Lesson Plan | Technical Methodology | Narrative Typology: Biography and Autobiography

Objectives

Duration: 10 - 15 minutes

The purpose of this stage is to introduce students to the concept of biography and autobiography, highlighting the importance of identifying the differences between them. This initial understanding is crucial for the development of practical skills, such as writing and analyzing biographical texts, which are valuable both in academic settings and in the job market. The ability to distinguish these narratives and recognize their specific characteristics is essential for professions involving communication, such as journalism, advertising, and creative writing.

Main Objectives

1. Distinguish between biography and autobiography.

2. Recognize the characteristics of a biography told by oneself and by another person.

Side Objectives

1. Develop critical analysis skills by identifying different narratives.
2. Foster writing capability by practicing the creation of mini biographies and autobiographies.

Introduction

Duration: 10 - 15 minutes

The purpose of this stage is to introduce students to the concept of biography and autobiography, highlighting the importance of identifying the differences between them. This initial understanding is crucial for the development of practical skills, such as writing and analyzing biographical texts, which are valuable both in academic settings and in the job market. The ability to distinguish these narratives and recognize their specific characteristics is essential for professions involving communication, such as journalism, advertising, and creative writing.

Contextualization

Narrative is one of the oldest forms of human communication. Telling stories is a powerful way to share experiences, convey knowledge, and connect people. Within this rich tradition, biography and autobiography stand out for documenting individual lives, offering a window into specific personalities, times, and places. Understanding these forms of narrative is essential not only for personal and academic development but also for various careers, such as journalism, literature, and marketing, where telling stories effectively can make all the difference.

Curiosities and Market Connection

Did you know that major companies use biographies and autobiographies to build their image and connect with the public? CEOs and entrepreneurs frequently publish their stories to inspire others and strengthen their brands. In the publishing market, biographies of famous figures are bestsellers, and in journalism, detailed profiles of individuals can bring great recognition. These narratives not only entertain but also educate and influence, showing the importance of mastering the art of telling true stories.

Initial Activity

Provocative question: 'If you could read the biography of anyone, alive or dead, who would it be and why?' Short video: Present a 3-4 minute video about a famous biography, such as that of Nelson Mandela or Malala Yousafzai, highlighting how their personal stories inspired millions of people around the world.

Development

Duration: 60 - 70 minutes

The purpose of this stage is to deepen students' understanding of biography and autobiography through practical activities that encourage writing and critical analysis. By writing and comparing biographical texts, students develop essential skills for effective communication, as well as an understanding of how different perspectives can influence a narrative. These skills are valuable in both academic settings and the job market, especially in areas involving writing and text analysis.

Covered Topics

1. Definition of biography
2. Definition of autobiography
3. Main characteristics of a biography
4. Main characteristics of an autobiography
5. Differences between biography and autobiography

Reflections on the Theme

Encourage students to reflect on how the perspective of the narrator can influence how events are presented. For example, how would the story differ if told by an eyewitness versus the protagonist? Discuss with students the importance of considering perspective and context when reading or writing a biographical narrative.

Mini Challenge

Mini Challenge: Writing Biographies and Autobiographies

In this activity, students will be divided into pairs. Each pair will choose a famous person or a historical figure and write a brief biography (one student) and a brief autobiography (the other student) of that person. Then, they should compare their texts and identify the differences and similarities.

Instructions

1. Divide the class into pairs.
2. Each pair should choose a famous person or historical figure.
3. One student of the pair will write a biography of that person while the other will write an autobiography, adopting the perspective of the person themselves.
4. Give each student 15 minutes to write their texts.
5. After writing, ask each pair to compare their texts, identifying differences and similarities in the narratives.
6. Facilitate a group discussion where each pair shares their observations.

Objective: Develop writing and critical analysis skills by creating and comparing biographies and autobiographies, recognizing how perspective influences the narrative.

Duration: 30 - 40 minutes

Evaluation Exercises

1. Ask students to list three characteristics of a biography and three of an autobiography.
2. Request each student to write a paragraph on the importance of considering the narrator's perspective in a biographical narrative.
3. Prepare a multiple-choice quiz with questions about the main differences between biography and autobiography.

Conclusion

Duration: 15 - 20 minutes

The purpose of this stage is to consolidate students' learning by providing a moment of reflection on the content covered and its practical applications. By recapping the main points and promoting a discussion, students have the opportunity to internalize and contextualize the knowledge acquired, understanding its relevance both in the academic environment and in the job market.

Discussion

 Discussion: Facilitate a discussion with students about what they learned during the class. Ask how their experience was writing both a biography and an autobiography and what the main differences they noticed were. Encourage students to share their reflections on how the narrator's perspective can influence the narrative. Challenge them to think of everyday situations or professions where this skill could be useful, such as in journalism, advertising, or creative writing.

Summary

 Summary: Recap the key concepts covered in the class, highlighting the definition of biography and autobiography, and their main characteristics. Reinforce the importance of distinguishing between the two types of narratives and how the narrator's perspective can alter the interpretation of the narrated events.

Closing

 Closing: Explain how the class connected theory and practice through the proposed activities, allowing students to apply the knowledge acquired in practice. Emphasize the relevance of these skills in the job market and in everyday life, especially in professions involving communication and writing. Conclude by highlighting the importance of understanding and analyzing different perspectives when reading or creating biographical narratives.