Are you searching for some autobiography examples that will help you narrate your life’s goals, experiences, and memories? Writing an autobiography is one of the most exciting jobs for the narrator, but it may be terrifying for some people. The fear of writing hinders their passion for writing an autobiography.
So, if you find writing an autobiography challenging, this blog is just right for you. In this blog, we help you write your own story fearlessly.
Let’s get you started!
What is an Autobiography?
Autobiography is the author’s personal life story that the author narrates. Within an autobiography, people share their memories, stories, events, inspirations, and knowledge chronologically. The writing depicts the author’s point of view. They reveal how they see the world, the experiences they face, the accomplishments they gain, the challenges they face, and the losses they grieve. An autobiography’s purpose is to narrate an individual’s life account.
Some people confuse autobiography with memoir and biography. Let’s resolve this confusion.
Autobiography And Biography
Autobiography is a complete, true story of an individual the writer narrates. A biography is written by another individual who has thoroughly researched and investigated the person he writes. An autobiographer writes about himself, while a biographer narrates other people’s lives.
Autobiography and Memoir
Autobiography and memoirs are both written by the author. However, autobiography is a complete life story of the author from the first memory he recalls till the story is written. A memoir is the author’s story for a specific period or events. A memoir is like a novel with scenes, dialogues, and sensory details. Memoirs are more focused as compared to autobiographies.
Structure Of An Autobiography
- They are written in chronological order
- Autobiography is a true story of the author
- The writer uses real names and characters
- Actual events are narrated with specific time, date, and place
- Autobiographer willing to share and narrate his memories with details and specification
- Auther’s feelings, emotions, thoughts, hopes, losses, and difficulties are shared
- Autobiography includes pictures of family, events, and locations.
- It summarizes plans and hopes.
Before you start writing an autobiography, you first need to study some best autobiographies written by famous writers. It will give you a clear format and structure to your writing and help you write a flawless autobiography. Below are 5 best autobiography examples for your inspiration.
5 Best Autobiography Examples
Autobiography Example 1: Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin 1791
Benjamin Franklin narrates about his life experiences, accomplishments, hard work, and determination that had helped him become international in scope and a concern for professional historians. Within his autobiography, he narrated how his passion for improvement changed Philadelphia. He improved the city’s police system and streets, devised an equitable tax system, and constructed the first public library, fire company, public academy, philosophical society, militia, defense system, and hospital.
Autobiography Example 2: The Diary Of A Young Girl By Anna Frank, 1947
Anna Frank’s journal ‘The Diary of a Young Girl’ is the story of a young Jewish girl who lived secluded in a secret annex during World War 2. This diary became a world classic that narrates the horrors of war and how she and her family faced hunger, boredom, cruelties of living in a confined attic. She shares her experiences during that time. The Diary of a Young Girl is a masterpiece of humor and intelligence and a classic of war literature, personalizing the holocaust. The diary is a source of inspiration and hope for many. The book was published in 1947, two years after Anna died in a concentration camp.
Autobiography Example 3 My Life On The Road By Gloria Steinem 2015
My Life on the Road is a version of how Gloria’s early years encouraged her to live on the road. She traveled, observed people, listened to them, and created change. She narrated that growing up didn’t help her settle down. Instead, it intrigued her traveling exposure and initiated activism and leadership within herself. Listening to people’s ideas and voices helped her bring change and revolution. It’s Gloria’s story of how road experiences helped her shape social activism, helped her deeply connect with people, and became part of a movement that changed the world.
Autobiography Example 4: I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai 2013
Malala Yousafzai is a Nobel Peace Prize winner girl who stood up for the right to education and was shot by the Taliban. ‘I am Malala’ is an outstanding story of a 16-year-old girl who spoke out for her right to education. She narrates how her father encouraged his daughter to attend school in a society where sons were given a lot of importance. Her story will help you believe in the power of voice, which brought change in the world.
Autobiography Example 5: Dreams From My Father: A Story Of Race And Inheritance By Barack Obama 1995
Dreams from My Father is a personal narration of Barack Obama growing up in the United States. He explains how he was treated as a child and a teenager. He was made to believe that he could never fit in the society since he belonged to a mixed race, living in a minority. This book is chronologically designed, and Obama’s pictures are added in different settings and stages of his life. He has beautifully expressed how various events and emotions from his early life helped him make the right decisions and choices to shape his life perfectly. He narrates how determination and dedication towards goals can help one bring change, even if they are a minority.
These were some of the best autobiographies you need to read to enhance and improve your writing skills. They are a clear illustration of how an autobiography needs to be written. Once you have read one of the best autobiography examples mentioned above, you can head for the essential elements of autobiography.
Essential Elements Of Autobiography
Autobiography are essential details of your life; not every minute detail. Some thought-provoking moments may sound attractive, but your audience is your target. You need to include specific content that interests your audience. Let’s examine some of the critical elements you must include in your autobiography.
Personal Original Story: Your autobiography should include your personal and family life. Information about your hometown, education, and historical background. It will help your readers understand your true identity.
Experiences: Your personal experiences and your approach to life will help them understand your view towards world. Narrate your memories of people, events, and experiences that have influenced your life. If they were a turning point in your life, it could also become someone else’s motivation factor.
Detailed Narrations Of Your Personal And Professional Life: Autobiography is known for your moments, events, and life story. Present your life in such a way that would inspire them and engage your readers.
Success And Failure: Narrate your achievements and your hardships. Failures are part of life, but to bounce back is the main achievement. Mention how you responded to the failures you encountered.
Captivating Title: The title of your autobiography should reflect your story. It should be a clear image of your life. “My Life” by Bill Clinton and “An Autobiography” By Angela Davis are known autobiography examples but with straightforward titles. However, “Becoming” by Michelle Obama and “This Is Going To Hurt” by Adam Kay are captivating autobiography example titles that highlight the story within the title.
Once you have decided on the title, it’s time to roll in!
Step By Step Guide To Write An Autobiography
Brainstorming: Compile your life experiences chronologically from your first day of school, your high school journey, your first job, your married life, your first baby, and so on. Sort out your memories and make sure you cover all your life era.
Organize: Within the brainstorming process, you have a wide range of topics and events you have listed. Some may be boring, monotonous, or uninspiring, so choose the compelling ones, the events that will interest the readers.
Add Details: Once you have selected the essential events, add flavor to them. Recall those events and add details within them. In case you are unsure of some events, it’s time to call your family, friends, and close ones. It’s your story, but it’s time to connect with your loved ones.
First Draft: It’s time to write your first draft. Your first draft may sound weird, bizarre, and extremely lengthy. But don’t worry; drafts are meant to be theoretical, unfinished writing that needs improvement and proofreading.
Proofread, Proofread, and Proofread: Read your work and look for mistakes, weak moments, unconstructed events, grammar mistakes, spelling mistakes, and boring stories. Keep proofreading till you get a beautiful, refined version of your writing. Take help and get your writing profred by your family, friends, or some professional writer.
Once you are done, you have produced a masterpiece, an autobiography written by you.
