Writing,,,Reading Biography

Through the first weeks, theres been strong work demonstrated by the class in reading and responding to the first assigned autobiography, Chronicles by Bob Dylan, with our attention about to turn to Just Kids, another autobiography. To add an experience of what it is like to work on another persons biography, the next few weeks will present you with a hands on activity in biographical interviewing.

The concept is simple enough: think of a person who you believe might be a good subject, who would share well and want to have their story heard. This might be just about anyone, but the most likely candidates would surely be family members (grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, siblings, spouses, boyfriends, girlfriends, even Facebook acquaintances); or a neighborhood figure of any kind whose story seems as though it might lead to good interviews, say, a worker in a store or restaurant, a doctor, a building superintendent, your doctor, a religious figures such as a priest, nun, minister, imam, one of your teachers past or present, or a schoolmate. there are no limits on who your subject might be, though try to pick someone you know will be willing and able to spend enough time with you to establish good rapport, and give you the chance to probe deeply enough, in a delicate, sensitive way (this is important) to get them to tell you things about their life along the lines that professional biographers strive for when they actually have the luxury of conducting interviews with their subject.

A good way to establish a positive relationship that makes the subject eager to unfold a lot about themselves and their views on life, and to be able to remember the parts of their life they feel are most important to share with you, might be to mention at the beginning of the first interview the theory you have heard me express in classevery person has an equally valuable life story, each of our lives matter, we are all unique and irreplaceable, and yet only those chosen to be of some historic value, or celebrities of some sort have their stories widely known. Tell your subject about the nature of your project, how its designed to give them the chance, in an ideal world sense, to add their personal recollections and life lessons to those better known accounts found in libraries and bookstores, and theyll be eager to cooperate. Its a human response to have our stories known to the world

Its probable that youll need more than one interview session to get something substantial and memorable so take enough to do as many sessions as your curiosity and the subjects own interest in being the center of attention tell you that you should take. Remember that this will be a transcript, starting with a brief introduction of the subjecttheir age, occupation, relationship to you, neighborhoodand then taking down the answers the subject gives to the questions you ask. No extra commentary or interpretation necessary here, just the accurate recording of what they say. You could use a tape recorder if the subject is comfortable with it, but this is a judgment call for you.

The Q . you ask will depend on the personality and age of the subject. If you are interviewing a member of the older generation, your questions might give them as much latitude as possible for telling about their childhood, and the changes they have seen in their lives. If the subject does a job you know little about, try to find out as many details about their profession as they'll offer. Dont cut in when they go off on a long monologue, a lot of the best material comes from what they eventually say. I will be adding guides to the kinds of questions to use as this moves forward, but the main idea is to tailor questions to what you think will put your subject more at ease, and most willing to tell a story.

Questions to choose from in conducting your interviews. These are only suggestions. You should be as original and spontaneous as you can, but having these in mind can get things started and keep the responses coming.

I know your life has many interesting moments and chapters, and Id like to hear about them.

Youve always had such good stories. I want to get them down right so that I can always remember the details. Your stories should not be forgotten.

Dont worry, I wont ask you to talk about things you dont want to talk about. Let me know if I am making you uncomfortable in any way.

I want everyone in the family to know more about you. (Specific to a family member.)

I feel like I know you pretty well, but I always feel like theres more I want to know.

Ive never really understood this one particular part of your life.

Todays world is so different from yesterdays. Please help me really know what life was like back then.

Where was the best place you ever lived?

When you came here (specific for anyone from another country) what were your strongest impressions? Things that made you most excited? Things that were even frightening? How did you adjust at first?

How do you feel about your own experience of trying to find your piece of the American Dream?

What are some of the unfinished goals for you right now? Do you think youll achieve them?

What is the one biggest lesson life has taught you? .................................

Please answer as you are me, in a word document,,, take your time no rush....Thanks ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

The question is on biographical interviewing. You will need to interview someone and act as their biographer; asking them about many background things as well as probe them on many other aspects of their life like some personal things. Do not get too personal, however.

Hints are given on how to select your person. You can choose anyone; but preferably someone that you can ask a variety of good interview questions.

The way you can get your interviewee to open up is given in the question is, you can mention a theory your professor has taught in class, the theory about how each of our lives matter, etc.

You need to prepare a transcript, first introducing the person whom you are interviewing, with facts like age, background, etc.

After this you need to state the questions you have asked and what his answers to those questions were. You dont need to add to him answers by analysing them and interpreting it. Just transcribing him answers will be enough

Some sample interview questions are given also to broader your mindset while choosing your questions. However, it will vary greatly based on the person

if you are me how you answer,,,, word document pls,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, i promise i will give you thumbs up,,, thanks