Stories that Inspire: Biography and Autobiography

Entering the Discovery Portal

🎤 "I consider myself the greatest project of my life." - Rita Lee, in her autobiography.

Let's start with this impactful phrase from the iconic singer Rita Lee, known for her contribution to Brazilian music and also for her sincere accounts of her own life.

Quizz: 👀 So, have you thought about what it would be like to tell the story of your life? What are the most significant moments you would choose? 🤔

Exploring the Surface

📚 In our class today, we will dive into the world of biographies and autobiographies. But first of all, what do these words really mean? 🤓

✨ Biography: Imagine that you are a big fan of an artist or scientist and decide to write a book about that person's life. That is a biography – a narrative about someone else's life written by another person. Biographies allow us to know the milestones and the challenges that shaped important figures in history. They are often based on interviews, letters, diaries, and other records.

🌟 Autobiography: Now, think the opposite. What if that same artist or scientist decided to write about their own life? This would be an autobiography – a narrative written by the person themselves, telling their experiences, feelings, and perceptions of events they experienced. This type of writing offers a more intimate and personal view of the situations and emotions that marked the author's journey.

What is a Biography

🔍 Let's start at the beginning, as any good story does. A biography is basically when someone decides to write about someone else's life. Now, you might think: "Oh, what an idea! Writing about other people's lives while I just watch series!" Well, writing a biography involves research, that part that most people pretend doesn't exist, like the vegetables at lunch. The author needs varied material: interviews, letters, diaries, and even neighborhood gossip. 📚

🕵️‍♂️ Imagine someone decided to write a biography about you. They would probably investigate everything from your school history to how many times you've faked a stomachache to skip school. A detailed biography shouldn't skip the ups and downs, the incredible moments, and the embarrassing situations (yes, that fall in the middle of the courtyard wouldn't be left out). Therefore, biographies are like high-definition mirrors – they show everything, sometimes more than we'd like. 😅

🎭 And why would someone do that? Let's say biographies make the grand individuals more human. Knowing that great historical figures like Einstein also forget their cell phone passwords makes us feel a bit more normal. Biographies inspire us, teach us, and often provoke long conversations at bar tables (or at the cafeteria). They show us that even superpowered people face problems, like paying bills and going to the dentist.

Proposed Activity: Investigator for a Day

Now that you know what a biography is, do a mini research about a historical figure or a celebrity you admire. Write a paragraph about an important event in that person's life and then share it in the class forum. Don't forget to comment on a classmate's post about the figure they chose!

What is an Autobiography

🎬 Now think of the autobiography as a movie where the director and the protagonist are the same person – yes, like those vlogs where someone starts with "Hi, everyone, how are you?" The difference is that the person is sharing the most significant moments of their life. 🤳 It's as if the author is saying, "I'm going to open my heart and tell everything." This is an autobiography – the author writes about their own life, their joys, achievements, and, of course, their stumbles.

📝 Writing an autobiography is not just sitting down with a cup of tea and letting your fingers dance on the keyboard. It involves introspection (fancy word, right?). It's looking back, reliving experiences, laughing at the good times, and squirming in embarrassment at mistakes. Imagine writing about the first time you wanted to impress someone and ended up spilling juice in their face. An autobiography is that: an intimate journey through the paths of memory. 🚀

🌟 Why do this, you ask? Besides being a great, inexpensive therapy, autobiographies are powerful ways to inspire and connect with readers. They offer a unique and personal view of the described events (think of your Instagram feed, but with much more text and depth). And the best part: no one judges you for your filters or catchy captions. Autobiographies are about authenticity and vulnerability, and that has incalculable value.

Proposed Activity: My Life, My Rules

Time to be a star! Write a paragraph about a funny or significant moment in your life – something you'd like to share in your future autobiography. Post it in the class WhatsApp group and read your classmates' stories. Who had the most hilarious moment? 😂

Comparing Biography and Autobiography

🔄 Let's do a little comparison, as if we were comparing series on Netflix: Biography vs. Autobiography. While in a biography someone researches and writes about someone else's life (like that gossipy friend who knows everything), in an autobiography, the author is the star of the story (hello, Instagram divas who write long texts). 📜

👥 A biography is like watching a movie based on real events, but with someone else's perspective. You trust the author's point of view and the details they choose to include (or exclude). They ask the questions, gather the answers, and piece together the puzzle. But a biography's favorite pastime is exploring both the glorious moments and the most embarrassing ones, without any Instagram filter. 🤳

🔄 In an autobiography, it's all about the perspective of the person who lived the experience. These are personal and subjective memories. Of course, someone might think: "But isn't that biased?" Well, yes, it can be! But that's where the charm lies – it’s a raw and honest view of what it meant to live those moments. It's like handing over your secret diary for the world to read – brave, isn't it?

Proposed Activity: Mystery Sentence Challenge

Let's do a little comparative quiz! Write two sentences, one that could appear in a biography and another in an autobiography, about the same situation. Then, share it in the class forum and see if your classmates can guess which is which! 🧩

Famous Examples

📚 Let's now explore the world of best-sellers! What are the biographies and autobiographies that took off? Starting with "The Diary of Anne Frank," an autobiography that transports you into the life of a young girl during World War II. Besides the historical details, it is Anne's sincere perspective that touches the heart – a real view of living hidden from the Nazis. 😶

🎸 And what about "Vale Tudo – The Sound and Fury of Tim Maia" by the sensational Nelson Motta? This is an example of a biography that takes us through the enigmatic and frenetic universe of the 'Síndico.' The view of a life filled with highs (and a lot of rock'n'roll) and lows (yes, a lot of drama). A feast for music lovers and anyone who enjoys a good story full of twists and turns. 🎶

📖 Another fascinating autobiography is "I Am Malala," where Malala Yousafzai recounts her incredible journey from a common Pakistani girl to a global icon for women's education rights. It is a powerful account of resilience, courage, and the relentless struggle against extremism. In addition to learning about her life, you'll be inspired to never give up on your dreams! ✨

Proposed Activity: Inspirational Stories

Choose one of these mentioned works and do a little search about the protagonist's life story. Write a brief crucial point of that narrative and share it in the class WhatsApp group. Which story impressed you the most?

Creative Studio

In biographies, lives we narrate, Of great deeds that we celebrate. With research, letters, and interviews, We discover stories, achievements, and views.

In autobiography, the author unveils, Their own life, in tones that detail. Introspective, they reflect and write, The moments they cherish and those they slight.

Comparing is a pleasant exercise, In biography, the author is a different guise, While in autobiography, the very being Tells how life came to be seen.

From the famous, we learn quite a lot, Anne Frank, who faced a tumultuous plot, Tim Maia, with rock and controversy entwined, And Malala, with courage to future aligned.

Reflections

• What is the importance of knowing the lives of others, whether told by third parties or by themselves?
• How does the perspective of who tells the story (biography vs. autobiography) change our perception of the narrated events?
• In what way can autobiography be a form of therapy and self-knowledge?
• How can digital tools enrich our personal narratives and make them more accessible?
• Why is it relevant to know how to identify different types of narrative in our daily lives, especially in a hyperconnected world?

Your Turn...

Reflection Journal

Write and share with your class three of your own reflections on the topic.

Systematize

Create a mind map on the topic studied and share it with your class.

Conclusion

Now that you've deeply explored the world of biographies and autobiographies, it's time to practice and apply these concepts in the interactive activities of our next class! 📝🚀 In this chapter, you learned to distinguish the two types of narratives and realized how the perspective of who tells the story can influence the perception of events. Additionally, you had the chance to see how digital tools can renew and enrich these stories, making them more relevant and accessible in today's world.

In the next class, you will use all this knowledge to create fictional profiles on Instagram, autobiographical vlogs, and even interactive games. These projects will help you consolidate what you've learned and explore your creativity! 📸🎬🎮 Make sure to review your notes and keep in mind the examples and comparisons we've discussed here. The more prepared you are, the more fun and enriching our active class will be! Let's do this! 💪