biography

A biography is a text written about someone else's life (usually someone famous). An autobiography is a text written about one's own life.

Social Function of Biography

To know a person’s story about his/her life outside of any accomplishments this person may be known for.

To give many information easily and educate the readers.

Characteristics of Biography

Biography Is not written by subject and always written in third person.

Based on research.

Describes the person’s surroundings (where, when and how the person lived).

Use vivid language to narrate events.

Generic Structure

Orientation (introduction)

It is the opening paragraph, gives the readers the background information of the person

Events

In events, should be chronological order.

Re-orientation (closing)

It consists of conclusion or a comment or the writer. Tell about the echievement or the contribution of the person. 

Grammar and language features

Use of simple past tense.

e.g. : -The family then moved to his stepfather’s home country.

-He was born on August 4, 1961 in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Temporal sequence and temporal conjunction

e.g. : His parents separated when he was two years old.

Focus on Specific participants

Use of Action verbs.

e.g. : the family then moved to his stepfather’s home country.

Types of biography

Short biography (focuses only on highlights of a person’s life)

Long biography (about life and times of someone in a lot more detail)

Contoh soal:

 Milton Friedman was born on July 31, 1921, in Brooklyn, N.Y., the fourth and last child and fi rst son of Sarah Ethel (Landau) and Jeno Saul Friedman. My parents were born in Carpatho-Ruthenia of the Soviet Union, They emigrated to the U.S. in their teens, meeting in New York. When I was a year old, my parents moved to Rahway, N.J., a small town about 20 miles from New York City.

I was awarded a competitive scholarship to Rutgers University. I graduated from Rutgers in 1932. I financed the rest of my college expenses by the usual mixture of waiting at tables, clerking in a retail store, occasional entrepreneurial ventures, and summer earnings. Shortly, however, I became interested in economics.

In economics, I had the good fortune to be exposed to two remarkable men: Arthur F. Burns and Homer Jones. Arthur Burns shaped my understanding of economics research, introduced me to the highest scientific standards, and became a guiding influence on my subsequent career. Homer Jones introduced me to rigorous economic theory, made economics exciting and relevant, and encouraged me to go on to graduate work. On his recommendation, the Chicago Economics Department offered me a tuition scholarship. As it happened, I was also offered a scholarship by Brown University in Applied Mathematics, but, by that time, I had definitely transferred my primary allegiance to economics. In 1976 I won the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics for my achievements in the fields of consumption analysis, monetary history and theory and for his demonstration of the complexity of stabilization policy. In 1977, at age 65, I retired from the University of Chicago after teaching there for 30 years.

 1. What is the main idea of paragraph 3?

     A. Milton Friedman was very committed in his interest and talent in economics

     B. Homer Jones shaped Milton Friedman understanding of economic research

     C. Arthur Burns introduced Milton Friedman to rigorous economic theory

     D. Brown University offered Milton Friedman a tuition scholarship

     E. Milton Friedman was offered a scholarship by the Chicago Economics Department in Applied Mathematics

2.  Who influenced Milton Friedman on economic research?

     A. Sarah Ethel

     B. Jeno Friedman

     C. Arthur F. Burns

     D. Homer Jones

     E. Alfred Nobel

3. What did Milton Friedman do in financing his college expenses?

     A. He was a teacher during summer

     B. He had a job in entrepreneur company

     C. He worked as a clerk in a retail store

     D. He sold tables to people

     E. He taught economics in the university

4. When was Milton Friedman born?

    A. may 21 ,1921

    B. April 27 ,1921

    C. October 4 ,1921

    D. July 31 ,1921

    E. February 30 , 1941

https://youtu.be/HmJDpG-oMqw