Autobiography vs. Biography PDF

Biographical Context It is a critical approach to literature in which information about an author’s life and background is used to better understand his works. A writer's life may shed light on his or her literature and the literature of the era. It is necessary to know about the a...

Biographical Context It is a critical approach to literature in which information about an author’s life and background is used to better understand his works. A writer's life may shed light on his or her literature and the literature of the era. It is necessary to know about the author and the political, and economic. and sociological context of his times to truly understand his literature. It focuses on links between a work’s content and the writer's life often using the writer's intentions, experiences, motives, or beliefs to interpret his/her literary texts. (Matsuyama, 2013) Autobiography An autobiography is a story of a person's life written by that person. It gives a personal view of their experiences, thoughts, and feelings. Unlike biographies, which are written by others, autobiographies are a direct reflection of the author's own life. Elements of an Autobiography To understand what makes an autobiography, let's look at its main parts: Personal Experience: The core of an autobiography is the author's own experiences. It covers their daily life, important events, and personal stories. Self-Reflection: Autobiographies often include the author's thoughts and feelings about their experiences. First-Person Narrative: Written using "I" and "my," making the story very personal.  Chronological Order: Many autobiographies follow the order of events as they happened in the author's life. Biography A biography is a story of someone's life written by another person. This genre aims to give an objective view of the subject’s life, achievements, and impact. Biographies are based on thorough research, including interviews, letters, and historical records, to ensure accuracy. Elements of a Biography To understand what makes a biography, let's look at its main parts: Research-Based: Biographies are built from various sources like interviews, letters, and documents to give a full picture of the subject's life. Third-Person Narrative: Written using "he," "she," or "they," providing an outside perspective. Objective Account: Biographies aim to present a balanced view of the subject’s life without personal bias. Contextual Details: They often include information about the subject's impact on society and historical events.  Differences Between Autobiography vs. Biography Autobiography vs. Biography vs. Memoir While autobiographies and biographies cover a person’s entire life, memoirs focus on specific events or periods. Understanding these differences can help you know what to expect from each genre. Autobiography vs. Biography vs. Bibliography A bibliography is different from autobiographies and biographies. It is a list of sources and references used in research, not a narrative of personal life stories.  BIOGRAPHY VS. AUTOBIOGRAPHY dwd