Добавил:
Опубликованный материал нарушает ваши авторские права? Сообщите нам.
Вуз: Предмет: Файл:

Английский язык для студентов магистратуры = English for master's degree students. В 2 частях. Ч. 1. Учебное пособие

.pdf
Скачиваний:
0
Добавлен:
12.08.2026
Размер:
1 Мб
Скачать

4. Life changing events that were outside of one’s life. This might include local, national, global factors such as economic recessions, wars, environmental disasters, laws and policies, and changes in governments.

How to structure an autobiography 1. The start

Some autobiographies start at the beginning of the writer’s life, others choose to begin with a life-changing moment such as a tragedy, success or unusual event. A memoir is a type of autobiographical writing that focuses on an important event or period of the writer’s life.

2. The middle

The main part of the autobiography will be the important experiences, relationships and life choices the writer has made. Each section or chapter will contribute to showing how a person came to be the person they are.

Some writers divide their life story over several books. For example, the writer Maya Angelou wrote her autobiography over a series of volumes, with the first book dealing with her early life.

3. The end

A conclusion could highlight key achievements, the life-lessons learnt and include future plans. The ending could leave the door open for future autobiographies as the writer still has more of life to experience.

Autobiography as a starting place for fiction

There are two types of fictionalized autobiographies that can be easily confused:

Semi-autobiographical

Real life autobiographies that include fictional elements are semiautobiographical. Semi-autobiographies can reorder the truth and events, change the location, names, dates and add fictional elements for dramatic impact. For example, Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson.

Fictional autobiographies

Fictional autobiographies of made-up characters, plots, and events copy the style of an autobiography. The details can be inspired by real life,

71

but the work is fiction. For example, “David Copperfield” by Charles Dickens, “Memoirs of a Geisha” by Arthur Golden and “The Colour Purple” by Alice Walker.

READING AND SPEAKING

Task 4.2. Read the text for detail and choose the correct letter A, B, C from the drop-down list under each question:

1. The word etymology means:

A.the study of the sound of words

B.the study of patterns and shapes of words

C.the study of the origin and history of words 2. An autobiography means:

A.writing a fictional life story

B.writing one’s own life story

C.writing about someone else’s life experiences

3. The word “autobiography” was first used in:

A.the 19th century

B.the 20th century

C.the 18th century

4. An autobiography is:

A.a life story about oneself

B.a diary

C.a piece of work giving an objective account of a person's life 5. Autobiographies are written for:

A.one reason only

B.a variety of reasons

C.entertainment

6. The purpose of an autobiography is:

A.to provide little detail and depth about the author

B.to share unknown and insightful information with readers

C.to give a detailed account of the life of a famous person

72

7. An autobiography should try:

A.to include every single aspect of a person’s life

B.to allow readers to understand the origins of a person, their behaviour, thinking, feelings, experiences and motivations

C.to amuse the reader

8.Semi-autobiographical novels are: A. based entirely on real life events B. entirely fiction

C. partly fiction

9.A memoir is a type of autobiographical writing that focuses on:

A. a fictional version of the writer’s life

B. the childhood memories of the writer

C. an important event or period of the writer’s life

Task 4.3. Comment on the following quotations1.

Note: Stick to the Structure of the Comment presented in task 3.5. unit 1.

“Every artist writes his own autobiography”. Havelock Ellis

“When you put down the good things you ought to have done, and leave out the bad things you did do - well, that's memoirs”. Will Rogers

“Only when one has lost all curiosity about the future has one reached the age to write an autobiography”. Evelyn Waugh

“Keep a diary and one day it'll keep you”. Mae West

“All art is autobiographical; the pearl is the oyster's autobiography”. Federico Fellini

“Every autobiography is concerned with two characters, a Don Quixote2, the Ego, and a Sancho Panza, the Self”. Wystan Auden

“Fiction is the higher autobiography”. Saul Bellow

“All autobiography is self-indulgent3”. Daphne du Maurier

“Autobiography is a life writing its life”. William H. Gass

1 From “Autobiography Quotes — WonderfulQuote”. — URL: https://www.wonderful quote.com/l/autobiography-quotes.

2don Quixote [dɒn ˈkwɪksət] — дон Кихот.

3self-indulgent — потакание своим желаниям.

73

LISTENING

Task 4.4. Watch the video “Autobiography. Types. Characteristics & Examples” https://study.com/learn/lesson/autobiography-types-characteristics- examples.html. While watching, pay attention to the following information:

1.What is non-fiction?

2.What does non-fiction contain?

3.What is a literary non-fiction?

4.What example of non-fiction is presented in the video?

5.What are the most specific traits — characteristics of an autobiography?

6.What does first-person point of view mean?

WRITING

Task 4.5. “An Autobiographical Essay”. Write a two / three-page autobiographical essay. As you write your essay, follow the suggested format below.

Include the following information:

Date and place of birth.

Childhood and pivotal events.

Major life events (including dates and how they changed the course of a life).

Create an outline. Start from the very beginning, then make a list of major formative life events (autobiography template):

born in [Place] on [Date]

description of family

went to school [Place] for [Number of Years]

attended [Name of University]

joined the workforce at [Place of Employment]

started a family

career change

major life event

74

Identify the main characters:

Who were the most influential people?

How long were they part of the story?

How did they define what happened? List life events in chronological order:

Remember, autobiographies are written in the order events occurred, making it easier for a reader to follow along.

Associate dates with all the events that are shared, like a timeline. Talking about yourself as well as describing other people you may

also need the following words shown in table 3.

Table 3

 

• confident — уверенный

 

• kind-hearted — добродушный

 

• witty — остроумный

Personal qualities

• shy — скромный

 

• broad-minded — с широкими взглядами

 

• frank — искренний

 

• outgoing — общительный

 

 

 

• intelligent, clever — умный

 

• gifted (in sth) — одаренный

Intellectual abilities

• talented — талантливый

• competent (at sth) — знающий, компетентный

 

 

• bad (at sth) — неспособный

 

• hopeless (at sth) — безнадежный

 

 

 

• hard-working — трудолюбивый

 

• diligent — прилежный, трудолюбивый

 

• responsible (for sth) — ответственный

Attitude towards work

• reliable — надежный

 

• irresponsible — безответственный

 

• unreliable — ненадежный

 

• lazy — ленивый

 

 

75

 

• sociable, easy-going — общительный

 

• honest — честный

Attitude towards other

• (im)polite — (не)вежливый

• quarrelsome — сварливый, вздорный

people

• cruel — жестокий

 

 

• rude — грубый

 

• envious — завистливый

 

 

Attitude towards life

• optimistic — оптимистичный

• pessimistic — пессимистичный

 

 

 

Tips for Writing Good Autobiographies

Be genuine. Tell the story as it really happened.

Write in an authentic voice. No need to get fancy with the language.

Take a trip down memory lane. A great way to start the creative process is by sorting through old photos, journals and other memorabilia to jog memories of the past.

Have someone else to read it to expose inconsistencies in the story or blanks in the timeline.

Task 4.6. Write your CV. Before doing it read the following texts which will help you to cope with the task.

Text 1. A curriculum vitae1 (CV) general outlook2

A curriculum vitae (CV) is a short-written description of one’s career and training, as prepared by a person applying for a job. It provides a summary of your experience and academic background, including teaching experience, degrees, research, awards, publications, presentations, skills, and credentials. This more exhaustive list of qualifications is one of the key differences between a CV and a resume3.

1kəˈrɪkjələm ˈviːtaɪ.

2From “Build Your CV for Free”. — URL: https://www.tealhq.com/cv-examples/student.

3rɪˈzjuːm.

76

While both a resume and a curriculum vitae are used in job applications, they are not always interchangeable. The primary differences are length, what is included, and what each is used for. For example, CVs generally run longer than a resume (two or more pages) and are more often used to highlight academic and research credentials. You may need to speak about yourself at a job interview.

Student CV

As a student, your CV is a crucial tool in showcasing your academic achievements, relevant experiences, and skills. It's about striking a balance between demonstrating your academic prowess, extracurricular involvement, and potential for growth in your chosen field. An impactful CV will highlight your unique qualities and show why you're the ideal candidate for internships, part-time jobs, or graduate roles. Whether you are aiming for a role in finance, marketing, tech, or any other industry, these guidelines will help ensure your CV stands out to employers:

Highlight Your Academic Achievements: List your degree, major, and any relevant coursework. Include your GPA if it's strong. Mention any academic honors or awards you've received.

Showcase Relevant Experiences: Detail any internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer work that's relevant to the role you're applying for. Highlight the skills you've gained and how they apply to the job.

Include Extracurricular Activities: Mention involvement in clubs, societies, or sports teams. This can demonstrate skills like leadership, teamwork, and commitment.

Detail Your Skills: List any technical skills like proficiency in specific software, languages, or lab techniques. Don't forget soft skills like communication, problem-solving, or time management.

Customize Your CV for Each Role: Tailor your CV to match the job description, highlighting relevant experiences and skills. This shows employers you've done your research and understand what they're looking for.

Below you may find a good example of a brief CV of a student.

77

Scarlett Mitchell

Florida

(729) 408-3222

scarlett@mitchell.com

linkedin.com/in/scarlett-mitchell

Dedicated and ambitious student with a proven track record of academic excellence, leadership, and industry experience. Demonstrated ability to balance rigorous coursework, part-time employment, and extracurricular activities, while contributing to academic research and community initiatives. With hands-on industry experience, strong problem-solving skills, and a commitment to continuous learning, I am eager to apply my skills and drive to succeed in a professional setting.

CAREER EXPERIENCE

Student: 01/2024 — Present

GeneDrive Bioengineering

Initiated and led a study group for a challenging course, resulting in an average grade increase of 15 % among group members.

Successfully balanced a part-time job, full-time studies, and extracurricular activities, demonstrating exceptional time management and organizational skills.

Conducted an independent research project under the guidance of a professor, contributing to a published paper in a respected academic journal.

Intern: 03/2023–12/2023

Central Michigan University

Secured an internship at a prestigious company, gaining hands-on experience in the industry and receiving positive feedback for problemsolving abilities.

Volunteered at a local non-profit organization, coordinating events and fundraisers that raised over $5,000 for community initiatives.

Participated in a competitive academic club, contributing to a team that placed in the top 5 % in a national competition.

78

Research Assistant: 11/2021–03/2023

Quarry Quality Stone

Selected as a peer tutor in Mathematics, helping struggling students improve their grades by an average of 20 %.

Worked as a research assistant, collecting and analyzing data for a major research project that was later presented at a national conference.

Successfully completed a rigorous course load while maintaining a GPA in the top 10 % of the class, demonstrating strong academic abilities and dedication.

Text 2. CV writing for teachers1

As a teacher, your CV is a testament to your ability to educate, inspire, and manage students. It should not only highlight your teaching skills but also your ability to create engaging lesson plans, manage classroom behavior, and work collaboratively with colleagues and parents. A compelling CV will demonstrate your passion for education and your commitment to fostering a positive learning environment.

Whether you're targeting roles in primary, secondary, or higher education, these guidelines will help you craft a CV that appeals to school administrators and hiring committees.

Highlight Your Teaching Credentials: Mention your teaching certification, degree in education, or any specialized training you've received, such as special education or ESL. Include any subject-specific endorsements or qualifications.

Showcase Your Teaching Achievements: Use specific examples and numbers to demonstrate your impact, such as “Improved student literacy levels by 20 % through the implementation of a new reading program”.

Customize Your CV for the Role: Tailor your CV to the specific

teaching position, emphasizing relevant experience and skills. For

1 From “Build your CV for free”. — URL: https://www.tealhq.com/cv-examples/teacher.

79

example, if you're applying for a science teaching role, highlight your expertise in creating interactive science experiments.

Technology Proficiency: Detail your experience with educational technology, such as learning management systems, digital whiteboards, or student data tracking software. Also, mention any remote teaching experience and familiarity with platforms like Zoom or Google Classroom.

Demonstrate Soft Skills and Leadership: Provide examples of your leadership within the school community, your ability to work with diverse groups of students, and your communication skills with parents and colleagues.

Below you may find a good example of a brief CV of a teacher.

Amelia Martin

Florida

(042) 981-8855

amelia@martin.com

linkedin.com/in/amelia-martin

Dedicated and innovative educator with a proven track record of enhancing student engagement and improving academic performance. I have successfully implemented cutting-edge teaching strategies and integrated technology into the classroom, resulting in a 30 % increase in student engagement and a 20 % rise in standardized test scores. With a passion for fostering a conducive learning environment and a commitment to interdisciplinary learning, I am eager to leverage my expertise to inspire and educate the next generation.

CAREER EXPERIENCE

Teacher: 01/2024 — Present

BioNurture Biotechnology

Implemented a new, innovative teaching strategy that increased student engagement by 30 %, leading to a significant improvement in overall class performance.

Developed and executed a comprehensive curriculum plan, resulting in a 20 % increase in standardized test scores across the board.

80

Соседние файлы в предмете [НЕСОРТИРОВАННОЕ]