what is a example for autobiography

What Is an Autobiography? Definition & 50+ Examples

Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes in the lives of your favorite icons? Autobiographies offer us an intimate glimpse into the minds and hearts of those who’ve walked extraordinary paths.

These firsthand accounts of personal triumphs, challenges, and wisdom acquired along the way, illuminate the human experience in a profound and often surprising manner.

Join us as we journey through the pages of these literary treasures, unearthing the secrets that make them so compelling.

Table of Contents

Definition of Autobiography

An autobiography is a type of non-fiction writing that provides a firsthand account of a person’s life. The author recounts their own experiences, thoughts, emotions, and insights, often focusing on how these events have shaped their life. Typically structured around a chronological narrative, an autobiography provides a window into the author’s world

While autobiographies may be written for various reasons, including preserving personal history or sharing an inspiring story with others, they all aim to provide a genuine account of the author’s life.

Autobiographies can include stories of personal growth, challenges overcome, successes achieved, and important relationships. They often cover topics such as childhood, family life, education, career, personal struggles, and life-changing experiences.

It can portray both ordinary and extraordinary lives, allowing readers to connect with the author’s experiences and gain insights into their personal journeys.

Historical Overview

Autobiographies have a rich history, stemming from ancient times to the present day.

Early Examples

One of the earliest known examples of an autobiography is Augustine of Hippo’s “Confessions,” written in the 4th century AD. This seminal work is not only an important milestone in the development of the genre but also a deeply introspective and spiritual account of Augustine’s life and faith.

Born in 354 AD in Thagaste, Roman North Africa (modern-day Algeria), Augustine of Hippo was a Christian theologian and philosopher who became one of the most influential figures in the development of Western Christianity.

His “Confessions” were written between 397 and 400 AD, primarily as a testimony of his own personal conversion and growth in faith. The work is considered to be both a literary masterpiece and a foundational text in Christian theology.

Divided into thirteen books, the “Confessions” follows Augustine’s life chronologically, beginning with his childhood and progressing through his adolescence, early adulthood, and eventual conversion to Christianity.

The “Confessions” has been widely regarded as a groundbreaking work that laid the foundation for the autobiographical genre in Western literature. Its introspective and self-reflective style has influenced countless authors over the centuries, including Jean-Jacques Rousseau, John Henry Newman, and Thomas Merton.

Development Through the Centuries

By the early modern period, autobiographies became more widespread, with some of the best-known examples including:

• Saint Teresa of Avila’s “The Life of Saint Teresa of Avila by Herself” chronicling the 15th-century Spanish mystic and Carmelite nun’s spiritual relationship with God.
• “The True Travels, Adventures, and Observations of Captain John Smith” of John Smith in 16th-century, which recounts his experiences in the early days of the Virginia Colony and his encounters with Native Americans.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, the genre continued to develop, with unique works such as:

• Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s “Confessions”
• Mary Wollstonecraft’s “Letters Written During a Short Residence in Sweden “
• Frederick Douglass’ “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave”

These important texts highlighted personal experiences, struggles, and social issues, shaping the autobiographical genre into what we recognize today.

In the 20th and 21st centuries, autobiographies span a wide range of themes and voices, including globally renowned works such as:

• Anne Frank’s “The Diary of a Young Girl”
• Nelson Mandela’s “Long Walk to Freedom”

These works demonstrate how the genre has evolved to encompass diverse perspectives and life experiences.

Elements of an Autobiography

An autobiography contains several key elements that help readers understand the life story of the author.

Chronological Order

Chronological order is a common structure used in autobiographies as it allows readers to follow the author’s life events in a linear sequence. This format provides a clear and organized presentation of the author’s experiences and life stages, making it easier for the reader to follow and understand.

One of the primary benefits of using a chronological structure in an autobiography is that it mirrors the natural progression of a person’s life.

As readers move through the narrative, they can witness the author’s growth, the various influences that shaped them, and the crucial turning points that led to significant changes in their lives. This progression allows for a comprehensive understanding of the author’s personal journey and evolution.

Moreover, a chronological order in autobiographies can help to contextualize the author’s experiences within broader historical and cultural events.

By situating their lives within a specific time frame, authors can provide readers with a deeper understanding of the social, political, and cultural forces that influenced their experiences and decisions. This context helps to illuminate the unique circumstances and challenges faced by the author, as well as the ways in which their lives intersected with larger societal trends and issues.

First-Person Perspective

Autobiographies are written in first-person perspective, using “I” statements, as a means of conveying the author’s personal journey through their own eyes. This technique allows the author to provide personal insights, emotions, and opinions, creating a stronger connection between the reader and the author’s personal experiences.

One of the primary benefits of the first-person perspective in autobiographies is the immediacy it lends to the narrative. When authors share their experiences and emotions directly, they draw readers into their world, allowing them to experience events as the author did. This immersive quality can evoke empathy, curiosity, and a sense of connection between the reader and the author.

Furthermore, the use of “I” statements in autobiographies facilitates an authentic portrayal of the author’s voice and personality.

As readers encounter the author’s unique perspective, they gain insight into the author’s individual character, including their values, beliefs, and aspirations. This authenticity can help to establish credibility and trust, as readers come to understand the author’s experiences on a more personal level.

The first-person perspective in autobiographies also enables authors to reflect on their experiences and draw connections between past events and their present understanding.

Self-Reflection

A key aspect of autobiographies is self-reflection, which involves the author’s analysis of their experiences and growth throughout their life. This self-examination can reveal profound insights and lessons learned, offering value and inspiration to readers.

Self-reflection in autobiographies allows authors to delve deeper into their personal experiences and emotions, exploring the impact of those events on their character and worldview.

By examining their past actions, decisions, and relationships, authors can uncover patterns and recurring themes, shedding light on the factors that have shaped their identity and personal growth. This introspective process adds depth and nuance to the narrative, making it more relatable and engaging for readers.

Self-reflection can also contribute to the development of broader themes and life lessons within an autobiography. As authors analyze their experiences and the consequences of their choices, they often identify universal truths or insights that can resonate with readers from diverse backgrounds.

These themes may include the importance of perseverance , the value of self-discovery, or the transformative power of forgiveness, among others. By sharing these lessons, authors can offer readers valuable wisdom and guidance for their own lives.

Intimate Details

Intimate details are important in an autobiography, as they shed light on the author’s personality and emotions. These personal aspects of an individual’s life can provide readers with a deeper understanding and empathy towards the author’s journey.

By sharing the intricacies of their daily lives, relationships, and innermost thoughts, authors can create a more vivid and relatable portrayal of their experiences, allowing readers to connect with their story on a more personal level.

One reason intimate details are significant in an autobiography is that they humanize the author. By providing glimpses into their private lives, authors reveal their vulnerabilities, fears, desires, and joys.

This openness can help break down barriers between the author and the reader, fostering a sense of connection and empathy. As readers recognize shared emotions and experiences, they are more likely to develop a deeper understanding of the author’s life and perspective.

Types of Autobiographies

Traditional autobiographies.

Traditional autobiographies aim to provide an in-depth and personal view of the author’s life experiences, emotions, and thoughts. They are often structured in a chronological order, starting from the author’s childhood and progressing through various stages of their life, ultimately reaching the present day.

The author usually shares anecdotes, lessons learned, and personal growth experiences, which can inspire and educate readers.

Examples of traditional autobiographies:

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin (1791)

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is a classic piece of American literature written by one of the founding fathers of the United States, Benjamin Franklin.

It was composed in four distinct parts over a period of nearly two decades, beginning in 1771 and ending in 1790, shortly before Franklin’s death. The autobiography provides a unique insight into the life, character, and values of one of the most influential figures in American history.

The autobiography is divided into four parts, each with its own focus and purpose:

• Part One This section, written in 1771, covers Franklin’s early life, from his birth in 1706 to his early career as a printer in Philadelphia. He details his family background, childhood, and early experiences in the printing trade. He also includes some of his initial forays into writing and his early experiments with electricity.
• Part Two Written in 1784, this section focuses on Franklin’s famous list of thirteen virtues, which he devised as a means of achieving moral perfection. These virtues are temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, chastity, and humility. Franklin also discusses the Junto, a mutual improvement society he founded, and his efforts to establish public services and institutions in Philadelphia, such as the first public library and the American Philosophical Society.
• Part Three Penned in 1788, this part of the autobiography provides an account of Franklin’s role in the founding of the United States. It covers his involvement in the drafting of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, his diplomatic missions to France during the Revolutionary War, and his eventual return to America.
• Part Four In this brief, final section, written in 1790, Franklin reflects on his life and the writing of his autobiography. He expresses his hope that his story will inspire others and serve as a useful guide to future generations.

Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela (1994)

“Long Walk to Freedom” is an autobiography written by Nelson Mandela, a prominent anti-apartheid revolutionary, political leader, and philanthropist who served as the first black president of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. The book was published in 1994, the same year Mandela was elected president.

The autobiography chronicles Mandela’s life from his early childhood in a small rural village in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, through his education and political awakening, to his 27 years in prison, and ultimately to his release and the establishment of a new democratic South Africa.

The book provides a detailed account of Mandela’s early life, including his family background and his experiences growing up in a traditional African setting.

It also delves into his education and professional life, during which he became increasingly involved in politics and the struggle against apartheid, a racially discriminatory system that segregated and oppressed the non-white population of South Africa.

Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah (2016)

“Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood” is an autobiographical comedy book written by Trevor Noah, a South African comedian and the host of The Daily Show, an American satirical news program.

The book, published in 2016, shares Noah’s life story growing up during the last years of apartheid and the turbulent times that followed as South Africa transitioned into a post-apartheid society.

The title “Born a Crime” refers to Noah’s own birth, as he was born to a black South African mother and a white Swiss father. At the time, his parents’ interracial relationship was considered illegal under the apartheid-era racial classification system, making Noah’s very existence a crime.

The book is a collection of 18 personal essays that delve into various aspects of Noah’s life. It explores his childhood experiences, such as growing up in Soweto, a South African township, learning to navigate the complexities of racial identity, and the challenges he faced due to his mixed heritage.

It also delves into Noah’s relationship with his strong-willed, fiercely independent mother, Patricia Nombuyiselo Noah, who played a pivotal role in shaping his life.

A memoir is a sub-type of autobiography that focuses on a specific aspect or period of a person’s life. It is usually more introspective and character-driven than traditional autobiographies, allowing authors to explore their experiences, emotions, and relationships in greater depth.

Memoirs often emphasize personal growth, self-discovery, and the lessons learned from the author’s unique experiences. Some examples of well-known memoirs include:

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls (2005)

In “The Glass Castle,” Jeannette Walls recounts her extraordinary and often chaotic upbringing as the second oldest of four children in a highly unconventional family. Her parents, Rex and Rose Mary Walls, were unapologetically free-spirited, opting for a nomadic lifestyle that frequently left the family in poverty and uncertainty.

The memoir is an honest and poignant exploration of the impact of such a lifestyle on the family, touching on the importance of self-reliance, love, and forgiveness.

As they moved from town to town across America, the Walls family faced a plethora of challenges, including homelessness, hunger, and a lack of stability.

Throughout the memoir, Jeannette and her siblings develop an incredible resilience, learning to navigate their unpredictable world with resourcefulness and tenacity. They scavenge for food, devise ways to make money, and adapt to their ever-changing circumstances.

As the children grow older, they begin to question their parents’ choices and recognize the dysfunction within their family. Ultimately, they find the strength to break free and forge their paths in life.

Wild by Cheryl Strayed (2012)

In “Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail,” Cheryl Strayed takes readers on a breathtaking and emotional journey as she embarks on a solo hike across the rugged Pacific Crest Trail (PCT).

Span miles from the Mojave Desert in California to the Bridge of the Gods on the border of Oregon and Washington, Strayed’s trek was a quest for healing and redemption following the death of her mother and the subsequent collapse of her marriage.

Throughout the memoir, Strayed shares her raw, honest reflections on the pain and grief she experienced, as well as the life choices that led her to the PCT. With each step on the trail, she grapples with the harsh realities of her past and the emotional baggage she carries with her.

As Strayed confronts the physical challenges of the trail, such as blistered feet, grueling climbs, and encounters with wildlife, she also faces an emotional and spiritual transformation that ultimately leads to profound self-discovery and growth.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou (1969)

In “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” Maya Angelou shares the powerful story of her childhood and adolescence, growing up in the racially segregated South during the 1930s and 1940s.

The narrative follows young Maya and her brother, Bailey, as they navigate life in Stamps, Arkansas, raised by their strong-willed and loving grandmother, Momma, and their disabled Uncle Willie.

Throughout the memoir, Angelou confronts the harsh realities of racial prejudice and the limitations imposed on her and her community due to their skin color. Her experiences with discrimination, sexual assault, and the subsequent muteness that resulted from her trauma shed light on the challenges faced by Black individuals in a deeply divided society.

As Angelou grows older, she begins to question the injustices around her and develops a deep appreciation for literature and language. Through reading works by Black authors and immersing herself in the world of poetry, she gradually finds her voice and the strength to overcome her past traumas.

Angelou’s love for the written word not only empowers her but also sparks her passion for activism and the fight for civil rights.

I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy (2022)

“I’m Glad My Mom Died” is an autobiography written by Jennette McCurdy, published in 2022. The book offers a candid and honest account of the life and experiences of the former Nickelodeon star, who is best known for her roles in popular TV shows like “iCarly” and “Sam & Cat.”

In the autobiography, McCurdy delves into her tumultuous relationship with her mother, Debra, who passed away in 2013 after battling cancer. The title of the book, while provocative, reflects the complicated emotions that McCurdy experienced throughout her life, as her mother’s death ultimately allowed her to break free from the control and manipulation she had experienced growing up.

Throughout the book, McCurdy explores her upbringing and the ways in which her mother’s controlling nature impacted her mental health, self-esteem, and overall well-being. She shares her struggles with anorexia, which she developed at a young age as a result of her mother’s fixation on her appearance and weight.

Additionally, McCurdy delves into her experiences as a child actor and the immense pressure she faced to succeed in the entertainment industry.

Educated by Tara Westover (2018)

In “Educated: A Memoir,” Tara Westover recounts her harrowing and inspiring journey from a life of isolation and abuse in rural Idaho to the halls of Cambridge University, where she ultimately earned a Ph.D. Born to a strict and domineering father with a mistrust of formal education and government institutions, Westover grew up in a household where schooling was forbidden and paranoia reigned.

Despite these seemingly insurmountable obstacles, she embarked on a courageous path to self-education and personal liberation.

The memoir provides a vivid portrayal of Westover’s childhood, marked by dangerous work in her family’s junkyard, physical and emotional abuse from her father and brother, and a near-total absence of formal education.

With unwavering determination, she taught herself enough mathematics, grammar, and science to gain admission to Brigham Young University. Her pursuit of education exposed her to a world far beyond the confines of her family’s mountain home, leading her to question the beliefs and values she had been raised with.

Westover’s journey took her from Brigham Young University to Harvard and finally to Cambridge, where she earned a Ph.D. in history. Along the way, she faced the challenges of adjusting to unfamiliar social norms, reconciling her past with her newfound knowledge, and navigating the emotional turmoil of gradually breaking away from her family.

Psychological Illness

Autobiographies dealing with psychological illness delve into the challenges faced by individuals suffering from mental health disorders. These accounts offer a unique perspective on the daily struggles and triumphs of people dealing with such conditions, providing readers with valuable insights into the realities of living with mental illness.

By sharing their personal experiences, authors help to destigmatize mental health issues, raise awareness, and promote empathy and understanding. Some examples of autobiographies that focus on psychological illness include:

An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness by Kay Redfield Jamison

An Unquiet Mind is a deeply personal and powerful memoir by Kay Redfield Jamison, who is not only a renowned clinical psychologist specializing in mood disorders, but also someone who has personally experienced the tumultuous journey of living with bipolar disorder.

Through her candid narrative, Jamison provides a rare, first-hand account of the struggles, triumphs, and complexities of this mental illness.

Jamison shares her story from the early onset of her symptoms in adolescence to her eventual diagnosis and the long road to finding an effective treatment. As a medical professional, she offers a unique perspective on the disorder, blending her clinical knowledge with her own intimate experiences.

Readers are given an inside look at the emotional rollercoaster of mania and depression, as well as the challenges faced in her personal relationships and professional life.

Jamison’s memoir also delves into the stigma surrounding mental illness, and the difficulties she faced in accepting her diagnosis and seeking help. By openly discussing her struggles, she aims to foster understanding and empathy for those who are affected by bipolar disorder, as well as their friends, families, and healthcare providers.

Darkness Visible: A Memoir of Madness by William Styron (1989)

Darkness Visible is a powerful and deeply personal memoir by Pulitzer Prize-winning author William Styron, who chronicles his harrowing descent into the depths of clinical depression and his subsequent near-fatal suicide attempt.

Through this unflinching narrative, Styron sheds light on the often misunderstood and underestimated nature of depression, providing readers with an intimate understanding of the devastating effects it can have on an individual’s life.

In this poignant and raw account, Styron vividly details the insidious onset of his depression, the growing sense of despair and hopelessness that enveloped him, and his struggle to make sense of what was happening to him.

He also explores the various factors that may have contributed to his illness, including the loss of his mother, the stress of his literary career, and the side effects of medications he was taking.

Styron’s memoir serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of seeking help and support when grappling with mental illness. He recounts his journey through the mental health care system, his encounters with various professionals, and the eventual intervention of friends that ultimately saved his life.

The Center Cannot Hold: My Journey Through Madness by Elyn R. Saks (2007)

“The Center Cannot Hold: My Journey Through Madness” is a memoir written by Elyn R. Saks, a prominent legal scholar, professor, and mental health advocate. Published in 2007, the book offers an insightful and candid account of Saks’ life as she navigates her struggles with schizophrenia, a chronic and severe mental disorder characterized by disordered thoughts, hallucinations, and delusions.

The title of the memoir is inspired by the poem “The Second Coming” by W.B. Yeats, which contains the line “Things fall apart; the center cannot hold.” This line reflects Saks’ experience with her illness, as it often felt like her life was falling apart and her sense of self was slipping away.

Throughout the book, Saks shares her journey from the onset of her symptoms during her teenage years, to her time at Oxford University and Yale Law School, and her eventual career as a law professor at the University of Southern California.

She provides a firsthand account of her struggles with psychosis, hospitalizations, and the impact of her illness on her relationships, career, and sense of self.

It has been widely praised for its honest portrayal of schizophrenia and for helping to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness. The book offers a unique perspective into the mind of someone living with schizophrenia, and serves as a source of inspiration and hope for those who face similar challenges.

Confessional autobiographies are a form of literature where authors intimately share their personal experiences, including their mistakes, transgressions, and the consequences they faced as a result.

This type of writing often serves as a means for the author to achieve self-reflection, growth, and a sense of redemption. At the same time, it allows readers to empathize with the author’s journey and gain insights into the human condition.

Confessional autobiographies can be raw, honest, and sometimes shocking, but they often resonate deeply with readers due to their authenticity.

Examples of confessional autobiographies include:

The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X and Alex Haley (1965)

The Autobiography of Malcolm X is a 1965 autobiography that recounts the life of Malcolm X, a prominent African American leader, human rights activist, and one of the most influential figures in the Civil Rights Movement in the United States.

The book was co-authored by journalist and writer Alex Haley, who conducted a series of interviews with Malcolm X over a two-year period before his assassination in 1965.

The book provides a detailed account of Malcolm X’s life, including his early years, criminal past, conversion to Islam, and rise as a prominent leader within the Nation of Islam. It chronicles his evolving political and philosophical beliefs, his eventual disillusionment with the Nation of Islam, and his conversion to Sunni Islam after a transformative pilgrimage to Mecca.

The autobiography also delves into Malcolm X’s international travels, encounters with various world leaders, and his efforts to build a global human rights movement.

The Autobiography of Malcolm X is an important work for several reasons:

• It provides a unique and personal insight into the life and thoughts of a highly influential figure in American history.
• It serves as a powerful account of the racial and social injustices faced by African Americans during the mid-20th century.
• It explores themes of personal transformation, redemption, and the power of education to change one’s life.

The book has been highly regarded since its publication, and it has had a significant impact on the understanding of Malcolm X’s life and work, as well as on the broader Civil Rights Movement.

A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers (2000)

“A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius” is a memoir by American author Dave Eggers, published in 2000. The book is a blend of autobiography, fiction, and metafiction, recounting Eggers’ experiences after the death of both his parents from cancer within a span of five weeks.

In the wake of their deaths, the then-21-year-old Eggers is left to care for his 8-year-old brother, Toph. The memoir follows their journey together as they navigate grief, responsibility, and the challenges of creating a new life.

The narrative is characterized by Eggers’ innovative and unconventional writing style. He employs self-awareness, humor, and irony to explore themes of loss, family, and the search for identity. The book’s metafictional elements often break the fourth wall, as Eggers directly addresses the reader and critiques his own writing.

Spiritual Autobiographies

Spiritual autobiographies are unique in that they delve deeply into an individual’s spiritual life, exploring their encounters with the divine, struggles with doubt, and moments of profound insight. They often document the author’s transformative experiences and the lessons they’ve learned as they grow spiritually.

Here are two examples of spiritual autobiographies, each of which illustrates a different aspect of spiritual growth:

The Seven Storey Mountain by Thomas Merton (1948)

“The Seven Storey Mountain” is an autobiography written by Thomas Merton, published in 1948. The book chronicles Merton’s life, spiritual journey, and eventual conversion to Roman Catholicism and entrance into the Trappist monastic order at the Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani in Kentucky.

The title is inspired by “The Dark Night of the Soul,” a poem by 16th-century Spanish mystic St. John of the Cross, which uses the metaphor of a seven storey mountain to describe the soul’s ascent to union with God.

In the book, Merton recounts his early life, including his childhood and education in France, England, and the United States, as well as the deaths of both of his parents. He details his search for meaning and purpose, which initially led him to a hedonistic lifestyle and pursuit of worldly pleasures.

Merton’s life took a turn when he started studying at Columbia University, where he encountered influential figures, such as the Catholic writer and professor Dan Walsh, who introduced him to the works of prominent Catholic thinkers and mystics.

As Merton delved deeper into Catholicism, he experienced a profound spiritual awakening and felt a strong calling to the monastic life. He eventually entered the Abbey of Gethsemani, where he found peace and a sense of belonging.

The Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda (1946)

“The Autobiography of a Yogi” is a spiritual classic written by Paramahansa Yogananda, an Indian yogi and guru who introduced millions of Westerners to the teachings of meditation and Kriya Yoga through his book.

First published in 1946, the autobiography is an account of Yogananda’s life, his search for enlightenment, and his encounters with various saints and spiritual masters in India and beyond.

The book begins with Yogananda’s childhood in India, where he was born in 1893 as Mukunda Lal Ghosh. Early in life, he was drawn to spirituality and had mystical experiences that fueled his quest for spiritual truth.

As he grew older, he met his guru, Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri, who guided him in the practice of Kriya Yoga—a sacred meditation technique that accelerates spiritual growth by cleansing the body and mind of negative energy.

In the book, Yogananda recounts the teachings and wisdom he received from various spiritual figures such as his guru, Sri Yukteswar; the saintly Mahavatar Babaji, who is said to have revived Kriya Yoga; and Lahiri Mahasaya, who was a direct disciple of Babaji.

Yogananda also shares stories of other saints and spiritually advanced individuals he encountered, both in India and during his travels to the West.

Overcoming Adversities

Autobiographies centered around overcoming adversities provide readers with inspirational and motivational stories of individuals who have faced significant challenges in their lives. These memoirs often emphasize the themes of resilience, personal growth, and transformation as the authors share their personal journeys of overcoming various obstacles.

A Man Named Dave by Dave Pelzer (1999)

“A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness” is a memoir written by Dave Pelzer, published in 1999. It is the third and final installment in his autobiographical trilogy, following “A Child Called ‘It'” (1995) and “The Lost Boy” (1997).

The series chronicles the author’s journey through a horrifically abusive childhood, his time in foster care, and ultimately his path to healing, redemption, and forgiveness.

“A Man Named Dave” picks up where “The Lost Boy” leaves off, as Dave Pelzer enters adulthood. The memoir details his life in the U.S. Air Force, his search for love, his struggles with trust and relationship issues, and his efforts to break the cycle of abuse that plagued his upbringing.

The book also delves into Dave’s attempts to reconcile with his abusive mother and the importance of forgiveness in the healing process.

Throughout the memoir, Dave shares his experiences and insights, highlighting the power of resilience, perseverance, and self-discovery. The book serves as an inspiration for those who have faced adversity and a reminder that forgiveness and personal growth are essential for healing from trauma.

The Pursuit of Happyness by Chris Gardner

“The Pursuit of Happyness” is a memoir written by Chris Gardner, published in 2006. The book tells the inspiring story of Gardner’s journey from homelessness and severe financial struggles to becoming a successful stockbroker and entrepreneur.

The memoir highlights the importance of determination, resilience, and the pursuit of happiness amidst life’s adversities.

In the book, Chris Gardner recounts his difficult childhood, marked by poverty, domestic violence, and sexual abuse. As an adult, Gardner finds himself struggling to provide for his son as a single father while also dealing with homelessness. Despite these challenges, he refuses to give up and remains determined to secure a better life for himself and his son.

Gardner’s journey takes a turn for the better when he secures an unpaid internship at the brokerage firm Dean Witter Reynolds. He faces numerous obstacles, including balancing his demanding work with caring for his son, finding shelter, and meeting their basic needs.

However, his hard work and perseverance eventually pay off, as he becomes a full-time employee and later starts his own brokerage firm, Gardner Rich & Co.

The book was adapted into a critically acclaimed film of the same name in 2006, starring Will Smith as Chris Gardner and Jaden Smith as his son. The film brought widespread attention to Gardner’s story, inspiring and motivating many people around the world.

Famous Examples

The world of autobiographies offers a plethora of captivating stories from various walks of life. In this section, we explore famous examples from historical figures, political figures, literary figures, and celebrities.

Historical Figures

Autobiographies of historical figures provide a glimpse into their personal lives and the events that shaped their legacies. Some standout examples include:

• The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass
• The Story of My Life by Helen Keller
• My Experiments with Truth by Mahatma Gandhi
• Up From Slavery by Booker T. Washington
• My Life by Golda Meir

Political Figures

Politicians often share their experiences, challenges, and accomplishments through autobiographies, offering a look into their minds and ideologies. Noteworthy examples are:

• The Downing Street Years by Margaret Thatcher
• The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream by Barack Obama
• Hard Choices by Hillary Rodham Clinton
• My Life by Bill Clinton
• The Courage to Act: A Memoir of a Crisis and Its Aftermath by Ben S. Bernanke

Literary Figures

As masters of words, literary figures have created autobiographies filled with compelling insights and vivid details. Some distinguished examples include:

• The Confessions of Jean-Jacques Rousseau by Jean-Jacques Rousseau
• Surprised by Joy by C.S. Lewis
• Black Boy by Richard Wright
• Speak, Memory by Vladimir Nabokov
• The Autobiography of Mark Twain by Mark Twain (Samuel Langhorne Clemens)
• A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway
• Out of Africa by Isak Dinesen (Karen Blixen)
• Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body by Roxane Gay

Celebrities

Autobiographies of celebrities offer a unique perspective on fame, art, and the weight of societal expectations. Some popular examples are:

• Bossypants by Tina Fey
• Open by Andre Agassi
• Yes Please by Amy Poehler
• My Life So Far by Jane Fonda
• Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling
• The Last Black Unicorn by Tiffany Haddish
• The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher
• Scar Tissue by Anthony Kiedis and Larry Sloman
• Paddle Your Own Canoe: One Man’s Fundamentals for Delicious Living by Nick Offerman
• Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story by Arnold Schwarzenegger
• Me by Elton John

Purpose and Impact

The autobiography as a literary form has several purposes and impacts on both the author and the reader. Some of these purposes and impacts include self-reflection, sharing personal experiences, and influencing society and culture.

One of the primary purposes of writing an autobiography is self-reflection. Through the process of narrating their own lives, authors can reflect on their experiences and emotions, gaining insight into their personal development and growth. This self-reflection can lead to both greater self-awareness and ultimately, self-improvement.

Sharing Personal Experience

Another important aspect of autobiographies is the sharing of personal experiences. The authors use the written word as a means to share their unique perspectives, triumphs, and difficulties with a wider audience.

These personal narratives can offer valuable lessons and insights to readers, allowing them to empathize with the author’s experiences and potentially apply these insights to their own lives.

Influencing Society and Culture

Autobiographies can also have a profound impact on society and culture. By sharing their personal stories, authors can spark change, raise awareness of certain issues, or challenge societal norms and beliefs.

This influence on society and culture allows autobiographies to have a lasting impact beyond the individual lives depicted within their pages.

Challenges and Criticisms

Reliability.

One challenge often faced by autobiographies is the issue of reliability. Since the author is the subject of the story, there may be a tendency to portray themselves in a more favorable light or to omit certain details that could be perceived as negative.

For example, in the autobiography “The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin,” Franklin may have omitted certain aspects of his life to maintain a positive public image.

Another challenge faced by autobiographies is the concept of truth. Autobiographical narratives can sometimes blur the lines between fact and fiction, making it difficult for readers to discern the accuracy of the story. A notable example of this is James Frey’s “A Million Little Pieces,” which was later revealed to contain fabricated information.

Writing Your Own Autobiography

Writing an autobiography can be a rewarding and insightful experience, capturing your life’s journey and creating a record for future generations.

Finding Your Focus

Before you begin writing, it’s essential to identify the defining moments and themes in your life that you want to highlight. Reflect on your experiences and identify the most significant events that shaped who you are today.

Creating an Outline

An outline will provide structure to your autobiography, making it easier to navigate through your life’s chronology. Organize your outline by dividing it into sections such as childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, or by thematic categories specific to your life. This will help you present your story in a logical and coherent manner.

Developing Your Voice

Your voice as an autobiographer is essential, as it will set the tone and atmosphere of your narrative. Strive for a confident, knowledgeable, and neutral tone that authentically represents your experiences.

Revising and Editing

Revise and edit your autobiography carefully, ensuring that your writing is clear, concise, and engaging. This process not only includes checking for grammatical errors and factual inaccuracies but also enhancing the narrative flow and readability of your story.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can i write an autobiography about someone else.

If you are writing about someone else’s life, the work would be considered a biography rather than an autobiography. A biography is a narrative account of someone’s life written by someone other than the subject.

To write a biography, you’ll need to conduct thorough research, including interviews with the subject (if possible), their friends and family, and any relevant documents, such as letters, diaries, or published works.

Like an autobiography, a biography should be engaging and well-structured, offering readers insight into the subject’s life and experiences.

Can I collaborate with someone to write my autobiography?

Yes, collaborating with another writer or a professional ghostwriter is a common approach to writing an autobiography.

This process typically involves the subject sharing their life story through a series of interviews, conversations, or written correspondence, which the collaborator then uses as the basis for crafting the narrative.

Collaborating with a skilled writer can help ensure that your autobiography is well-structured, engaging, and professionally written, while still maintaining your personal voice and perspective.

Are there any legal or ethical considerations when writing an autobiography?

When writing an autobiography, it’s important to be aware of potential legal and ethical considerations, such as privacy and defamation.

Sharing personal information about others, especially if it could potentially harm their reputation or violate their privacy, can lead to legal issues. To avoid potential problems, it’s wise to:

– Seek permission from individuals whose stories you plan to include, especially if they involve sensitive or private information. – Use discretion when discussing the lives and experiences of others, considering the potential impact on their lives and relationships. – Ensure that your accounts of events and experiences are truthful and accurate, avoiding exaggeration or fabrication that could be construed as defamation.

Being mindful of these considerations will help you write a responsible and respectful autobiography that shares your story while minimizing potential risks.

Autobiographies provide a captivating glimpse into the lives of their authors, offering readers an intimate and authentic account of personal experiences, growth, and challenges.

From historical figures to everyday people, these self-written narratives reveal the human spirit’s resilience and the transformative power of personal reflection. By exploring the rich world of autobiographies, we can broaden our understanding of the diverse tapestry of human experiences, ultimately deepening our empathy and connection with others.

Whether you’re an aspiring writer or a curious reader, delving into the realm of autobiographies promises an enriching and enlightening journey.

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• Literary Terms
• Autobiography
• Definition & Examples
• When & How to Write Autobiography

I. What is Autobiography?

An autobiography is a self-written life story.

It is different from a  biography , which is the life story of a person written by someone else. Some people may have their life story written by another person because they don’t believe they can write well, but they are still considered an author because they are providing the information. Reading autobiographies may be more interesting than biographies because you are reading the thoughts of the person instead of someone else’s interpretation.

II. Examples of Autobiography

One of the United States’ forefathers wrote prolifically (that means a lot!) about news, life, and common sense. His readings, quotes, and advice are still used today, and his face is on the $100 bill. Benjamin Franklin’s good advice is still used through his sayings, such as “We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid.” He’s also the one who penned the saying that’s seen all over many schools: “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” His autobiography is full of his adventures , philosophy about life, and his wisdom. His autobiography shows us how much he valued education through his anecdotes (stories) of his constant attempts to learn and improve himself. He also covers his many ideas on his inventions and his thoughts as he worked with others in helping the United States become free from England.

III. Types of Autobiography

There are many types of autobiographies. Authors must decide what purpose they have for writing about their lives, and then they can choose the format that would best tell their story. Most of these types all share common goals: helping themselves face an issue by writing it down, helping others overcome similar events, or simply telling their story.

a. Full autobiography (traditional):

This would be the complete life story, starting from birth through childhood, young adulthood, and up to the present time at which the book is being written. Authors might choose this if their whole lives were very different from others and could be considered interesting.

There are many types of memoirs – place, time, philosophic (their theory on life), occupational, etc. A memoir is a snapshot of a person’s life. It focuses on one specific part that stands out as a learning experience or worth sharing.

c. Psychological illness

People who have suffered mental illness of any kind find it therapeutic to write down their thoughts. Therapists are specialists who listen to people’s problems and help them feel better, but many people find writing down their story is also helpful.

d. Confession

Just as people share a psychological illness, people who have done something very wrong may find it helps to write down and share their story. Sharing the story may make one feel he or she is making amends (making things right), or perhaps hopes that others will learn and avoid the same mistake.

e. Spiritual

Spiritual and religious experiences are very personal . However, many people feel that it’s their duty and honor to share these stories. They may hope to pull others into their beliefs or simply improve others’ lives.

f. Overcoming adversity

Unfortunately, many people do not have happy, shining lives. Terrible events such as robberies, assaults, kidnappings, murders, horrific accidents, and life-threatening illnesses are common in some lives. Sharing the story can inspire others while also helping the person express deep emotions to heal.

IV. The Importance of Autobiography

Autobiographies are an important part of history. Being able to read the person’s own ideas and life stories is getting the first-person story versus the third-person (he-said/she-said) version. In journalism, reporters go to the source to get an accurate account of an event. The same is true when it comes to life stories. Reading the story from a second or third source will not be as reliable. The writer may be incorrectly explaining and describing the person’s life events.

Autobiographies are also important because they allow other people in similar circumstances realize that they are not alone. They can be inspiring for those who are facing problems in their lives. For the author, writing the autobiography allows them to heal as they express their feelings and opinions. Autobiographies are also an important part of history.

V. Examples of Autobiography in Literature

A popular autobiography that has lasted almost 100 years is that of Helen Keller. Her life story has been made into numerous movies and plays. Her teacher, Anne Sullivan, has also had her life story written and televised multiple times. Students today still read and learn about this young girl who went blind and deaf at 19 months of age, causing her to also lose her ability to learn to speak. Sullivan’s entrance into Helen’s life when the girl was seven was the turning point. She learned braille and soon became an activist for helping blind and deaf people across the nation. She died in 1968, but her autobiography is still helping others.

Even in the days before my teacher came, I used to feel along the square stiff boxwood hedges, and, guided by the sense of smell, would find the first violets and lilies. There, too, after a fit of temper, I went to find comfort and to hide my hot face in the cool leaves and grass. What joy it was to lose myself in that garden of flowers, to wander happily from spot to spot, until, coming suddenly upon a beautiful vine, I recognized it by its leaves and blossoms, and knew it was the vine which covered the tumble-down summer-house at the farther end of the garden! (Keller).

An autobiography that many middle and high school students read every year is “Night” by Elie Wiesel. His story is also a memoir, covering his teen years as he and his family went from the comfort of their own home to being forced into a Jewish ghetto with other families, before ending up in a Nazi prison camp. His book is not that long, but the details and description he uses brings to life the horrors of Hitler’s reign of terror in Germany during World War II. Students also read “The Diary of Anne Frank,” another type of autobiography that shows a young Jewish girl’s daily life while hiding from the Nazis to her eventual capture and death in a German camp. Both books are meant to remind us to not be indifferent to the world’s suffering and to not allow hate to take over.

“The people were saying, “The Red Army is advancing with giant strides…Hitler will not be able to harm us, even if he wants to…” Yes, we even doubted his resolve to exterminate us. Annihilate an entire people? Wipe out a population dispersed throughout so many nations? So many millions of people! By what means? In the middle of the twentieth century! And thus my elders concerned themselves with all manner of things—strategy, diplomacy, politics, and Zionism—but not with their own fate. Even Moishe the Beadle had fallen silent. He was weary of talking. He would drift through synagogue or through the streets, hunched over, eyes cast down, avoiding people’s gaze. In those days it was still possible to buy emigration certificates to Palestine. I had asked my father to sell everything, to liquidate everything, and to leave” (Wiesel 8).  

VI. Examples of Autobiography in Pop Culture

One example of an autobiography that was a hit in the movie theaters is “American Sniper,” the story of Navy SEAL Chris Kyle. According to an article in the Dallas, Texas, magazine D, Kyle donated all the proceeds from the film to veterans and their families. He had a story to tell, and he used it to help others. His story is a memoir, focusing on a specific time period of his life when he was overseas in the military.

An autobiography by a young Olympian is “Grace, Gold and Glory: My Leap of Faith” by Gabrielle (Gabby) Douglas. She had a writer, Michelle Burford, help her in writing her autobiography. This is common for those who have a story to tell but may not have the words to express it well. Gabby was the darling of the 2012 Olympics, winning gold medals for the U.S. in gymnastics along with being the All-Around Gold Medal winner, the first African-American to do so. Many young athletes see her as an inspiration. Her story also became a television movie, “The Gabby Douglas Story.”

VII. Related Terms

The life story of one person written by another. The purpose may to be highlight an event or person in a way to help the public learn a lesson, feel inspired, or to realize that they are not alone in their circumstance. Biographies are also a way to share history. Historic and famous people may have their biographies written by many authors who research their lives years after they have died.

VIII. Conclusion

Autobiographies are a way for people to share stories that may educate, inform, persuade, or inspire others. Many people find writing their stories to be therapeutic, healing them beyond what any counseling might do or as a part of the counseling. Autobiographies are also a way to keep history alive by allowing people in the present learn about those who lived in the past. In the future, people can learn a lot about our present culture by reading autobiographies by people of today.

List of Terms

• Alliteration
• Amplification
• Anachronism
• Anthropomorphism
• Antonomasia
• APA Citation
• Aposiopesis
• Bildungsroman
• Characterization
• Circumlocution
• Cliffhanger
• Comic Relief
• Connotation
• Deus ex machina
• Deuteragonist
• Doppelganger
• Double Entendre
• Dramatic irony
• Equivocation
• Extended Metaphor
• Figures of Speech
• Flash-forward
• Foreshadowing
• Intertextuality
• Juxtaposition
• Literary Device
• Malapropism
• Onomatopoeia
• Parallelism
• Pathetic Fallacy
• Personification
• Point of View
• Polysyndeton
• Protagonist
• Red Herring
• Rhetorical Device
• Rhetorical Question
• Science Fiction
• Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
• Synesthesia
• Turning Point
• Understatement
• Urban Legend
• Verisimilitude
• Essay Guide
• Cite This Website

autobiography

What is autobiography definition, usage, and literary examples, autobiography definition.

An  autobiography  (awe-tow-bye-AWE-gruh-fee) is a self-written  biography . The author writes about all or a portion of their own life to share their experience, frame it in a larger cultural or historical context, and/or inform and entertain the reader.

Autobiographies have been a popular literary genre for centuries. The first Western autobiography is attributed to Saint Augustine of Hippo for his 13-book work titled  Confessions , written between 397 and 400 CE. Some autobiographies are a straightforward narrative that recollects a linear chain of events as they unfolded. The genre has expanded and evolved to include different approaches to the form.

The word  autobiography  comes from the Ancient Greek  auto  (“self”) +  bios  (“life”) +  graphein  (“to write”) = “a self-written life.” It is also known as autography .

The History of Autobiography

Scholars regard Augustine’s  Confessions  as the first Western autobiography. Other autobiographical works from antiquity include Jewish historian Flavius Josephus’s  Vita  (circa 99 CE) and Greek scholar Libanius’s  Oration I  (374 CE). Works of this kind were called apologias, which essentially means “in my defense.” Writers approached these works not as acts of self-documentation but as self-defense. They represented a way to explain and provide rationale for their life, work, and escapades. There was also less focus on their emotional lives.

The Book of Margery Kempe , written in 1438 by an English Christian mystic, is the earliest known autobiography in English. (Though it didn’t see full publication until the 20th century.) Other early English-language biographies of note include:

• Lord Herbert of Cherbury’s 1764 memoirs
• John Bunyan’s  Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners  in 1666
• Jarena Lee’s  The Life and Religious Experience of Jarena Lee  (the first autobiography of an African American woman)

Philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s  Confessions was published in 1782. It paved the way for the more thoughtful, emotionally centered autobiographies seen today. Autobiography as a literary genre emerged a few years later, when British scholar William Taylor first used the term to describe a self-written biography. He did so disparagingly, suggesting the form was  pedantic . In 1809, English Romantic poet Robert Southey used the term more seriously to describe self-written biographies.

Starting in the 20th century, more young people started writing autobiographies. Perhaps the most famous example is Anne Frank’s  The Diary of a Young Girl , about her time hiding from the Nazis in an Amsterdam attic. The 21st century saw an increase in autobiographical essay collections and memoirs by younger celebrities, including:

• Anna Kendrick
• Mindy Kaling
• Gabourey Sidibe
• Mike Birbiglia
• Lena Dunham
• Chelsea Handler

Autobiographies are not immune to controversy. One notable scandal involved author James Frey’s  A Million Little Pieces . Originally billed as a memoir, evidence later emerged that Frey invented key parts of the story. This example underscores how easily authors can cross over into autofiction—fictional autobiography—and how seriously readers take authors’ responsibility to accurately and honestly market their books.

Types of Autobiographies

There are a few different types of self-written works that qualify as autobiography.

Standard Autobiographies

In the most traditional form, authors recount their life or specific formative events from their life. This approach often utilizes a chronological format of events, but it doesn’t necessarily have to. An author’s approach might include a framing device such as flashbacks, in which they move from the present to the past as they remember their lives. For example, Broadway star Patti LuPone’s self-titled autobiography begins on the opening night of  Gypsy  in 2004 before moving back in time to LuPone’s childhood. An author could take a more stream-of-consciousness style, in which one memory links to another by a common theme. Irish writer Seán O’Casey narrates his six-volume  Autobiographies  in this manner

This is a type of autobiography that is narrower in scope and focus. It places greater emphasis on particular memories, thoughts, and feelings. A standard autobiography can certainly cover some of this same ground—most do—but the memoir is more interested in individual events or defined portions of the author’s life and the emotions and lessons behind them.

Henry David Thoreau is a notable memoirist. In Walden , he reflects on his time spent living in solitude in the woods of Massachusetts and what he learned about life and nature throughout this experience. Another example is  The Year of Magical Thinking  by Joan Didion, which relates the death of her husband and its impact on her life and work. Another is  Wild  by Cheryl Strayed, wherein Strayed remembers her time hiking the Pacific Crest Trail during a period of great change in her life.

Autofiction

The fictionalized autobiography, or autofiction, is another type of autobiography. The author presents their story not as fact but as fiction. This method gives them considerable space to take creative license with events and characters, thereby blurring the lines between reality and fiction. The overall goal is less about the author wanting to obscure facts and make things up and more a matter of taking another tactic to delve into their experiences in service of self-discovery.  Taipei  by Tao Lin is a work of autofiction. The central character, Paul, mirrors Lin’s own life and experiences, from the literary world of New York City to his ancestral roots in Taiwan.

Spiritual Autobiographies

These autobiographies center on the author’s religious or spiritual awakening and the subsequent journey their faith has taken them on. Common elements include struggles and doubt, a life-altering conversion, periods of regression, and sharing the “message.” These all act as endorsements of the author’s faith. Augustine’s  Confessions , Paramahansa Yogananda’s  Autobiography of a Yogi , and Augusten Burroughs’s  Toil & Trouble: A Memoir  are all spiritual autobiographies.

Autobiography vs. Biography

Both autobiographies and  biographies  are records of real lives, but there is one major distinction. A person other than the book’s subject writes a biography, while the subject themselves writes an autobiography. In this way, an autobiography is essentially a biography of the self. The biographer’s job is typically more involved, entailing detailed research into the life of the subject. The autobiographer, however, is usually not burdened by this because they lived through the events they write about. They may need only to confirm dates and stories to accurately relate the pertinent details.

The Function of Autobiography

An autobiography allows the author to tell the true story of their own life. This is the reason why autobiographies have always been written by famous people. History tends to remember notable individuals for just one significant contribution or event and, even then, the public’s perception of it may be inaccurate. Writing an autobiography allows the author to share the real story and put it into the larger context of their life and times.

Most readers pick up an autobiography expecting some degree of subjectivity from the author. After all, the events chronicled happened to the author, so the writing will of course have a biased  perspective . There are advantages to this subjectivity, though. The reader gets the real story directly from the person who lived it, unvarnished by others’ opinions or erroneous historical data.

One way this subjectivity is problematic is that the author may not possess the ability to see the story they’re telling from other perspectives. For example, they may not acknowledge any hurt they caused others, dangerous behaviors they engaged in, or the “other side” of a controversial event in which there are equally valid opposing viewpoints and experiences. Any of these deficiencies can result in a somewhat skewed narrative.

Writers Known for Autobiography & Autobiography Books

• Maya Angelou,  I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings ,  Gather Together in My Name
• Jung Chang,  Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China
• Isak Dinesen,  Out of Africa ,  Shadows on the Grass
• Carrie Fisher,  Wishful Drinking ,  Shockaholic
• Anne Frank,  The Diary of a Young Girl
• Ernest Hemingway,  A Moveable Feast
• Karl Ove Knausgård,  My Struggle
• Frank McCourt,  Angela’s Ashes
• Anaïs Nin,  The Diaries of Anaïs Nin
• Marcel Proust,  Remembrance of Things Past
• Patti Smith,  Just Kids ,  M Train
• Mark Twain, The Autobiography of Mark Twain
• Benjamin Franklin, The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
• Malcolm X, The Autobiography of Malcolm X
• Agatha Christie, Agatha Christie: An Autobiography
• Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom
• Mahatma Gandhi, Gandhi: An Autobiography 

Examples of Autobiographies

1. Maya Angelou,  I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

Angelou’s autobiography is the first installment in a seven-volume series chronicling the life of the legendary poet, teacher, actress, director, dancer, and civil rights activist. Given all those roles, it’s easy to see why Angelou’s life story makes for interesting reading.

This volume centers primarily on her early life in Stamps, Arkansas, and the devastating effects of a childhood rape. It also explores racism in the American South. It discuses the important role reading plays in helping young Maya deal with the sexual assault and pervasive prejudice in her environment.

2. Helen Keller,  The Story of My Life

Keller’s autobiography details her first 20 years, starting with the childhood illness that caused her blindness and deafness. She discusses the obstacles she had to overcome and the life-changing relationship she shared with her teacher, Anne Sullivan, who helped her learn to read and write. Keller also documents her friendships with several famous figures of her day, including Alexander Graham Bell, John Greenleaf Whittier, Oliver Wendell Holmes, and First Lady Frances Cleveland.

3. Vinh Chung,  Where the Wind Leads

Chung’s autobiography recalls the harrowing story of a Vietnamese refugee and his journey to make the American Dream his own. Born in South Vietnam, Chung comes of age in a changing political climate that eventually compels his family to flee the country. Their voyage takes them through the South China Sea, run-ins with pirates, resettlement in Arkansas, and Chung’s graduation from Harvard Medical School.

How to Write an Autobiography

Autobiography is a truly universal art form and is accessible to anyone, whether you're in high school or 100 years old. Exploring the process of writing an autobiography deserves an article in itself, but the process should include these steps:

• Determine your "why." What lessons do you want to impart via your story, and why are they worth sharing with a broader audience?
• Draft an autobiographical outline. It should include information about your upbringing, impactful moments throughout your life, stories of failure and success, and meaningful mentors.
• Begin with the easiest sections. Getting started is often the greatest hurdle, so begin by writing the chapters that feel most accessible or enjoyable.
• Write your first draft. Once you write the first chapters, it will feel easier to write the rest. Capitalize on your momentum and write a full draft.
• Step away. As with anything, stepping away from your work will help foster fresh perspectives when you return.
• Edit and re-write your draft. Your first draft will probably benefit from thorough revisions, as will your second draft, and maybe your third. Continue to edit and revise until it feels right.
• Ask for help. Bring in a trusted family member or friend or professional editor to help with final edits.

Further Resources on Autobiography

ThoughtCo. shares some  important points to consider before writing an autobiography .

The Living Handbook of Narratology delves into the  history of the autobiography .

MasterClass breaks autobiography writing down into  eight basic steps .

Pen & the Pad looks at the  advantages and disadvantages of the autobiography .

Lifehack has a list of  15 autobiographies everyone should read at least once .

Related Terms

• Frame Story
• Point of View

How to Define Autobiography

Glossary of Grammatical and Rhetorical Terms

• An Introduction to Punctuation
• Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia
• M.A., Modern English and American Literature, University of Leicester
• B.A., English, State University of New York

An autobiography is an account of a person's life written or otherwise recorded by that person. Adjective: autobiographical .

Many scholars regard the Confessions (c. 398) by Augustine of Hippo (354–430) as the first autobiography.

The term fictional autobiography (or pseudoautobiography ) refers to novels that employ first-person narrators who recount the events of their lives as if they actually happened. Well-known examples include David Copperfield (1850) by Charles Dickens and Salinger's  The Catcher in the Rye (1951).

Some critics believe that all autobiographies are in some ways fictional. Patricia Meyer Spacks has observed that "people do make themselves up. . . . To read an autobiography is to encounter a self as an imaginative being" ( The Female Imagination , 1975).

For the distinction between a memoir and an autobiographical composition, see memoir  as well as the examples and observations below. 

From the Greek, "self" + "life" + "write"

Examples of Autobiographical Prose

• Imitating the Style of the Spectator , by Benjamin Franklin
• Langston Hughes on Harlem
• On the Street, by Emma Goldman
• Ritual in Maya Angelou's Caged Bird
• The Turbid Ebb and Flow of Misery, by Margaret Sanger
• Two Ways of Seeing a River, by Mark Twain

Examples and Observations of Autobiographical Compositions

• "An autobiography is an obituary in serial form with the last installment missing." (Quentin Crisp, The Naked Civil Servant , 1968)
• "Putting a life into words rescues it from confusion even when the words declare the omnipresence of confusion, since the art of declaring implies dominance." (Patricia Meyer Spacks, Imagining a Self: Autobiography and Novel in Eighteenth-Century England . Harvard University Press, 1976)
• The Opening Lines of Zora Neale Hurston's Autobiography - "Like the dead-seeming, cold rocks, I have memories within that came out of the material that went to make me. Time and place have had their say. "So you will have to know something about the time and place where I came from, in order that you may interpret the incidents and directions of my life. "I was born in a Negro town. I do not mean by that the black back-side of an average town. Eatonville, Florida, is, and was at the time of my birth, a pure Negro town--charter, mayor, council, town marshal and all. It was not the first Negro community in America, but it was the first to be incorporated, the first attempt at organized self-government on the part of Negroes in America. "Eatonville is what you might call hitting a straight lick with a crooked stick. The town was not in the original plan. It is a by-product of something else. . . ." (Zora Neale Hurston, Dust Tracks on a Road . J.B. Lippincott, 1942) - "There is a saying in the Black community that advises: 'If a person asks you where you're going, you tell him where you've been. That way you neither lie nor reveal your secrets.' Hurston had called herself the 'Queen of the Niggerati.' She also said, 'I like myself when I'm laughing.' Dust Tracks on a Road is written with royal humor and an imperious creativity. But then all creativity is imperious, and Zora Neale Hurston was certainly creative." (Maya Angelou, Foreword to Dust Tracks on a Road , rpt. HarperCollins, 1996)
• Autobiography and Truth "All autobiographies are lies. I do not mean unconscious, unintentional lies; I mean deliberate lies. No man is bad enough to tell the truth about himself during his lifetime, involving, as it must, the truth about his family and friends and colleagues. And no man is good enough to tell the truth in a document which he suppresses until there is nobody left alive to contradict him." (George Bernard Shaw, Sixteen Self Sketches , 1898)" " Autobiography is an unrivaled vehicle for telling the truth about other people." (attributed to Thomas Carlyle, Philip Guedalla, and others)
• Autobiography and Memoir - "An autobiography is the story of a life : the name implies that the writer will somehow attempt to capture all the essential elements of that life. A writer's autobiography, for example, is not expected to deal merely with the author's growth and career as a writer but also with the facts and emotions connected to family life, education, relationships, sexuality, travels, and inner struggles of all kinds. An autobiography is sometimes limited by dates (as in Under My Skin: Volume One of My Autobiography to 1949 by Doris Lessing), but not obviously by theme. "Memoir, on the other hand, is a story from a life . It makes no pretense of replicating a whole life." (Judith Barrington, Writing the Memoir: From Truth to Art . Eighth Mountain Press, 2002) - "Unlike autobiography , which moves in a dutiful line from birth to fame, memoir narrows the lens, focusing on a time in the writer's life that was unusually vivid, such as childhood or adolescence, or that was framed by war or travel or public service or some other special circumstance." (William Zinsser, "Introduction," Inventing the Truth: The Art and Craft of Memoir . Mariner Books, 1998)
• An "Epidemical Rage for Auto-Biography" "[I]f the populace of writers become thus querulous after fame (to which they have no pretensions) we shall expect to see an epidemical rage for auto-biography break out, more wide in its influence and more pernicious in its tendency than the strange madness of the Abderites, so accurately described by Lucian. London, like Abdera, will be peopled solely by 'men of genius'; and as the frosty season, the grand specific for such evils, is over, we tremble for the consequences. Symptoms of this dreadful malady (though somewhat less violent) have appeared amongst us before . . .." (Isaac D'Israeli, "Review of "The Memoirs of Percival Stockdale," 1809)|
• The Lighter Side of Autobiography - "The Confessions of St. Augustine are the first autobiography , and they have this to distinguish them from all other autobiographies, that they are addressed directly to God." (Arthur Symons, Figures of Several Centuries , 1916) - "I write fiction and I'm told it's autobiography , I write autobiography and I'm told it's fiction, so since I'm so dim and they're so smart, let them decide what it is or isn't." (Philip Roth, Deception , 1990) - "I'm writing an unauthorized autobiography ." (Steven Wright)

Pronunciation: o-toe-bi-OG-ra-fee

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Autobiography Examples, Guide & Outline

Amanda Green was born in a small town in the west of Scotland, where everyone knows everyone. I joined the Toastmasters 15 years ago, and I served in nearly every office in the club since then. I love helping others gain confidence and skills they can apply in every day life.

Do you believe you’ve lived an exciting life? If you do, then it’s about time you write an autobiography.

This article will give you several autobiography ideas through six effective tips. You’ll also discover the best personal autobiography examples from which you can take inspiration.

What Is an Autobiography?

An autobiography is a type of publication that includes one’s life story. Unlike biographies, autobiographies are a narrative written by oneself instead of other professional writers.

An autobiography can include details about one’s childhood, school life, and professional life. The topic ideas are endless since self-written biographies may explore an abundance of experiences and life events.

Many people find autobiographies more interesting than biographies because they are personal narratives. Some were not necessarily intended for publication, such as a diary, memoir, or journal.

Some examples of inspiring autobiographies include the works of famous people like Benjamin Franklin, Maya Angelou, Frederick Douglass, Malala Yousafzai, and Anne Frank.

What Are the 5 Types of Autobiographies?

Full autobiography.

A full autobiography includes extensive details about a person’s every element of life. The content of this type of autobiography may start with his life from birth to the present.

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Full autobiographies follow the complete structure of books because of their length. They often include an exposition, climax, and resolution like fictional works.

Some examples of autobiographies include Benjamin Franklin’s and Elia Kaza’s.

A memoir does not focus on extensive details about one’s life experiences. Instead, it focuses on a specific event in time or any central theme. It can be about one’s college experiences, family life, or relationship with someone.

Expert writers know that memoirs use a first-person narrative voice. One example of an incredible autobiography of this format is Frank McCourt’s Angela’s Ashes.

Confessional autobiographies do not include important details about life events or daily lives. This type of autobiography is written by someone who has done something wrong.

Honesty is an integral factor that one must consider when writing a confessional autobiography. Some essential topics may include faith, sexuality, and other intimate themes.

Some amazing examples of personal autobiographies of confession include Confessions by Saint Augustine and Confessions by Jean-Jacques Rousseau.

Overcoming Adversity

Many people are interested in learning about one’s adversities in life and how they were able to move on.

This type of autobiography may include essential details about kidnapping, murder, and accidents. The character may also recall memories and factual details of divorce and abuse.

An experienced writer knows how to turn these autobiographies into inspiring ones. These stories should help readers express their emotions and heal.

Some innovative autobiography examples include The Center of the Universe by Nancy Bachrach and In Order to Live: A North Korean’s Journey to Freedom by Yeonmi Park .

Personal Narrative Essay

An autobiographical essay is a common school assignment that English teachers require students. An autobiography for students is also present in millions of college application essays.

This format of autobiography includes an introduction, body, and conclusion like any other essay. It may focus on a common theme or field for conciseness and clarity.

What Are the 6 Steps in Writing Autobiography?

Brainstorm Your Autobiography

Writing an autobiography takes a lot of research and brainstorming. It would help if you spent valuable time having a thorough background of the autobiography template and format. Reading factual and fictional autobiographies is the best way to do this.

Then, write a mind map or a collection of memories you want to include in your writing. Do you want to include your entire life, from your earliest memory until your present experience? Or do you want to focus on a particular aspect of your life?

Choose Between an Autobiography or a Memoir

Traditional autobiographies include an account of a person’s entire life, while a memoir is only a part of their life. If you want to focus on specific struggles, travel experiences, funny life incidents, childhood dreams, or your marriage life, it’s better to write a memoir.

You might also want to write an autobiography essay, which is much shorter than both an autobiography and a memoir.

Organize Your Outline

Creating an outline will help you create a chronological structure for your autobiography and eliminate unnecessary details. In general, it should include two elements:

• Key events (meaningful, formative life experiences)
• Illustrative events (individual experiences, lessons, humor, romances, etc.)

A good example of a key event would be a war, your parent’s separation, or a relocation. From these experiences, add illustrative events, such as how your parents’ separation affected your romantic relationships, religious encounters, and funny anecdotes.

Write Your First Draft

Now that you have an outline, it’s time to tell the story. Make sure it has a conflict, theme, goals, climax, and resolution. You also want to ensure you’ve produced compelling characters in your autobiographical work.

Writing the initial draft also means figuring out your transitions. Divide the key events in your life into chapters. This strategy gives you a clear and descriptive way to end a part of your life and start another.

Take a Break and Edit

Take a few days off once your first draft is complete. After this, examine the entire piece paragraph by paragraph, then line by line. You can also consider hiring an editor who will correct any mistake or confusing sentence in your work.

Write Your Second, Third, and Final Draft

Consider the revisions suggested by your editor when writing the next draft. Keep re-editing and proofreading your work until it’s perfect. Don’t be afraid to reach ten drafts. What matters is you refine your writing skills and publish the perfect book.

Sample Autobiography Outline

This outline will help you create a well-structured autobiography.

Introduction

• Introduce yourself in the first chapter or paragraph of your autobiography.
• Include basic information, such as name, age, personality traits, etc.
• Family history (important childhood events, crises, deaths, illnesses in your family)
• School history (where you studied, school experiences, successes, and failures at school)
• Work history (where you worked, what you liked most about your work, difficult parts of your job)
• Spiritual development (Do you believe in God?)
• Relational development (events in your friendship, romantic relationships)
• Personal development (hobbies, addictive tendencies, personal strengths, weaknesses)
• Finish with a thought-provoking detail or moral lesson.

Autobiography Examples

Want to read more autobiographies before writing one? Here are some examples of books I recommend.

The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

Anne Frank was a Jewish teenager who kept a diary as her family hid from Nazis. As one of the best autobiographies of all time, The Diary of a Young Girl became a best-seller worldwide and a part of Holocaust instruction for decades.

Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela

Long Walk to Freedom is a famous personality autobiography that exhibits the fight for black liberation in South Africa. It’s a favorite book among many readers because Mandela founded democracy and promised no one would be discriminated against as the first Black president in his country.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

In her autobiography, Maya Angelou discussed how difficult it was to be a black poet and author. According to her, people didn’t listen to her voice because of her skin color, making her feel like a slave.

I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

The newly-published funny autobiography by Jennette McCurdy features a controversial title that centers on the iCarly and Sam & Cat star’s struggles as a former child actor.

She discussed her complicated relationship with her overbearing mother, addiction, eating disorder, and how she moved on.

Learn More About Autobiographical Writing

I hope this guide has helped you study the types of autobiography and the difference between biography and autobiography. I also provided six essential tips on how to write an autobiography.

Writing an autobiography will help you perfect your autobiographical know-how and writing skills. If you have any questions about writing, let us know!

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How To Write an Autobiography 2024 (Tips, Templates, & Guide)

Your life story has value, merit, and significance. You want to share it with the world, but maybe you don’t know how .

Here’s how to write an autobiography:

Write an autobiography by creating a list of the most important moments, people, and places in your life. Gather photos, videos, letters, and notes about these experiences. Then, use an outline, templates, sentence starters, and questions to help you write your autobiography .

In this article, you are going to learn the fastest method for writing your autobiography.

We are going to cover everything you need to know with examples and a free, downloadable, done-for-you template.

What Is an Autobiography?

Table of Contents

Before you can write an autobiography, you must first know the definition.

An autobiography is the story of your life, written by you. It covers the full span of your life (at least, up until now), hitting on the most significant moments, people and events.

When you write your autobiography, you write an intimate account of your life.

What Should I Include In an Autobiography?

If you are scratching your head, baffled about what to include in your autobiography, you are not alone.

After all, a big part of how to write an autobiography is knowing what to put in and what to leave out of your life story. Do you focus on every detail?

Every person? Won’t your autobiography be too long?

A good way to think about how to write an autobiography is to use the Movie Trailer Method.

What do movie trailers include?

• High emotional moments
• The big events
• The most important characters

When you plan, organize, and write your autobiography, keep the Movie Trailer Method in mind. You can even watch a bunch of free movie trailers on YouTube for examples of how to write an autobiography using the Movie Trailer Method.

When wondering what to include in your autobiography, focus on what would make the cut for a movie trailer of your life:

• Most important people (like family, friends, mentors, coaches, etc.)
• Significant events (like your origin story, vacations, graduations, life turning points, life lessons)
• Emotional moments (When you were homeless, when you battled a life-threatening condition, or when you fell in love)
• Drama or suspense (Did you make it into Harvard? Did your first surgery go well? Did your baby survive?)

Autobiography Structure Secrets

Like any compelling story, a well-structured autobiography often follows a pattern that creates a logical flow and captures readers’ attention.

Traditionally, autobiographies begin with early memories, detailing the writer’s childhood, family background, and the events or people that shaped their formative years.

From here, the narrative typically progresses chronologically, covering major life events like schooling, friendships, challenges, achievements, career milestones, and personal relationships.

It’s essential to weave these events with introspective insights.

This allows readers to understand not just the what, but also the why behind the author’s choices and experiences.

Towards the end, an effective autobiography often includes reflections on lessons learned, changes in perspective over time, and the wisdom acquired along life’s journey.

Example of the Structure:

• Introduction: A gripping event or anecdote that gives readers a hint of what to expect. It could be a pivotal moment or challenge that defines the essence of the story.
• Childhood and Early Memories: Recounting family dynamics, birthplace, cultural background, and memorable incidents from early years.
• Adolescence and Discovering Identity: Experiences during teenage years, challenges faced, friendships formed, and personal evolutions.
• Pursuits and Passions: Describing education, early career choices, or any particular hobby or skill that played a significant role in the author’s life.
• Major Life Events and Challenges: Chronicles of marriage, parenthood, career shifts, or any significant setbacks and how they were overcome.
• Achievements and Milestones: Celebrating major accomplishments and recounting the journey to achieving them.
• Reflections and Wisdom: Sharing life lessons, changes in beliefs or values over time, and offering insights gained from lived experiences.
• Conclusion: Summarizing the journey, contemplating on the present state, and sharing hopes or aspirations for the future.

How To Write an Autobiography Quickly: Strategies & Templates

Want the quickest way to organize and write your autobiography in record time? You can literally write your autobiography in 7 days or less with this method.

The secret is to use done-for-you templates.

I have personally designed and collected a series of templates to take you from a blank page to a fully complete Autobiography. I call this the How to Write an Autobiography Blueprint.

And it’s completely free to download right from this article. 🙂

In the How to Write an Autobiography Blueprint, you get:

• The Autobiography Questions Template
• The Autobiography Brainstorm Templates
• The Autobiography Outline Template

Here is an image of it so that you know exactly what you get when you download it:

How To Write an Autobiography: Step-by-Step

When you sit down to write an autobiography, it’s helpful to have a step-by-step blueprint to follow.

You already have the done-for-you templates that you can use to organize and write an autobiography faster than ever before. Now here’s a complete step-by-step guide on how to maximize your template.

• Brainstorm Ideas
• Order your sections (from medium to high interest)
• Order the ideas in each section (from medium to high interest)
• Write three questions to answer in each section
• Choose a starter sentence
• Complete a title template
• Write each section of your by completing the starter sentence and answering all three questions

Brainstorm Your Autobiography

The first step in writing your autobiography is to brainstorm.

Give yourself time and space to write down the most significant people, events, lessons, and experiences in your life. The templates in the How to Write an Autobiography Blueprint provide sections for you to write down your brainstormed ideas.

This will help you organize your ideas into what will become the major sections of your book.

These will be:

• Y our most significant events and experiences.
• The people who impacted you the most.
• The challenges you have overcome.
• Your achievements and successes.
• The lessons you have learned.

The “other” sections on the second page of the Brainstorm template is for creating your own sections or to give you more space for the sections I provided in case you run out of space.

As I brainstorm, I find asking myself specific questions really activates my imagination.

So I have compiled a list of compelling questions to help you get ideas down on paper or on your screen.

Order Your Sections (From Medium to High Interest)

The next step is to order your main sections.

The main sections are the five (or more) sections from your Brainstorm templates (Significant events, significant people, life lessons, challenges, successes, other, etc). This order will become the outline and chapters for your book.

How do you decide what comes first, second or third?

I recommend placing the sections in order of interest. Ask yourself, “What’s the most fascinating part of my life?”

If it’s a person, then write the name of that section (Significant People) on the last line in the How to Write an Autobiography Outline Template. If it’s an experience, place the name of that section (Significant Events) on the last line.

For example, if you met the Pope, you might want to end with that nugget from your life. If you spent three weeks lost at sea and survived on a desert island by spearfishing, that is your ending point.

Then complete the Outline by placing the remaining sections in order of interest. You can work your way backward from high interest to medium interest.

If you are wondering why I say “medium to high interest” instead of “low to high interest” it is because there should be no “low interest” parts of your autobiography.

But wait, what if you met the Pope AND spent three weeks lost at sea? How do you choose which one comes first or last?

First of all, I want to read this book! Second, when in doubt, default to chronological order. Whatever event happened first, start there.

Here is an example of how it might look:

Order The Ideas in Each Section (From Medium To High Interest)

Now, organize the ideas inside of each section. Again, order the ideas from medium to high interest).

Within your “Significant People” section, decide who you want to talk about first, second, third, etc. You can organize by chronological order (who you met first) but I recommend building to the most interesting or most significant person.

This creates a more compelling read.

Keep in mind that the most significant person might not be the most well-known, most famous, or most popular. The most significant person might be your family member, friend, partner, or child.

It comes down to who shaped your life the most.

So, if your “significant people list” includes your dad, a famous social media influencer, and Mike Tyson, your dad might come last because he had the biggest significance in your life.

Write Three Questions to Answer in Each Section

Ok, you’ve done the heavy lifting already. You have the major sections organized and outlined.

Next on your autobiography to-do list is to choose and write down three questions you are going to answer in each section. You can write your questions down in the provided “boxes” for each section on the template outline (or on another piece of paper.

This is easier than it might seem.

Simply choose one of the sample autobiography questions below or create your own:

• Why did I choose this person/event?
• What does this person/event mean to me?
• How did I meet this person?
• Where did it happen?
• When did it happen?
• Why did it happen?
• How did it happen?
• What is the most interesting part?
• How did I feel about this person or event?
• How do I feel now?
• Why does this person or event matters to me?
• How did this person or event change my life?
• What is the most challenging part?
• How did I fail?
• How did I succeed?
• What did I learn?

Questions are the perfect way to write quickly and clearly. I LOVE writing to questions. It’s how I write these blog posts and articles.

Choose a Starter Sentence

Sometimes the hardest part of any project is knowing how to start.

Even though we know we can always go back and edit our beginnings, so many of us become paralyzed with indecision at the starting gate.

That’s why I provided sample starter sentences in your How to Write an Autobiography Blueprint.

Here are the story starters:

• I began writing this book when…
• Of all the experiences in my life, this one was the most…
• I’ve been a…
• My name is…
• Growing up in…
• It wasn’t even a…
• It all started when…
• I first…
• I was born…

Keep in mind that you do not need to begin your book with one of these story starters. I provide them simply to get you going.

The key is to not get bogged down in this, or any, part of writing your autobiography. Get organized and then get writing.

Complete a Title Template

At the top of the How to Write an Autobiography Outline is a place for you to write your book title.

Some authors struggle forever with a title. And that’s ok. What’s not ok is getting stuck. What’s not ok is if coming up with your title prevents you from finishing your book.

So, I provided a few title templates to help juice your creativity.

Just like the story starters, you do not need to use these title templates, but you certainly can. All you need to do is fill in the title templates below and then write your favorite one (for now) at the top of your outline. Presto! You have your working title.

You can always go back and change it later.

How to Write an Autobiography Title templates:

• [Your Name]: [Phrase or Tag Line]
• The [Your Last Name] Files
• Born [Activity]: A [Career]’s Life
• The Perfect [Noun]: The Remarkable Life of [Your Name]

Examples using the Templates:

• Christopher Kokoski: Blog Until You Drop
• The Kokoski Files
• Born Writing: A Blogger’s Life
• The Perfect Freelancer: The Remarkable Life of Christopher Kokoski

Write Your Autobiography

You have your outline. You have your title, templates, and sentence starters. All that is left to do is write your autobiography.

However, you can use tools like Jasper AI and a few other cool tricks to craft the most riveting book possible.

This is the easy way to remarkable writing.

Check out this short video that goes over the basics of how to write an autobiography:

How To Write an Autobiography (All the Best Tips)

Now that you are poised and ready to dash out your first draft, keep the following pro tips in mind:

• Be vulnerable. The best autobiographies share flaws, faults, foibles, and faux pas. Let readers in on the real you.
• Skip the boring parts. There is no need to detail every meal, car ride, or a gripping trip to the grocery store. Unless you ran into the Russian Mafia near the vegetables or the grocery store is perched on the side of a mountain above the jungles of Brazil.
• Keep your autobiography character-driven . This is the story of YOU!
• Be kind to others (or don’t). When writing about others in your story, keep in mind that there may be fallout or backlash from your book.
• Consider a theme: Many autobiographies are organized by theme. A perfect example is Becoming . Each section of the book includes “becoming” in the title. Themes connect and elevate each part of the autobiography.
• Write your story in vignettes (or scenes). Each vignette is a mini-story with a beginning, middle, and end. Each vignette builds. Each vignette should be described in rich sensory language that shows the reader the experience instead of telling the reader about the experience. Each vignette is immersive, immediate, and intimate.
• Include snippets of dialogue. Use quotation marks just like in fiction. Show the dialogue in brief back-and-forth tennis matches of conversation. Remember to leave the boring parts out!
• Choose a consistent tone. Some autobiographies are funny like Bossy Pants by Tina Fey. Others are serious such as Open by Andre Agassi. Your story (like most stories) will likely include a mix of emotions but choose an overall tone and stick with it.
• Don’t chronicle, captivate . Always think about how to make each section, each chapter, each page, each paragraph, and each sentence more compelling. You want to tell the truth, but HOW you tell the truth is up to you. Create suspense, conflict, and mystery. Let drama linger until it becomes uncomfortable. Don’t solve problems quickly or take away tension right away.

How Do I Format an Autobiography?

Most autobiographies are written in the first person (using the pronouns I, me, we, and us).

Your autobiography is written about you so write as yourself instead of pretending to be writing about someone else.

Most autobiographies are also written in chronological order, from birth right up to your current age, with all the boring parts left out. That doesn’t mean you can’t play around with the timeline.

Sometimes it’s more interesting to start at a high moment, backtrack to the beginning and show how you got to that high moment.

Whatever format you choose, be intentional, and make the choice based on making the most compelling experience possible for your readers.

How Long Should an Autobiography Be?

There are no rules to how long an autobiography should be but a rough guideline is to aim for between 200 and 400 pages.

This will keep your book in line with what most readers expect for books in general, and will help get your book traditionally published or help with marketing your self-published book.

How To Write a Short Autobiography

You write a short autobiography the same way that you write a long autobiography.

You simply leave more out of the story.

You cut everything down to the bones. Or you choose a slice of your life as you do in a memoir. This often means limiting the people in your book, reducing the events and experiences, and shrinking your story to a few pivotal moments in your life.

How To Start an Autobiography

The truth is that you can start your autobiography in any number of ways.

Here are four common ways to begin an autobiography.

• Start at the beginning (of your life, career or relationship, etc.)
• Start at a high moment of drama or interest.
• Start at the end of the story and work backward
• Start with why you wrote the book.

Good Autobiography Titles

If you are still stuck on titling your autobiography, consider going to Amazon to browse published works. You can even just Google “autobiographies.”

When you read the titles of 10, 20, or 50 other autobiographies, you will start to see patterns or get ideas for your own titles. (HINT: the title templates in the Autobiography Blueprint were reverse-engineered from popular published books.

Also, check out the titles of the full autobiography examples below that I have included right here in this article.

Types of Autobiographies

There are several different kinds of autobiographies.

Each one requires a similar but slightly nuanced approach to write effectively. The lessons in this article will serve as a great starting point.

Autobiography Types:

• Autobiography for School
• Autobiography Novel
• Autobiography for a Job
• Short Autobiography
• Autobiography for Kids

Therefore, there is actually not just one way to write an autobiography.

Memoir vs. Autobiography: Are They The Same?

It’s common to feel confused about a memoir and an autobiography. I used to think they were the same thing.

But, nope, they’re not.

They are pretty similar, which is the reason for all the confusion. A memoir is the story of one part of your life. An autobiography is the story of your full life (up until now).

What Is the Difference Between an Autobiography and a Biography?

An autobiography is when you write about your own life. A biography, on the other hand, is when you write the story of someone else’s life.

So, if I write a book about the life of the President, that’s a biography.

If the President writes a story about his or her own life, that’s an autobiography.

What Not To Include In an Autobiography

Autobiographies are meant to be a snapshot of our lives that we can share with others, but there are some things that are best left out.

Here are three things you should avoid including in your autobiography:

1) Anything That Readers Will Skip

Your life may not be filled with non-stop excitement, but that doesn’t mean you need to include every mundane detail in your autobiography.

Stick to the highlights and leave out the low points.

2) Character Attacks on Others

It’s okay to discuss conflicts you’ve had with others, but don’t use your autobiography as a platform to attack someone’s character.

Keep it civil and focus on your own experiences and how they’ve affected you.

3) Skipping Highlights

Just because something embarrassing or painful happened to you doesn’t mean you should gloss over it in your autobiography.

These are the moments that shape us and make us who we are today, so don’t skip past them just because they’re uncomfortable.

By following these simple tips, you can ensure that your autobiography is interesting, honest, and engaging.

How To Write an Autobiography: Autobiography Examples

I have always found examples to be extremely instructive. Especially complete examples of finished products. In this case, books.

Below you will find examples of published autobiographies for adults and for kids. These examples will guide you, motivate you and inspire you to complete your own life story.

They are listed here as examples, not as endorsements, although I think they are all very good.

The point is that you don’t have to agree with anything written in the books to learn from them.

Autobiography Examples for Adults

• A Promised Land (Autobiography of Barack Obama)
• If You Ask Me: (And of Course You Won’t) (Betty White)
• It’s a Long Story: My Life (Willie Nelson)
• Stories I Only Tell My Friends: An Autobiography (Rob Lowe)
• Becoming (Michelle Obama)

Autobiography Examples for Kids

• This Kid Can Fly: It’s About Ability (NOT Disability) (Aaron Philips)
• Bee Fearless: Dream Like a Kid (Mikaila Ulmer)

Tools to Write Your Autobiography

Here are some recommended tools to help you write your autobiography:

Final Thoughts: How To Write An Autobiography

Thank you for reading my article on How to Write an Autobiography.

Now that you know all of the secrets to write your book, you may want to get it published, market it, and continue to upskill yourself as an author.

In that case, read these posts next:

• Can Anyone Write A Book And Get It Published?
• The Best Writing Books For Beginners 2022 (My 10 Favorites)
• Why Do Writers Hate Adverbs? (The Final Answer)
• How To Write a Manifesto: 20 Ultimate Game-Changing Tips

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Shaping Your Legacy: How to Write a Compelling Autobiography

• The Speaker Lab
• March 12, 2024

Table of Contents

Ever thought about how your life story would read if it were a book? Writing an autobiography is like creating a map of your personal journey, each chapter representing milestones that shaped you. But where do you start and how can you ensure the tale holds interest?

This guide will help unravel those questions by delving into what makes an autobiography stand out, planning techniques to keep your narrative on track, writing tips for engaging storytelling, and even ethical considerations when revealing private aspects of your life.

We’ll also touch on refining drafts and navigating publishing options. By the end of this read, you’ll be equipped with all the insights you need to create a compelling autobiography!

Understanding the Essence of an Autobiography

An autobiography provides a comprehensive view of one’s life journey from birth to the present day. Imagine climbing into a time machine where every chapter represents different eras in your life. The goal of an autobiography is to allow readers to explore a factual, chronological telling of the author’s life.

Autobiographies aren’t merely catalogues of events, however; they need soulful introspection too. Think about why certain episodes mattered more than others and how those experiences influenced your perspectives or decisions later on.

You’ll also want to infuse emotional honesty, allowing yourself vulnerability when recalling both triumphant milestones and painful obstacles. Authenticity creates connections between authors and their audience, so let them see real human emotions behind every word written.

Distinguishing Features Of An Autobiography

The unique thing about autobiographies is they are first-person narratives . This allows readers to experience everything through your eyes, as if they’re living vicariously through you. From triumphs to trials, each page unravels another layer of who you are.

While memoirs are also first-person narratives of a person’s life, there are different from autobiographies. In a memoir, the author focuses on a particular time period or theme in their life. If you’d rather skip the details and dates needed for an autobiography and focus more on emotional truths, you might consider writing a memoir.

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Pre-Writing Stage: Planning Your Autobiography

The planning stage is a crucial part of writing your autobiography. It’s where you map out the significant events in your life, establish a timeline, and identify who will be reading your story.

Selecting Key Life Events

To start, you need to pinpoint key moments that have shaped you. While you will include plenty of factual details in your autobiography, you won’t include every single one. Rather, you’ll be spending the majority of your autobiography focusing on the transformative experiences that defined your life journey. After all, an autobiography is not just a catalogue of events; it’s also an exploration into what these experiences meant to you.

Establishing A Timeline

Next up is establishing a timeline for your narrative flow. Since you’re writing an autobiography, it’s important to first map out your story chronologically so that you can keep your events straight in your mind. MasterClass has several suggestions for key elements you might want to include in your timeline.

Identifying Your Audience

Finding out who’ll read your book helps shape its tone and style. Self-Publishing School says understanding whether it’s for close family members or broader public can guide how personal or universal themes should be presented.

While this process might feel overwhelming initially, take time with this stage. Good planning sets solid foundations for creating an engaging autobiography.

Writing Techniques for an Engaging Autobiography

If you’re on the journey to pen down your life story, let’s dive into some techniques that can help transform it from a simple narrative into a riveting read. An engaging autobiography is more than just facts and dates—it’s about weaving your experiences in such a way that they captivate readers.

Incorporating Dialogue

The first technique involves incorporating dialogue. Rather than telling your audience what happened, show them through conversations. It lets the reader experience events as if they were there with you. As renowned author Stephen King suggests , dialogue is crucial in defining a the character of a person (including yourself).

Using Vivid Descriptions

Vivid descriptions are another effective tool in creating an immersive reading experience. But remember: overdoing it might overwhelm or bore the reader, so find balance between being descriptive and concise.

Narrative Techniques

Different narrative techniques can also enhance storytelling in autobiographies. For instance, foreshadowing creates suspense; flashbacks provide deeper context; and stream of consciousness presents thoughts as they occur naturally—a powerful way to share personal reflections.

All these writing tools combined will give you a gripping account of your life journey—one where every turn of page reveals more layers of depth and dimensionality about who you are as both character and narrator.

Structuring Your Autobiography for Maximum Impact

Deciding on the right structure for your autobiography is essential to ensure your book captivates readers and keeps them engaged.

The first step towards structuring your autobiography effectively is deciding whether to organize it chronologically or thematically. A chronological approach takes readers on a journey through time, letting each event unfold as you experienced it. On the other hand, a thematic approach revolves around central themes that have defined your life—think resilience, ambition or transformation—and might jump back and forth in time.

Creating Chapters

An effective way to manage the vast amount of information in an autobiography is by dividing it into chapters. Each chapter should be structured around a specific time frame (if you’re opting for chronological order) or theme (if taking the thematic approach). The key here isn’t necessarily sticking rigidly to these categories but using them as guides to help shape and direct your narrative flow.

Crafting Compelling Beginnings and Endings

A strong beginning pulls people into your world while an impactful ending stays with them long after they’ve closed the book—a little like how memorable speeches often start with something surprising yet relatable and end leaving audiences pondering over what they’ve heard. So consider starting off with something unexpected that gives insight into who you are rather than birthplace/date details right away. For endings, look at wrapping up major themes from throughout the book instead of simply closing out on latest happenings in your life.

Remember, structuring an autobiography is as much about the art of storytelling as it is about chronicling facts. Use structure to draw readers in and take them on a journey through your life’s highs and lows—all the moments that made you who you are today.

Ethical Considerations When Writing an Autobiography

When penning your life story, it’s important to respect privacy and handle sensitive issues well. Because let’s face it, writing about others in our lives can be a slippery slope. We need to tread carefully.

Respecting Privacy: Telling Your Story Without Invading Others’

The first thing we have to consider is the right of privacy for those who cross paths with our narrative journey. While they might play crucial roles in our stories, remember that their experiences are their own too.

A good rule of thumb is to get explicit consent before mentioning anyone extensively or revealing sensitive information about them. In some cases where this isn’t possible, anonymizing details or using pseudonyms could help maintain privacy while keeping the essence of your story intact. Author Tracy Seeley sheds more light on how one should handle such situations responsibly.

Navigating Sensitive Topics With Care

Sensitive topics often make for compelling narratives but dealing with them requires tact and empathy. You’re walking a tightrope, balancing honesty and sensitivity, a fall from which can lead to hurt feelings or even legal troubles.

An excellent way around this dilemma would be by focusing on how these experiences affected you personally rather than detailing the event itself. Remember, your autobiography is an opportunity to share your life experiences, not just a platform for airing grievances or settling scores.

Maintaining Honesty: Your Authentic Self Is the Best Narrator

Above all else, stay truthful when writing your autobiography, both when you’re writing about sensitive topics and even when you’re not. While it can be tempting to bend the facts so that your audience sees you in a more positive light, maintaining honesty is the best thing you can do for yourself.

Editing and Revising Your Autobiography

Your initial draft is finished, but the job isn’t done yet. Editing and revising your autobiography can feel like a daunting task, but it’s essential for creating a polished final product.

The Importance of Self-Editing

You may feel that you have written your autobiography perfectly the first time, but there are always ways to make it better. The beauty of self-editing lies in refining your story to make sure it resonates with readers. You’re not just fixing typos or grammar mistakes; you’re looking at structure, flow, and consistency. Essentially you’re asking yourself: does this piece tell my life story in an engaging way?

Inviting Feedback from Others

No matter how meticulous we are as writers, our own work can sometimes evade us. Inviting feedback from others is invaluable during the revision process. They provide fresh eyes that can spot inconsistencies or confusing parts that may have slipped past us.

Hiring a Professional Editor

If you’re serious about publishing your autobiography and making an impact with your words, hiring a professional editor can be worth its weight in gold. An editor won’t just fix errors—they’ll help streamline sentences and enhance readability while respecting your unique voice.

Remember to approach editing and revising with patience—it’s part of the writing journey. Don’t rush through it; give each word careful consideration before moving onto publication options for your autobiography.

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Publishing Options for Your Autobiography

Once you’ve spent time and energy creating your autobiography, the following challenge is to make it available for others. But don’t fret! There are numerous options available for releasing your work.

Traditional Publishing Houses

A conventional path many authors take is partnering with a traditional publishing house . These industry giants have extensive resources and networks that can help boost the visibility of your book. The process may be competitive, but if accepted, they handle everything from design to distribution—letting you focus on what matters most: telling your story.

Self-Publishing Platforms

If you want more control over every aspect of publication or seek a faster route to market, self-publishing platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), offer an accessible alternative. With this option, you manage all aspects including cover design and pricing ; however, it also means greater responsibility in promoting your book.

Bear in mind that both options have their own pros and cons, so consider them carefully before making any decisions.

Marketing Your Autobiography

Now that you’ve crafted your autobiography, it’s time to get the word out. You need a plan and strategy.

Leveraging Social Media

To start with, use your social platforms as launching pads for your book. Sites like Facebook , Twitter, and especially LinkedIn can help generate buzz about your work. And don’t underestimate the power of other platforms like Instagram and TikTok when trying to reach younger audiences. Whatever social platform you use, remember to engage with followers by responding to comments and questions about the book.

Organizing Book Signings

A physical event like a book signing not only provides readers with a personal connection but also generates local publicity. Consider partnering up with local independent stores or libraries, which are often open to hosting such events.

Securing Media Coverage

Contacting local newspapers, radio stations or even bloggers and podcasters in your field can provide much-needed visibility for your work. It might seem intimidating at first, but who better than you knows how important this story is?

FAQs on How to Write an Autobiography

How do i start an autobiography about myself.

To kick off your autobiography, jot down significant life events and pick a unique angle that frames your story differently.

What are the 7 steps in writing an autobiography?

The seven steps are: understanding what an autobiography is, planning it out, using engaging writing techniques, structuring it effectively, considering ethics, revising thoroughly, and exploring publishing options.

What are the 3 parts of an autobiography?

An autobiography generally has three parts: introduction (your background), body (major life events), and conclusion (reflections on your journey).

What is the format for writing an autobiography?

The usual format for autobiographies involves chronological or thematic structure with clear chapters marking distinct phases of life.

Writing an autobiography is a journey, a trek exploring the unique narrative of your life. Together, we’ve covered how to plan effectively, select key events, and set timelines.

Once you’re all set to write, you now have the techniques you need for engaging storytelling, including vivid descriptions and dialogues. You also learned about structuring your story for maximum impact and navigating sensitive topics while maintaining honesty.

Last but not least, you learned editing strategies, publishing options, and effective ways of promoting your book.

Now you know more than just how to write an autobiography. You know how to craft a legacy worth reading!

• Last Updated: March 22, 2024

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How to Write an Autobiography

Writing your autobiography is like exploring a treasure trove of memories that make up your life. But starting can feel overwhelming. Where do you begin? How do you turn your experiences into a compelling story? Don't worry – this guide is here to help. Whether you're a seasoned writer or a total beginner, we'll break down the process of how to write your autobiography into easy-to-follow steps. Together, we'll uncover the magic of storytelling and turn your life into a captivating reflective essay that's uniquely yours. Get ready to start this adventure of self-discovery and creativity!

What Is an Autobiography

The autobiography definition explains it is a written account of a person's life penned by the individual who has lived those experiences. It is a personal narrative that chronicles significant events, reflections, and emotions throughout various stages of the author's life. Unlike a biography, which is typically written by someone else, an autobiography provides a firsthand perspective, allowing the author to share their thoughts, memories, and insights. It is a cogent medium for self-expression, enabling students to convey the essence of their unique journey, impart lessons learned, and leave a lasting record of their lives for themselves and others to explore.

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Autobiography vs. Biography: What’s the Difference

The key distinction between an autobiography and a biography lies in the authorship and perspective. An autobiography is a personal account of one's own life written by the subject themselves. It offers an intimate insight into the author's experiences, emotions, and reflections. For instance, in "The Diary of a Young Girl," Anne Frank provides a poignant autobiographical account of her life hiding from the Nazis during World War II. On the other hand, a biography is a narrative of someone's life written by another person. It often involves extensive research and interviews to present a comprehensive and objective view. A notable example is "Steve Jobs" by Walter Isaacson, a biography offering an in-depth portrayal of the Apple co-founder, drawing on interviews with Jobs himself and those who knew him. While both genres illuminate lives, the crucial difference lies in the source of the narrative – whether it emanates directly from the subject or is crafted by an external observer.

A biography vs autobiography offers distinct perspectives on individuals' lives, shaping narratives through either personal reflections or external observations. Maya Angelou's "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" is a powerful autobiography chronicling her tumultuous childhood and journey toward self-discovery. In contrast, a notable biography like "Leonardo da Vinci" by Walter Isaacson delves into the life of the Renaissance polymath, painting a vivid picture through meticulous research and analysis. Autobiographies often provide a deeply personal lens, as seen in "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls, where Walls recounts her unconventional upbringing. In contrast, biographies such as "Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand meticulously document the extraordinary life of Louis Zamperini, offering a comprehensive view shaped by the author's investigative work. These examples underscore the unique storytelling approaches each genre employs, either from the firsthand perspective of the subject or the external perspective of an author.

Autobiography Example

Ready to explore autobiography examples? We've got a cool section coming up where we'll check out two awesome examples. Autobiographies are like personal tours into someone's life, and we'll be looking at the stories of Alex Sterling and Trevor Noah. They've poured their experiences onto the pages, and we're going to see what we can learn from their journeys. Get ready to be inspired and maybe even think about telling your own story down the line. Let's dive in!

Example 1: “Wanderer's Odyssey: The Uncharted Life of Alex Sterling”

This autobiography recounts the life of a character born in a bustling city who, driven by a thirst for adventure, leaves behind urban life to explore the open road. The narrative explores the protagonist's experiences of hitchhiking, forming connections, and finding self-discovery in the midst of the unpredictable journey. The story emphasizes the lessons learned from the road, the challenges faced, and the ultimate embrace of authenticity. The epilogue reflects on the character's life as a well-lived odyssey, highlighting themes of resilience, connection, and the pursuit of one's true identity.

Example 2: “Echoes of Eternity: The Memoirs of Amelia Reed”

This autobiography follows a character from a countryside village who harbors expansive dreams of adventure. The narrative unfolds as the protagonist sets out to pursue these dreams, facing trials and triumphs that shape their character and lead to self-discovery. The story emphasizes the transformative power of embracing the unknown, with the epilogue reflecting on a life well-lived, highlighting the legacy of fulfilled dreams and the enduring impact on future generations. In addition to examples, we have samples of narrative essay topics that might be useful for you as well.

Tell your story with EssayPro . Our skilled writers can help you craft an autobiography that truly reflects your journey. Share your unique experiences and life lessons in a way that resonates with readers.

Autobiography Elements Explained

Writing an autobiography provides a personal account of one's experiences, achievements, challenges, and personal growth. While each autobiography is unique, certain common elements are often found in this genre:

Introduction

• Autobiographies typically begin with an introduction where the author sets the stage for their life story.
• It may include background information such as birthplace, family, and early experiences.

Birth and Early Years

• Authors often include details about their birth, childhood, and family background.
• Early influences, relationships, and experiences that shaped the individual may be highlighted.

Significant Life Events

• Autobiographies focus on key events and milestones that have had a significant impact on the author's life.
• This could include achievements, failures, relationships, and other impactful experiences.

Challenges and Obstacles

• Autobiographies explore the challenges and obstacles the author faced throughout their life.
• This can include personal struggles, professional setbacks, or other difficulties.

Personal Growth and Development

• Authors reflect on their personal growth and development over the years.
• This may involve self-discovery, learning from experiences, and evolving perspectives.

Achievements and Milestones

• Autobiographies highlight the author's achievements, whether personal, professional, or both.
• Major milestones and successes are often detailed to showcase the individual's journey.

Influential Relationships

• Autobiographies frequently discuss relationships with family, friends, mentors, and significant others.
• The impact of these relationships on the author's life is explored.

Reflection and Insight

• Authors often reflect on their lives, offering insights into their beliefs, values, and lessons learned.
• This section may also include the author's perspective on the world and society.

Themes and Motifs

• Autobiographies may explore recurring themes or motifs that run throughout the individual's life.
• Common themes include resilience, determination, love, loss, and personal identity.
• Autobiographies typically conclude with a summary or reflection on the author's life.
• The author may share their current perspective and future aspirations.

Writing Style

• The writing style can vary, ranging from a formal tone to a more conversational and reflective approach.
• Authors may use literary devices and storytelling techniques to engage readers.

Remember that autobiographies are highly personal, and the structure and emphasis on different elements can vary widely depending on the author's preferences and purpose for writing.

Autobiographical Essay Structure

Autobiographies typically follow a chronological order, beginning with the author's early life and progressing towards the present or a significant moment. The introduction sets the stage, introducing the author and offering insight into the main themes. As you can see in an autobiography example, the narrative then unfolds, exploring the author's significant life events, challenges faced, and personal growth. Achievements and milestones are highlighted, and the impact of influential relationships is examined. Throughout, recurring themes and motifs add depth to the narrative. In the reflection and insight section, the author shares personal lessons learned and beliefs. The conclusion summarizes the autobiography, reflecting on the author's life and future aspirations.

Learning how to start an autobiography involves captivating the reader's attention while providing context. Authors often employ engaging anecdotes, vivid descriptions, or thought-provoking statements related to the overarching theme of their lives. The goal is to draw readers in from the beginning and establish a connection between the author and the audience. In the introduction, authors can introduce themselves to the reader. This can be done by sharing a captivating snapshot of their life or posing a question that intrigues the audience. The autobiography introduction sets the tone for the entire narrative, providing a glimpse into the themes and events that will be explored in the autobiography.

The autobiography conclusion offers the culmination of the author's life story. Here, authors often summarize the key points and experiences shared throughout the narrative. It is a moment of reflection, where the author can offer insights into the significance of their journey and the lessons learned along the way. The conclusion may also touch on the author's current perspective, providing a sense of closure to the narrative while leaving room for future aspirations and growth.

Literary Forms of Autobiography

Autobiographies, while generally a non-fiction genre, can take on various literary forms and styles. Here are some literary forms commonly found in autobiographical works:

Traditional Autobiography

• The straightforward narrative of an individual's life, which is usually written by the person themselves. It follows a chronological order, covering significant events and experiences.
• Similar to an autobiography but often focusing on specific themes, periods, or aspects of the author's life rather than a comprehensive account. Memoirs often delve into personal reflections and emotions.

Diary or Journal Form

• Some autobiographies adopt the form of a diary or journal, presenting the author's life through dated entries. This format provides a more immediate and personal perspective.

Epistolary Autobiography

• Written in the form of letters, an epistolary autobiography may consist of the author addressing themselves or others. This style adds an intimate and conversational tone to the narrative.

Graphic Novel or Comic Memoir

• Autobiographical stories are presented in a graphic novel or comic format. Visual elements complement the written narrative, providing a unique and engaging way to convey personal experiences.

Experimental or Nonlinear Autobiography

• Some authors choose to play with the chronological order, presenting their life story non-linearly. This experimental approach can create a more artistic and challenging reading experience.

Biographical Fiction

• While not entirely autobiographical, some authors write fictionalized versions of their own lives. It allows for creative exploration and artistic liberties while drawing inspiration from real experiences.

Travelogue Autobiography

• Autobiographies that take on the form of a travelogue often focus on the author's journeys, both physical and metaphorical. The narrative is shaped by the places visited and the impact of these experiences on personal growth.

Essayistic Autobiography

• Autobiographies that incorporate elements of essays, exploring themes, ideas, and reflections on the author's life. This form allows for a more contemplative and philosophical approach.

Collaborative Autobiography

• Co-written autobiographies involve collaboration between the autobiographical subject and a professional writer. It is common when the subject may not be a writer but has a compelling story to share.

These literary forms highlight the versatility of autobiographical writing, showcasing how authors can creatively shape their life stories to engage readers in various ways. Are you working on other academic assignments? Use our term paper writing services to put your finger on any pending task at hand quickly and for a reasonable price.

How to Write an Autobiography in 5 Steps

Writing an autobiography can be a rewarding and reflective process. Here's a simplified guide in 5 steps to help you get started:

Step 1: Reflection and Brainstorming

Begin by reflecting on your life, considering important events, challenges, and moments of growth. Make a mental inventory of key experiences and people who have influenced you.

Step 2: Establish a Focus

Choose a central theme or focus for your autobiography. This could be a specific period of your life, a significant achievement, or a recurring theme that ties your experiences together. Having a clear focus will guide your writing.

Step 3: Create a Chronological Outline

Develop a rough chronological outline of your life story, starting from your early years and progressing through significant events to the present or another crucial point. Identify key moments and experiences to include in each section.

Step 4: Write with Detail and Emotion

An important aspect of writing an autobiography for college is appealing to emotion. As you delve into each body paragraph, share your story with vivid details. Use descriptive language to bring your experiences to life for the reader. Infuse your writing with emotion, allowing readers to connect with the depth of your personal journey.

Step 5: Conclude Reflectively

In the concluding section, summarize the key aspects of your life story. Reflect on the significance of your journey, the lessons you've learned, and how you've grown. Provide insights into your current perspective and aspirations for the future, bringing your autobiography to a thoughtful conclusion.

Writing Techniques to Use in an Autobiography

When you write an autobiography, the process involves employing various techniques to make the narrative engaging, evocative, and compelling. Here are some tips for writing autobiography commonly used in autobiographies:

Descriptive Language

• Use vivid and descriptive language to paint a detailed picture of events, people, and settings. Engage the reader's senses to create a more immersive experience.
• Incorporate dialogue to bring conversations to life. Direct quotes can provide authenticity and convey the personalities of the people involved.

Show, Don't Tell

• Instead of merely stating facts, show the emotions and experiences through actions, reactions, and sensory details. 

Flashbacks and Foreshadowing

• Employ flashbacks to delve into past events and foreshadowing to create anticipation about future developments. 

Metaphors and Similes

• Use metaphors and similes to enhance descriptions and convey complex emotions. Comparisons can make abstract concepts more relatable.
• Integrate symbols and motifs that hold personal significance. This adds depth to the narrative and can be a thematic thread throughout the autobiography.

Humor and Wit

• Infuse your writing with humor and wit when appropriate. 
• Introduce suspense by strategically withholding information or revealing key details at crucial moments. 

First-Person Perspective

• Utilize the first-person point of view to offer a direct and personal connection between the author and the reader. 

Dramatic Irony

• Introduce dramatic irony by revealing information to the reader that the author may not have known at the time.

Parallelism

• Create parallel structures within the narrative, drawing connections between different periods, events, or themes in your life. 

Experimenting with different styles can make your story more engaging and memorable for readers. If you haven’t used these techniques in your paper, simply say, ‘ edit my essay ,’ and our experts will imbue stylistic and creative devices in your document to increase its scholarly value.

Benefits of Writing an Autobiography

Working on an autobiography can be incredibly beneficial on a personal level. When you take the time to reflect on your life and put it into words, you gain a deeper understanding of yourself. It's like a journey of self-discovery where you uncover patterns, values, and beliefs that have shaped who you are. This process not only promotes self-awareness but can also help you grow and bounce back from tough times. Writing about challenging moments can be a therapeutic release, allowing you to confront and make sense of your experiences, leading to emotional healing.

On a broader scale, sharing your life story through an autobiography has its impact. It becomes a piece of history, offering insights into the times you've lived through, the culture around you, and societal changes. Your personal narrative connects you with others, creating empathy and understanding. Autobiographies often inspire people by showing that it's possible to overcome challenges, find purpose, and navigate the ups and downs of life. By sharing your story, you become a part of the larger human experience, contributing to a rich tapestry of diverse stories that help us better understand the shared journey of being human. Order an essay or any other type of task to streamline your educational progress is only a few clicks.

Best Piece of Advice for Making Your Autobiography Spot-on

The most valuable advice is to infuse authenticity into every word. Be genuine, raw, and honest about your experiences, emotions, and growth. Readers connect deeply with authenticity, and it's what makes your story uniquely yours. Don't shy away from expressing vulnerability, as it adds a human touch and makes your narrative relatable. Share the highs and lows, the triumphs and struggles, with sincerity, and let your true self shine through. This honesty not only enhances the impact of your autobiography but also contributes to a more profound connection between you and your readers, creating an authentic and memorable narrative. Here are additional tips for bringing your autobiography assignment up to par:

• Essential Details. Focus on key moments that significantly contribute to your story, avoiding unnecessary details.
• Thematic Cohesion. Introduce and explore recurring themes to add depth and coherence to your narrative.
• Authentic Expression. Embrace your unique voice, personality, and storytelling style to create an authentic connection with readers.
• Dialogue and Monologue. Use genuine dialogue and inner monologue to provide insights into your thoughts and emotions during pivotal moments.
• Symbolic Elements. Incorporate symbolic imagery or metaphors to convey deeper meanings and emotions.
• Strategic Foreshadowing. Use foreshadowing purposefully, providing subtle hints that contribute meaningfully to the overall narrative.
• Reflective Closure. Conclude your autobiography with a reflective summary that offers insights into the broader significance of your journey.

Our essay writers know many more tips regarding all possible types of academic tasks. If you ever find yourself in writer’s block, not knowing how to tackle any particular assignment, let us know!

Final Words

If you want to understand how to write a good autobiography, think of it as painting a vivid picture of your life for others to see. It's about being real, digging deep into your memories, and choosing the moments that really matter. Let your personality shine through in your writing – be yourself because that's what makes your story unique. Weave in themes that tie everything together, and use storytelling techniques like dialogue and symbolism to make your narrative come alive. And as you reach the end, leave your readers with some food for thought – a reflection on the bigger lessons learned from your journey. If you ever need assistance with this or any other college assignment, use our research paper services without hesitation.

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How to Write an Autobiography?

How to start an autobiography essay, what is the difference between autobiography and biography.

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Last updated on: Nov 20, 2023

Autobiography Examples – Detailed Outline and Samples

By: Barbara P.

Reviewed By: Melisa C.

Published on: Mar 22, 2023

We all have stories to tell. And, for some of us, the only way we feel like we can get our story out there is by writing it down. Some people may believe that an autobiography is something only famous people write about themselves but that is not true. 

In fact, anyone who has a story worth telling can write an autobiography. 

If you are assigned to write an autobiography in your high school or college and you are confused about where to start, don’t panic. 

You are at the right place.

Explore this detailed guide to understand the concept of writing an autobiography. It will also provide you with some great autobiography examples for a better understanding.

On this Page

What is an Autobiography?

An autobiography is a kind of the self-written story of a person's life. This type of narration has various aims and objectives that depend on the kind of writing that you decide to go with.

Moreover, it has different types. A writer can choose any of them on the basis of what he wants to include in his story.

AUTOBIOGRAPHY OUTLINE (PDF)

AUTOBIOGRAPHY TEMPLATE (PDF)

Struggling to understand the basics of autobiography? Check out this how to write an autobiography to understand the key prerequisite of autobiographies. 

Autobiography Types

Below-mentioned is the four main types of autobiography. These include:

1. Traditional Autobiography –  It is a complete story that covers all life experiences including birth, childhood, and adulthood. You can write it for personal use. However, if you feel that your life can be inspiring for others, you can also write it for the wider public.

2. Memoir –  It focuses on describing a specific event, relationship, time period, or place that has an effect on your personality and life. For example, it may include your hometown or an important relationship.

3. Personal Essay –  It is the idea of sharing your life story with the audience in a way that they feel as if they were a part of it. Similarly, it also describes two aspects including the event and how it affected the beliefs.

4. Confessional –  Some people find comfort in writing about their mistakes and sins. Thus, they write this type of autobiography so that people will learn from their mistakes and avoid them.

Paper Due? Why Suffer? That's our Job!

Examples are an essential way to learn something in less time. Therefore, we have stated some examples for you to write your autobiographies. These will also help to learn about a proper autobiography template and structure.

Have a look at these autobiography examples to get a better understanding.

Cultural Autobiography Examples

CULTURAL AUTOBIOGRAPHY (PDF)

Educational Autobiography Examples for Students 

EDUCATIONAL AUTOBIOGRAPHY (PDF)

Autobiography Examples For Class 6

Autobiography Examples For Grade 7

Autobiography Examples For College Students

Autobiography Examples About Yourself

Autobiography Examples Ks2

Famous Personality Autobiography

The autobiography of benjamin franklin is one example of a famous personality autobiography. Similarly, these famous autobiography examples will provide you with everything to get started with your famous personality autobiography.

FAMOUS PERSONALITY AUTOBIOGRAPHY (PDF)

Funny Autobiography

FUNNY AUTOBIOGRAPHY (PDF)

High School Autobiography

HIGH SCHOOL AUTOBIOGRAPHY (PDF)

Literary Autobiography Example

Literary Autobiography

Personal Autobiography

PERSONAL AUTOBIOGRAPHY (PDF)

Professional Autobiography

PROFESSIONAL AUTOBIOGRAPHY (PDF)

Struggling to understand the difference between memoir and autobiography? Check this guide with memoir vs autobiography examples to differentiate between the two terms.

Scientific Autobiography

SCIENTIFIC AUTOBIOGRAPHY (PDF)

Short Autobiography Examples for Students

SHORT AUTOBIOGRAPHY (PDF)

Autobiography Examples Books

Autobiography example books provide a detailed insight into the life of an individual. Through these real-life stories, readers get to know more about a person's experiences and how they overcame challenges. 

Book Autobiography Sample

Spiritual Autobiography Examples

Spiritual autobiographies are a great way to reflect on one's spiritual journey and the lessons learned along the way. Here is an example to help you out.

Spiritual Autobiography Sample

The Dos and Don'ts of an Autobiography

A successful autobiography indicates the author’s ability to present a worthwhile story. There are a wide variety of things that you can talk about while writing your personal narratives.

However, the following are some dos and don'ts of writing an autobiography that will help in refining your writing skills.

Some dos of writing an autobiography are:

• Understanding the Intended Audience

There is a huge difference when you are writing an autobiography for your friends or a group of strangers. Because it requires extensive details about life events and experiences. Thus, make sure to include facts that you consider significant.

• Developing A Core Concept

It is essential to identify the central theme of your autobiography. Moreover, a well-structured outline is also a proper way of associating one event with another. It will also set the interest of the readers by keeping the story consistent from the beginning to the end.

• Do Tell the Truth

Do not portray yourself as the hero or villain of the story. Instead, tell the truth and acknowledge your mistakes by exposing your strengths and weaknesses.

• Revising and Editing

Read aloud what you have written and do some editing. Check if your ideas flow logically and look out for interrupting thoughts.

• Do Seek Feedback

Ask your friends and family to read your work and provide you with feedback. Understand the difference between fair criticism and forced judgment.

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Don’ts of Writing an Autobiography

Below mentioned are some don'ts of writing an autobiography.

• Do Not Mention Unnecessary Details

Include relevant details and struggles when narrating your life story. Avoid adding unnecessary details. Instead, share the information that is directly related to your story.

• Stop Worrying About Others

Your story may contain some details that can have a negative effect on others. Do not worry about them and rearrange all the details.

Moreover, remember that you are not here to please everyone. Thus, avoid writing for a broader audience and make your story too generic and specific for the readers.

• Discuss Why Your Story Is Inspiring

If your main goal is to inspire people with your story, show them how you felt instead of telling them directly. Allow the audience to come to the conclusion through your writing style.

• Avoid Copying Someone's Story

It is a big mistake to copy someone's work to make your story compelling. Find the hook and unique points that are marketable. Also, think of all these details before you begin writing.

Autobiographies aim to educate and inform others in some ways. This blog has provided all the essential details to write an autobiography. You can generate even more samples of autobiography through our FREE AI-based paper writer . 

If you are still looking up “ who can write my essay? ”, relying on a professional expert is a good option. Make sure you select a reliable and top-ranked writing service, 5StarEssays.com . We guarantee you high-quality write essay services with zero percent plagiarism.

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Dr. Barbara is a highly experienced writer and author who holds a Ph.D. degree in public health from an Ivy League school. She has worked in the medical field for many years, conducting extensive research on various health topics. Her writing has been featured in several top-tier publications.

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• How to Write an Autobiography - A Complete Guide

• Know the Different Types of Autobiography Here

• Autobiography Format for Students - A Detailed Guide

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What is an Autobiography? Definition, Elements, and Writing Tips

POSTED ON Oct 1, 2023

Written by Audrey Hirschberger

What is an autobiography, and how do you define autobiography, exactly? If you’re hoping to write an autobiography, it’s an important thing to know. After all, you wouldn’t want to mislabel your book.

What sets an autobiography apart from a memoir or a biography? And what type of writing is most similar to an autobiography? Should you even write one? How? Today we will be discussing all things autobiographical, so you can learn what an autobiography is, what sets it apart, and how to write one of your own – should you so choose. 

But before we get into writing tips, we must first define autobiography. So what is an autobiography, precisely? 

Need A Nonfiction Book Outline?

This Guide to Autobiographies Contains Information On:

What is an autobiography: autobiography meaning defined.

What is an autobiography? It’s a firsthand recounting of an author’s own life. So, if you were to write an autobiography, you would be writing a true retelling of your own life events. 

Autobiography cannot be bound to only one type of work. What an autobiography is has more to do with the contents than the format. For example, autobiographical works can include letters, diaries, journals, or books – and may not have even been meant for publication. 

An autobiography is what many celebrities, government officials, and important social figures sit down to write at the end of their lives or distinguished careers. 

Of course, the work doesn’t have to cover your whole life. You can absolutely write an autobiography in your 20s or 30s if you’ve lived through events worth sharing!

If an autobiography doesn’t cover the entire lifespan of the author, it can start to get confused with another genre of writing. So what’s an autobiography most similar to? And how can you tell it apart from other genres of writing? Let’s dive into the details. 

What type of writing is most similar to an autobiography?

A memoir is undoubtedly what type of writing is most similar to an autobiography. So what is the difference between an autobiography vs memoir ?

Simply put, a memoir is a book that an author writes about their own life with the intention of communicating a lesson or message to the reader. It doesn’t need to be written in chronological order, and only contains pieces of the author’s life story. 

An autobiography, on the other hand, is the author’s life story from birth to present, and it’s much less concerned with theme than it is with communicating a “highlight reel” of the author’s biggest life events. 

In addition to memoirs, there is also some confusion between autobiography vs biography . A biography is a true story about someone’s life, but it is not about the author’s life. 

Is an autobiography always nonfiction?

When many people define autobiography, they say it is a true or “nonfiction” telling of an author’s life – but that’s not always the case.

There is actually such a thing as autobiographical fiction .

Autobiographical fiction refers to a story that is based on fact and inspired by the author’s actual experiences…but has made-up characters or events. Any element in the story can be embellished upon or fabricated. 

Even the information in a standard “nonfiction” autobiography should be taken with a grain of salt. After all, anything written from the author’s perspective may contain certain biases, distortions, or unconscious omissions within the text. 

So if being nonfiction isn’t a defining characteristic of an autobiography, what is an autobiography defined by? 

The key elements of an autobiography

What’s an autobiography like from cover to cover? It should contain these key elements:

• A personal narrative : It is a firsthand account of the author's life experiences.
• A chronological structure : An autobiography typically follows a chronological order, tracing the author's life from birth to present.
• Reflection and insight : The book should contain the author's reflections, insights, and emotions about key life events.
• Key life events : The book should highlight significant events, milestones, and challenges in the author's life.
• Setting and context : There should be descriptions of the time period, cultural background, and environment to help the reader understand the author’s life.
• Authenticity : The author should be honest and sincere in presenting their life story.
• A personal perspective : An autobiography is written from the author's unique point of view.
• A strong conclusion : The ending of the book should reflect on the author's current state or outlook.

Famous Autobiography Examples

Now that you know what an autobiography is, let’s look at some famous autobiography examples .

The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank (1947)

Perhaps no autobiography is more famous than The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank. Her diary chronicles her profound thoughts, dreams, and fears as she hides with her family in the walls during the Holocaust. 

Anne's words resonate with the enduring spirit of hope amid unimaginable darkness.

The Autobiography of Ben Franklin by Benjamin Franklin (1909)

Benjamin Franklin's autobiography follows Franklin’s life from humble origins to one of America's greatest forefathers. While originally intended as a collection of anecdotes for his son, this autobiography has become one of the most famous works of American literature. 

Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela (1994)

Long Walk to Freedom narrates Nelson Mandela's epic odyssey from South African prisoner to revered statesman. This masterpiece of an autobiography is a portrait of resilience against the backdrop of apartheid – and his words are a bastion for courage and human rights. 

Now you know what an autobiography is, and some examples of successful autobiographies, so it’s time to discuss what goes into actually writing one. 

Who Should Write an Autobiography?

Celebrity autobiographies are popular for a reason – the people who wrote them were already popular. 

The main purpose of an autobiography is to portray the life experiences and achievements of the author. If you haven’t made any massive achievements that people are already aware of, an autobiography might not be for you. Instead, you should learn how to write a memoir . 

After all, what’s an autobiography worth if no one reads it?

If you have made an important contribution to society, or have amassed a massive following of fans, then writing an autobiography could be a fabulous idea.

An autobiography is what allows you to claim your rightful place in history. It provides a legacy for your life, helps you to better understand your life’s journey, and can even be deeply therapeutic to write. 

But then comes the next problem: how to write an autobiography.

Tips on Writing Your Own Autobiography 

While memoirs are the books that teach life lessons, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give your autobiography meaning. The best autobiographies paint a vivid tapestry of personal growth and introspection. 

You don’t just want to tell the reader about your life – you want them to feel like they are living it with you.

And it’s not just about painting a picture with your prose. A lot of thought should go into everything from autobiography titles to page count. To get started, here are five tips for writing an autobiography:

• Know your audience : Understand who will read your autobiography and speak to them while writing.
• Be candid and authentic : A life seen through rose-colored glasses isn’t relatable. You should include your failures as well as your triumphs, and humanize yourself so your story resonates with your reader.
• Do your research : Of course you know what happened in your life, but how many details do you actually remember? You may need to sift through photos, archives, and diaries – and interview people close to you. Consider adding the photos to your book. 
• Identify key themes : Identify key events and life lessons that have shaped you. Reflect on how these themes have evolved over time.
• Edit and edit again : Write freely first, then edit rigorously. Seek feedback from trusted individuals and consider professional editing to ensure clarity and coherence in your narrative. NO ONE writes perfectly the first time. 

So there you have it, you are well on your way to understanding (and writing) an autobiography. 

If you'd still like more guidance for writing your autobiography, you can check out our free autobiography template . We can’t wait for you to share your life story with the world. 

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Have you ever thought about capturing your life's adventures in an autobiography but felt lost at the starting line? 

Writing an autobiography can be a great way to preserve your memories, share lessons learned, and connect with future generations. Your story could inspire others, or simply entertain readers with tales of adventure and personal growth.

But the question is, how do you even start?

In this blog, you will get everything you need to know to start writing your autobiography. With practical tips and inspiring examples, you can craft a compelling, honest, and deeply personal story that truly captures the essence of who you are.

So let’s dive in!

• 1. What is an Autobiography?
• 2. Types of Autobiographies 
• 3. How to Write an Autobiography?
• 4. Elements of Autobiography 
• 5. Autobiography vs. Biography 
• 6. Autobiography Examples
• 7. Tips For Crafting an Excellent Autobiography

What is an Autobiography?

An autobiography is a form of non-fiction narrative writing where the writer presents his/her own life. The purpose of an autobiography is to provide a firsthand account of the events and experiences from the author’s life.

An autobiography is a powerful way to tell your own story and leave a lasting legacy. Whether you're writing for yourself or for others, it can be a rewarding experience that helps you make sense of your life.

The Benefits of Writing an Autobiography 

Writing an autobiography offers profound benefits. Let’s take a look at some benefits: 

• Firstly, it serves as a therapeutic exercise , allowing individuals to reflect on their life journey. 
• Secondly, it preserves personal history , creating a tangible legacy for future generations. 
• Additionally, the process enhances communication skills , as authors articulate their experiences, emotions, and insights. Moreover, sharing one's story can inspire and resonate with others, fostering empathy and connection. 
• Lastly, crafting an autobiography hones writing abilities , promoting a structured narrative and introspective thinking. 

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Types of Autobiographies 

There are four main literary forms of autobiography. Let’s examine them one by one: 

Type 1 of 4: Intellectual Autobiography

In this form, individuals focus on their intellectual development, detailing the evolution of their thoughts, ideas, and knowledge. 

Examples include "The Story of My Experiments with Truth" by Mahatma Gandhi, where he reflects on his philosophical and political journey.

Type 2 of 4: Religious/Spiritual Autobiography

Centered around faith and spirituality, these autobiographies delve into an individual's religious experiences and beliefs. 

"The Confessions" by Saint Augustine is a classic example, chronicling his spiritual transformation and journey towards Christianity.

Type 3 of 4: Thematic Autobiography

Thematic autobiographies revolve around a specific theme or aspect of the author's life. It could be their career, relationships, or a particular passion.  An example is "Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert, which explores her journey of self-discovery through travel, spirituality, and love.

Type 4 of 4: Fictional Autobiography

This unique form blends reality with imagination. Authors may use their lives as a foundation but embellish or alter details to create a fictionalized narrative. 

"Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit" by Jeanette Winterson is an example, of blending autobiography with elements of fiction to explore her upbringing and coming-of-age.

Each type offers a distinctive lens through which authors can share their stories, allowing for diverse and engaging autobiographical narratives.

How to Write an Autobiography?

Writing an autobiography can be tough, especially if you don’t know where to begin. 

But don’t worry! Here is a simple step-by-step process that you can follow to write your autobiography.

Step 1. Read Some Autobiographies

Before you start writing your own autobiography, it is a great idea to read some autobiographies written by other authors.

This will give you an understanding of what makes a good autobiography and help you find inspiration for your own story.

There are many great autobiographies you could choose from.

For instance, you could read autobiographies by Nelson Mandela, Malcolm X, Maya Angelou, and many other authors. 

Step 2. Note Down Significant Events From Your Life

Take some time to reflect on your life and write down a list of significant events. This is the brainstorming phase. 

Try to think of events that changed or affected you, both positively and negatively. Think about how these events connect to each other and led to the person you are today.

Step 3. Choose a Theme to Focus on

Once you have your list of significant events, it is time to choose a theme to focus on. This could be something like overcoming adversity, learning from your mistakes, or a special turning point. 

Choose a theme that resonates with you and reflects the journey that you have been through in life.

Step 4. Reflect About Yourself

When writing an autobiography, you should ask the right questions. It will help you set the direction of your autobiography. Here are a few ideas that will help you reflect:

• What are your defining characteristics and qualities?
• How did different events shape you as a person?
• What challenges have you faced in your life, and how did you overcome them?
• What impact did other people (friends, family, teachers, etc.) have on your life?
• What are some of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
• What are the values that have motivated you at different stages of your life?

Step 5. Create an Outline

Once you have brainstormed and reflected on yourself, it is time to create an outline for your autobiography. 

This will help organize your thoughts and make it easier for you to write. Your outline should include the major events from your life, relevant details about those events, and how they are connected. 

You can structure your outline chronologically or thematically. Outlining will make sure that the structure of your work is logical.

Step 6. Start Writing the First Draft

Once you have finished your outline, it is time to start writing. 

Start an autobiography by introducing yourself and the story that you are about to tell.  Then, move on to writing about the significant events in your life. 

Remember to keep it simple and focus on the theme that you have chosen for your autobiography.  You can do that by simply sticking to the outline. This will help you create a cohesive story.

Step 7. Proofread, Edit, and Revise Your Work

Once you are done with the first draft of your autobiography, set it aside for a few days. Then come back to it and read it with a fresh pair of eyes.

Look out for any errors in grammar, spelling, or punctuation. Also, check if you have included all the relevant details that you wanted to include in your autobiography. 

If necessary, make changes and add more details wherever needed. Remember that proofreading and editing is an important part of the writing process, so take your time.

Step 8. Get Feedback

Once you are done with the editing and revising, you should get professional feedback before you publish your work.

Share your autobiography with family and friends who can give you honest feedback. This will help make sure that the story is cohesive and interesting to read. 

By getting feedback from other people, you can make sure that your autobiography is the best it can be. 

Now you know the instructions to learn how to write an autobiography. Make sure you follow the correct autobiography format to get your ideas across in an organized way. 

Elements of Autobiography 

Here are the five essential elements that must be included in your autobiography:

• Describing Your Origins:  An autobiography must include your personal origin story. For instance, where were you born, your family history, and how you grew up?
• Describing Significant Experiences: Your autobiography should describe events and personal experiences that shaped your life. These are the moments that readers are actually interested in and get inspired by.
• Reflection on Your Life Moments: Life is full of highs and lows. So reflect on important details and key events of your life. What life lessons have you learned? Which people and events shaped you as a person? Answering such questions can make your autobiography really valuable.
• Catchy and Compelling Title: The title must be compelling enough to reflect the person’s memories or struggles. So, having generic or boring titles won't do the job.
• First-Person Point-of-View: Autobiographies are written from a first-person narrative voice. Writing in the first person reinforces the fact that the writer is telling his/her own story.

Autobiographical Essay Structure

An autobiographical essay typically follows a chronological structure, guiding readers through key phases of the author's life.

Here is an autobiographical essay sample template:

Autobiography vs. Biography 

The major difference between a biography and an autobiography is that an autobiography is written by the subject themselves. Whereas, a biography is written by a third person.

Here are the key differences between autobiography vs. biography.

If you are interested in detailed reading about the differences between autobiography and biography check out our autobiography vs. biography blog!

Autobiography vs. Memoir

While memoirs and autobiographies share some similarities, there are several key differences between the two.

For instance, writing a memoir focuses on a specific period, experience, or theme in the author's life. In contrast, an autobiography is a comprehensive account of a person's life story from birth to the present day. 

Below are some key differences between an autobiography and a memoir but if you want to learn in detail read our autobiography vs. memoir blog!

To understand and learn more about memoirs, check out this video:  

Autobiography Examples

Now that you know what an autobiography is, you might want to read some good ones. So here are some great autobiographies you can start with:

• In Order To Live By Yeonmi Park (2015)
• Permanent Record By Edward Snowden (2019)
• Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela (1994)
• The Autobiography of Malcolm X (1965)
• I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai (2013)

Let's take a look at some how to write an autobiography sample pdfs which can help you write captivating autobiographies:

How To Write An Autobiography Introduction

How To Write An Autobiography Essay Example

How To Write An Autobiography About Yourself Examples

How To Write An Autobiography About Someone Else

How To Write An Autobiography of Myself Example

How To Write a Student Autobiography

How To Write an Autobiography For College

How To Write an Autobiography For School

Tips For Crafting an Excellent Autobiography

Here are some tips and techniques that will make your autobiography truly inspiring:

• Be Honest and Authentic: 

Your autobiography should be an honest reflection of your life experiences. So don't be afraid to be vulnerable and share personal details. Authenticity is key when it comes to writing a compelling autobiography.

• Focus on Key Themes and Ideas: 

Instead of trying to include every single detail, focus on key themes and ideas that are important to you. This will help you create a more cohesive and structured autobiography.

• Use Descriptive Language

To make your autobiography more engaging, use descriptive language that helps readers visualize your experiences. Use sensory details to describe the sights, sounds, and emotions of your memories.

• Show, Don't Tell 

Instead of simply telling readers what happened, show them through specific examples and anecdotes. This will help bring your experiences to life and make them more relatable.

• Use Dialogue

Including dialogue in your autobiography can make it feel more like a story and help readers connect with your experiences. Use dialogue to bring your characters to life and add depth to your writing.

• Keep Your Audience in Mind

When writing your autobiography, consider who your target audience is and what they might be interested in reading about. This can help you tailor your writing to your readers and make your autobiography more relatable and engaging.

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Writing Techniques to Use in an Autobiography

Writing an autobiography requires a thoughtful approach to convey your life story in a compelling and engaging manner. Here are some writing techniques you can use:

• Theme and Purpose: Clearly define the theme or purpose of your autobiography. What message or insight do you want to share with your readers? Understanding your purpose will help you structure your narrative.
• Clear Narrative: Maintain a clear and coherent narrative throughout your autobiography. Ensure that each chapter or section contributes to the overall story, and transitions smoothly from one event or period to the next.
• Chronological Order: Organize your life events in chronological order. This helps readers follow the natural progression of their lives and understand the cause-and-effect relationships between different events.
• Humor and Wit: If appropriate, inject humor into your narrative. Life often includes funny or ironic moments, and adding a touch of humor can make your autobiography more engaging and relatable.
• Symbolism and Metaphor: Use symbolism and metaphor to convey deeper meanings or themes. This can add layers to your storytelling and make your autobiography more thought-provoking.

By following these tips and techniques, you can craft an interesting autobiography that will attract and inspire your readers.

To conclude, 

Now you know what an autobiography is and how to write a perfect one. Writing your life story may not seem an easy task at first. But thinking and reflecting about the past will help you understand yourself better and write an amazing autobiography.   If it still sounds like a difficult task for you, don’t worry! 

MyPerfectWords.com is here to solve all your writing troubles. Get in touch with us and get your autobiography essay written by experts.

So don’t wait! Place your ' write my essay ' request today!

Frequently Asked Questions

What does an autobiography look like.

Autobiography is about famous people. Like a biography, your autobiography should include information about when and where you were born, how you are like other people who live in the same place, what you like to do, and special events that have happened to you.

What should a short autobiography include?

A short autobiography should include the following points:

• Your current job title
• Your company name or personal brand statement
• Your hometown
• Your alma mater
• Your personal and professional goals
• A relevant achievement or accomplishment
• Your hobbies

Is autobiography written in the first person?

An autobiography is a story about the author's life. It can be written in first-person, which means you can use "I" and "me." But most academic writing for college does not allow you to use I or me.

What are some autobiographical books?

Some popular autobiographical books are:

• "The Diary of Anne Frank" by Anne Frank, 
• “Long Walk To Freedom” by Nelson Mandela,
• "Tuesdays with Morrie" by Mitch Albom,
• “I Am Malala” by Malala Yousafzai, and 
• "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou. 

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Dr. Barbara is a highly experienced writer and author who holds a Ph.D. degree in public health from an Ivy League school. She has worked in the medical field for many years, conducting extensive research on various health topics. Her writing has been featured in several top-tier publications.

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Keep reading

How To Write An Autobiography

Autobiography Examples

Top Autobiography Examples & Samples For Your Help

Published on: Sep 10, 2021

Last updated on: Feb 12, 2024

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Share this article

An  autobiography  is a story of a person's life written down or told. They are interesting to read, but they can be even more interesting to write.

An autobiography is different from a biography. A biography is someone else's story about a person's life. But, an autobiography is the person's own story about their life.

This may make autobiographies more interesting to read than biographies. Also, they give the thoughts and feelings of the person rather than someone else's interpretation.

There are many different stories in the world. Uniquely telling your story is not easy. You need to describe what is happening to make the reader feel like they are right there with you.

In this blog, you will learn about some amazing examples of autobiographies. So, start reading now.

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Autobiography Examples For Students

An autobiography is the story of someone's life written by them. They might write about their hardships or success. Here are some examples of autobiographies that might inspire you to write your own.

Short Autobiography Examples

This is a good example of a creative and interesting autobiography to read. It will teach you how to write your own great autobiography.

Autobiography Examples For Class 6

Autobiography essays are not easy to write. They are different from other essays because they tell the story of a person's life experiences. Every person has a lot of interesting experiences, so it can be hard to choose which ones to write about.

For your help, we compiled an example that you can use for your help and make your writing process easy.

Autobiography Examples For Grade 7

Only you know yourself best. Writing an autobiography is a great way to share your life with others. Everyone has a story to tell, and writing an autobiography is one way to leave your mark on history.

Here is an example that gives you a better idea of sharing your life story with others.

Autobiography Examples For College Students

An autobiography is a text that tells your life story. It can be in the form of a  memoir , which is more informal or more formal. Autobiographies can be written for different reasons:

• To introduce yourself to the world.
• To get into a program at school, for a job, volunteering, etc.

You can find more ideas for an autobiography from this example.

Note: As a college student, you might encounter confusion distinguishing between an autobiography and a statement of purpose . While both involve personal narratives, autobiographies provide a comprehensive life story, while statements of purpose focus on specific goals and qualifications for academic or professional opportunities. Understanding their distinct purposes and structures can help streamline your application processes effectively.

Autobiography Examples For High School Students

An autobiography is a self-written biography that someone writes about themselves. They might write about all of their life or just some parts. They do this to share their experiences, put them in a larger cultural or historical context, and entertain the reader.

Take a look at the below example and create a well-written one without any mistakes.

Spiritual Autobiography Examples

A spiritual autobiography is your life story. In it, you write about how God has been present in your life. This includes your journey in and out of organized religion and everything spiritual.

Writing your spiritual autobiography is a chance for you to identify specific experiences with God. You will then reflect on how those experiences have impacted you.

Below is an example for your ease.

Autobiography Examples in Literature

An autobiography is a book written by somebody about their own life. It tells the story of the author’s life, accomplishments, things they have done, etc.

The following is an example that can help you better understand how to write an autobiography.

Cultural Autobiography Examples

A cultural autobiography is more than just telling your life story. Your cultural identity reveals your beliefs and ideas about culture. It also shows how culture affects different cultural groups that make up who you are.

You may want to write a cultural autobiography better to understand yourself and your culture's role in your life. It is important to be aware of your own cultural identity in a multicultural world and be open to other cultures.

An example of a perfect cultural autobiography is below for your help.

Educational Autobiography Examples

The educational autobiography is a way to tell your life story. This type of autobiography includes what you did in school and how it affected other parts of your life.

Take a look at this example to see how to write a good educational autobiography.

Social Class Autobiography Examples

In most sociology classes, students are assigned to write a socio-autobiography. This assignment helps them understand that the subject is relevant to their daily lives. Your interactions with society have a big impact on who you become as a person.

Writing your social class autobiography is a great way to show people how you fit into society. The following example will show what kind of social autobiography looks like.

Autobiography Examples For Kids

Children are often encouraged to write an autobiography, but few people recognize the importance of this task. Everyone has something special from their childhood that they should remember and reflect on. Writing about your life is a good way to do this.

There are many different ways to write an autobiography. If you are writing about yourself, it is best to start by writing about your early life and work experience.

You can also mention your school experiences. After that, you can write about other topics that may be of interest to readers, like your hobbies or interests.

Here is an example that will help in starting an autobiography.

We all have the opportunity to write our own story, but it doesn't always come easy. If writing about yourself seems difficult, then follow the examples mentioned above.

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autobiography

Definition of autobiography

Examples of autobiography in a sentence.

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'autobiography.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

auto- + biography , perhaps after German Autobiographie

1797, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing autobiography

• semi - autobiography

Dictionary Entries Near autobiography

autobiographist

Cite this Entry

“Autobiography.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/autobiography. Accessed 17 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of autobiography, more from merriam-webster on autobiography.

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for autobiography

Nglish: Translation of autobiography for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of autobiography for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about autobiography

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Definition of Biography

A biography is the non- fiction , written history or account of a person’s life. Biographies are intended to give an objective portrayal of a person, written in the third person. Biographers collect information from the subject (if he/she is available), acquaintances of the subject, or in researching other sources such as reference material, experts, records, diaries, interviews, etc. Most biographers intend to present the life story of a person and establish the context of their story for the reader, whether in terms of history and/or the present day. In turn, the reader can be reasonably assured that the information presented about the biographical subject is as true and authentic as possible.

Biographies can be written about a person at any time, no matter if they are living or dead. However, there are limitations to biography as a literary device. Even if the subject is involved in the biographical process, the biographer is restricted in terms of access to the subject’s thoughts or feelings.

Biographical works typically include details of significant events that shape the life of the subject as well as information about their childhood, education, career, and relationships. Occasionally, a biography is made into another form of art such as a film or dramatic production. The musical production of “Hamilton” is an excellent example of a biographical work that has been turned into one of the most popular musical productions in Broadway history.

Common Examples of Biographical Subjects

Most people assume that the subject of a biography must be a person who is famous in some way. However, that’s not always the case. In general, biographical subjects tend to be interesting people who have pioneered something in their field of expertise or done something extraordinary for humanity. In addition, biographical subjects can be people who have experienced something unusual or heartbreaking, committed terrible acts, or who are especially gifted and/or talented.

As a literary device, biography is important because it allows readers to learn about someone’s story and history. This can be enlightening, inspiring, and meaningful in creating connections. Here are some common examples of biographical subjects:

• political leaders
• entrepreneurs
• historical figures
• serial killers
• notorious people
• political activists
• adventurers/explorers
• religious leaders
• military leaders
• cultural figures

Famous Examples of Biographical Works

The readership for biography tends to be those who enjoy learning about a certain person’s life or overall field related to the person. In addition, some readers enjoy the literary form of biography independent of the subject. Some biographical works become well-known due to either the person’s story or the way the work is written, gaining a readership of people who may not otherwise choose to read biography or are unfamiliar with its form.

Here are some famous examples of biographical works that are familiar to many readers outside of biography fans:

• Alexander Hamilton (Ron Chernow)
• Prairie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder (Caroline Fraser)
• Steve Jobs (Walter Isaacson)
• Churchill: A Life (Martin Gilbert)
• The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary (Simon Winchester)
• A Beautiful Mind (Sylvia Nasar)
• The Black Rose (Tananarive Due)
• John Adams (David McCullough)
• Into the Wild ( Jon Krakauer )
• John Brown (W.E.B. Du Bois)
• Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo (Hayden Herrera)
• The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (Rebecca Skloot)
• Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln (Doris Kearns Goodwin)
• Shirley Jackson : A Rather Haunted Life ( Ruth Franklin)
• the stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit (Michael Finkel)

Difference Between Biography, Autobiography, and Memoir

Biography, autobiography , and memoir are the three main forms used to tell the story of a person’s life. Though there are similarities between these forms, they have distinct differences in terms of the writing, style , and purpose.

A biography is an informational narrative and account of the life history of an individual person, written by someone who is not the subject of the biography. An autobiography is the story of an individual’s life, written by that individual. In general, an autobiography is presented chronologically with a focus on key events in the person’s life. Since the writer is the subject of an autobiography, it’s written in the first person and considered more subjective than objective, like a biography. In addition, autobiographies are often written late in the person’s life to present their life experiences, challenges, achievements, viewpoints, etc., across time.

Memoir refers to a written collection of a person’s significant memories, written by that person. Memoir doesn’t generally include biographical information or chronological events unless it’s relevant to the story being presented. The purpose of memoir is reflection and an intention to share a meaningful story as a means of creating an emotional connection with the reader. Memoirs are often presented in a narrative style that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Examples of Biography in Literature

An important subset of biography is literary biography. A literary biography applies biographical study and form to the lives of artists and writers. This poses some complications for writers of literary biographies in that they must balance the representation of the biographical subject, the artist or writer, as well as aspects of the subject’s literary works. This balance can be difficult to achieve in terms of judicious interpretation of biographical elements within an author’s literary work and consideration of the separate spheres of the artist and their art.

Literary biographies of artists and writers are among some of the most interesting biographical works. These biographies can also be very influential for readers, not only in terms of understanding the artist or writer’s personal story but the context of their work or literature as well. Here are some examples of well-known literary biographies:

Example 1:  Savage Beauty: The Life of Edna St. Vincent Millay  (Nancy Milford)

One of the first things Vincent explained to Norma was that there was a certain freedom of language in the Village that mustn’t shock her. It wasn’t vulgar. ‘So we sat darning socks on Waverly Place and practiced the use of profanity as we stitched. Needle in, . Needle out, piss. Needle in, . Needle out, c. Until we were easy with the words.’

This passage reflects the way in which Milford is able to characterize St. Vincent Millay as a person interacting with her sister. Even avid readers of a writer’s work are often unaware of the artist’s private and personal natures, separate from their literature and art. Milford reflects the balance required on the part of a literary biographer of telling the writer’s life story without undermining or interfering with the meaning and understanding of the literature produced by the writer. Though biographical information can provide some influence and context for a writer’s literary subjects, style, and choices , there is a distinction between the fictional world created by a writer and the writer’s “real” world. However, a literary biographer can illuminate the writer’s story so that the reader of both the biography and the biographical subject’s literature finds greater meaning and significance.

Example 2:  The Invisible Woman: The Story of Nelly Ternan and Charles Dickens  (Claire Tomalin)

The season of domestic goodwill and festivity must have posed a problem to all good Victorian family men with more than one family to take care of, particularly when there were two lots of children to receive the demonstrations of paternal love.

Tomalin’s literary biography of Charles Dickens reveals the writer’s extramarital relationship with a woman named Nelly Ternan. Tomalin presents the complications that resulted for Dickens from this relationship in terms of his personal and family life as well as his professional writing and literary work. Revealing information such as an extramarital relationship can influence the way a reader may feel about the subject as a person, and in the case of literary biography it can influence the way readers feel about the subject’s literature as well. Artists and writers who are beloved , such as Charles Dickens, are often idealized by their devoted readers and society itself. However, as Tomalin’s biography of Dickens indicates, artists and writers are complicated and as subject to human failings as anyone else.

Example 3:  Virginia Woolf  (Hermione Lee)

‘A self that goes on changing is a self that goes on living’: so too with the biography of that self. And just as lives don’t stay still, so life-writing can’t be fixed and finalised. Our ideas are shifting about what can be said, our knowledge of human character is changing. The biographer has to pioneer, going ‘ahead of the rest of us, like the miner’s canary, testing the atmosphere , detecting falsity, unreality, and the presence of obsolete conventions’. So, ‘There are some stories which have to be retold by each generation’. She is talking about the story of Shelley, but she could be talking about her own life-story.

In this passage, Lee is able to demonstrate what her biographical subject, Virginia Woolf, felt about biography and a person telling their own or another person’s story. Literary biographies of well-known writers can be especially difficult to navigate in that both the author and biographical subject are writers, but completely separate and different people. As referenced in this passage by Lee, Woolf was aware of the subtleties and fluidity present in a person’s life which can be difficult to judiciously and effectively relay to a reader on the part of a biographer. In addition, Woolf offers insight into the fact that biographers must make choices in terms of what information is presented to the reader and the context in which it is offered, making them a “miner’s canary” as to how history will view and remember the biographical subject.

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