...The page before Donald M. Murray’s “All Writing is Autobiography” warns readers that Murray’s opinion on writing is different from most other opinions. Prior to reading Murray’s article, I agreed with those opinions which included the rule: never use the word “I” in a formal paper. While writing this paper, I feel a strong urge to erase the words “I agreed” and rewrite the entire page in a more formal manner. Murray’s article changed my idea of the writing process by making me realize that every piece of writing is autobiographical whether or not an author is writing objectively through word choice, sentence structure, metaphors, and even punctuation. A reader can learn much about an author through his or her word choice. An author’s diction may seem more colloquial or more obscure and academic depending on his or her personality. Murray demonstrates how an author can use creativity by creating words when he uses the words “squenched and “companioned” in his poem “At 64, Talking Without Words.” Though these are not words one would find in a dictionary, they are understood by readers and aid in defining the author. Sentence structure is an important piece of writing. An author may utilize a run-on sentence or a one-worded sentence in order to create a point or emphasize one, however grammatically incorrect the sentence may be. Charlotte Brontë, for example, frequently uses run-one sentences in order to complete a thought without the interruption of a period. Authors may...
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...In the book "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Malcolm X ,and Alex Haley, the authors inform us about Malcolm's life. The authors structure and style Malcolm's life revolved around many things that caused Malcolm to do everything that he did. The structure was organized from his early to his adult life. The things that influenced Malcolm's life the most were his education,his family,and religion. Malcolm was considered to be an intelligent person, However many doubted him. In the book it says " It was surprising thing that I had never thought of it that way before, but I realized that what ever I wasn't, I was smarter than nearly all of white kids. But apparently I was still not intelligent enough, in their...
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...The Autobiography of Malcolm X was written by both Malcom X and journalist Alex Haley. Malcom X would tell Alex Haley his life story, Haley would write down Malcom's story in first person with Malcom editing and approving what was created. Malcolm Little was born May 19, 1925, in Omaha, Nebraska. He was the fourth of seven children having Louise Helen Little and Earl Little as parents. His father was the leader of the Universal Negro Improvement Association. Malcom and his family later moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin then Lansin Michigan due to threats made by the Black Legion who were a racist white group. In 1931, Malcom's father was killed in a streetcar accident, although his mother believes it was the Black Legion's doing. Malcom Little...
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...Benjamin Franklin, 1706-1790, printer, scientist, statesman, wrote an Autobiography that poses a riddle never completely solved: How could such an incomplete, disjointed, inaccurate, mangled manuscript be so perennially popular? Translated into dozens of languages and reprinted in hundreds of editions, it continues to be one of the most successful books of all time, even though Franklin himself is sometimes viewed with suspicion by the haters of industry and frugality. An answer to the riddle of the Autobiography is partially hinted at by the ways in which it has been described, for if it has not been all things to all men, it has at least been remarkable to most men who have read it. Its most admired qualities have changed as fashions, philosophies, and needs have changed. But, significantly, the book continues to survive such changes From the first line, Franklin's Autobiography illustrates the complex character of the man who wrote it, not only through the facts it states but also through the attitudes it reveals. The productive tension in Franklin's nature between the lighthearted and the earnest is evident by the end of the first paragraph. While Franklin starts his account as a paternal (and presumably chatty) letter to his son, he soon begins the formal statement about his worthy purposes — the rationalizations for the work to follow — which one expects of highly serious eighteenth-century treatises. But after presenting three respectable reasons for writing, Franklin...
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...López de Córdoba, a Spanish noblewoman, wrote her Memorias, which may be the first autobiography in Castillian. Zāhir ud-Dīn Mohammad Bābur,who founded the Mughal dynasty of South Asia kept a journal Bāburnāma (Chagatai/Persian: بابر نامہ; literally: "Book of Babur" or "Letters of Babur") which was written between 1493 and 1529. One of the first great autobiographies of the Renaissance is that of the sculptor and goldsmith Benvenuto Cellini (1500–1571), written between 1556 and 1558, and entitled by him simply Vita (Italian: Life). He declares at the start: "No matter what sort he is, everyone who has to his credit what are or really seem great achievements, if he cares for truth and goodness, ought to write the story of his own life in his own hand; but no one should venture on such a splendid undertaking before he is over forty."[2] These criteria for autobiography generally persisted until recent times, and most serious autobiographies of the next three hundred years conformed to them. Another autobiography of the period is De vita propria, by the Italian mathematician, physician and astrologer Gerolamo Cardano (1574). The earliest known autobiography in English is the early 15th-century Booke of Margery Kempe, describing among other things her pilgrimage to the Holy Land and visit to Rome. The book remained in manuscript and was not published until 1936. Notable English autobiographies of the 17th century include those of Lord Herbert of Cherbury (1643, published 1764)...
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...HOW TO ANALYSE SOURCES ANALYSING OF SOURCES Historical criticism.-> Original document? How, when, and why did it come into being? Where does it come from? Who is the author or the cartoonist or the cameraman? 2 critical questions: Could the witness possibly have known the truth? Did the witness wish to tell the truth? EVALUATING OF SOURCES Authenticity? (are there factual errors in the source?) Reliability? (how long after the event was the source produced?) Bias/Prejudice? Subjectivity VS objectivity? Historians have an issue, the source is problematic (biased, emotions, etc) and the historian is a human writer. To guard oneself from being manipulated by bias sources, one must cross-reference. This means one must analyse a few sources and then synthesise their own conclusion. QUESTIONS WHICH ASK YOU TO COMPARE IN THE TEST OR EXAM Generally sources can have two characteristics with each other. They are either similar or they are contradictory/different with each other. One should consider the following aspects when answering these types of exam questions: What are the similarities(1) and the differences(2) between the sources? How do these sources complement each other(3)? Which of these sources provides a more accurate viewpoint on the topic(4)? QUESTIONS WHICH ASK YOU TO USE ALL THE SOURCES This is an eight mark question which comes prior to the essay. One is required to write approximately 10-15 lines;...
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...I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is the 1969 autobiography about the early years of African-American writer and poet Maya Angelou. The first in a seven-volume series, it is a coming-of-age story that illustrates how strength of character and a love of literature can help overcome racism and trauma. The book begins when three-year-old Maya and her older brother are sent to Stamps, Arkansas, to live with their grandmother and ends when Maya becomes a mother at the age of 16. In the course of Caged Bird, Maya transforms from a victim of racism with an inferiority complex into a self-possessed, dignified young woman capable of responding to prejudice. Angelou was challenged by her friend, author James Baldwin, and her editor, Robert Loomis, to write an autobiography that was also a piece of literature. Reviewers often categorize Caged Bird as autobiographical fiction because Angelou uses thematic development and other techniques common to fiction, but the prevailing critical view characterizes it as an autobiography, a genre she attempts to critique, change, and expand. The book covers topics common to autobiographies written by Black American women in the years following the civil rights movement: a celebration of Black motherhood; a critique of racism; the importance of family; and the quest for independence, personal dignity, and self-definition. Angelou uses her autobiography to explore subjects such as identity, rape, racism, and literacy. She also writes in new ways about...
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...Natural Effects on a Boy Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s Confessions has the entire life of its author’s experiences, virtues, and detailed imperfections. Rousseau’s Confessions is one of the first notable autobiographies and has influenced many forms of narratives. It inaugurated modern day autobiography and inspired a narrative technic used in many great novels. Rousseau wrote this autobiography in order to tell the world about himself and express the nature of man. He did not want to be known by how people thought of him, but rather be able to tell people exactly what happened in his life and let them be the judge. Rousseau begins Confessions by stating, “this is the only portrait of a man, painted exactly according to nature and in all of its truth, that exists and will probably ever exist” (57). He included embarrassing experiences and personal thoughts from throughout his life to show every possible virtue of his life. He portrays what every boy encounters from mischievous trickery to entering sexual adulthood. The events that change his life and himself become a consistent theme while he describes his childhood, sexual cravings, and natural thoughts of a boy’s life. One of the most common subjects in Rousseau autobiography is the story of his childhood and the nature of a boy. Rousseau’s mother passed away during his birth, which strained the relation between him and his father. When they tried to speak of her the conversation would end with tears because his father saw Rousseau’s...
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...Autobiography Read the model autobiography following this list and you can use this as a stimulus to write one like it about yourself. First of all write for yourself, and be sure to express key elements and events in your life that were pivotal or significant, highs and lows, and influences whether people or places, that have affected you and moved you in your journey so far. After you have written this down, go back, re-read and be more conscious of your audience, (i.e. your teacher) or if you so choose, the rest of the class. Writing your third/first person autobiography should not feel like a job, but rather a pleasure. Use this list to choose a few things to talk about and give you ideas about what you feel like disclosing about yourself. (Free style writing and around 500 words) YOUR FULL NAME DATE OF BIRTH THE BEGINNING - where you were born. PARENTS ROOTS GRANDPARENTS BROTHERS AND SISTERS EARLY YEARS FRIENDS & PLAYMATES ANIMALS SCHOOLS & EDUCATION HAPPY & SAD TIMES - at this time in your life. GROWING UP DREAMS & GOALS BEST FRIEND - at this time in your life. COLLECTIONS FAVOURITE THINGS SPECIAL PLACES CLUBS EVENTS CHANGES - you would like to make. ACCOMPLISHMENTS ADVERSITIES FEARS STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES TALENTS - you have. LANGUAGES - you speak. HOPES FOR FUTURE Megan Norton’s Third Person Autobiography Born and raised on the quiet streets of Wide Bay, Queensland, Megan Norton is a daughter...
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...PSY/B1A Bakersfield College May 4, 2013 Autobiography My name is Erik Maceda; I am 18 years old and still live with my parents. I was born in Kern County Bakersfield CA. My two brothers and my older sister also lived with my parents. My second oldest sister Sully has her own life and sees us often and my oldest sister Diana lives in Mexico, I don’t see her much because she lives to far but we talk on the phone. I have lived in Bakersfield about 15 years now. Growing up was not easy but with family always by my side anything can be accomplished. My sister’s Sully and Rosy use to boss me around when I was young. They made my life fun because it gave me a reason to always bug them as well. Even though they treated me like dirt we always got along most of the time. My dad use to take us to fun places during summer. I remember going to Universal Studios and water parks, when we did not go anywhere my dad would grill on Sundays and we would all get together and eat. Family time was always important to my parents. When I was four my mom and I experience a horrible car accident. When we turned on a street light to go to McDonald’s an incoming car hit the front of our truck. I remember the whole thing perfectly. Although the accident scared me it did not affect my life. Thankfully no one got badly injure except for our truck. As a kid I spent most of my days playing with my friend Jake, we would play soccer on the street or head to the park. My friend Jake...
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...Running head: Sheila Coleman Autobiography Indiana Wesleyan University November 1, 2012 Sheila Coleman Autobiography My name is Sheila Ann Coleman; my maiden name is Sheila Ann Smith. I was born in Cleveland Ohio on May 19, 1969, to Dorothy and Richard Smith. My parents were married for 25 years before divorcing in 1988. I have 3 sisters and 1 brother. I attended private school from elementary to high school. I attended boarding school to receive an education that offered college preparatory classes in Huntsville Alabama. I was raised in the Seventh Day Adventist church and currently continue in the same faith. I enjoy, watching television, reading fictional and nonfictional books, and spending time with my family. I have a dog name Nahla, who a blue pit-bull. She is lovable and friendly. My husband and I have been married for 21 years and have 2 children, ages 16 and 22. I attended Alabama A&M University before, returning to Cleveland to pursue a career in the healthcare industry. I started as an EMT and then transitioned into the LPN program at Central School of Practical Nursing, graduated 1994. After, 4 years practicing as a LPN. I attended Excelsior College and graduated with an associate degree in nursing. Working in various areas of nursing, I come to realize continuing my education would open additional doors within the healthcare industry. I continued my journey, by enrolling at Indiana Wesleyan University. I completed my bachelors of nursing December 2010...
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...essay. Keep in mind, your evaluator may still request additional material, however, the list below will guide in your essay submission preparations. Not adhering to these guidelines will cause a delay in processing. ** Review each of the items below and check if you have completed each of them: 1. I have selected an approved essay topic from the essay course descriptions page. http://www.phoenix.edu/admissions/prior_learning_assessment/experiential-essays/essay-topics.html 2. Some essays have specific experience requirements. I have checked the essay description and I meet all of the experience requirements listed. 3. I have written and included a 1,500 to 2,100 word autobiography; autobiography is only required with first Experiential Learning Essay, subsequent essays do not require additional autobiographies. 4. I have written an experiential essay: 3,000 to 4,500 words for 3 credit essay 5. My essay is written in first person (1st) without references. 6. I have written to all four (4) areas of Kolb’s model of learning. 7. I have addressed all of the required subtopics in each of the four areas of Kolb’s model of learning. 8. I have included supporting documentation that validates my personal/professional experience with the essay course description/topic. 9. My essay is based on personal, life learning experiences, not based on research, history, or another individual’s learning experiences. Experiential Learning Essay Template Kolb’s Model Below is a description of...
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...Autobiography Ages eighteen to twenty eight years of life are the best years to have aim and goals in life. These years are very important in molding a person’s career and future. My life took a major turning point during these years from 1997 to 2007. These years drastically changed my life, for what I am today that I thought before during my teenage years. Remembering those years gives me a sense of joy and happiness and a sense of satisfaction in completing and achieving few steps in life considered to be important. From 1997 to 2000 were my days in college. At first I felt very difficult to adjust to the surrounding, but when I started making friends the life was much better and stress free. Those days were most exciting days as I was independent and my thoughts were developed to mould my life and career. I was seeing great things for future and planning my life for good. In college days I learnt a lot about the nature and philosophy of different people. Basic lessons of life were learnt in my college days. I knew this world can be good place to live and can also be a destructive and bad place to live too. But what matters is the way you live the life and what principles you stand for. These were many occasions where I needed to make important decisions in my life. Some come out to be beneficial but some decisions were not at all correct. Mistakes made in life teach you to step forward to achieve and perform better the next time. “Failures are stepping stone to success”...
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...Education Autobiography After being in school for the last thirteen years of my life, I would say I have a good education. Me being who I am, I think I am common sense smart more than book smart. Looking back, my education, my knowledge has improved. From learning 1+1=2, to the quadratic formula and George Washington to Barack Obama. My education has improved tremendously. We had about 15 people per classroom and it was more girls than guys I would say. Throughout grade school which being from kindergarten to the fifth grade, we were a diverse school. We had a couple gay guys, a few blacks, a couple Mexicans, and whites. This didn’t really affect me in anyway because I truly believe everyone is created equally. Having people being different didn’t affect my school. School is school, and only you can have a good or bad experience. The grading was on an easy scale which gave a wide range for an A and B and so forth. We had strict rules that basically if you didn’t do your homework you would receive a 0. Teachers had the power to do whatever they wanted with the homework and punishment. When I say punishment I don’t mean out of control, but if you miss taking a test and don’t make it up, you usually get sent to the principal’s office to take it. I had no trouble in the school with anything. I went along the day doing my own thing and minded my own business. In middle school the teachers were very on task. I think that’s because you are getting used to the fact that you’re...
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...This is my autobiography about me! I’ll be telling you all about me. My name is Michelle Rain Ballentyne. I was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on November 13th, 1999 at 1:51am, while my fraternal twin brother was born at 2:02am. His name is Michael Thunder Ballentyne. As of today, we’re fourteen years old. These pictures are the Women’s hospital, my astrology sign and a picture of us. In 1990, our mom and dad were together. They had a horrible relationship. Three years later, they broke up and our dad stayed in Flin Flon while our mom relocated to Winnipeg. Our parents had us in 1999. Our mom was 18 at the time and this caused problems because of the great age difference between our parents. At 1 ½ months our mom took off with us to Thompson. At 2 ½ months, we were put into foster care because our mom left us with a babysitter to go to a party and she never came back. We went to a bunch of homes after that. One time, we went to live with our dad but Child and Family Services received calls from a dentist saying that our dad was drunk when he took Michael to the dentist. We went to numerous homes after that, although we don’t really remember what they were like. Our dad had six months to prove that he was able to take care of us. Sadly, he never got to keep us. I came home to my dad in a police car with my brother crying in a black car. I got in the car and a lady drove us to a new home. Those pictures were at our kindergarten graduation and us at the fair. We started school...
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