| Home | Instructors | Assignments | Critical Biography | Library | Plenary Schedule | Links |
How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives. ~ Annie Dillard
WHAT IS A CRITICAL BIOGRAPHY?
The Shaping A Life critical biography project takes place over the course of the semester in various stages. It focuses on an area of interest for you, a "burning question," which you research in many formats, including an interview with a woman who is at least twenty years older than you. It culminates in a 7- to 10-page critical paper. The project stages include:
- Selecting an Interview Topic
- Gathering Background Information
- Selecting an Interview Subject
- Conducting an In-depth, Face-to-Face Interview
- Conducting Scholarly Research in the Library and on the Internet
- Analyzing Information
- Completing Two Rough Drafts
- Completing the Final Critical Biography
WHAT IS A CRITICAL BIOGRAPHY NOT?
This critical biography is not a simple chronological account of an interview subject’s life or her educational experiences. Rather, it is a critical examination of some major theme in her education, formal or informal. This theme will be your critical biography research topic. It will be the primary focus of your interview with your subject and the focus of both your internet and library research assignments. Clearly, the choice of a subject and research topic is very important to your ultimate success in the critical biography project.
Choosing a Research Topic
Coming soon!
Selecting a Critical Biography Subject
Forming and Asking Interview Questions
Your Interview: Analysis vs. Narration
Take a look at some reading and writing strategies you may find useful.
Note: The content on the Critical Biography pages was originally compiled/written/coded by Sara Warner, August, 2000.
Minor changes to code and organization were made by Leigh Neithardt, Spring 2003.
| Home | Instructors | Assignments | Critical Biography | Library | Plenary Schedule | Links |