Lit 11

Lit 11 With the result of technological advancements and growth, innovative forms of biographies produced through multimedia, interne and, other electronic medias became highly popular than the traditional forms of personal description. One of the major advantages of these biographies is the wide range of information it can contain. More than historical knowledge websites and other electronic media provide further information related with the persons. When analyzing the site www. biography. com one can see that it is highly useful for both educators as well as students. It gives numerous descriptions about significant personalities. Each piece of biography leads to a world of new information and helps the reader to understand the vital aspects, events in social and political life and the major contribution of a famous person. Supplementary notes and video clips helps the reader to arrive at a more reliable and specific conclusion about the person. Biography. com includes the biographies of great people in different areas such as art, literature, sports, film, music, politics, science and other branches of knowledge. Today’s top searches, video clippings etc are increasing the accuracy and the relevance of information.
A brief biography about Christopher Columbus:
Christopher Columbus has caught the attention of the historians as a man who introduced America to the world. He was an Italian Spanish navigator born on 1451 (Christopher Columbus Biography, (Christopher Columbus Bibliography). On searching of a rout to Asia, Columbus reached America and it paved the way for great geographical explorations and inventions. The online article titled Christopher Columbus Biography, gives valuable an reliable e information about the relevance of his invention and its social, political and geographical impacts on the world. The article says; “ They led directly to the opening of the western hemisphere to European colonization; to large-scale exchanges of plants, animals, cultures, and ideas between the two worlds; and, on a darker note, to the deaths of millions of indigenous American peoples from war, forced labor, and disease.” Christopher Columbus Biography, (Christopher Columbus Bibliography).
Columbus and his invention have caused both negative and positive consequences to the world. The discovery led the formation of European colonies and other social evils such as racial discrimination, slavery and the resultant independence struggles which all led to death and destruction on a mass scale. As a small boy Columbus helped his father in wool processing and selling. Columbus began his seagoing career at the age of 14 and has earned the status of a sailor in 1474 at the island of Khios. (Christopher Columbus Bibliography).
Many critics point out that Columbus’s voyages are not only the part of geographical explorations but these had some religious aspects also. In his book named ‘ The world of Christopher Columbus’, Carla Rhan Philips shares his views about these voyages. He remarks; “ Many Christians, including Columbus himself, also saw the voyage as an extension of the militant of Christianity that had launched the Crusades in the eleventh centaury.” The Worlds of Christopher Columbus by Carla Rahn Phillips (Philips, 12). His voyages led the western world into a land of new experience and it entailed several geographical studies and explorations. Columbus made his last journey through the Atlantic Ocean in 1505 and he died on may 20th 1505. (Christopher Columbus: Biography).
A good biography should follow a systematic order and sound research methodology. Biographer should have the responsibility to present his works in an accurate and more reliable manner. Normally, biographies are group of information about famous persons. It includes personal significance, life achievements, and historical contributions. When analyzing the article titled People Who Have Persevered, one can see that it is acceptable that activities and achievements in the lives of ordinary people also deserves a place biographies. Whether the subject of the book is a martyr or a great personality, it should provide worthy reading material to the reader. The web article entitled How to Write a Biography gives some notable tips on the process. The article remarks; “ Biographies are usually about famous, or infamous people, but a biography of an ordinary person can tell us a lot about a particular time and place. They are often about historical figures, but they can also be about people still living.” (Homework Center – Writing Skills). Therefore, it can be construed that as a biography provides information about a person’s life, social and cultural backgrounds, major events and a great message, it is acceptable that one can write biography about ordinary people.

Works Cited
Christopher Columbus Bibliography. Columbus Day @123Holiday. Net. 8 Jul. 2009. .
Christopher Columbus: Biography. 8 Jul. 2009. .
Homework Center – Writing Skills: How to Write a Biography. Infoplease: All The Knowledge You Need. 2009. 8 Jul. 2009. .
Philips, Carla Rahn. The Words of Christopher Columbus. Cambridge University Press. 1993. 8 Jul. 2009. .