including more than just facts, offering insights into the subject's thoughts and actions. It also discusses the role of the biographer's perspective. The video provides guidance on researching biographies using primary and secondary sources, using Beyonce as an example. Finally, it offers questions to guide the writing process.

What is a biography?

• A self-written account of one's own life

• A true story about someone else's life

• A collection of fictional tales

• A fictional story about a famous person

Who typically writes an autobiography?

• A family member

• The person themselves

• A journalist

• A historian

What is another term for an autobiography?

• Biography

• Diary

• Novel

• Memoir

What is the main difference between a biography and an autobiography?

• Biographies are longer than autobiographies

• Biographies are about famous people, autobiographies are not

• Biographies are fictional, autobiographies are not

• Biographies are written by someone else, autobiographies are self-written

What does a good biography provide beyond just facts?

• Insights into the subject's thoughts and feelings

• A list of achievements

• A timeline of events

• A detailed family tree

What is the role of a biographer?

• To create fictional stories

• To analyze and present the life of the subject

• To write about their own life

• To publish novels

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a good biography?

• Insight into the subject's thoughts

• Detailed family tree

• Analysis of the subject's actions

• Author's personal opinions

What is the first step in writing a biography?

• Publishing the book

• Choosing a title

• Writing a draft

• Conducting research

What should a biographer do after gathering information?

• Publish the book immediately

• Analyze and organize the information

• Write a fictional story

• Ignore the information

Which of the following is a primary source?

• A biography written by a historian

• An interview with the subject

• A newspaper article about the subject

• A documentary about the subject