GENRES OF LIFE STORIES

AUTOBIOGRAPHY

• Written by the person it is about
• The author is the subject.

The story is told using first person point of view

I, me, my

SOURCES CAN INCLUDE:

• Memories & objects
• Thoughts & feelings
• Family & friends

FORMS:

• Books
• Personal essays

FEATURES

• Subject's interpretation of events
• Subject's point of view
• Private thoughts and feelings
• Voice and personality

BIOGRAPHY

• The writer is NOT the subject
• Story is written by someone else

Story is told using third person point of view.

He, she, his, her

SOURCES CAN INCLUDE:

• Letters to and from the subject
• Interviews
• Books
• Diaries and journals

FORMS

• Books
• Encyclopoedia entries
• Newspaper articles
• Magazines
• Websites

FEATURES

• Variety of sources
• Other points of view
• More objective picture of the subject

FICTIONAL ADAPTATION

• Written by a writer or playwrite

Story is written in third person

He, she, her, his

SOURCES CAN INCLUDE:

• Biographies
• Autobiographies
• Diaries

FORMS:

• Stories
• Plays

FEATURES

• Based on real people and events
• Combines factual details with imaginary ones

DIARY

• Expression of one's thoughts and feelings

Stories are written in first person point of view.

I, me, my

SOURCES CAN INCLUDE

• Recent interactions and events
• Emotions

FORMS

• Collection of diary entries

FEATURES

• Personal emotions
• Clear, recent memories
• One point of view

MEMOIR

• Author is the subject

Stories use first person point of view.

I, me, my

SOURCES CAN INCLUDE:

• Private moments or events

FORMS

• Books
• Prose
• Essays

FEATURES

• Personal observations
• First-hand information

PERSONAL NARRATIVE

• Author is the subject

Stories are written in first person point of view.

I, me, my

SOURCES CAN INCLUDE:

• Memories
• Significant moments

FORMS:

• Essays

FEATURES

• Focuses on one significant moment
• Uses dialogue and figurative language
• Clear life lesson