What is an Autobiography?
An autobiography is a book written by someone about their life. Autobiographies are written in the first person throughout because the writer is the protagonist and the main character of the story.
The purpose of writing an autobiography is to provide a detailed account of the narrator's accomplishments and life events.
The autobiography style generally begins with early childhood and proceeds chronologically, listing all of a person's experiences throughout their life.
Autobiographies include information about where someone grew up, their career, life choices, accomplishments, and challenges they overcame.
Related Blog: Click here to discover the various types of autobiography.
Elements of an Autobiography
Let's explore these key components of an autobiography:
- First-person narrative: An autobiography is written in the first person, which means that the author tells their story using the pronoun "I."
- Personal tone: As the author is writing about their own experiences and insights, autobiographies often have a more personal and introspective tone.
- Comprehensive coverage: Autobiographies aim to cover the entire life story of the author, from their childhood to the present. This can include pivotal events such as the author's birth, family life, education, relationships, etc.
- Life experiences and motivations: Autobiography informs the audience about the author's life experiences, motivations, and perspectives. This can include the author's beliefs, values, and goals.
Examples:
- ‘The Story of My Life’ by Helen Keller
- ‘The Diary of a Young Girl’ by Anne Frank
Here's a short sample autobiography:
My Journey: From Small Town to Big Dreams I was born and raised in a small town in rural America. Growing up, I always felt like there was something more out there for me, something beyond the fields and farms that surrounded me. I had big dreams of seeing the world and making a difference in it. After finishing high school, I decided to take a leap of faith and move to the city to pursue my dreams. I didn't have much money or many connections, but I was determined to make it work. I worked odd jobs and took night classes at a local community college, trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. Eventually, I found my passion in the field of social work. I went back to school and earned a degree in social work, and then started working at a local non-profit organization. I loved the work and felt like I was making a real difference in people's lives. But I still had bigger dreams. I wanted to see more of the world and make an even greater impact. So, I started applying for jobs overseas and was eventually offered a position in a developing country. It was a huge risk, but I knew it was what I had to do. Living and working in a foreign country was one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life. I learned so much about different cultures and ways of life, and I felt like I was truly making a difference in the lives of the people I was working with. Now, many years later, I have accomplished many of the things I once dreamed about. I have traveled to all seven continents, worked in some of the most challenging places in the world, and made a difference in the lives of countless people. It hasn't always been easy, but it has always been worth it. Looking back on my journey, I realize that it all started with a simple dream and the courage to take a chance. I am grateful for every experience and every opportunity that has brought me to where I am today. |
Follow the link to uncover the secrets to writing an astonishing autobiography, with this “how to write an autobiography” guide.
What is a Biography?
A biography is a history of a person's life written by someone else. Biographies are often written about famous individuals and personalities like sportsmen, motivational speakers, inspirational figures, etc.
Biographies also cover the subject's entire life. Therefore, it is crucial to include important information about the person's place of birth, education, childhood experiences, partnerships, and so on.
Elements of a Biography
Here are some key components of biography:
- Third-person perspective: Biographies are written in the third-person perspective. That means that the author tells the subject's story using pronouns such as "he," "she," or "they."
- Chronological order: Biographies are typically organized in chronological order. It means that biographies are structured according to the timeline of the subject's life.
- Formal and impersonal tone: Biographies are often more formal and impersonal in tone than autobiographies. The author may use a more scholarly writing style and avoid revealing personal thoughts and feelings.
- Comprehensive coverage: Biographies are meant to provide a comprehensive account of the subject's life. It covers all of the important events and milestones in their life, from their childhood to their achievements, and legacy.
- Accuracy: Biographies are often used as historical or educational resources. Therefore, it is important that the information presented is accurate and well-researched.
Examples:
- ‘His Excellency: George Washington’ by Joseph J. Ellis
- ‘Einstein: The Life and Times’ by Ronald William Clark
Here is a short biography sample:
Title: "John Smith: Innovator and Advocate for Renewable Energy" John Smith was born on October 1, 1985, in New York City. From a young age, John was interested in science and technology, and he spent much of his childhood tinkering with electronics and building robots. In high school, he excelled in his science and math classes and won several science fair competitions. After graduating from high school, John attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and earned a degree in electrical engineering. While at MIT, he developed a prototype for a new type of renewable energy technology, which earned him a grant from the National Science Foundation. After completing his studies, John started his own company to commercialize his renewable energy technology. Over the next few years, the company grew rapidly and became one of the leading providers of renewable energy solutions in the country. In addition to his work in renewable energy, John has also been a strong advocate for science education and has given many talks and presentations at schools and universities around the country. He is also a mentor to several young scientists and engineers and has helped many of them launch their own successful careers in the field. Today, John continues to lead his company and is constantly working on new innovations in the renewable energy space. He is widely regarded as one of the leading voices in the industry and has been recognized with numerous awards and honors for his work. |
Looking for an exceptional biography to read? Click on the link to read one for inspiration!
Autobiography vs. Biography - Key Differences
There are a few significant distinctions between biographies and autobiographies, despite the fact that they may appear to be similar.
Let’s take a look at some significant and key differences between the two.
| Differences | Autobiography | Biography |
| Authorship - Who Writes It? | The difference between an autobiography and a biography is who writes the book. The autobiography is always written by that person himself. | In the case of a biography, it is NEVER written by the subject or the main character of the book. |
| Point of View of the Work | A book in the first-person point of view is generally an autobiography since it is about the author's own experiences. | Because the author is describing someone else's events, a biography is usually written in the third person. |
| Authorized vs. Unauthorized | An autobiography is always legal, regardless of its status. | An authorized biography documents the life of someone who has given his or her approval and cooperation for the book's publication. Unauthorized biographies, on the other hand, do not have such consent and cooperation. |
| Degree of Objectivity | An autobiography author generally relies on his or her personal recollections of events rather than incorporating input from other sources. | A biography is more objective than an autobiography. Biography writers collect information, including reading records of events and interviews with the book's subject and other individuals. |
Watch the video below to gain a more profound comprehension of autobiography vs biography.
| Authorship - Who Writes It? |
The difference between an autobiography and a biography is who writes the book. The autobiography is always written by that person himself. In the case of a biography, it is NEVER written by the subject or the main character of the book. |
| Point of View of the Work |
A book in the first-person point of view is generally an autobiography since it is about the author's own experiences. Because the author is describing someone else's events, a biography is usually written in the third person. |
| Authorized vs. Unauthorized |
An authorized biography documents the life of someone who has given his or her approval and cooperation for the book's publication. Unauthorized biographies, on the other hand, do not have such consent and cooperation. An autobiography is always legal, regardless of its status. |
| Degree of Objectivity |
A biography is more objective than an autobiography. Biography writers collect information, including reading records of events and interviews with the book's subject and other individuals. An autobiography author generally relies on his or her personal recollections of events rather than incorporating input from other sources. |
Similarities between an Autobiography and a Biography
Although they are distinct genres, biographies and autobiographies do have some things in common.
- Primary and Main Goal - The main goal of both types of books is to tell the story and life events of a person's life.
- Non-fiction Works - Autobiographies and biographies are nonfiction works that document significant events in a person's life. You can safely say that that is a kind of nonfiction novel that presents the facts.
- Prominent Figures as Subjects - Biography or autobiography is typically used to tell the stories of well-known people who have made remarkable achievements.
Based on these similarities, many people wrongly think that they are the same.
Based on these similarities, many people wrongly think that they are the same.
Get a closer look at this autobiography vs biography worksheet we've designed for you!
Are Autobiography and Memoir the Same?
A biography includes the life of an individual, whereas a memoir is not necessarily an autobiography.
An autobiography, as the name implies, is a book that includes details like the person’s life story in chronological order. A formal, non-fiction style is employed.
A memoir focuses on a specific incident or component of someone's life rather than the complete narrative. Writing a memoir is more casual and emotional in nature.
Autobiography vs. Biography vs. Memoir
Here is a complete comparison chart that displays the key differences between all three kinds of works.
| Autobiography | Biography | Memoir |
| Written by the main character himself | Written by someone else | An account of a specific timeframe |
| 1st person narrative | 3rd person narrative | 1st person narrative |
| Subjective in nature | Objective in nature | Subjective in nature |
| Personal facts and account | Researched facts | Personal experience |
| Written to informant motivate | Write to inform and create a context | Written to explore and reflect |
| Personal thoughts and feelings | More impersonal facts | Personal thoughts and feelings |
| Written later in life | Written any time in life | Written any time in life |
Curious to learn the differences between autobiographies and memoirs in detail? If so, click on this link to get your questions answered!
To sum up, in an autobiography, the subject is telling a story about their own life. In a biography, someone else tells the story of someone's life. Both are important and interesting, but they both have different perspectives to offer.
With so many options out there, we hope this blog helps narrow your search for one that best suits your interests!
Still, feeling unsure about how to start your autobiography or biography? MyPerfectPaper.net can help!
Our professional essay writing service is here to guide you. We have a team of experts who can assist you in writing an essay that meets all academic requirements.
So, don't wait any longer, ask us to "help me do my paper now" now to enjoy top-notch services!
