Caleb S.
Caleb S.

Know About Autobiography Vs. Biography Vs. Memoir

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Published on: Nov 10, 2020

Last updated on: Apr 19, 2023

Autobiography Vs. Biography Vs. Memoir

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If you're looking to tell your life story in an engaging way, two primary formats can help. A biography or an autobiography. But these seem pretty similar, aren't they? There's some confusion distinguishing between them because they all share several similarities.

Biographies and autobiographies all share some common traits. All two typically tell an individual's life story in their own words. However, several key differences between them should be considered when reading one type vs. another.

Thus, if you want to know about them, start reading this blog and know their similarities and differences.

What is an Autobiography?

An autobiography is a story that you write about your life, but it has to be based on real facts. Autobiographies are a great way to get insight into the life and times of an individual.

The author shares their thoughts, emotions, and experiences with complete honesty that cannot be found anywhere else.

Most people write their autobiography later in life when they have achieved all that matters. The goal of an autobiography is to represent life experiences and achievements. Famous or successful individuals write most autobiographies after achieving success themselves.

Further, an autobiography is a story of one's life that they have written to share with others. An autobiography includes important information about someone's life.

This includes where they were born, what school they went to, and their career path. They might also include information about some of the challenges they faced and how they overcame them.

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Examples:

  • I Know Why the Caged Bird sings by Maya Angelou
  • I Am Malala
  • Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin

What is a Biography?

Biographies are often written that give an accurate account of someone's life. The author’s life cannot be involved in the story. Instead, they focus on facts about them to make it interesting for readers.

Biographies are important because they document the life of someone who has made a significant impact on society. They can include details about their home country, education background, and work experiences that shaped them into what you know today.

Biography is a type of writing that documents the life and times of an individual. The author collects detailed information about their subject matter to share with others. Presenting it in a way that is relevant or entertaining for readers interested in this genre.

Examples:

  • The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (Rebecca Skloot)
  • Tolstoy: A Russian Life by Rosamund Bartlett
  • Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

Autobiography Vs. Biography: Differences and Similarities

The following points discuss the differences between biography and autobiography in detail:

  • The biographer must ensure that their work is accurate and authentic. There are many risks involved in writing a biography, such as factual errors or distortion of the truth. However, careful planning can avoid these (such as interviewing people who knew them).
  • An autobiography does not require any additional permissions because it's written by oneself. This means there won’t likely ever arise issues over copyright, etc.
  • A biography is a story written by someone else about a person’s life. An autobiography is a story written by the person themselves about their own life.
  • In an autobiography, the author writes about their life story using "I" and "we" to make it more personal and intimate. This makes it feel like the reader is right there with them, experiencing the events as they happen. A biography written in the third person is less personal and intimate.
  • Biographies include information that is collected from different and reliable sources. This provides a different view to readers.
  • Autobiographies are written by the subject themselves. This gives the author a chance to present facts and their thoughts in their own way. This can provide a narrow and biased perspective to readers.
  • Writing a biography is to inform and introduce the readers to someone. On the other hand, an autobiography often focuses more than just introducing them. It's all about what you've accomplished in your life so far.

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Autobiography Vs. Biography Vs. Memoir

You can distinguish between three types of nonfiction: autobiography, biography, and memoir with the help of the table below. All these genres have their own distinct differences from one another as well as sharing many similar qualities in common.

AutobiographyBiographyMemoir
Use words like I, Me, and MyUse words like He, She, Her, We, and names of peopleUse words like I, Me, and My
First person point of viewThird person point of viewFirst-person point of view
Story about a person written by the person themselvesStory about a real person written by someone elsePersonal account of a specific time or experience
Written to notify and discuss the motivation and thoughts behind actions and decisionsWritten to inform and establish a contextWritten to explore the emotion of an experience

Reading about the lives of interesting people can be educational. It can be entertaining, motivating, and heartbreaking. But it is always informative. To expand your horizons, read all kinds of books, including biographies, autobiographies, and memoirs.

However, if you need professional help in writing these genres, consult EssayWritingService.college. We offer the best services at affordable rates.

So, why wait? Contact the best essay writing service now.

Caleb S.

WRITTEN BY

Caleb S., Marketing, Literature

Caleb S. has been providing writing services for over five years and has a Masters degree from Oxford University. He is an expert in his craft and takes great pride in helping students achieve their academic goals. Caleb is a dedicated professional who always puts his clients first.

Caleb S. has been providing writing services for over five years and has a Masters degree from Oxford University. He is an expert in his craft and takes great pride in helping students achieve their academic goals. Caleb is a dedicated professional who always puts his clients first.

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