Final answer:
Competent biographers aim to avoid plagiarism and the biographical fallacy, focusing on accurate and ethical attribution of sources while maintaining objective analysis of the subject.
Step-by-step explanation:
Competent biographers will avoid making blatant errors that fall into the category of plagiarism or the biographical fallacy. They strive to keep their writing accurate and original, steering clear of presenting someone else's ideas or writing as their own. Ethical attribution is paramount, and biographers must diligently quote, paraphrase, and summarize their sources while giving full credit. To avoid the trap of the biographical fallacy, biographers should not over-rely on an author's life to interpret their work, as New Critics advocated for a clear separation between the artist and their art to maintain objective analysis.
Competent biographers also ensure that their research is thorough and acknowledge the choices they make in their writing, understanding that these can inadvertently reveal bias. They maintain a focus on their subject and avoid skewing facts or introducing incongruent elements into historical narratives. Avoiding plagiarism is also about fairness and respect for the intellectual property of others, which is why it is essential to keep a detailed research log.