Focus:
* A single individual's life story: This is the core of any biography. It delves into the subject's experiences, relationships, accomplishments, and challenges.
* Chronological narrative: While not always strictly linear, biographies generally follow a chronological order, presenting events in the order they occurred.
* Balance between fact and interpretation: Biographies strive to be objective and accurate, but they also offer interpretations and insights into the subject's motivations, choices, and impact on the world.
Content:
* Personal life: Family background, relationships, upbringing, and significant personal events are included.
* Career and achievements: This covers the subject's professional life, successes, failures, and the impact of their work.
* Social and historical context: Biographies situate the subject within the broader historical and social context of their time, highlighting the influences and challenges they faced.
* Personality and character traits: The biography explores the subject's inner world, motivations, beliefs, and significant personality characteristics.
* Analysis and reflection: Beyond simply presenting facts, biographies often offer analysis and reflection on the subject's life and impact, drawing connections between their choices and outcomes.
Style:
* Narrative: The biography is written in a storytelling format, engaging the reader with a clear and compelling narrative voice.
* Informative: While entertaining, biographies also aim to be informative, providing detailed insights into the subject's life and accomplishments.
* Objective and unbiased: While acknowledging potential biases, the biographer strives for objectivity and avoids overly subjective interpretations.
* Engaging and accessible: The writing should be clear, concise, and engaging for a general audience.
Other characteristics:
* Length and depth: Biographies can vary significantly in length and depth, ranging from brief overviews to in-depth multi-volume works.
* Target audience: While most biographies aim for a general audience, some may target specific groups or interests.
* Sources and research: A well-written biography relies on extensive research, using a variety of sources including primary materials, archival records, interviews, and published works.
Examples of general biographies:
* "Steve Jobs" by Walter Isaacson
* "Becoming" by Michelle Obama
* "The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin"
* "Eleanor Roosevelt: A Life" by David Michaelis
Remember: Biographies are multifaceted works that strive to capture the essence of a person's life, providing insight into their character, experiences, and impact on the world.