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Jewish Voices Podcasting Unit

Grade 7 English

Welcome to the Jewish Voices Podcast Resource Page!

This project challenges you to do biographical research about a contemporary, notable Jewish person. 

Reporting about someone's life is an honor and a challenge.
Responsible content creators use accurate sources so they can be as truthful as possible.

The sources posted on this page are likely to contain accurate information, but you are the expert.
If something seems off, cross reference it, or do not include it in your project.

Cross-reference: To compare two or more resources to see what information is the same or different.

Biographies, Autobiographies, and Memoirs

When researching a person, start with a biographical or autobiographical source.

Click on each tab to understand these sources and find source examples to inspire your investigation.

Happy researching!

Biographical Source

A fact-based retelling of someone's (a "subject's") life written by another person. It includes important details like when and where the subject was born, what they did, and significant events in their life.

Examples

  • Newspaper Article  |  Obituary  |  Encyclopedia  |  Fan Page/Wiki  |  Museum Panel  |  Review or Critique  | "About" Page | Exposé 

 

Text Features

  • It is written in the third person ("Taylor Swift was born in 1989.")
  • The author has a different name than the subject.
  • It talks about their life from birth to death or their impact and legacy. ("By the time Taylor turned 21, she had become a defining voice in pop and country music.") 
  • The content is factual, even if the tone is celebratory or critical.

Autobiographical Source

A fact-based retelling where someone writes about their own life. They tell the story of their life, including important events and experiences they have had. This retelling often mixes facts and memory to tell a cohesive story.

Examples

  •  Long-Form Content |  Personal Vlog or Blog  |  LinkedIn Profile   |  Podcast  |  Diary or Journal  | Personal Website

 

Text Features

  • It is written in the first person ("I was born in 1989.")
  • It is signed by or attributed to the subject.
  • It often covers significant events and personal experiences throughout the author's life. ("By the time I turned 21, I felt like I was finally becoming a real pop music artist")
  • The content is based on personal memory and perspective, even if it aims to be truthful and reflective.

Memoir Content

A memory-based retelling where an author shares personal stories and experiences from their life. It focuses on specific moments or themes rather than covering an entire lifetime. It is a type of autobiographical writing.

Examples

Speech  |  Interview  |  Op-Ed  |  A few blog or diary entries   |  Documentary  | Book |  Magazine Article

Text Features 

  • It is written in the first person. It may switch between future, past, and present tenses.
  • It highlights the subject's personal journey and growth, often around a central theme or time period. ("The year I did marketing for 1989 was absolutely crazy.")
  • It covers experiences that offer deep insights into the author's thoughts, feelings, and transformations. ("My fans know something is going on, but I don't think they know what is going on")
  • The content melds factual events and memory, but the purpose is to connect with readers on an emotional level.

Biographic Sources - General

Biographical Sources - Jewish Specific