Name: Date: Period: Unit 4: Literary Non-Fiction Biography Non-fiction is A literary work that is true o Information can be proven through research or interviews You can often determine the author s attitude (tone), through his/her diction o Diction: the author s choice of words throughout the literary work Diction can also tell you: The author s background The author s age Educational level (elementary student, high school grad., doctor, etc.) Gives hints to the setting (when and where) A biography is Non-fictional writing that discusses events in the life of another person, other than the author Written in third person, limited Author s opinion is seldom shown in the writing Taking a Closer Look at Biographies from Rosa Parks (pg. 295) By: Douglas Brinkley Directions: To fully understand a biography you need to read one and analyze it. Read the excerpt from Rosa Parks, and then answer the critical analysis questions that examine the story and its characteristics of being a biography. Part I: Literary Analysis Fiction writers use methods of characterization to develop made-up characters. When writers of nonfiction portray real people, they cannot make up facts and details. Instead, they shape readers impressions of a particular person by combining factual information about the person with techniques that are unique to nonfiction. Directions: Use the chart to record examples of each method of characterization used in the biography of Rosa Parks. Techniques of Characterization Facts and details about Rosa Parks s actions, thoughts, and appearance Examples from the Biography Quotations from Rosa Parks
Quotations from others who knew Rosa Parks Part II: Reading Check Directions: Recall the events in Douglas Brinkley s biography about Rosa Parks, then answer the questions in phrases or sentences. 1. How was Rosa Parks involved with the NAACP? 2. What about the bus driver startled Parks? 3. What did the bus driver want Parks to do? 4. Whom was Parks thinking about when she decided not to give up her seat? Part III: Literary Analysis 5. Draw Conclusions What qualities did Rosa Parks have that made people sympathize with her refusal to give up her seat? 6. Analyze Characterization Read over the biography. List words and actions from the biography that show Rosa Parks s dignity.
Name: Date: Period: Unit 4: Literary Non-Fiction Autobiography Non-fiction is A literary work that is true o Information can be proven through research or interviews Dependent on the type of non-fiction, a work can be objective or subjective o Objective: presentation of pure factual information. The writer is unbiased and does not share personal viewpoints o Subjective: presentation of opinion related information or commentary. The writer shares his/her opinion about the topic instead of hard evidence (often found in memoirs) There are 3 types of personal non-fiction: Biography Autobiography Memoir An autobiography is Non-fictional writing about the life of the author (a story about yourself) Written in first person point of view Sticks to the facts; limits opinion Taking a Closer Look at Autobiographies from I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (pg. 256) By: Maya Angelou Directions: To fully understand an autobiography you need to read one and analyze it. Read the excerpt from I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, and then answer the critical analysis questions that examine the story and its characteristics of being an autobiography. Part I: Analyze Perspectives Though autobiographies are written in first-person point of view, they often reflect two different perspectives. the perspective of the writer at the time he or she experienced the events the perspective of the writer looking back on the events years later. Directions: As you read the selection, use the chart to record Angelou s observations about Mrs. Flowers from both her childhood and adult perspectives. An example has been done for you. Child s Viewpoint Why on earth did she insist on calling her Sister Flowers? Shame made me want to hide my face. (lines 25 26) Observations about Mrs. Flowers 1. 2. Adult s Viewpoint She was one of the few gentlewomen I have ever known, and has remained throughout my life the measure of what a human being can be. (lines 18 19)
3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Part II: Reading Check Directions: Recall the events in Maya Angelou s autobiography. Then answer the questions in phrases or sentences. 1. What is special about Mrs. Flowers? 2. Why is Marguerite often embarrassed when Mrs. Flowers visits? 3. Why is language important to Mrs. Flowers? 4. What does Marguerite learn when she listens to Mrs. Flowers read aloud? 5. Why are her sessions with Mrs. Flowers important to Marguerite? Part III: Literary Analysis 6. Understand Motives Mrs. Flowers helps Marguerite because 7. Analyze Perspectives Answer the following questions. What are two important lessons Marguerite learned from Mrs. Flowers? How did these lessons affect the author s adult view of life?
8. Evaluate Characterization in Autobiography Find one example of each method of characterization in the selection. Then complete the sentences. Description of the person s physical appearance Examples of the person s speech, thoughts, and feelings The speech, thoughts, or feelings of other people The narrator s comments about the person The method of characterization I found most powerful in making Mrs. Flowers come alive is My reason for choosing this method is 9. Compare Literary Works Read the poem Caged Bird on page 264. The poet uses the word sing to mean more than just making musical noises. What other meaning does the poet give to the word sing? Mrs. Flowers teaches Marguerite to sing by encouraging her to
Name: Date: Period: Unit 4: Literary Non-Fiction Autobiography Collage Non-fiction is A literary work that is true o Information can be proven through research or interviews Some Additional Notes to Know There are 4 types of research based non-fiction: Exposition: Writing that explains or informs (coming up soon) Description: Writing that uses images to help us experience something with our senses Narration: Writing that tells of events in chronological order Persuasion: Writing that gets someone to think in a way similar to the author Our focus for today is autobiography, which is Non-fictional writing about the life of the author (a story about yourself) Written in first person point of view Sticks to the facts; limits opinion Autobiography Collage Created By You Directions: Revisit the It s All About Me handout. Ensure that your collage meets all the requirements set. Once you re collage is complete, post it in the designated area of the classroom to be viewed and graded. Fill in the bottom section, cut it at the dotted line, and give the rubric to your teacher to grade. This mini-project is a quiz grade. Cut Here & Give to Your Teacher ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name: Period: Mini Project: Autobiography Collage In-class work ethic 20pts. Collage is cut into a letter 10pts. Pictures display growth of student 10pts. Collage is neatly put together 15pts. Mini Autobiography is on back 5pts. At least 15 pictures are present 10pts. Autobiography discusses life/pics 30pts. Total Points 100pts
Name: Date: Period: Unit 4: Literary Non-Fiction Memoir Non-fiction is A literary work that is true o Information can be proven through research or interviews A memoir is Non-fictional writing that tells of a past event in the authors life Written in first person point of view Similar to a diary or journal entry; contains personal thoughts and feelings from that moment in time Remember SSR Starts TOMORROW GET A BOOK! Taking a Closer Look at Autobiographies from Angela s Ashes (pg. 926) By: Frank McCourt Directions: To fully understand a memoir you need to read one and analyze it. Read the excerpt from Angela s Ashes, and then answer the critical analysis questions that examine the story and its characteristics of being a memoir. Part I: Literary Analysis Directions: Use the chart to write notes about what you learned from this story about Irish history and culture. For each example you note, tell how it influenced the author in his life. An example has been done for you. Irish History and Culture Frank s family and all the people around him are Catholic. The priest gives him Extreme Unction when they think he might die. The nuns also are nurses who run the hospital and encourage Frank to pray. Influence on Author He is too sick to care and seems not to take the process seriously. The nuns are also instrumental in trying to keep Patricia and Frank apart. The nuns may not want them to get too close since she may die in a short period of time. 1. 2.
3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Part II: Reading Check Directions: Recall the events in Frank McCourt s memoir. Then answer the questions in phrases or sentences. 1. Why did Frank receive a blood transfusion? 2. Who were Patricia Madigan and Seamus? 3. What did Patricia and Frank do that bothered the hospital staff? 4. How did Frank find out that Patricia had died? 5. What did Seamus recite to Frank while Frank was in the upstairs ward?
Part III: Literary Analysis 6. Understand Memoir Frank makes two friends in the hospital. His first friend is They become friends because His second friend is They become friends because 7. Draw Conclusions About Character Circle the words that describe Seamus. a. understanding d. ferocious g. lazy b. brainy e. kind h. Irish c. thoughtful f. strict i. generous 8. Analyze Character Motives Sister Rita will not let Frank talk to Patricia because 9. Identify Author s Perspective The author makes a number of references to the Catholic Church. How do you think the author feels about the Catholic Church? 10. Evaluate Voice An author s voice is his or her special way of saying things. McCourt writes from a child s point of view. How effective is his voice? Give an example that shows what you mean.