What Is An Autobiography?
An autobiography is a description of a person’s life written by that person himself/herself.
Writing an autobiography is different from a biography, although both describe the character of the story of one's life.
The aim of writing an autobiography is to describe the achievements and life experiences of the narrator. The autobiography format typically starts with early childhood and chronologically lists down life experiences.
These include information about a person’s young adulthood, career, life choices, achievements, and the difficulties they face along the way.
Key Traits Of An Autobiography
- Written in the first person
- More subjective than biographies
- Broad in scope, often covers the writer’s entire life up to the present
- Inform and explain the motive behind the subject’s actions
Now, have a look at a couple of examples of an autobiography.
The “Story of My Life” by Helen Keller is a famous example of an autobiography.
Here is another example of an autobiography for you to understand the key traits in a better manner:
You can also refer to some more autobiography examples online to get inspiration and write about your life.
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What Is A Biography?
A biography is the story of a person’s life written by someone else. Usually, people write biographies about famous personalities and characters.
Since the writer is telling the story of a certain particular individual, that’s why biographies include a third-person perspective.
Like an autobiography, biographies also cover the entire subject’s life. So, it is important to include details about birthplace, education, childhood, relationships, etc.
Key Traits Of A Biography
- Written in the third person point of view
- Follows chronological order
- More formal than autobiographies
- Cover the subject’s entire life
- Requires more research and fact-checking to ensure all the details are correct
Now, have a look at a couple of examples of a biography.
“His Excellency: George Washington” by Joseph J. Ellis and “Steve Jobs” by Walter Isaacson are some of the most notable examples of a biography.
Look at an example to help you understand better:
Key Difference Between Biography vs Autobiography
Look at the most significant differences between autobiography and biography in the following table:
Aspect | Biography | Autobiography |
Author | Written by a different person about the subject. | Written by the person who is the subject of the book. |
Permission | May require permission but not always necessary. | No permission is needed, as the author writes their own story. |
Perspective | Gathers perspectives from multiple sources, offering various viewpoints. | Limited to the author's personal view, which may include bias. |
Narrative Perspective | Uses third-person pronouns like “He/She/They.” | Uses first-person pronoun “I” to narrate. |
Connection With Readers | Has a more detached tone, creating a distant connection. | Builds a closer, more intimate bond with readers. |
Purpose | To inform readers about a person’s life and accomplishments. | To share the author's personal life journey and insights. |
What Are The Similarities Between Biography And Autobiography?
Mentioned are some of the most common characteristics:
- Non-fiction: Both are factual accounts of a real person's life.
- Timeline: They follow a chronological order of events in the subject's life.
- Purpose: Aim to inform and inspire readers by sharing life stories and achievements.
- Focus/Subject: Centered on a specific individual, highlighting their experiences, challenges, and impact.
Autobiography vs. Biography Examples
Here is a detailed example of each to get a better understanding of the concepts:
Comparison of the Examples: While Maya's autobiography offers an intimate and personal narrative, Thompson's biography provides a more comprehensive view, incorporating external perspectives and societal contexts to present a multi-faceted portrayal of Maya Johnson's life. |
How Are These Writings Different From A Memoir?
A memoir is similar to an autobiography as it is also the story of a person’s life written by that individual himself or herself.
The main difference between autobiography and memoir is that a memoir focuses on reflecting and establishing an emotional connection.
Writing a memoir not only presents the facts but also provides a personal and memorable story about the major happenings in their life. Whereas a biography provides full contextual information that reads like a novel but is non-fiction in nature.
“The Diary of a Young Girl” by Anne Frank is a famous example of a historic memoir.
Autobiography vs. Biography vs. Memoir: Comparison Chart
Want to know more about autobiography vs. biography vs. memoir meaning and the key differences and similarities?
Here is a comparison chart for your help:
Autobiography | Biography | Memoir |
A self-written account of one's own life journey. | A detailed account of a person's life, written by someone else. | A narrative focusing on personal experiences or a particular time in the author’s life. |
Written in first person, providing a direct personal perspective. | Typically written in the third-person perspective, giving an outsider's view. | Also written in the first person, sharing personal insights and emotions. |
Often subjective, sharing personal viewpoints and reflections. | Aims to be objective, based on verified facts and research. | Subjective, highlighting personal emotions and individual reactions. |
Facts and events are presented as remembered by the author. | Information comes from sources such as interviews, documents, and the subject’s acquaintances. | Events are described based on the author’s direct experiences and feelings. |
Created to share the author’s motivations, thoughts, and choices throughout their life. | Written to educate readers and provide a clear understanding of the person’s life and impact. | Meant to explore the feelings and emotions tied to specific events or experiences. |
Offers an intimate look into the author’s thoughts, emotions, and reflections. | Limited insight into the subject’s inner thoughts and feelings. | Gets deeply into personal thoughts, reactions, and emotional reflections. |
Usually written later in life, capturing a broad view of the author’s journey. | Can be created at any time, as it’s based on research rather than firsthand experience. | Can be written at any stage, focusing on significant experiences or phases. |
Major Benefits Of Writing An Autobiography, Biography, & Memoir
Have a look at the primary advantages of writing these types of texts.
- Preserving History: Captures personal or historical events for future generations.
- Inspiring Others: Shares valuable life lessons and experiences that motivate readers.
- Self-Reflection: For autobiographies and memoirs, writing encourages self-discovery and understanding.
- Building Empathy: Offers readers a deeper connection to the lives and perspectives of others.
All in all,
Hopefully, the above guide helps you understand the difference between an autobiography, a biography, and a memoir. For a successful autobiography, you need to tell your story in a way to make your readers feel in your place.
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