Engish STAAR ( State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) Practice Test

What distinguishes a biography from an autobiography?

1. A biography is written by the individual; an autobiography is written by another

2. A biography chronicles fictional events; an autobiography is factual

3. A biography is written by another person; an autobiography is by the individual

4. A biography focuses on fictional characters; an autobiography focuses on real events

The correct answer is: A biography is written by another person; an autobiography is by the individual

A biography is distinguished from an autobiography primarily by the authorship. In a biography, the subject's life story is narrated by a different person, often providing an external perspective and researched insights into the subject's life, achievements, and contributions. This allows the biographer to present a more comprehensive view of the subject, often including information that the individual may not have been aware of or may choose not to include in their personal narrative. On the other hand, an autobiography is a self-written account of one's life. The author shares their own experiences, thoughts, and reflections, giving a personal insight that only they can provide. This distinction in authorship is critical because it shapes the narrative style, perspective, and depth of the information provided. The other answer choices do not accurately capture this key difference, as they misrepresent aspects of biographies and autobiographies, such as fictional content or the nature of the characters discussed, which aren't relevant to the definitions of these literary forms.