Week 9
Reading Handouts
Literary Nonfiction – A biography is the true story of a real
person’s life, written by another person. An autobiography is the true
story of a person’s life, written by that person.
Noticings
Author’s Purpose: to inform; to show
why this person’s life is important
Characters: the real person the
biography is about is the subject; a
biography tells what the subject
accomplished and why he/she is
important; other characters in the
biography are real people who
influenced the life of the subject in
some way
Setting: thinking about the time and
place in which the subject lived will
help readers understand more about
the person
Narrative Structure: events are told in
order as a story; events may span the
person’s entire life or may represent a
specific time in the person’s life
Point of View:
-biography – 3rd person point of view
-autobiography – 1st person point of
view
Book Examples
Summarizing in Literary Nonfiction
Summarizing an autobiography/biography is a retelling of the major
events in a person’s life.
Event 1
Summary:
Event 2
Event 3
Event 4
Event 5
SAMPLE ANCHOR CHART
Summarizing in Literary Nonfiction
Summarizing an autobiography/biography is a retelling of the major
events in a person’s life.
Erik was born with a rare
eye disease. By age 13
he was completely blind.
r’s
Event 1
Summary:
Erik was angry at first,
but encouraged by his
dad he changed his
thinking, and focused on
what he could do.
Event 2
Erik took 2nd in state in
wrestling, he learned to
rock climb and lead
climbs. In 1995 through
2001 he climbed the 7
Summits.
Event 3
Erik not only is an
athlete, but writes
books, made a movie,
and formed a group for
people with disabilities.
Event 4
Erik’s efforts are
encouraging to people to
overcome obstacles.
Event 5
Erik Weihenmayer became blind at 13 after being born with a rare eye disease. He was angry, but with encouragement of his
father he focused on what he could do as a blind person. He won 2nd place in state wrestling. He then began rock climbing. From
1995-2001 he climbed all seven summits. Erik not only climbs mountains, but writes books, has made a movie, and formed
support groups for people with disabilities. Erik is an inspiration to people to overcome their obstacles.
What it looks like on a Test…
The reader can tell that ______ was ______Which sentence shows that _____ tried to
_______?
What evidence from the selection shows that
_______ was ________?
3.9/Fig. 19D
What is the best summary of the section
______?
What is the best summary of this selection?
3.9/Fig. 19E
****Add these question stems to the bottom of your literary nonfiction char
Inferring within Biographies
When the text said……
I can INFER