how to write an autobiography high school

Writing an Autobiography Lesson Plan

This step-by-step Autobiography Lesson Plan guides students through the entire writing process, from initial reading to the final polished product. For a more comprehensive worksheet , be sure to check out our detailed post. Additionally, you can find our highly-rated autobiography lesson plan worksheet available in our store.

Table of Contents

Introduction.

Writing an autobiography allows students to reflect on their personal experiences and express their identities through storytelling.

This lesson plan guides students through the process of writing their own autobiographies, helping them develop skills in brainstorming, drafting, editing, and finalizing their work.

By the end of the lesson, students will have created a polished autobiographical piece that captures significant moments of their lives.

To get a PDF Format Worksheet, check this lesson plan in our store:

• Writing An Autobiography Worksheet (PDF)

Lesson Plan Overview

• Level: Intermediate to Advanced
• Objective: Students will learn how to write an autobiography, focusing on the process of idea generation, drafting, editing, and finalizing their work.
• Whiteboard and markers
• Graphic organizers
• Editing checklists
• Access to a computer lab for typing final drafts
• Optional: Students’ personal photos for illustrations
• Timing: 2 Sessions

Writing an Autobiography Lesson Plan: Lesson Steps

1. Introduction to Autobiography (10-15 minutes)

• Reading Activity: Start the lesson by engaging students in a discussion to define what an autobiography is. To introduce the concept, you can read a short autobiographical excerpt from a well-known figure, or present a fictional example like the one provided below. Highlight and discuss the key elements of an autobiography, including the personal narrative, significant life events, and the writer’s reflections. Encourage students to think about how these elements work together to tell a compelling and authentic life story.

Autobiography Example

My Journey So Far

My name is Emily Thompson, and I was born on May 12, 2005, in the small town of Cedar Grove. Growing up in a close-knit community, I spent most of my childhood playing in the vast fields behind our house and exploring the woods with my younger brother, Sam. My parents, both teachers, instilled in me a love for learning and curiosity about the world.

From a young age, I was fascinated by stories—both reading them and making up my own. This passion for storytelling led me to start writing short stories and keeping a journal, where I documented my daily experiences and thoughts. My love for words continued to grow as I entered school, where English quickly became my favorite subject.

In middle school, I joined the school newspaper, where I had the chance to write articles and interview my classmates. This experience taught me the importance of communication and the power of sharing different perspectives. It was also during this time that I discovered my love for photography, which became another way for me to tell stories.

High school brought new challenges and opportunities. I became involved in the drama club, where I could combine my love for writing and storytelling with my newfound interest in acting. Playing various roles on stage helped me understand different characters and their motivations, deepening my empathy and understanding of people.

Now, as I prepare to graduate, I look back on my journey with gratitude. Every experience, whether big or small, has shaped who I am today—a curious, creative, and compassionate individual with a love for stories in all forms. As I move forward, I hope to continue exploring new ways to tell stories and connect with others through my words and images.

• To help students organize and extract key information from the fictional autobiography, you can create a simple chart with the following headings:
• Discussion: Engage the class in a discussion about why people write autobiographies and what they can learn from reading them. This sets the stage for students to think about their own lives as stories worth telling.

2. Brainstorming Ideas (10-15 minutes)

• Group Work: Ask students to brainstorm ideas about the information they could include in their autobiographies. Encourage them to think about major life events, achievements, challenges, family background, and personal interests.
• Board Work: Write all the ideas mentioned by the students on the board. This will serve as a collective pool of ideas that students can draw from as they begin writing.

3. Organizing Information and Drafting (5-10 minutes)

• Graphic Organizer: In groups, students organize the brainstormed information into categories, such as “Early Life,” “School Experiences,” “Family and Friends,” “Hobbies and Interests,” and “Future Goals.” Use a graphic organizer to help them structure their thoughts clearly.
• Drafting: Each student uses their graphic organizer to write a rough draft of their autobiography. Remind them to focus on telling their story in a clear, engaging way, and to include details that will make their narrative unique and personal.

4. Peer Editing (10-15 minutes)

• Are the events presented in a logical order?
• Is the language clear and appropriate for the audience?
• Are there any spelling or grammatical errors?
• Feedback: Encourage constructive feedback, focusing on both strengths and areas for improvement. This collaborative editing process helps students refine their work.

5. Final Draft and Presentation (10-20 minutes)

• Typing: Once edits are complete, students use the computer lab to type their final drafts. If possible, they can add personal photos as illustrations to enhance their autobiographies.
• Optional: Have students create a cover page for their autobiography, including a title and their name.

6. Follow-Up Activity (5-10 minutes)

• Exchange and Homework: Students exchange their autobiographies with a classmate. For homework, they read each other’s work and identify similarities and differences between their own life stories and those of their classmates.
• Class Discussion: In the next session, hold a class discussion where students can share their reflections on the similarities and differences they found. This activity not only reinforces their understanding of autobiographical writing but also fosters a sense of community as students learn more about each other.

This autobiography lesson plan provides a comprehensive framework for students to explore their personal histories while developing their writing skills. Through brainstorming, organizing, drafting, editing, and finalizing their autobiographies, students gain confidence in their ability to express themselves and share their stories with others.

Related Pages

• Autobiography Meaning and Example: A Comprehensive Guide
• Writing An Autobiography Worksheet For ESL Students
• Writing Lessons

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How To Write An Autobiography

Autobiography Format

Simple Autobiography Format for Students to Follow

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How to Write a Memoir: Everything You Need to Know

An autobiography is a self-written life story that offers a great level of intimacy to readers.

Writing an autobiography  is not a big deal if you are aware of the writing routine and have a format outline in hand.

There is no set pattern for writing an autobiography. Your story can take any form or structure as long as it is expressive and informative. However, you have to make an outline and choose one of the many possible writing styles.

In this blog, we will discuss a basic autobiography format that you can follow to get your story out into the world.

• 1. Types of Autobiography Formats
• 2. Components of an Autobiography Format
• 3. Autobiography Format Sample

Types of Autobiography Formats

There are many  types of autobiography styles that you can choose for writing about yourself. Let’s take a look at the most common autobiography formats that can help you get started.

Traditional Autobiography

It covers the person’s life from birth to the present time. These are in the form of complete books with several chapters, each recounting a specific phase of the writer’s life.

Famous examples include “The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin” and “The Long Walk to Freedom” by Nelson Mandela.

This format of autobiography focuses on certain moments or themes in a person’s life, such as philosophical, historical, religious, etc.

The main difference between autobiography vs. memoir is that an autobiography covers the writer’s whole life, whereas a memoir shares a specific personal memory. “The Diary of a Young Girl” by Anne Frank is an example of a famous memoir.

Personal Narratives

It is more narrow type of writing than a memoir. Simply put, it is just an essay about yourself. As a rule of thumb, it focuses on one moment at a time and expands the experience through dialogues. This is the most common type of assignment in high school and colleges.

These are short chapters that cover one specific event at a time. It focuses on a brief description, account, or episode.

A collection of vignettes can be published as a complete piece of work. However, each chapter in the collection does not necessarily relate to the other.

Graphic Novels

A unique genre in which drawings and cartoon panels are used to convey a true story. This form of writing is accompanied by drawn scenes and depictions from the author’s life.

Drama or Scripts

This is a form in which one can explore autobiographical topics through dialogues in film or on a stage.

However, presenting your life through a drama or script sometimes requires you to add a few fictional elements. That’s why such works claim to be “based on a true story” rather than depicting true events as they happened.

Remember, the most accepted autobiography format is chronological. This means writing about the life story in the order in which it happened.

Components of an Autobiography Format

Writing an autobiography is an easy task if you plan ahead and have a format outline in hand. Here is a proper autobiography format for students.

Write the title of your work at the top of your page in bold font. Remember, you can come back and change your title at any time. You might come up with the perfect title at the end of the writing process.

Here are some tips to help you choose the best title for your autobiography:

• Reflect on Themes: Consider the overarching themes or key moments in your life. What aspects do you want to highlight? Family, career, personal growth, overcoming challenges, etc. Use these themes as inspiration.
• Emotional Impact: Think about the emotions you want to evoke in your readers. Whether it's joy, resilience, inspiration, or introspection, a title that resonates emotionally can make your autobiography more memorable.
• Be Authentic: Choose a title that authentically represents your story. Avoid sensationalizing or misleading titles; instead, opt for one that reflects your true experiences and personality.
• Memorable Phrases: Look through your autobiography for any memorable phrases, quotes, or expressions that capture the essence of your journey. These can serve as a great foundation for your title.

2. Dedication

Write about the person to whom you would like to dedicate your work. Better leave this part until last, as working through your autobiography will trigger many memories. So you might dedicate your work to more than one person.

3. Table of Contents

Once you are done with the writing, compile your table of contents as it will help the readers to easily navigate.

4. Acknowledgments

This is the section where you need to thank everyone who has helped you in composing your autobiography from start to end. Show your gratitude and appreciation in a few beautiful and inspirational lines.

5. Foreword

Here you need to jot down all the reasons for writing the autobiography. Discuss the purpose of writing it and what you want to achieve from it. A good approach is to include brief thoughts in this section, as it will help you stay focused throughout the writing process.

6. Introduction

Start your autobiography with an attention-grabbing introduction to pique your readers’ interest from the start and keep them reading until the end. This part should be clear, concise and to the point.

7. Body Section

Create a series of headings and subheadings in your autobiography format outline. Write your autobiography based on chronological events. Link all the information in an interesting story format. Include relevant material under each section, such as dates, experiences, etc.

8. Conclusion

Present your final thoughts in the end. Look back on your work and think about what you have learned from the experience and how it has changed you. Tie up all the information in an interesting manner for a perfect ending.

9. Memorabilia

The “memorabilia'' at the end of autobiographies generally refers to additional material or documents such as pictures, medals, letters, etc. These are meant to highlight some special moments, include some memorabilia 

You can include elements such as:

• Photographs: A collection of personal photographs featuring the author, family members, friends, and significant events in the author's life.
• Documents: Reproductions of important documents, letters, or handwritten notes that hold significance in the author's story.
• Artifacts: In some cases, authors may include images or descriptions of physical items, objects, or artifacts that have personal meaning to them.
• Timeline: A chronological timeline summarizing key events in the author's life, which can serve as a quick reference for readers.
• Maps: Maps highlight important locations or places mentioned in the autobiography, especially if the author has had a diverse or international life.

Once finished writing, compile the index to help the readers locate the information in the autobiography.

The index at the end of a book is a list of terms, names, and subjects, along with the page numbers where they can be found in the book. It serves as a helpful reference for readers who want to quickly locate specific information within the text.

The above format is simple and easy to use, but the actual writing process can be a real challenge. So spend hours of time brainstorming your ideas and memories in detail before getting started. 

Autobiography Format Sample

Autobiography is like a personal story where the writer shares his/her personal life events. It is based on facts, and every person has something different to share with readers. 

It revolves around the writer’s childhood, family members, career, relationships, and life experiences. Here is a sample paper of a short autobiography format for college students that can be used as a reference. 

Sample of Autobiography Format

In addition, here are a few autobiography format examples for middle school and high school students:

Autobiography Format Class 6

Autobiography Format Class 7

Autobiography Format Class 8

Self Autobiography Format Class 12

Finally, we have provided an MLA autobiography format that you can refer to. 

Best Autobiography Format Example MLA

Want to go through some sample autobiographies? Head to our blog to find more autobiography examples to read and learn from.

To conclude,

Your autobiography is your story, and it’s up to you to decide how you want to write it. Still, with the help of this blog, you’re now aware of the basic format and elements that you should include for a successful autobiography.

Although the above guide should help you grasp the idea of how to write an autobiography, don't expect it to be an easy task. 

There are too many things that you have to take care of for writing an autobiography worth reading. Such writing tasks take a lot of time and can be pretty daunting at some point.

If you have never dealt with such a writing task before and are looking for help, you are in the right place. Our expert writers can handle any type of writing with great expertise.

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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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