Friday, January 28, 2011

Author & Subject: What is the Relationship?

As you read your biography, it is important to think about the relationship between the author and the subject.  If it is a person writing about his or her own life (autobiograhy), this could be said to be a very close relationship.  If it is a person writing about someone else, he or she must have had a reason for this choice.  Did they admire this person?  Feel compelled to criticize them?  Either way, it is a form of bias. 

What motivations might your author have had for publishing this story?  Money?  Fame?  Respect?  Revenge?  To convince others of a point of view?  Keep these in mind as well.

Read with a cynical eye.  Read with a sympathetic eye too.

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