1 .

The definition of autobiography is

a. A self-written life story

b. A life story written by another person.

c. A life story made into film by the person him/herself.

d. A life story that tells the life of another person.

2. Autobiographies are important because

a. They are a way to show others they are not alone in their problems.

b. They are a good way to inspire other people.

c. They are a way for the person to continue healing.

d. All of the above.

3. A memoir is a type of autobiography, but

a. They feature the whole life of the person.

b. They focus on one event or time period of the person’s life.

c. They focus on other people instead of the author.

4. When writing an autobiography, the author should remember to

a. Use academic language and keep the ideas simple.

b. Use flowery descriptions and a lot of figurative language.

c. Use strong description, provide details, and possibly add dialogue.

d. Use other people’s thoughts and feelings to describe him or herself.

5. Reading an autobiography versus a biography of a person is

a. Not as interesting.

b. Better because we see the actual person’s ideas and reasons for actions.

c. More complicated because the person may not be able to write well.

d. Boring because the author doesn’t expose as much of him/herself.

6. Auto means ...

7. If President Obama wrote about his experiences in the White House, it would be a/an ...
answer choices
Autobiography
Biography
Both
Neither
8. In order to fully analyze a biography or an autobiography, we need to:

Analyze the purpose of the text by asking whether it is written to inform, persuade or entertain.

Analyze the purpose of the text, evaluate its effectiveness by examining its use of anecdotes, facts
and examples, and evaluate the author's writing style, diction, and tone.

Analyze the purpose of the text by asking whether it is written to inform, persuade or entertain,
and evaluate the author's writing style.

Evaluate the author's writing style, diction, and tone, and note whether the work is written to
inform, persuade or entertain

. Analyze the author's word choice or diction while paying close attention to the emotions that the
author evokes in the reader.

9. If an author chooses to write in a narrative style he or she...

 writes a linear account of events with little reference to underlying emotions.

 paints a picture for the reader to describe each scene fully, making the reader see moments
in his or her mind.

 uses words with powerful connotations to evoke some emotional response in the reader.

 lists facts and examples while weaving his or her emotions into each sentence.

 describes each moment to entertain the reader through poetic phrases and emotionally
charged anecdotes.

10. 2. Analyzing the diction in an autobiography or biography means to analyze...

 the choice of words and phrases used. Authors choose to use simplistic words, advanced or
scientific vocabulary or slang to connect to a time or place or sound knowledgeable. Some
choose to use words with powerful connotations to evoke certain emotions in the reader.

 the general attitude that a piece of writing has. Some autobiographies and biographies are
written with a humorous tone, while others might be reflective, nostalgic, or respectful.
 the overall style of writing used such as narrative, descriptive or emotional.

 the author's descriptive style used throughout the text. Analyzing this helps us recognize
how the author's style influences his or her purpose for writing that book.

 None of the answers listed.


 Short essay that details with a single subject or event
 answer choices
 Autobiography
 Biography
 Memoir
 Personal Narrative
If Helen Keller wrote about her life, it would be a/an ...
answer choices
Autobiography
Biography
Both
Neither




Analyzing an Autobiography or a Biography

An autobiography tells the history of a person's life and is written by that person in the first-
person, using 'I'. A biography is similar, but it tells the history of a person's life and is written by
someone else. The key to not getting these confused is to know that the Greek prefix 'auto' means
'self.' So if Beyonce were to write a book about her life, it would be an autobiography, but if
someone were to interview her extensively and do research about her life, then that author's work
would be a biography about Beyonce.

In order to fully analyze a biography or an autobiography, we need to:

 Analyze the purpose of the text, whether it is written to inform, persuade, or entertain
 Evaluate its effectiveness by examining its use of anecdotes, facts and examples
 Evaluate the author's writing style, diction, and tone

Style, Diction, and Tone

The author might choose to write in a narrative style in which a linear account of events is given
with little reference to underlying emotions. Or, it may be descriptive, meaning the author paints
a picture for the reader to describe each scene fully, making the reader see moments in his or her
mind. There's also an emotional writing style when the author wants to evoke some emotional
response in the reader.

Writers often use a combination of these styles within one book, but it's important to pay
attention to which style is most often used throughout a biography or autobiography because it
helps us recognize how the author's style influences his or her purpose for writing that book. For
instance, if Beyonce wanted to write an autobiography to persuade critics and skeptics to like
her, then she may use an emotional style to heighten emotions in moments in which the media
has attacked her, or when she struggled with her former girl group members. That might cause
readers to feel bad for her and better understand how she was feeling and why.

Analyzing the diction means to analyze the choice of words and phrases used. Some authors
tend to write with a more simplistic vocabulary, while others use more advanced words to sound
more serious or formal. In some autobiographies or biographies, more old or archaic words are
used that might not be used today but can give a feel for the time and place.

Connotative words, or words associated with certain positive or negative emotions, can also be
used, such as when an emotional style is being used. For instance, confident and egotistical have
very different connotations. Some autobiographies or biographies tend to use technical or
scientific words, while others may be written more casually using slang. A biography about
Martin Luther King Jr. would most likely use terms related to the civil rights movement to
educate readers and sound reliable. Chances are, if it contained slang terms like 'cool' or 'rad' it
would not be taken seriously.

The tone is the general attitude that a piece of writing has. Some autobiographies and
biographies are written with a humorous tone, while others might be reflective, solemn, or
respectful. The tone can also change within the book. Recognizing the tone helps us see how the
author's attitude shapes what facts and examples are included to persuade, entertain, or inform
us.