mention the language features of biography text

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Kinds of Text, Biography Text: Definition, Purposes, Generic Structures, Language Features - mediainggris.com

Definition of biography text, the function of biography text (social function/purpose of biography text).

• 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.

Types Of Biography Text

1. autobiography, 2. biography, the structure of biography text, orientation (description), re-orientation (closing), biography text features / language features of biography text, use of simple past tense, temporal sequence and temporal conjunction, focus on specific person, use of action verbs., examples of biography text, short biography text about albert einsten, long biography text of jokowi, biography text of national heroes, biography text of cut nyak dhien, biography text of ir. soekarno, biography text exercise, handy 2022-05-15 tags: english , kinds of text.

How to Write a Biography

Biographies are big business. Whether in book form or Hollywood biopics, the lives of the famous and sometimes not-so-famous fascinate us.

While it’s true that most biographies are about people who are in the public eye, sometimes the subject is less well-known. Primarily, though, famous or not, the person who is written about has led an incredible life.

In this article, we will explain biography writing in detail for teachers and students so they can create their own.

While your students will most likely have a basic understanding of a biography, it’s worth taking a little time before they put pen to paper to tease out a crystal-clear definition of one.

What Is a Biography?

A biography is an account of someone’s life written by someone else . While there is a genre known as a fictional biography, for the most part, biographies are, by definition, nonfiction.

Generally speaking, biographies provide an account of the subject’s life from the earliest days of childhood to the present day or, if the subject is deceased, their death.

The job of a biography is more than just to outline the bare facts of a person’s life.

Rather than just listing the basic details of their upbringing, hobbies, education, work, relationships, and death, a well-written biography should also paint a picture of the subject’s personality and experience of life.

Full Biographies

Teaching unit.

Teach your students everything they need to know about writing an AUTOBIOGRAPHY and a BIOGRAPHY.

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Features of a Biography

Before students begin writing a biography, they’ll need to have a firm grasp of the main features of a Biography. An excellent way to determine how well they understand these essential elements is to ask them to compile a checklist like the one-blow

Their checklists should contain the items below at a minimum. Be sure to help them fill in any gaps before moving on to the writing process.

The purpose of a biography is to provide an account of someone’s life.

Biography structure.

ORIENTATION (BEGINNING) Open your biography with a strong hook to grab the reader’s attention

SEQUENCING: In most cases, biographies are written in chronological order unless you are a very competent writer consciously trying to break from this trend.

COVER: childhood, upbringing, education, influences, accomplishments, relationships, etc. – everything that helps the reader to understand the person.

CONCLUSION: Wrap your biography up with some details about what the subject is doing now if they are still alive. If they have passed away, make mention of what impact they have made and what their legacy is or will be.

BIOGRAPHY FEATURES

LANGUAGE Use descriptive and figurative language that will paint images inside your audience’s minds as they read. Use time connectives to link events.

PERSPECTIVE Biographies are written from the third person’s perspective.

DETAILS: Give specific details about people, places, events, times, dates, etc. Reflect on how events shaped the subject. You might want to include some relevant photographs with captions. A timeline may also be of use depending upon your subject and what you are trying to convey to your audience.

TENSE Written in the past tense (though ending may shift to the present/future tense)

THE PROCESS OF WRITING A BIOGRAPHY

Like any form of writing, you will find it simple if you have a plan and follow it through. These steps will ensure you cover the essential bases of writing a biography essay.

Firstly, select a subject that inspires you. Someone whose life story resonates with you and whose contribution to society intrigues you. The next step is to conduct thorough research. Engage in extensive reading, explore various sources, watch documentaries, and glean all available information to provide a comprehensive account of the person’s life.

Creating an outline is essential to organize your thoughts and information. The outline should include the person’s early life, education, career, achievements, and any other significant events or contributions. It serves as a map for the writing process, ensuring that all vital information is included.

Your biography should have an engaging introduction that captivates the reader’s attention and provides background information on the person you’re writing about. It should include a thesis statement summarising the biography’s main points.

Writing a biography in chronological order is crucial . You should begin with the person’s early life and move through their career and achievements. This approach clarifies how the person’s life unfolded and how they accomplished their goals.

A biography should be written in a narrative style , capturing the essence of the person’s life through vivid descriptions, anecdotes, and quotes. Avoid dry, factual writing and focus on creating a compelling narrative that engages the reader.

Adding personal insights and opinions can enhance the biography’s overall impact, providing a unique perspective on the person’s achievements, legacy, and impact on society.

Editing and proofreading are vital elements of the writing process. Thoroughly reviewing your biography ensures that the writing is clear, concise, and error-free. You can even request feedback from someone else to ensure that it is engaging and well-written.

Finally, including a bibliography at the end of your biography is essential. It gives credit to the sources that were used during research, such as books, articles, interviews, and websites.

Tips for Writing a Brilliant Biography

Biography writing tip #1: choose your subject wisely.

There are several points for students to reflect on when deciding on a subject for their biography. Let’s take a look at the most essential points to consider when deciding on the subject for a biography:

Interest: To produce a biography will require sustained writing from the student. That’s why students must choose their subject well. After all, a biography is an account of someone’s entire life to date. Students must ensure they choose a subject that will sustain their interest throughout the research, writing, and editing processes.

Merit: Closely related to the previous point, students must consider whether the subject merits the reader’s interest. Aside from pure labors of love, writing should be undertaken with the reader in mind. While producing a biography demands sustained writing from the author, it also demands sustained reading from the reader.

Therefore, students should ask themselves if their chosen subject has had a life worthy of the reader’s interest and the time they’d need to invest in reading their biography.

Information: Is there enough information available on the subject to fuel the writing of an entire biography? While it might be a tempting idea to write about a great-great-grandfather’s experience in the war. There would be enough interest there to sustain the author’s and the reader’s interest, but do you have enough access to information about their early childhood to do the subject justice in the form of a biography?

Biography Writing Tip #2: R esearch ! Research! Research!

While the chances are good that the student already knows quite a bit about the subject they’ve chosen. Chances are 100% that they’ll still need to undertake considerable research to write their biography.

As with many types of writing , research is an essential part of the planning process that shouldn’t be overlooked. If students wish to give as complete an account of their subject’s life as possible, they’ll need to put in the time at the research stage.

An effective way to approach the research process is to:

1. Compile a chronological timeline of the central facts, dates, and events of the subject’s life

2. Compile detailed descriptions of the following personal traits:

•      Physical looks
•      Character traits
•      Values and beliefs

3. Compile some research questions based on different topics to provide a focus for the research:

• Childhood : Where and when were they born? Who were their parents? Who were the other family members? What education did they receive?
• Obstacles: What challenges did they have to overcome? How did these challenges shape them as individuals?
• Legacy: What impact did this person have on the world and/or the people around them?
• Dialogue & Quotes: Dialogue and quotations by and about the subject are a great way to bring color and life to a biography. Students should keep an eagle eye out for the gems that hide amid their sources.

As the student gets deeper into their research, new questions will arise that can further fuel the research process and help to shape the direction the biography will ultimately go in.

Likewise, during the research, themes will often begin to suggest themselves. Exploring these themes is essential to bring depth to biography, but we’ll discuss this later in this article.

Research Skills:

Researching for biography writing is an excellent way for students to hone their research skills in general. Developing good research skills is essential for future academic success. Students will have opportunities to learn how to:

• Gather relevant information
• Evaluate different information sources
• Select suitable information
• Organize information into a text.

Students will have access to print and online information sources, and, in some cases, they may also have access to people who knew or know the subject (e.g. biography of a family member).

These days, much of the research will likely take place online. It’s crucial, therefore, to provide your students with guidance on how to use the internet safely and evaluate online sources for reliability. This is the era of ‘ fake news ’ and misinformation after all!

COMPLETE TEACHING UNIT ON INTERNET RESEARCH SKILLS USING GOOGLE SEARCH

Teach your students ESSENTIAL SKILLS OF THE INFORMATION ERA to become expert DIGITAL RESEARCHERS.

⭐How to correctly ask questions to search engines on all devices.

⭐ How to filter and refine your results to find exactly what you want every time.

⭐ Essential Research and critical thinking skills for students.

⭐ Plagiarism, Citing and acknowledging other people’s work.

⭐ How to query, synthesize and record your findings logically.

BIOGRAPHY WRITING Tip #3: Find Your Themes In Biography Writing

Though predominantly a nonfiction genre, the story still plays a significant role in good biography writing. The skills of characterization and plot structuring are transferable here. And, just like in fiction, exploring themes in a biographical work helps connect the personal to the universal. Of course, these shouldn’t be forced; this will make the work seem contrived, and the reader may lose faith in the truthfulness of the account. A biographer needs to gain and maintain the trust of the reader.

Fortunately, themes shouldn’t need to be forced. A life well-lived is full of meaning, and the themes the student writer is looking for will emerge effortlessly from the actions and events of the subject’s life. It’s just a case of learning how to spot them.

One way to identify the themes in a life is to look for recurring events or situations in a person’s life. These should be apparent from the research completed previously. The students should seek to identify these patterns that emerge in the subject’s life. For example, perhaps they’ve had to overcome various obstacles throughout different periods of their life. In that case, the theme of overcoming adversity is present and has been identified.

Usually, a biography has several themes running throughout, so be sure your students work to identify more than one theme in their subject’s life.

BIOGRAPHY WRITING Tip: #4 Put Something of Yourself into the Writing

While the defining feature of a biography is that it gives an account of a person’s life, students must understand that this is not all a biography does. Relating the facts and details of a subject’s life is not enough. The student biographer should not be afraid to share their thoughts and feelings with the reader throughout their account of their subject’s life.

The student can weave some of their personality into the fabric of the text by providing commentary and opinion as they relate the events of the person’s life and the wider social context at the time. Unlike the detached and objective approach we’d expect to find in a history textbook, in a biography, student-writers should communicate their enthusiasm for their subject in their writing.

This makes for a more intimate experience for the reader, as they get a sense of getting to know the author and the subject they are writing about.

Biography Examples For Students

• Year 5 Example
• Year 7 Example
• Year 9 Example

“The Rock ‘n’ Roll King: Elvis Presley”

Elvis Aaron Presley, born on January 8, 1935, was an amazing singer and actor known as the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Even though he’s been dead for nearly 50 years, I can’t help but be fascinated by his incredible life!

Elvis grew up in Tupelo, Mississippi, in a tiny house with his parents and twin brother. His family didn’t have much money, but they shared a love for music. Little did they know Elvis would become a music legend!

When he was only 11 years old, Elvis got his first guitar. He taught himself to play and loved singing gospel songs. As he got older, he started combining different music styles like country, blues, and gospel to create a whole new sound – that’s Rock ‘n’ Roll!

In 1954, at the age of 19, Elvis recorded his first song, “That’s All Right.” People couldn’t believe how unique and exciting his music was. His famous hip-swinging dance moves also made him a sensation!

Elvis didn’t just rock the music scene; he also starred in movies like “Love Me Tender” and “Jailhouse Rock.” But fame came with challenges. Despite facing ups and downs, Elvis kept spreading happiness through his music.

Tragically, Elvis passed away in 1977, but his music and charisma live on. Even today, people worldwide still enjoy his songs like “Hound Dog” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” Elvis Presley’s legacy as the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll will live forever.

Long Live the King: I wish I’d seen him.

Elvis Presley, the Rock ‘n’ Roll legend born on January 8, 1935, is a captivating figure that even a modern-day teen like me can’t help but admire. As I delve into his life, I wish I could have experienced the magic of his live performances.

Growing up in Tupelo, Mississippi, Elvis faced challenges but found solace in music. At 11, he got his first guitar, a symbol of his journey into the world of sound. His fusion of gospel, country, and blues into Rock ‘n’ Roll became a cultural phenomenon.

The thought of being in the audience during his early performances, especially when he recorded “That’s All Right” at 19, sends shivers down my spine. Imagining the crowd’s uproar and feeling the revolutionary energy of that moment is a dream I wish I could have lived.

Elvis wasn’t just a musical prodigy; he was a dynamic performer. His dance moves, the embodiment of rebellion, and his roles in films like “Love Me Tender” and “Jailhouse Rock” made him a true icon.

After watching him on YouTube, I can’t help but feel a little sad that I’ll never witness the King’s live performances. The idea of swaying to “Hound Dog” or being enchanted by “Can’t Help Falling in Love” in person is a missed opportunity. Elvis may have left us in 1977, but he was the king of rock n’ roll. Long live the King!

Elvis Presley: A Teen’s Take on the Rock ‘n’ Roll Icon”

Elvis Presley, born January 8, 1935, was a revolutionary force in the music world, earning his title as the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Exploring his life, even as a 16-year-old today, I’m captivated by the impact he made.

Hailing from Tupelo, Mississippi, Elvis grew up in humble beginnings, surrounded by the love of his parents and twin brother. It’s inspiring to think that, despite financial challenges, this young man would redefine the music scene.

At 11, Elvis got his first guitar, sparking a self-taught journey into music. His early gospel influences evolved into a unique fusion of country, blues, and gospel, creating the electrifying genre of Rock ‘n’ Roll. In 1954, at only 19, he recorded “That’s All Right,” marking the birth of a musical legend.

Elvis wasn’t just a musical innovator; he was a cultural phenomenon. His rebellious dance moves and magnetic stage presence challenged the norms. He transitioned seamlessly into acting, starring in iconic films like “Love Me Tender” and “Jailhouse Rock.”

However, fame came at a cost, and Elvis faced personal struggles. Despite the challenges, his music continued to resonate. Even now, classics like “Hound Dog” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love” transcend generations.

Elvis Presley’s impact on music and culture is undeniable. He was known for his unique voice, charismatic persona, and electrifying performances. He sold over one billion records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling solo artists in history. He received numerous awards throughout his career, including three Grammy Awards and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

Elvis’s influence can still be seen in today’s music. Many contemporary artists, such as Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga, and Justin Timberlake, have cited Elvis as an inspiration. His music continues to be featured in movies, TV shows, and commercials.

Elvis left us in 1977, but his legacy lives on. I appreciate his breaking barriers and fearlessly embracing his artistic vision. Elvis Presley’s impact on music and culture is timeless, a testament to the enduring power of his artistry. His music has inspired generations and will continue to do so for many years to come.

Teaching Resources

Use our resources and tools to improve your student’s writing skills through proven teaching strategies.

BIOGRAPHY WRITING TEACHING IDEAS AND LESSONS

We have compiled a sequence of biography-related lessons or teaching ideas that you can follow as you please. They are straightforward enough for most students to follow without further instruction.

BIOGRAPHY LESSON IDEA # 1:

This session aims to give students a broader understanding of what makes a good biography.

Once your students have compiled a comprehensive checklist of the main features of a biography, allow them to use it to assess some biographies from your school library or on the internet using the feature checklist.

When students have assessed a selection of biographies, take some time as a class to discuss them. You can base the discussion around the following prompts:

• Which biographies covered all the criteria from their checklist?
• Which biographies didn’t?
• Which biography was the most readable in terms of structure?
• Which biography do you think was the least well-structured? How would you improve this?

Looking at how other writers have interpreted the form will help students internalize the necessary criteria before attempting to produce a biography. Once students have a clear understanding of the main features of the biography, they’re ready to begin work on writing a biography.

When the time does come to put pen to paper, be sure they’re armed with the following top tips to help ensure they’re as well prepared as possible.

BIOGRAPHY LESSON IDEA # 2:

This session aims to guide students through the process of selecting the perfect biography subject.

Instruct students to draw up a shortlist of three potential subjects for the biography they’ll write.

Using the three criteria mentioned in the writing guide (Interest, Merit, and Information), students award each potential subject a mark out of 5 for each of the criteria. In this manner, students can select the most suitable subject for their biography.

BIOGRAPHY LESSON IDEA # 3:

This session aims to get students into the researching phase, then prioritise and organise events chronologically.

Students begin by making a timeline of their subject’s life, starting with their birth and ending with their death or the present day. If the student has yet to make a final decision on the subject of their biography, a family member will often serve well for this exercise as a practice exercise.

Students should research and gather the key events of the person’s life, covering each period of their life from when they were a baby, through childhood and adolescence, right up to adulthood and old age. They should then organize these onto a timeline. Students can include photographs with captions if they have them.

They can present these to the class when they have finished their timelines.

BIOGRAPHY LESSON IDEA # 4:

Instruct students to look over their timeline, notes, and other research. Challenge them to identify three patterns that repeat throughout the subject’s life and sort all the related events and incidents into specific categories.

Students should then label each category with a single word. This is the thematic concept or the broad general underlying idea. After that, students should write a sentence or two expressing what the subject’s life ‘says’ about that concept.

This is known as the thematic statement . With the thematic concepts and thematic statements identified, the student now has some substantial ideas to explore that will help bring more profound meaning and wider resonance to their biography.

BIOGRAPHY LESSON IDEA # 5:

Instruct students to write a short objective account of an event in their own life. They can write about anyone from their past. It needn’t be more than a couple of paragraphs, but the writing should be strictly factual, focusing only on the objective details of what happened.

Once they have completed this, it’s time to rewrite the paragraph, but they should include some opinion and personal commentary this time.

The student here aims to inject some color and personality into their writing, to transform a detached, factual account into a warm, engaging story.

A COMPLETE UNIT ON TEACHING BIOGRAPHIES

Teach your students to write AMAZING BIOGRAPHIES & AUTOBIOGRAPHIES using proven RESEARCH SKILLS and WRITING STRATEGIES .

• Understand the purpose of both forms of biography.
• Explore the language and perspective of both.
• Prompts and Challenges to engage students in writing a biography.
• Dedicated lessons for both forms of biography.
• Biographical Projects can expand students’ understanding of reading and writing a biography.
• A COMPLETE 82-PAGE UNIT – NO PREPARATION REQUIRED.

FREE Biography Writing Graphic Organizer

Use this valuable tool in the research and writing phases to keep your students on track and engaged.

WRITING CHECKLIST & RUBRIC BUNDLE

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To Conclude

By this stage, your students should have an excellent technical overview of a biography’s essential elements.

They should be able to choose their subject in light of how interesting and worthy they are, as well as give consideration to the availability of information out there. They should be able to research effectively and identify emerging themes in their research notes. And finally, they should be able to bring some of their personality and uniqueness into their retelling of the life of another.

Remember that writing a biography is not only a great way to develop a student’s writing skills; it can be used in almost all curriculum areas. For example, to find out more about a historical figure in History, to investigate scientific contributions to Science, or to celebrate a hero from everyday life.

Biography is an excellent genre for students to develop their writing skills and to find inspiration in the lives of others in the world around them.

HOW TO WRITE A BIOGRAPHY TUTORIAL VIDEO

OTHER GREAT ARTICLES RELATED TO BIOGRAPHY WRITING

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15 Awesome Recount & Personal Narrative Topics

Personal Narrative Writing Guide

Definition of Biography

A biography is the non- fiction , written history or account of a person’s life. Biographies are intended to give an objective portrayal of a person, written in the third person. Biographers collect information from the subject (if he/she is available), acquaintances of the subject, or in researching other sources such as reference material, experts, records, diaries, interviews, etc. Most biographers intend to present the life story of a person and establish the context of their story for the reader, whether in terms of history and/or the present day. In turn, the reader can be reasonably assured that the information presented about the biographical subject is as true and authentic as possible.

Biographies can be written about a person at any time, no matter if they are living or dead. However, there are limitations to biography as a literary device. Even if the subject is involved in the biographical process, the biographer is restricted in terms of access to the subject’s thoughts or feelings.

Biographical works typically include details of significant events that shape the life of the subject as well as information about their childhood, education, career, and relationships. Occasionally, a biography is made into another form of art such as a film or dramatic production. The musical production of “Hamilton” is an excellent example of a biographical work that has been turned into one of the most popular musical productions in Broadway history.

Common Examples of Biographical Subjects

Most people assume that the subject of a biography must be a person who is famous in some way. However, that’s not always the case. In general, biographical subjects tend to be interesting people who have pioneered something in their field of expertise or done something extraordinary for humanity. In addition, biographical subjects can be people who have experienced something unusual or heartbreaking, committed terrible acts, or who are especially gifted and/or talented.

As a literary device, biography is important because it allows readers to learn about someone’s story and history. This can be enlightening, inspiring, and meaningful in creating connections. Here are some common examples of biographical subjects:

• political leaders
• entrepreneurs
• historical figures
• serial killers
• notorious people
• political activists
• adventurers/explorers
• religious leaders
• military leaders
• cultural figures

Famous Examples of Biographical Works

The readership for biography tends to be those who enjoy learning about a certain person’s life or overall field related to the person. In addition, some readers enjoy the literary form of biography independent of the subject. Some biographical works become well-known due to either the person’s story or the way the work is written, gaining a readership of people who may not otherwise choose to read biography or are unfamiliar with its form.

Here are some famous examples of biographical works that are familiar to many readers outside of biography fans:

• Alexander Hamilton (Ron Chernow)
• Prairie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder (Caroline Fraser)
• Steve Jobs (Walter Isaacson)
• Churchill: A Life (Martin Gilbert)
• The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary (Simon Winchester)
• A Beautiful Mind (Sylvia Nasar)
• The Black Rose (Tananarive Due)
• John Adams (David McCullough)
• Into the Wild ( Jon Krakauer )
• John Brown (W.E.B. Du Bois)
• Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo (Hayden Herrera)
• The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (Rebecca Skloot)
• Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln (Doris Kearns Goodwin)
• Shirley Jackson : A Rather Haunted Life ( Ruth Franklin)
• the stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit (Michael Finkel)

Difference Between Biography, Autobiography, and Memoir

Biography, autobiography , and memoir are the three main forms used to tell the story of a person’s life. Though there are similarities between these forms, they have distinct differences in terms of the writing, style , and purpose.

A biography is an informational narrative and account of the life history of an individual person, written by someone who is not the subject of the biography. An autobiography is the story of an individual’s life, written by that individual. In general, an autobiography is presented chronologically with a focus on key events in the person’s life. Since the writer is the subject of an autobiography, it’s written in the first person and considered more subjective than objective, like a biography. In addition, autobiographies are often written late in the person’s life to present their life experiences, challenges, achievements, viewpoints, etc., across time.

Memoir refers to a written collection of a person’s significant memories, written by that person. Memoir doesn’t generally include biographical information or chronological events unless it’s relevant to the story being presented. The purpose of memoir is reflection and an intention to share a meaningful story as a means of creating an emotional connection with the reader. Memoirs are often presented in a narrative style that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Examples of Biography in Literature

An important subset of biography is literary biography. A literary biography applies biographical study and form to the lives of artists and writers. This poses some complications for writers of literary biographies in that they must balance the representation of the biographical subject, the artist or writer, as well as aspects of the subject’s literary works. This balance can be difficult to achieve in terms of judicious interpretation of biographical elements within an author’s literary work and consideration of the separate spheres of the artist and their art.

Literary biographies of artists and writers are among some of the most interesting biographical works. These biographies can also be very influential for readers, not only in terms of understanding the artist or writer’s personal story but the context of their work or literature as well. Here are some examples of well-known literary biographies:

Example 1:  Savage Beauty: The Life of Edna St. Vincent Millay  (Nancy Milford)

One of the first things Vincent explained to Norma was that there was a certain freedom of language in the Village that mustn’t shock her. It wasn’t vulgar. ‘So we sat darning socks on Waverly Place and practiced the use of profanity as we stitched. Needle in, . Needle out, piss. Needle in, . Needle out, c. Until we were easy with the words.’

This passage reflects the way in which Milford is able to characterize St. Vincent Millay as a person interacting with her sister. Even avid readers of a writer’s work are often unaware of the artist’s private and personal natures, separate from their literature and art. Milford reflects the balance required on the part of a literary biographer of telling the writer’s life story without undermining or interfering with the meaning and understanding of the literature produced by the writer. Though biographical information can provide some influence and context for a writer’s literary subjects, style, and choices , there is a distinction between the fictional world created by a writer and the writer’s “real” world. However, a literary biographer can illuminate the writer’s story so that the reader of both the biography and the biographical subject’s literature finds greater meaning and significance.

Example 2:  The Invisible Woman: The Story of Nelly Ternan and Charles Dickens  (Claire Tomalin)

The season of domestic goodwill and festivity must have posed a problem to all good Victorian family men with more than one family to take care of, particularly when there were two lots of children to receive the demonstrations of paternal love.

Tomalin’s literary biography of Charles Dickens reveals the writer’s extramarital relationship with a woman named Nelly Ternan. Tomalin presents the complications that resulted for Dickens from this relationship in terms of his personal and family life as well as his professional writing and literary work. Revealing information such as an extramarital relationship can influence the way a reader may feel about the subject as a person, and in the case of literary biography it can influence the way readers feel about the subject’s literature as well. Artists and writers who are beloved , such as Charles Dickens, are often idealized by their devoted readers and society itself. However, as Tomalin’s biography of Dickens indicates, artists and writers are complicated and as subject to human failings as anyone else.

Example 3:  Virginia Woolf  (Hermione Lee)

‘A self that goes on changing is a self that goes on living’: so too with the biography of that self. And just as lives don’t stay still, so life-writing can’t be fixed and finalised. Our ideas are shifting about what can be said, our knowledge of human character is changing. The biographer has to pioneer, going ‘ahead of the rest of us, like the miner’s canary, testing the atmosphere , detecting falsity, unreality, and the presence of obsolete conventions’. So, ‘There are some stories which have to be retold by each generation’. She is talking about the story of Shelley, but she could be talking about her own life-story.

In this passage, Lee is able to demonstrate what her biographical subject, Virginia Woolf, felt about biography and a person telling their own or another person’s story. Literary biographies of well-known writers can be especially difficult to navigate in that both the author and biographical subject are writers, but completely separate and different people. As referenced in this passage by Lee, Woolf was aware of the subtleties and fluidity present in a person’s life which can be difficult to judiciously and effectively relay to a reader on the part of a biographer. In addition, Woolf offers insight into the fact that biographers must make choices in terms of what information is presented to the reader and the context in which it is offered, making them a “miner’s canary” as to how history will view and remember the biographical subject.

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What Is Biography? Definition, Usage, and Literary Examples

Biography definition.

A  biography  (BYE-og-ruh-fee) is a written account of one person’s life authored by another person. A biography includes all pertinent details from the subject’s life, typically arranged in a chronological order. The word  biography  stems from the Latin  biographia , which succinctly explains the word’s definition:  bios  = “life” +  graphia  = “write.”

Since the advent of the written word, historical writings have offered information about real people, but it wasn’t until the 18th century that biographies evolved into a separate literary genre.  Autobiographies  and memoirs fall under the broader biography genre, but they are distinct literary forms due to one key factor: the subjects themselves write these works. Biographies are popular source materials for documentaries, television shows, and motion pictures.

The History of Biographies

The biography form has its roots in Ancient Rome and Greece. In 44 BCE, Roman writer Cornelius Nepos published  Excellentium Imperatorum Vitae  ( Lives of the Generals ), one of the earliest recorded biographies. In 80 CE, Greek writer Plutarch released  Parallel Lives , a sweeping work consisting of 48 biographies of famous men. In 121 CE, Roman historian Suetonius wrote  De vita Caesarum  ( On the Lives of the Caesars ), a series of 12 biographies detailing the lives of Julius Caesar and the first 11 emperors of the Roman Empire. These were among the most widely read biographies of their time, and at least portions of them have survived intact over the millennia.

During the Middle Ages, the Roman Catholic Church had a notable influence on biographies. Historical, political, and cultural biographies fell out of favor. Biographies of religious figures—including saints, popes, and church founders—replaced them. One notable exception was Italian painter/architect Giorgio Vasari’s 1550 biography,  The Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects , which was immensely popular. In fact, it is one of the first examples of a bestselling book.

Still, it wasn’t until the 18th century that authors began to abandon multiple subjects in a single work and instead focus their research and writing on one subject. Scholars consider James Boswell’s 1791  The Life of Samuel Johnson  to be the first modern biography. From here, biographies were established as a distinct literary genre, separate from more general historical writing.

As understanding of psychology and sociology grew in the 19th and early 20th centuries, biographies further evolved, offering up even more comprehensive pictures of their subjects. Authors who played major roles in this contemporary approach to biographing include Lytton Strachey, Gamaliel Bradford, and Robert Graves.

Types of Biographies

While all biographical works chronicle the lives of real people, writers can present the information in several different ways.

• Popular biographies are life histories written for a general readership.  The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks  by Rebecca Skloot and  Into the Wild  by Jon Krakauer are two popular examples.
• Critical biographies discuss the relationship between the subject’s life and the work they produced or were involved in; for example,  The Billionaire Who Wasn’t: How Chuck Feeney Secretly Made and Gave Away a Fortune  by Conor O’Clery and  Unpresidented: A Biography of Donald Trump  by Martha Brockenbrough.
• Historical biographies put greater understanding on how the subject’s life and contributions affected or were affected by the times in which they lived; see  John Adams  by David McCullough and  Catherine the Great  by Peter K. Massie.
• Literary biographies concentrate almost exclusively on writers and artists, blending a conventional  narrative  of the historical facts of the subject’s life with an exploration of how these facts impacted their creative output. Some examples include  Savage Beauty: The Life of Edna St. Vincent Millay  by Nancy Milford and  Jackson Pollock: An American Saga  by Gregory White Smith and Steven Naifeh.
• Reference biographies are more scholarly writings, usually written by multiple authors and covering multiple lives around a single topic. They verify facts, provide background details, and contribute supplemental information resources, like bibliographies, glossaries, and historical documents; for example,  Black Americans in Congress, 1870-2007  and the  Dictionary of Canadian Biography .
• Fictional biographies, or biographical novels, like  The Other Boleyn Girl  by Philippa Gregory, incorporate creative license into the retelling of a real person’s story by taking on the structure and freedoms of a novel. The term can also describe novels in which authors give an abundance of background information on their characters, to the extent that the novel reads more like a biography than fiction. An example of this is George R.R. Martin’s  Fire and Blood , a novel detailing the history of a royal family from his popular  A Song of Ice and Fire

Biographies and Filmed Entertainment

Movie makers and television creators frequently produce biographical stories, either as dramatized productions based on real people or as nonfiction accounts.

Documentary

This genre is a nonfictional movie or television show that uses historical records to tell the story of a subject. The subject might be a one person or a group of people, or it might be a certain topic or theme. To present a biography in a visually compelling way, documentaries utilize archival footage, recreations, and interviews with subjects, scholars, experts, and others associated with the subject.

Famous film documentaries include  Grey Gardens,  a biography of two of Jacqueline Kennedy’s once-wealthy cousins, who, at the time of filming, lived in squalor in a condemned mansion in the Hamptons; and  I Am Not Your Negro , a biography of the life and legacy of pioneering American author James Baldwin.

Television documentary series tell one story over the course of several episodes, like  The Jinx :  The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst , a biography of the real estate heir and alleged serial killer that focused on his suspected crimes. There are many nonfiction television shows that use a documentary format, but subjects typically change from one episode to the next, such as A&E’s  Biography  and PBS’s  POV .

These films are biographical motion pictures, written by screenwriters and performed by actors. They often employ a certain amount of creative liberty in their interpretation of a real life. This is largely done to maintain a feasible runtime; capturing all of the pivotal moments of a subject’s life in a 90- or 120-minute movie is all but impossible. So, filmmakers might choose to add, eliminate, or combine key events and characters, or they may focus primarily on one or only a few aspects of the subject’s life. Some popular examples:  Coal Miner’s Daughter , a biography of country music legend Loretta Lynn;  Malcom X , a biopic centered on the civil rights leader of the same name; and  The King’s Speech , a dramatization of Prince Albert’s efforts to overcome a stutter and ascend the English throne.

Semi-fictionalized account

This approach takes a real-life event and interprets or expands it in ways that stray beyond what actually happened. This is done for entertainment and to build the story so it fits the filmmaker’s vision or evolves into a longer form, such as a multi-season television show. These accounts sometimes come with the disclaimer that they are “inspired by true events.” Examples of semi-fictionalized accounts are the TV series  Orange Is the New Black ,  Masters of Sex , and  Mozart of the Jungle —each of which stem from at least one biographical element, but showrunners expounded upon to provide many seasons of entertainment.

The Functions of Biography

Biographies inform readers about the life of a notable person. They are a way to introduce readers to the work’s subject—the historical details, the subject’s motivations and psychological underpinnings, and their environment and the impact they had, both in the short and long term.

Because the author is somewhat removed from their subject, they can offer a more omniscient, third-person narrative account. This vantage point allows the author to put certain events into a larger context; compare and contrast events, people, and behaviors predominant in the subject’s life; and delve into psychological and sociological themes of which the subject may not have been aware.

Also, a writer structures a biography to make the life of the subject interesting and readable. Most biographers want to entertain as well as inform, so they typically use a traditional  plot  structure—an introduction,  conflict , rising of tension, a climax, a resolution, and an ending—to give the life story a narrative shape. While the ebb and flow of life is a normal day-to-day rhythm, it doesn’t necessarily make for entertaining reading. The job of the writer, then, becomes one of shaping the life to fit the elements of a good plot.

Writers Known for Biographies

Many modern writers have dedicated much of their careers to biographies, such as:

• Kitty Kelley, author of  Jackie Oh! An Intimate Biography; His Way: The Unauthorized Biography of Frank Sinatra ; and  The Family: The Real Story of the Bush Dynasty
• Antonia Fraser, author of  Mary Queen of Scots ;  Cromwell; Our Chief of Men ; and  The Gunpowder Plot: Terror and Faith in 1605
• David McCullough, author of  The Path Between the Seas; Truman ; and  John Adams
• Andrew Morton, author of  Diana: Her True Story in Her Own Words; Madonna ; and  Tom Cruise: An Unauthorized Biography
• Alison Weir, author of  The Six Wives of Henry VIII; Eleanor of Aquitaine: By the Wrath of God; Queen of England ; and  Katherine Swynford: The Story of John of Gaunt and His Scandalous Duchess

Examples of Biographies

1. James Boswell,  The Life of Samuel Johnson

The biography that ushered in the modern era of true-life writing,  The Life of Samuel Johnson  covered the entirety of its subject’s life, from his birth to his status as England’s preeminent writer to his death. Boswell was a personal acquaintance of Johnson, so he was able to draw on voluminous amounts of personal conversations the two shared.

What also sets this biography apart is, because Boswell was a contemporary of Johnson, readers see Johnson in the context of his own time. He wasn’t some fabled figure that a biographer was writing about centuries later; he was someone to whom the author had access, and Boswell could see the real-world influence his subject had on life in the here and now.

2. Sylvia Nasar,  A Beautiful Mind

Nasar’s 1998 Pulitzer Prize-nominated biography of mathematician John Nash introduced legions of readers to Nash’s remarkable life and genius. The book opens with Nash’s childhood and follows him through his education, career, personal life, and struggles with schizophrenia. It ends with his acceptance of the 1994 Nobel Prize for Economics. In addition to a Pulitzer nomination,  A Beautiful Mind  won the National Book Critics Circle Award for Biography, was a  New York Times  bestseller, and provided the basis for the Academy Award-winning 2001 film of the same name.

3. Catherine Clinton,  Harriet Tubman: The Road to Freedom

Clinton’s biography of the abolitionist icon is a large-scale epic that chronicles Tubman’s singular life. It starts at her birth in the 1820s as the slave Araminta Ross, continuing through her journey to freedom; her pivotal role in the Underground Railroad; her Moses-like persona; and her death in 1913.

Because Tubman could not read or write, she left behind no letters, diaries, or other personal papers in her own hand and voice. Clinton reconstructed Tubman’s history entirely through other source material, and historians often cite this work as the quintessential biography of Tubman’s life.

4. Megan Mayhew Bergman,  Almost Famous Women

Almost Famous Women  is not a biography in the strictest sense of the word; it is a fictional interpretation of real-life women. Each short story revolves around a woman from history with close ties to fame, such as movie star Marlene Dietrich, Standard Oil heiress Marion “Joe” Carstairs, aviatrix Beryl Markham, Oscar Wilde’s niece Dolly, and Lord Byron’s daughter Allegra. Mayhew Bergman imagines these colorful women in equally colorful episodes that put them in a new light—a light that perhaps offers them the honor and homage that history denied them.

Further Resources on Biography

Newsweek  compiled their picks for the  75 Best Biographies of All Time .

The Open Education Database has a list of  75 Biographies to Read Before You Die .

Goodreads put together a list of readers’  best biography selections .

If you’re looking to write biographies,  Infoplease  has instructions for writing shorter pieces, while  The Writer   has practical advice for writing manuscript-length bios.

Ranker  collected  a comprehensive list of famous biographers .

Related Terms

• Autobiography
• Short Story

The Most Important Language Features That You Should Know

Esl , learn english.

Language features are your functional skills and your proficiency in English depends on them. Unravel the secrets of getting better grades in English and to become an effective communicator.

Have you ever read an English article or read a social media post and said,” Wow, that was such a fantastic piece of writing!” Or wondered why you aren’t scoring well in your English language papers? Chances are, you aren’t employing the language features appropriately. If you do not understand the language features, the text structures and how to engage with them, you have come to the right blog!

What are Language Features in English?

A word or expression that adds meaning to your language, improves its quality or enhances your expression is called a language feature. It can be a noun, an adjective, a figure of speech, a particular word or a sentence structure. The choice of a language expression depends on the type of text you are writing, the audience you are writing it for, the topic, etc. 

There are many language features in the English language; necessary functional skills. But, wait! Before you think you can’t cope with a long list of them, let us assure you that most of these features you are already aware of, and many are easy to use. 

Diving deep into the world of ‘language features examples’ is like unlocking a treasure chest of linguistic gems. Beyond basic grammar and vocabulary lies a universe where words play, dance, and sing! For example , onomatopoeia makes our language echo with sounds, turning ‘buzz’ and ‘bang’ into audible illustrations. Alliteration, another fun example, gives us catchy phrases like ‘Peter Piper picked’, making them roll off the tongue effortlessly. These ‘language features examples’ aren’t mere decorative tools; they breathe life and rhythm into our communications. Whether you’re a student penning an essay or just spinning a yarn with friends, sprinkling these features can make your narrative truly unforgettable.

The List of Language Features

Language is a vast subject. Also, it keeps evolving. The list of language features can be a bit overwhelming, so the most appropriate ones for you have been discussed by Edulyte’s experts here. These include: 

Alliteration

• Dramatic irony

Foreshadowing

Juxtaposition, onomatopoeia, personification, language features, their effects and examples.

When an event or a character in a poem, play or story represents an idea, it is called an allegory. Instead of giving the meaning clearly, the writer uses allegory to describe the thought, and the readers are to interpret it. Such a use of language features adds value to the emotion or thought.

A famous example of allegory in literature is George Orwell’s Animal Farm . A group of farm animals kick out the humans to run the farm themselves. But the underlying story is about the Russian Revolution; the pigs on the farm who take control represent Communist leaders like Stalin, Lenin, and the dogs who help the pigs represent the KGB.

Lady Larson liked lizards!

Interestingly, in the line above, all the words begin with the same sound, the sound of “l” . And this is what alliteration is, words placed together, starting with the same sounds. The poets adore it, and the writers swear by it. Alliteration gives a nice rhythm and emphasis to the writing; the readers cannot deny that it makes reading fun!

Using an indirect reference to an idea, emotion, thought, person or thing is an allusion. A writer will not explain the allusion but expect the reader to spot it and understand it. Wielded in the right way, it polishes your text structures.

I don’t trust his loyalty. He seems to be more of a Macbeth than a Samwise Gamgee.

In the example, the quality of being treacherous is conveyed by the famous Shakespearean character Macbeth and that of loyalty is highlighted by the Lord of the Rings character Samwise. 

If you wish to achieve a good rank, you must work hard every day; Rome wasn’t built in a day!

And that, my friends, is an analogy! A persuasive writing language feature allows the writer to put forward arguments and ideas so that you realise them and even agree with them. It is a way to entice the readers to support your thoughts. 

A tool to make your readers remember what you are saying or stress a point. Anaphora is the repetition of the first part of the sentence. 

• We care for your health. We care for your well being. We care for your life. 
• Here we see a repetition of the first two words in the sentences. 
• This retains a reader’s attention and even gives a rhythm to your writing. 

Dramatic Irony

A feature held dearly in English is the use of irony. Irony makes the reader think. How? Through irony, you use a different set of words so that their meaning is different from the actual meaning of the words. Confused? Then read the following examples:

• The top rank holder in the class failed his university entrance exam! 
• People on social media discuss how useless social media is.
• It is the most appropriate feature to use when talking about life and experiences. 

A feature that is in constant use by anyone writing or even speaking in English is a euphemism. For example, we use euphemisms when we employ words to express an embarrassing or unpleasant situation.

• The entire family has been under the weather : here, under the weather was used instead of “sick.”
• After learning how to drive, I bought a pre-owned car : “pre-owned” was used instead of “used” car. 

Words that look or sound alike but carry different meanings are homonyms or homophones. The English language has many such words, and they can improve your writing skills and vocabulary. 

• The dog barks, seeing an insect on the bark of the tree. 
• Here bark has been used twice, but it holds a different meaning each time. 
• The use of homonyms makes writing and reading text captivating. 

As the term hints, it is related to creating an image or visual in your mind when you read a text. You can use abstract thought to talk about a person, an object, a place, an emotion or an idea. Imagination receives a boost while using this language feature. 

• I had a headache due to the intense heat. My head was pounding like a drum. 
• Her perfume smelt like warm melted chocolate. 

Want to exaggerate an event or a character’s reaction in your writing? Hyperbole definitely will help you. As a literary device, it adds emphasis. Rhetoric writing uses it reasonably, and hyperbole also finds its place in comic, serious, and even ironic situations. 

• This plate of pasta is the worst thing I have ever eaten.
• She sings like a banshee.

Sounds like a tongue twister!?! Juxtaposition is placing two or more characters, traits, actions or situations next to each other so that the reader can compare and contrast them. Interest is generated amongst readers when they are made to do so. Readers can have a clear image or illustration of your expression.

In your writing, you can find it handy to create a connection between two different thoughts or people. 

• Acceptance of the social norms isolated her from her ideals.
• The radiance of the child’s smile overcame the darkness in my heart. 

Derived from a Greek word, this language features uses negative terms to express a positive statement. You will come across this feature in non-fiction and rhetoric writing. Clever use of language, litotes is also in our daily conversations:

• I don’t dislike the new song by Ed Sheeran.
• Your analysis is not inaccurate.

You already read about it in school, and it does not just find its use in poetry but also real life. Metaphor uses a person, place, or action as something else. So the readers get a clear description of what you are trying to say when you include a metaphor in your writing. 

• He is a sloth after lunch. 
• 50% discount in H&M was a magnet for shoppers.

We are all addicted to virtual reality. 

You are confused about the subject choices!

‘virtual reality’ are two words brought together with completely different meanings. So is ‘clearly confused.’ Such a use of language is called an oxymoron. It brings out the importance of a concept. And it is also entertaining; that is why many of the famous movies and series titles are examples of an oxymoron: Eyes Wide Shut, You Only Live Twice, Big Little Lies.. you can surely think of many more now.

Aristotle swore by it, as he believed that inspiring emotions among listeners would turn them in your favour. And that is what pathos does. And for that, it finds an honourable place in the advertising world. Movies bank of dialogues with pothos literary devices to sway the audience. Some famous examples are: 

• I have to remind myself that some birds aren’t meant to be caged. (The Shawshank Redemption)
• Things change, friends leave. And life doesn’t stop for anybody. (The Perks of Being a Wallflower)

Rhetorical Question

Cambridge dictionary defines it as a question asked in order to make a statement that does not expect an answer. As a writer, you can make the reader pause to think over what you are trying to say. It hooks them to your text.

• Do we have another Earth? Another home? 
• Who wouldn’t want to be rich?

Words can kill, and satire shows you how; it is the use of humour to express your dislike for an ideology, a situation or a person. Many movies, novels, short stories, poems and even stand up comedy are based on satire . As a writer, you can highlight a flaw or an issue and create awareness among your readers with this language feature. 

To let you in on a secret… you have been exposed to it already!

From the famous play “The Importance of Being Earnest” to the series “The Simpsons” , satire makes fun of the societal norms and state. 

Animation movie titles like “ Happy Feet “, a book with the name “The Giving Tree”, or Emily Dickinson writing her famous line…” The heart wants what it wants – or else it does not care” , are all examples of personification. 

• As you might have guessed by now, it presents a thought or object with human emotions or portrays them as having human abilities. 
• You can compel a reader to imagine or understand your concept better using this literary device. 

‘Pun intended,’ we have come across sentences with this phrase. So what does it mean? A pun is a great way of using your vocabulary skills. A pun uses a word to tell something else from its actual meaning. Your writing becomes witty with this language feature. It is a play on words, many times with similar-sounding words. Newspaper headlines sport this feature regularly.

• After waiting for the football match to begin, the ball finally rolled.
• It’s no use lecturing the sheep; they have herd it before.

Another descriptive tool, a simile, compares one person, idea, or thing with another. It differs from metaphor as it sticks to using “ like ” or “ as ” while comparing. 

• Her blueberry cheesecake is as good as The Cheesecake Factory’s cheesecake. 
• The road meandered like a river.

The green traffic light tells you to “go.” A dollar sign symbolises “money.” That is symbolism in your everyday life. The trick is to utilise it in your writing as well. Symbolism allows you to use particular objects to signify emotion, a concept, an idea. 

Your English teacher would have pointed it out: ‘you have deviated from the theme in your writing.’ The theme is the underlying idea or meaning of a writing. As a writer, you develop your writing and characters around the central idea, like “To Kill A Mockingbird ” has a theme of equality and justice, whereas “Kafka On The Shore” has metaphysical as its main theme. 

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This is a language feature where the word imitates the actual sound of what it’s describing.

• Example 1: The clock ticked away the seconds.
• Example 2: Bees buzz around the flowers.
• Example 3: The bacon sizzled in the pan.
• Quote: “The buzzing bee flew away.”

This language feature provides hints or clues for what will happen later in the story.

• Example 1: A gun is shown in the first act of a play, and it goes off in the third.
• Example 2: A character coughs before a serious illness is revealed.
• Example 3: Dark clouds on the horizon suggest an impending storm.
• Quote: “A shadow flits before me, not thou but like to thee.”

A flashback interrupts the normal sequence of events to depict something that happened at an earlier time.

• Example 1: A veteran experiences a flashback to his time at war.
• Example 2: In a story, the protagonist remembers their childhood.
• Example 3: A movie starts with a character as an adult, then flashes back to their youth.
• Quote: “Memories are bullets. Some whiz by and only spook you. Others tear you open and leave you in pieces.”

This is a statement that appears contradictory but can reveal a deeper truth.

• Example 1: “Less is more.”
• Example 2: “You have to be cruel to be kind.”
• Example 3: “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.”
• Quote: “It’s weird not to be weird.”

In language features, tone is the general character or attitude conveyed in writing.

• Example 1: A cheerful tone in a letter of acceptance.
• Example 2: A serious tone in an academic paper.
• Example 3: A suspenseful tone in a mystery novel.
• Quote: “The tone of your voice often conveys more accurately what is in your mind than do your words.”

Mood: Mood is the emotional setting created through language features in a narrative.

• Example 1: A spooky mood in a ghost story.
• Example 2: A romantic mood in a love poem.
• Example 3: A hopeful mood in an inspirational speech.
• Quote: “Mood is at the heart of all literature.”

These are phrases or ideas that have been overused to the point of losing their original meaning.

• Example 1: “Time heals all wounds.”
• Example 2: “Love at first sight.”
• Example 3: “As busy as a bee.”
• Quote: “Avoid clichés like the plague.”

A recurring element that has significance in a story.

Examples of this language feature.

• 1: The colour red appearing in a movie to signify danger.
• 2: The theme of friendship in a novel.
• 3: Recurring flashbacks in a TV series to hint at a character’s past.
• Quote: “A motif is not an image, but the reappearance of an image.”

Saying something but meaning the opposite, often to mock or to convey contempt.

• Example 1: Saying “nice job” when someone makes a mistake.
• Example 2: Saying “I can’t wait to start my diet” while eating a slice of cake.
• Example 3: “You’re as clear as mud.”
• Quote: “Sarcasm: the last refuge of the imaginatively bankrupt.”

How will Language Features help me?

So you think only an English language/literature student should learn about the language features? Well, it is a misconception that you should get rid of immediately. 

• As you have seen from the examples above, language features are applied to our day to day life. So a firm grasp on them improves your communication skills and makes you more confident.
• Language features can effectively deliver information and notions. For example, you can convey what you wish to an audience or a reader and make them understand your thoughts or the information. 
• Language features, once mastered, are excellent support for you. They are your reliable allies in churning out well-written speeches, stories, poems, and every written text. As a result, expressions become refined, your writing becomes persuasive, and your ability to observe and write becomes sharp. 

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A, An, The articles in English grammar : What are they and how to use them.

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Frequently Asked Questions

To find the language features in a text, you must know what they are and how to use them. Certain texts will have specific language features like a speech will have rhetoric , a poem will have metaphors and similies, etc.

That is a good question. It would be best to use them in your written and verbal communication because they make your communication effective. You can express yourself better, put forth your ideas clearly and make others comprehend your thoughts better. Also, they are a great tool to help you score well in your English language exams and tests.

The effect of language features makes the reader want to read more. You feel the impact of language features when immersed in the text and visualise everything the narrator presents. When you can feel the emotions or understand the writer’s point of view, you can clearly say that you are under the effect of the language features used in the text.

Informal language features mean the use of: nonstandard English colloquial vocabulary  shorter sentence structures. less use of personal pronouns

These terms are used interchangeably. Language features enable us to present our ideas in forms: formal, persuasive essays, speech, poems, reports, etc. Language techniques are the words and phrases used in a text to emphasise the topic or a theme.  Language features are the specific language techniques that an author includes to create meaning.

Satire is a term heard often in English classes. It means the use of humour to express your dislike for an ideology, a situation or a person.

 A pun is a great way of using your vocabulary skills. A pun uses a word to tell something else from its actual meaning. Your writing becomes witty with this language feature.

Enrolling in our classes would not take you more than a few minutes. Login Check the courses catering to your requirements. Please go through our Tutors list. Select the class timings that are suitable for you, and in a few clicks, your language learning begins!

We have got you covered regarding that as well. When you register with us, our qualified tutors assess your language knowledge. We offer you the course that would help yield the best results based on the result. We offer courses at Beginner, Elementary, Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate, Upper-Intermediate, Advanced levels. We also have special packages for training in each skill . Do check out here .

Edulyte has a unique team of qualified faculty and subject experts who specialise in training for such tests and exams. They will guide you in every step to prepare and attain a great score in these exams.

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BRITISH Course

Space to find reference of english, recount text; definition, purposes, generic structures, language features.

August 13, 2017 British Course Explanation of Text Genre 12

Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh😊

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim

Adek-adek pernah jalan jalan, ke kebun binatang atau ke pantai misalnya. Atau mengalami suatu kejadian yang menyenangkan atau menyedihkan, pernah? Cerita mengenai sebuah pengalaman ke suatu tempat, atau mengalami kejadian yang menyedihkan atau menyenangkan itu namanya Recount Text . Jadi recount itu adalah sebuah cerita tentang pengalaman yang dialami seseorang dimasa lampau. Do you understand?

Definition of Recount Text

Recount text is a text that telling the reader about one story, action or activity. Its goal is to entertaining or informing the reader. (sebuah teks yang menceritakan sebuah cerita, aksi ataupun aktifitas. Tujuan recount text adalah untuk menghibur atau memberi informasi kepada pembaca)

Recount is a text which retells event or experiences in the past. (sebuah teks yang menceritakan kembali kejadian atau pengalaman di masa lampau)

Generic Structure of Recount Text

# Orientation : It gives the readers the background information needed to understand the text, such as who was involved, where it happened, and when it happened. # Events : A series of events, ordered in a chronological sequence. # Re-orientation : A personal comment about the event or what happened in the end.

Purpose of Recount Text

– To retell past experience

The Characteristics / Language Feature of Recount Text

– Using the simple past tense, past continuous tense, past perfect tense, and past perfect continuous tense. – Using temporal sequence, e.g. On Saturday. On Monday, On Sunday – Focus on specific participant, e.g. I (the writer) – Using the conjunctions, such as: then, before, after, etc. – Using action verd, e.g. went, stayed

Example of Recount Text

Read text carefully and see the translation

Last morning, Dinar, my roommate woke up late and she had to go to campus.

When she wanted to take her motorcycle, in fact she couldn’t move it because there were some motorcycles that blocked up her motorcycle.

She tried to move all of the motorcycles, so that her motorcycle could move from the garage. But she couldn’t do it.

Then, she called Adel who had that motorcycle which blocked it up. After that, her friend who had that motorcycle helped her. Finally, she could move her motorcycle and rode it to go to campus.

Pagi yang lalu, Dinar, teman sekamar saya bangun terlambat dan dia harus pergi ke kampus.

Ketika dia ingin mengambil sepeda motornya, pada kenyataannya dia tidak bisa menggerakan motornya karena ada beberapa sepeda motor yang menghalangi sepeda motornya.

Dia mencoba untuk memindahkan semua sepeda motor itu, sehingga sepeda motornya bisa pindah dari garasi. Tapi ia tidak bisa melakukannya.

Kemudian, dia menelepon Adel yang memiliki sepeda motor yang yang menghalanginya itu. Setelah itu, temannya yang memiliki sepeda motor itu membantunya. Akhirnya, ia bisa menggerakkan sepeda motor dan menaikinya untuk pergi ke kampus.

Contoh Recount Text tentang Jalan-jalan ke Jogjakarta

A beautiful day at jogja.

ditulis oleh Arsianti Dewi

Last week, my friends and I went to Jogja. We visited many places.

First, we visited Parangtritis beach. The sun shone brightly and the scenery was very beautiful there. We felt the wind blew across to us. We also saw a lot of people in that beach. There were many birds flew in the sky. Also, there were many sellers who sold many kinds of souvenirs. Second, we visited Gembira Loka Zoo. We saw many kinds of animals there such as monkeys, tigers, crocodiles, snakes, etc. We looked around in that Zoo, and also took pictures of those animals. Then, we felt hungry, so we went to a restaurant. As soon as we finished our lunc, we decided to go home.

For me, that was a beautiful day though I could not visit Malioboro. We really enjoyed it, and I hope I could visit Jogja again.

Hari yang Indah di Jogja

Minggu lalu, teman-teman dan saya pergi ke Jogja. Kami mengunjungi banyak tempat.

Pertama, kami mengunjungi pantai Parangtritis. Matahari bersinar terang dan pemandangannya sangat indah disana. Kami merasakan angin bertiup ke arah kami. Kami juga melihat banyak orang di pantai itu. Ada banyak burung terbang di langit. Selain itu, ada banyak penjual yang menjual berbagai macam cinderamata. Kedua, kami mengunjungi Kebun Binatang Gembira Loka. Kami melihat banyak jenis binatang di sana seperti monyet, harimau, buaya, ular, dan lain-lain. Kami melihat-lihat di Kebun Binatang itu, dan juga memotret binatang-binatang itu. Lalu, kami merasa lapar, jadi kami pergi ke restoran. Begitu kami selesai makan siang, kami memutuskan untuk pulang.

Bagi saya, itu adalah hari yang indah meski saya tidak bisa mengunjungi Malioboro. Kami sangat menikmatinya, dan semoga bisa mengunjungi Jogja lagi.

Contoh Recount Text tentang  Diary Seorang Gadis

A page from a girl’s diary.

ditulis oleh Pratama Lysa Hapsari

Tuesday, September 30th, 2008

It was takbiran night. It was also my birthday, and nothing happened. Or I had thought nothing would happen, but I was wrong.

That night, I was watching television with my family when I heard someone lit fireworks in my front yard. I peeped through my window glass but could see nothing. It was very dark outside. Then I thought it had to be my cousins who lit the fireworks. Then I plopped down on my sofa again and tried to concentrate on the television since my mind raced with disappointment that no one gave something special on my birthday.

I shrugged, it was almost the end of the day and I became pessimist. Five minutes later my mobile beeped. It was a text from my friend asking me to come out. Wondering what was going on, I grabbed my jacket and hurried to the front door. I was surprised to see her bring a bag full of firework and fire drills. Next I was surprised to see my other friend come out from the darkness. She brought a beautiful birthday cake on her hands. Oh my God! I shrieked. Then they gave the cake to me who was too stunned to say anything. I realized I was blushing furiously because my whole family was watching. Not to mention my neighbors too!

A plain day, or I thought it was before, turned out to be one of the greatest moment in my life. I didn’t even know how to describe what I felt. Happy was the simplest word.

Terjemahannya

Halaman dari Buku Harian Seorang Gadis

ditulis oleh Pratama Lysa Hapsari Selasa, 30 September 2008

Itu malam takbiran. Itu juga hari ulang tahunku, dan tidak ada yang terjadi. Atau saya pikir tidak ada yang akan terjadi, tapi saya salah.

Malam itu, saya menonton televisi bersama keluarga saya ketika saya mendengar seseorang menyalakan kembang api di halaman depan saya. Aku mengintip melalui kaca jendela tapi tidak melihat apa-apa. Di luar sangat gelap. Lalu kupikir pastilah sepupuku yang menyalakan kembang api. Kemudian saya menjatuhkan diri ke sofa lagi dan mencoba berkonsentrasi di televisi karena pikiran saya berpacu dengan kekecewaan karena tidak ada yang memberi sesuatu yang spesial pada hari ulang tahun saya.

Aku mengangkat bahu, hampir akhir hari dan aku menjadi pesimis. Lima menit kemudian ponsel saya berbunyi. Itu adalah teks dari teman saya yang meminta saya untuk keluar. Bingung apa yang terjadi, aku meraih jaketku dan bergegas ke pintu depan. Saya terkejut melihat dia membawa tas penuh kembang api dan latihan api. Selanjutnya saya kaget melihat teman saya yang lain keluar dari kegelapan. Dia membawa kue ulang tahun yang indah di tangannya. Ya Tuhan! Jeritku. Kemudian mereka memberikan kue itu kepada saya yang terlalu tertegun untuk mengatakan apapun. Saya menyadari bahwa saya tersipu malu karena seluruh keluarga saya menonton. Belum lagi tetangga saya juga!

Suatu hari yang polos, atau saya pikir itu sebelumnya, ternyata merupakan momen terbesar dalam hidup saya. Aku bahkan tidak tahu bagaimana menggambarkan apa yang kurasakan. Bahagia adalah kata yang paling sederhana.

Baca juga : Narrative Text : Definition, Purposes, Generic Structures, Language Features

Demikianlah Penjelasan dari British Course tentang Recount Text. Semoga dengan membaca penjelasan dari kami di atas dapat menambah pemahaman tentang materi ini. Oke cukup sekian, dan trimakasih atas kunjungannya. Jika ada pertanyaan atau komentar mengenai materi ini silahkan tinggalkan komentar..

Reference : Rudi Hartono, Genre of Texts, (Semarang: English Department Faculty of Language and Art Semarang State University, 2005). https://www.englishindo.com/2018/01/recount-text-full-materi-contoh-2018.html Mark Andersons and Kathy Andersons, Text Type in English 1-2, Australia: MacMillanEducation, 2003.

Related posts:

• Recount Text
• Procedure Text (Materi Dan Contoh)
• Commentary Text; Definition, Purposes, Generic Structures, Language Features
• Narrative Text; Definition, Purposes, Generic Structures, Language Features

12 Comments

Menurut saya pengertian nya ga benar

Udh bener itu… Disitu ada 2 Pengertian

Singkat tetapi kurang jelas

Kurang jelas

Di bagian mana yang kurang jelas Agis 🙂

hello kak,, kak maaf sebelum nya saya mau tanya,, ada ngak journal yang ngebahas tentang Generic structure, purpose sama characteristics? soal nya gini kak kebanyakan journal yang saya temukan hanya membahas tentang generic structure dan purpose saja kak tapi kalau characteristics ngk ada kak. Soal nya saya mahasiswa akhir yang lagu nyusun tentang recount text ini kak, mohon amat sangat bantuan nya kak, terima kasih kak

Dek Nurhadia tinggalnya dimana? Mungkin bisa cari di perpus UGM atau UI atau Unes. Semoga bisa menemukan jurnal tersebut. Thanks 🙂🙏

Kak tolong inti nya aja dari pertanyaan kami biar kami mudah paham nya.. 🙏

bagus…

thank you D2kbi 🙂

Thank you so much

You are welcome Jekti Aju Pambudi 🙂

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