The Ultimate Guide on How to Write an Autobiography

Learn how to write an autobiography about yourself, understand key differences between autobiography vs biography, and autobiography vs Memoir

Have you ever tried writing an autobiography as a school/college assignment? I am certain you would have. It’s a typical academic assignment; if you are a student, you will likely come across this task sooner or later. 

There is a lot more to be able to describe your life on paper than meets the eye. Writing an autobiography will introduce you to people and help you get to know yourself better. This article touches on everything you need to know to complete the task. Even more useful if the one reading this article is a writer. 

Before we discuss how to write an autobiography, let us first have a look at what an autobiography is. 

What is an Autobiography? 

An autobiography is a work of self-writing that covers the course of the author’s life. It is a nonfiction account of a person’s life told from their perspective. It also provides readers with an unmatched level of intimacy because it is a first-person narrative. 

Structure of an Autobiography:

Autobiographies are traditionally written chronologically. However, Joseph Campbell’s ‘Hero’s Journey’ structure’ is slightly different from the conventional structure. A “hero’s journey” format can grab a reader’s attention and compels them to read more.

Autobiography vs Biography

Biography and autobiography are classic literary forms that depict a person’s character traits and life story. The major difference is that a biography is an individual’s life story written by someone else. At the same time, an autobiography is an expression of a person’s life written by the author. 

An autobiography is written in the first-person perspective, whereas a biography is written in the third-person perspective. Similarly, an autobiography is intended to express the narrator’s life experiences and accomplishments. In contrast, a biography introduces and informs readers about the subject and his life. Here’s a summary of autobiography vs biography:

Autobiography vs Memoir

These two terms are used interchangeably. Hence the confusion is valid. The memoir focuses only on a part of the author’s life, while autobiography usually covers the author’s entire life. A memoir is not as comprehensive as an autobiography. 

An autobiography is usually about a famous personality, but a memoir can be about any person, famous or not. In addition, memoirs are lenient with the chronological order of events, unlike an autobiography that sticks to a traditional form of arranging incidents. 

Before you learn how to write an autobiography, it’s important to understand the types of autobiography writing:

Types of Autobiography Writing:

1. Full Autobiography 

A full Autobiography is a comprehensive piece of writing wherein the author gives an account of his entire life. Everything is covered in this writing from birth to the present.

Writing an autobiography could be to leave a lasting impression, inspire the masses, or make peace with the past. The author may choose this type of writing, especially when their life differs completely from others. 

2. Autobiography essay for college

This autobiographical writing is generally submitted along with your other required documents for admission. With the help of this essay, you intend to introduce yourself to the admission officers and convince them that you are an eligible fit. 

To write a solid autobiographical essay for college, students must put together an exceptional conclusion where they summarize their papers’ arguments or leave a strong message.

3. Memoirs 

A minor difference between a memoir and an autobiography is that a memoir talks about a specific incident or time in the author’s life, unlike an autobiography. It discusses a time or an incident in detail.

Memoirs are often written from the first-person point of view. The authors limit the narration to their own experiences and avoid incorporating other people’s stories.

4. Personal Essay

A personal essay, the shortest style of autobiographical writing, is the type of writing where you share your own story. To be precise, it is an essay about oneself. You put your thoughts and emotions into it to make it personal. This writing style is more intimate than others as you share your personal experiences. Such a paper typically concentrates on a single event, time frame, individual, etc.

Anyone who wants to learn how to write an autobiography, here’s a strong recommendation: read any three of these books if not all. By the time you’ll finish reading these, you’ll have a strong understanding of how to start off an autobiography, you’ll also be able to understand autobiography vs biography.

Autobiography Examples 

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

This autobiography is a collection of entries from Anne Frank’s diary. At the same time, she and her family hid during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. In her daily writings, Frank shares personal details about her family’s crushes on boys, her religion, and the tragic aftermath of the war. 

2. Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela (1994)

The remarkable life of Nelson Mandela is documented in this autobiography, from his early years spent in Mvezo, South Africa, to his formal schooling and the practice of law. Mandela’s role as one of the most brilliant leaders of our time is further cemented by the book’s coverage of his time in jail and his extraordinary rise to the presidency. 

3. I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai (2013)

Malala has become a symbol of strength, resilience, and hope for the young generation. Writing served as the foundation for her activism; therefore, it is quite fair that this autobiography continues that narrative. It’s an excellent book for anyone who wants to learn how to write an autobiography.

4. Mark Twain’s Own Autobiography by Mark Twain (2010)

The story of Twain’s life differs from conventional autobiographies in that it is composed of reflections on his exceptional experiences rather than following a chronological order. It is based on the 5,000 pages of memoirs he left for the University of California at Berkeley before his passing. 

5. Wings of Fire (1999) by A.P.J Abdul Kalam

The reader gets a glimpse into pre-partition India through this autobiography. Additionally, Kalam exposes readers to the optimistic viewpoints and concepts that contributed to his success. Finally, the book explains Kalam’s rise from obscurity and his personal and professional struggles.

How to Start an Autobiography Essay

How to Write an Autobiography for Beginner

Here are some more tips on how to write an autobiography that looks flawless.

1. Use the first-person perspective. An autobiography is supposed to be a personal and intimate form of writing, so it is advised to use the first-person perspective to establish a connection with your readers. 
2. Read enough examples. The more you read, the better you grasp the writing style. Take a look at the above examples mentioned in this article.
3. Show, don’t tell. You should include as many sensory elements as possible because this writing is supposed to evoke strong emotions. Such information will keep your readers engaged because they can experience and visualise every aspect of your life. 

Key Takeaways on Autobiography Writing

• An autobiography is a work of self-writing that covers the course of the author’s life.
• There are four types of autobiographies: full autobiography, autobiography essay for college, memoir, and personal essay. 
• Read the above article to learn how to start an autobiography essay.
• Tips for writing an autobiography essay – use the first-person perspective, read examples and add vivid details. 
• Autobiography is a subcategory under Biography. 
• A memoir is a part of the author’s life, while an autobiography accounts for a person’s entire life. 

FAQs on How to Write an Autobiography Essay