WONDER #44: What Is a Biography?

Question 1 of 3

This Wonder is mostly about . . .

1. How to write a memoir
2. The importance of slave narratives in the abolitionist movement
3. James Boswell
4. Different kinds of biographies

Question 2 of 3

How do we know that autobiographies can be used to draw attention to important issues?

1. One genre of autobiography, called slave narratives, were written for the purpose of inspiring others to work against slavery.
2. Writing a biography requires a lot of research.
3. One of the most famous biographies in ancient times was the descriptions of Socrates by his student, Plato.
4. Many memoirs focus on someone’s unique life.

Question 3 of 3

How is an autobiography different from a memoir?

1. Memoirs are shorter than autobiographies.
2. Memoirs are usually about one part of a person’s life—not their entire life, like an autobiography.
3. Autobiographies are about someone else, whereas a memoir is about oneself.
4. Memoirs are about famous or important people; autobiographies are about ordinary people.

Check your answers online at https://wonderopolis.org/wonder/What-Is-a-Biography.