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Autobiography vs. Biography vs. Memoir

The three primary formats of a memory book , used to tell a life story, are a biography, an autobiography, and a memoir. Distinguishing between the three can feel a bit confusing since they all share several similarities. But there are some distinct differences.

Simply put, a biography is the life history of an individual, written by someone else. An autobiography is the story of a person’s life, written by that person. And a  memoir  is a collection of memories written by the person themselves.

What is a Biography?

A biography, also called a bio, is a non-fiction piece of work giving an objective account of a person’s life. The main difference between a biography vs. an autobiography is that the author of a biography is not the subject. A biography could be someone still living today, or it could be the subject of a person who lived years ago.

Biographies include details of key events that shaped the subject’s life, and information about their birthplace, education, work, and relationships. Biographers use a number of research sources, including interviews, letters, diaries, photographs, essays, reference books, and newspapers. While a biography is usually in the written form, it can be produced in other formats such as music composition or film.

If the target person of the biography is not alive, then the storytelling requires an immense amount of research. Interviews might be required to collect information from historical experts, people who knew the person (e.g., friends and family), or reading other older accounts from other people who wrote about the person in previous years. In biographies where the person is still alive, the writer can conduct several interviews with the target person to gain insight on their life.

The goal of a biography is to take the reader through the life story of the person, including their childhood into adolescence and teenage years, and then their early adult life into the rest of their years. The biography tells a story of how the person learned life’s lessons and the ways the person navigated the world. It should give the reader a clear picture of the person’s personality, traits, and their interaction in the world.

Biographies can also be focused on groups of people and not just one person. For example, a biography can be a historical account of a group of people from hundreds of years ago. This group could have the main person who was a part of the group, and the author writes about the group to tell a story of how they shaped the world.

Fictional biographies mix some true historical accounts with events to help improve the story. Think of fictional biographies as movies that display a warning that the story is made of real characters, but some events are fictional to add to the storyline and entertainment value. A lot of research still goes into a fictional biography, but the author has more room to create a storyline instead of sticking to factual events.

Examples of famous biographies include:

• His Excellency: George Washington  by Joseph J. Ellis
• Einstein: The Life and Times  by Ronald William Clark
• Princess Diana – A Biography of The Princess of Wales  by Drew L. Crichton

What is an Autobiography?

An autobiography is the story of a person’s life written by that person. Because the author is also the main character of the story, autobiographies are written in the first person. Usually, an autobiography is written by the person who is the subject of the book, but sometimes the autobiography is written by another person. Because an autobiography is usually a life story for the author, the theme can be anything from religious to a personal account to pass on to children.

The purpose of an autobiography is to portray the life experiences and achievements of the author. Therefore, most autobiographies are typically written later in the subject’s life. It’s written from the point of view of the author, so it typically uses first person accounts to describe the story.

An autobiography often begins during early childhood and chronologically details key events throughout the author’s life. Autobiographies usually include information about where a person was born and brought up, their education, career, life experiences, the challenges they faced, and their key achievements.

On rare occasions, an autobiography is created from a person’s diary or memoirs. When diaries are used, the author must organize them to create a chronological and cohesive story. The story might have flashbacks or flashforwards to describe a specific event, but the main storyline should follow chronological order from the author’s early life to their current events.

One of the main differences between an autobiography vs. a biography is that autobiographies tend to be more subjective. That’s because they are written by the subject, and present the facts based on their own memories of a specific situation, which can be biased. The story covers the author’s opinions on specific subjects and provides an account of their feelings as they navigate certain situations. These stories are also very personal because it’s a personal account of the author’s life rather than a biography where a third party writes about a specific person.

Examples of famous autobiographies include:

• The Story of My Life  by Helen Keller
• The Diary of a Young Girl  by Anne Frank
• Losing My Virginity  by Richard Branson

What is a Memoir?

Memoir comes from the French word  mémoire , meaning memory or reminiscence. Similar to an autobiography, a memoir is the story of a person’s life written by that person. These life stories are often from diary entries either from a first-person account or from a close family member or friend with access to personal diaries.

The difference between a memoir vs. an autobiography is that a memoir focuses on reflection and establishing an emotional connection, rather than simply presenting the facts about their life. The author uses their personal knowledge to tell an intimate and emotional story about the private or public happenings in their life. The author could be the person in the story, or it can be written by a close family member or friend who knew the subject person intimately. The topic is intentionally focused and does not include biographical or chronological aspects of the author’s life unless they are meaningful and relevant to the story.

Memoirs come in several types, all of which are written as an emotional account of the target person. They usually tell a story of a person who went through great struggles or faced challenges in a unique way. They can also cover confessionals where the memoir tells the story of the author’s account that contradicts another’s account.

This genre of writing is often stories covering famous people’s lives, such as celebrities. In many memoir projects, the celebrity or person of interest needs help with organization, writing the story, and fleshing out ideas from the person’s diaries. It might take several interviews before the story can be fully outlined and written, so it’s not uncommon for a memoir project to last several months.

Memoirs do not usually require as much research as biographies and autobiographies, because you have the personal accounts in diary entries and documents with the person’s thoughts. It might require several interviews, however, before the diary entries can be organized to give an accurate account on the person’s thoughts and emotions. The story does not necessarily need to be in chronological order compared to an autobiography, but it might be to tell a better story.

Examples of famous memoirs include:

• Angela’s Ashes  by Frank McCourt
• I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings  by Maya Angelou
• Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S.  Grant by Ulysses S. Grant

Autobiography vs. Biography vs. Memoir Comparison Chart

Check out some of our blogs to learn more about memoirs:

• What is a memoir?
• 5 tips for writing a memoir
• Your memoir is your legacy

Ready to get started on your own memoir, autobiography, or biography? Download our free desktop book-making software, BookWright .

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Autobiography vs. Biography vs. Memoir: Differences of Each Type

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• autobiography

Do you ever get confused when trying to differentiate between an autobiography, biography, and memoir? If so, you’re not alone—these three genres are often used interchangeably, but each one actually requires its own unique approach. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the differences of each type and provide some handy tips on how best to write them all!

Introducing the different genres of writing—autobiography, biography, and memoir 

Three genres that often get jumbled together are autobiography, biography, and memoir. While they may seem similar at first glance, each genre has its own unique characteristics. An autobiography, for example, is a first-person account of someone’s life, typically written by the subject themselves. A biography, by contrast, is a third-person account of someone’s life, written by someone else. And a memoir is a focused, often thematic account of a particular period or experience in someone’s life. Knowing the distinctions between these genres can help you decide which approach is best for telling your own story or for crafting a compelling biography or memoir.

Understanding the differences between autobiography, biography and memoir

Autobiography, biography, and memoir are often confused with each other. An autobiography is a book written by the author about their own life experiences. In contrast, a biography is a book written by someone else about another person’s life experiences. Finally, a memoir is a book written about a specific time or event in the author’s life. These three genres require different approaches to writing and reading. Autobiographies are generally more personal, while biographies generally intend to provide a more objective view of a person’s life. Memoirs allow for a deeper exploration of a specific period of time or event.

Exploring the benefits of writing an autobiography

Writing an autobiography can serve as a time capsule for one’s life experiences and also act as a vehicle for personal growth and self-reflection. Through the process of writing, individuals have the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of themselves. Additionally, an autobiography can be an invaluable resource for future generations by providing them with a window into the past and the inner workings of their ancestors. If you’re looking for a way to capture your life story and leave a meaningful legacy, writing an autobiography might be a good idea.

Discovering the advantages of writing a biography

A biography records the life and accomplishments of a person. A biography can provide insight into the individual’s beliefs, accomplishments, and experiences that shaped their life. Writing a biography requires research , attention to detail, and a thorough understanding of the individual’s life. It takes time and effort. By capturing a person’s story in writing, we can learn from their life experiences and be inspired to pursue our own passions and dreams. Writing a biography can be challenging, but the end result is a rewarding tribute to a person.

Examining the unique aspects of writing a memoir

Writing a memoir is an incredible way to tell your story and leave a lasting legacy. What makes a memoir unique is that it is not just about recounting facts or events. It is more so about exploring the deeper meaning and emotions behind those experiences. It requires a delicate balance of vulnerability and objectivity, as you must be willing to share personal details while also maintaining a sense of clarity and purpose. To truly connect with your audience, it is important to infuse your writing with your own voice and personality, making the story feel authentic and relatable.

Making efficient use of resources when writing your story

Making an efficient use of resources will help create a compelling story that resonates with readers. Whether it’s time management, research, or even word choice, every decision plays an integral role in crafting a well-structured narrative. One useful tool for maximizing your efficiency is outlining your story beforehand, allowing you to flesh out characters and plot points in a clear and concise manner. Additionally, don’t be afraid to take advantage of resources such as writing groups, online tutorials, and feedback from industry professionals who can provide valuable perspective and insight into your work.

As you now know, autobiographies, biographies, and memoirs each have their own unique focus, purpose, and advantages. Writing your life story can be rewarding and fulfilling. Having a writing partner experienced with these genres to guide you on your journey can be invaluable in producing the story you want to tell. If it is time to tell your story―whether fact or fiction―contact Elite Authors today! We will help you choose the genre that best fits your project goals while helping you craft a stunning personal account that is sure to capture the imagination of readers everywhere.

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Memoir vs. Autobiography: Understanding the Differences

• November 2, 2023

Table of Contents:

Definition of memoir, definition of autobiography, importance of understanding the differences between memoir and autobiography, clear purpose, writing style, connecting with the author, historical value, personal growth , authorship and perspective, scope and timeframe in memoirs and autobiographies,  how scope affects content, level of detail, emotional intimacy, breadth vs. depth, style and literary elements, target audience, market and publishing.

• What Is The Purpose Of Elie Wiesel's Memoir?
• What Is the Difference Between Graphic Novels Vs. Memoirs?
• What Is Self-Biography Writing?

Do Professional Book Publishing Services Prefer Memoirs or Autobiography?

Essential elements and detailed insights.

When documenting one’s life story, “ memoir” and “autobiography ” are often used interchangeably. However, they represent distinct genres of literature, each with its unique characteristics. In this article, we’ll dig into the world of memoirs and autobiographies , exploring their differences, purposes, writing styles, and much more.

A memoir is a special book where someone shares personal stories and feelings about a specific part of their life. It’s different from a full autobiography because it zooms in on particular moments or themes that greatly impact the author. This way, the author can create a story that’s not just about facts but also their emotions and thoughts.

Memoirs are known for being very emotional and showing the author’s point of view. They let readers see the author’s unique perspective on a certain time or event, which helps us feel closer to them. Reading a memoir, we can better understand how the author changed, faced challenges, achieved things, and learned important lessons. Memoirs stand out because they let us connect with the author’s personal experiences and feelings, making them a powerful way to understand the human journey on a deep level.

Unlike memoirs, which focus on specific emotional moments, autobiographies tell the whole life story of an author from the day they were born to the present. Autobiographies are like history books about a person’s life. They give you a factual and chronological account of everything in the author’s life without sticking to particular themes or events.

In an autobiography, you’ll find details about the author’s family, childhood, education, work, relationships, and important life events. They also talk about the author’s achievements, struggles, and how they changed over time. Autobiographies are valuable because they help us understand the historical, cultural, and societal background in which the author lived.

It’s important to know the difference between memoirs and autobiographies , whether you’re a writer or a reader. These differences affect how the story is told, what it’s about, and how readers connect. Let’s dig into why this matters.

For Authors:

Knowing whether you’re writing a memoir or an autobiography helps you set clear goals for your book. It guides what you write, your writing style, and how much personal stuff you’re comfortable sharing.

Memoirs are more personal and emotional, while autobiographies are factual and chronological. Understanding this helps you write in a way that fits the genre and what readers expect.

For Readers:

 If you know whether you’re reading, a memoir or an autobiography helps you know what to expect and how you’ll connect with the author. Memoirs are more personal and emotional, letting you understand the author’s inner thoughts and feelings. Autobiographies give a broader view of the author’s life.

 Autobiographies are like history books about a person’s life. They’re useful for historians and researchers to understand a specific time, culture, or society.

Memoirs, focusing on personal experiences and emotions, can inspire personal growth and reflection in both the author and the reader. You can learn from the author’s struggles and victories.

Memoirs are like personal conversations between the author and the reader. They use “I” to talk about the author’s experiences and feelings, which makes you feel close to their thoughts and emotions. This way, you see the story from the author’s point of view, and it’s like you’re right there with them. This makes you connect with the author and their story on a deep level.

Autobiographies give authors a choice. They can use “I” like in memoirs or talk about themselves using their name or words like “he” or “she” (third-person). When written in the first-person, autobiographies are a lot like memoirs. You get a direct look at the author’s experiences and emotions, creating a strong emotional connection.

But if autobiographies are written in the third-person, they can feel more distant and formal, like someone is describing the author’s life as an observer. This choice of perspective affects how the story is told and how readers feel about it.

The perspective choice in memoirs and autobiographies greatly affects how the story feels. With their first-person style, Memoirs make you feel like you’re right there with the author, experiencing everything alongside them. It’s a very personal and emotional way of telling a story.

Memoirs focus on certain parts of an author’s life, like special moments, specific times, or important relationships. They chose these parts because they meant a lot to the author or greatly impacted them. By zooming in on these moments, memoirs can dig deep into the author’s feelings and thoughts about them. This helps readers understand the author’s journey.

Memoirs can be about all kinds of things, like childhood, family, work challenges, or personal growth. What’s cool about them is that they give you a vivid and insightful look into the author’s life related to these specific parts.

Autobiographies are like a big picture of an author’s life, from when they were born to today. They cover everything about the author’s life, so you can see the whole story.

Autobiographers talk about many things, like their childhood, school, work, relationships, and big life events. This big scope gives you a complete view of the author’s life, following their journey from start to now. Autobiographies are like a tapestry that weaves together all the parts that made the author who they are.

The scope of the narrative, whether it’s a memoir or an autobiography, significantly influences the content and style of the work.

Memoirs, with their limited focus on specific events or periods, allow for greater detail. Authors can explore these moments intricately, describing emotions, thoughts, and personal growth in depth. Conversely, autobiography often provides a more general overview of various life stages, offering a less detailed examination of each.

Memoirs tend to be more emotionally intimate, concentrating on specific moments and personal reflections. Readers get a profound insight into the author’s inner world and the emotional impact of these events. While offering a comprehensive view, Autobiographies may not explore as deeply into the emotional aspects of each life stage.

Memoirs emphasize depth in their chosen topics, whereas autobiographies prioritize breadth, covering the entire life span. Memories can be more focused and profound in their exploration, while autobiographies offer a broader, more encompassing perspective.

Memoirs often feature a narrative style that emphasizes storytelling. They are emotionally charged, allowing readers to connect with the author’s experiences on a personal level. Autobiographies lean towards an informative and factual style, focusing on providing an accurate account of events. Emotions take a backseat to facts and details. The choice of writing style impacts the story and the reader’s experience. Memoirs draw readers into a personal journey, while autobiographies offer a more informative narrative.

Memoirs often target a more personal and emotionally engaged audience. Readers seeking to connect with the author’s experiences are the primary audience. Autobiographies appeal to a broader readership, including those interested in historical accounts and comprehensive life stories. Authors must consider their target audience when deciding between a memoir and an autobiography. Understanding the preferences of readers is essential.

Memoirs have found a significant place in today’s literary market, with readers seeking authentic and relatable stories. Autobiographies, too, have a stable presence in the publishing industry, often catering to readers interested in historical narratives. Authors must consider the market demand for their chosen genre when writing a memoir or autobiography.

What Is The Purpose Of Elie Wiesel’s Memoir ?

Elie Wiesel’s memoir, “Night,” serves to bear witness to the horrors of the Holocaust. Its purpose is to share his personal experience and the universal message of the importance of remembrance and human rights.

What Is the Difference Between Graphic Novels Vs. Memoirs ?

While both can tell personal stories, a graphic novel is a narrative told through illustrations, often fictional, while a memoir is a factual account of an author’s life experiences in written form.

What Is Self-Biography Writing ?

Self-biography writing documents one’s life story, experiences, and reflections in a written narrative. It involves the author sharing their own experiences and perspective.

Professional book publishing services like American Author House consider both genres, depending on market demand and the unique narrative. The choice often depends on the author’s goals and the story they wish to convey, with each genre having its strengths and audience appeal.

Understanding the differences between memoirs and autobiographies is crucial for authors and readers alike. Each genre offers a unique appeal and purpose, contributing to the diversity of literature. Authors should embrace the genre that resonates with their story, ultimately sharing their unique experiences.

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Autobiography vs. Biography vs. Memoir: What’s the Difference?

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Autobiographies, biographies, and memoirs. These are the three main formats that tell a real person’s life story.

But unless you’re in the know, it can be a little confusing to tell the difference between each one. While they all serve a similar purpose, they each have distinctions that set them apart from one another.

In this post, I’ll explain the differences between autobiographies, biographies, and memoirs. And to clear up any confusion, I’ll provide some famous examples of each one.

Table of Contents

Autobiography vs. Biography vs. Memoir

Autobiographies.

An autobiography is an account of a person’s life, written by that person. The word originates from the Greek’ auto’, ‘bios’ and ‘graphein’, meaning ‘self,’ ‘life,’ and ‘to write.’

Since the narrator is also the subject of the story, autobiographies tend to be written in the first person.

The majority of autobiographies begin by documenting childhood experiences, working their way chronologically upwards through the decades. The author will include major and minor events that have shaped their lives and stood out to them on their journey.

A detailed autobiography will cover things like a person’s earliest memories, early family life, and upbringing. They might share stories from their education, their careers, and their relationships, as well as triumphs and challenges they’ve faced along the way.

Since an autobiography is a life story, most people wait until their later years before they pen their own, but this isn’t always true. There are plenty of autobiographies written by younger people too. Anyone that has led an interesting life can write an autobiography.  

Here’s a few examples of autobiographies written by famous people:

• Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin wrote his autobiography from 1771 to 1790. It tells the fascinating tale of his rise to power, from a boy born into a lower-middle-class family in Boston, Massachusetts, to becoming one of America’s founding fathers.

• Mein Kampf by Adolf Hitler

Adolf Hitler’s autobiography Mein Kampf, meaning ‘my struggle,’ gives us a raw and eye-opening look into the unseen life of this mass-murdering dictator. It’s not an easy or lighthearted read by any means. Still, it gives the reader a fascinating insight into his early life, his rise to power, and his own justifications behind his monstrous genocidal policies.

• The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

This is a more unusual example of an autobiography, but it’s an autobiography non the less. Ann Frank’s real-life diary documents her experience as a Jewish teenager who was  forced into hiding  during World War II.

Biographies

Just like an autobiography, a  biography  tells a person’s life story. But in this case, it is written by another author, rather than the person themselves.

Biographies are most often written about famous, notable people who have led interesting lives. They usually include factual details, such as their birthplace, their education, their partners and relationships, and facts about their career.

But a good biography will also cover how key events have shaped a person’s life. Biography authors will compile information from a wide range of sources, including interviews with the person in question or their friends, colleagues, and family members. They may also source information from letters, diaries, past interviews, and periodicals.

Here are a few examples of famous biographies:

• Churchill: A Life by Martin Gilbert

Many authors over the year have written biographies about his iconic British prime minister. Still, it’s Martin Gilbert’s work which has been by far the most successful and celebrated. 

Through years of in-depth research, Gilbert gives readers a comprehensive and honest insight into the life of the man who led Britain through the Second World War.

• Frida: Biography of Frida Kahlo by Hayden Herrera

Hayden Herrera wrote this eye-opening biography of celebrated painter Frida Kahlo back in 1983, and it has since become the most authoritative account of her life in print.

The book documents Kahlo’s struggles and pain, but it also tells of her artistic prowess and her determination to leave a positive influence on the world.  

• Sylvia Plath and Life Before Ted by Andrew Wilson 

Rather than focusing on Sylvia Plath’s painful struggles with mental health and her turbulent marriage to English poet Ted Hughs, this biography tells of Plath’s earlier life, before the pair ever met. Taking information directly from her detailed diary entries, Wilson has complied an insightful picture of the American writer’s early experiences before she found fame.

Taken from the French word for ‘memory,’ a  memoir  is a non-fiction, self-written account of a person’s life. But unlike an autobiography, a memoir focuses much more on the emotional journey rather than chronologically recounting facts and events.

Memoirs are essentially a collection of memories that are important to the author, and they paint an intimate portrait of what it was like to be in their shoes.

Due to the similar nature of memoirs and autobiographies, it’s sometimes hard to denote the difference between the two, especially in the modern era when genres are often blended, and new ways of writing become commonplace.

One key thing to remember is that a memoir is usually less of a timeline of events and more an informal, emotional picture of a person’s life. Memoirs will often focus on things like past regrets and life lessons learned along the way, whereas autobiographies concentrate on facts and things that happened.

Here are a few examples of famous memoirs:

• I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

The American writer and civil rights activist Maya Angelou wrote a total of seven autobiographies and memoirs during her lifetime, but this is the most notable one of them all.

This famous memoir documents the first seventeen years of her life as a young African American woman, and all of the struggles and turmoils she faced and overcame during that time.

• Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

This travel memoir written by the New York Times best-selling author Elizabeth Gilbert was subsequently turned into a blockbuster movie starring Julia Roberts.

It documents Gilbert’s personal journey of rebirth following a painful divorce and invites the reader to share the valuable and life changing lessons she learns along the way.

• Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt

Frank McCourt’s moving memoir takes us on an in-depth journey through his childhood years when he lived a profoundly impoverished life in Ireland during the midst of the Great Depression.

It won a 1997 Pulitzer Prize and has also been adapted to the silver screen.

Autobiographies, biographies, and memoirs all do one job: they tell a person’s non-fictional life story. But as you can see, each one is unique in its own way.

Do you have a favorite autobiography, biography, or memoir?

Let us know in the comments below.

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Autobiography vs. Biography vs. Memoir: Understanding the Differences

Autobiography, biography, and memoir are three genres of literature that share similarities but are also distinct from one another. While they tell stories about people’s lives, they differ in scope, perspective, and purpose. Understanding the differences between these genres is vital for readers, writers, and researchers alike.

So, what exactly makes them different from each other?

In this article, we’ll compare autobiography vs. biography vs. memoir, discover the definitions of each, and see the best examples of each genre.

But before we dive deep into the topic and learn about these three book genres, let’s see a quick overview of what an autobiography, a biography, and a memoir are for those in a hurry!

An autobiography is a book written by the person whose life is being described. It is a first-person narrative that covers the author’s entire life, from birth to the present day. On the other hand, a biography is a book written about a person’s life by someone else. It is a third-person narrative that covers the subject’s life in a factual and objective manner.

Meanwhile, a memoir is similar to an autobiography, but instead of describing the person’s entire life, it focuses on a particular event or a specific period and delves deeper into the author’s state of mind at the time.

Now that you have a rough idea of what an autobiography, a biography, and a memoir mean, let’s move ahead and explore all these book genres in much more detail.

What is an Autobiography?

An autobiography is a book written by an individual about their own life. It covers the author’s experiences, thoughts, and feelings throughout their life.

Autobiographies are typically written in the first person and are subjective in nature. They can cover many topics, including personal experiences, family history, career achievements, and more.

An autobiography aims to provide readers with an in-depth look into the author’s life. It can be a way for the author to share their story, inspire others, or leave a legacy. Autobiographies can also be used as a form of therapy, allowing the author to reflect on their life experiences and gain a deeper understanding of themselves.

Autobiographies can be both subjective and objective. While they are written from the author’s point of view, they can still provide an accurate account of events. However, it is essential to note that autobiographies are not always completely accurate, as memories can be flawed and biased.

Autobiographies can cover a wide range of events and information. Some may focus on a specific period or event in the author’s life, while others may cover their entire life from birth to the present day.

Autobiographies are often written by famous people, such as politicians, athletes, and celebrities, who want to tell their life stories in their own words. They can be insightful and revealing, but they can also be self-serving and biased.

Here are a few famous autobiographies:

• “The Diary of a Young Girl” by Anne Frank
• “Born a Crime” by Trevor Noah
• “Becoming” by Michelle Obama
• “An Autobiography” by Agatha Christie
• “The Autobiography of Malcolm X” by Malcolm X
• “Long Walk to Freedom” by Nelson Mandela

What is a Biography?

A biography is a non-fictional account of someone’s life written by another person. It provides an objective understanding of the person’s life, covering various aspects such as their upbringing, education, career, achievements, and personal life.

The author of a biography is not the subject, and their interpretation of the subject’s life is not expected to be included in the text.

Biographies can be written about anyone, from historical figures to ordinary people who have made a significant impact on society. They are often researched and written by scholars, journalists, and other experts who want to provide a comprehensive and accurate account of a person’s life. And so, they are generally considered to be objective, as the author is expected to present a factual account of the subject’s life without any personal bias.

Biographies cover various events and information about the subject’s life. They may include details about the subject’s childhood, education, family life, career, and personal relationships. Biographies may also provide insights into the subject’s personality, beliefs, and values.

Here are some popular biographies and their authors:

• “Steve Jobs” by Walter Isaacson
• “A Beautiful Mind” by Sylvia Nasar
• “Unbroken” by Laura Hillenbrand
• “Mao: The Unknown Story” by Jung Chang
• “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot
• “Einstein: His Life and Universe” by Walter Isaacson

What is a Memoir?

A memoir is a form of autobiographical writing that focuses on a specific period, theme, or series of events in the author’s life. It is much similar to an autobiography; the only difference is that an autobiography covers the author’s entire life while the memoir is focused on a particular period or event.

Memoirs are personal narratives that typically include the author’s reflections, emotions, and thoughts about their experiences. They are often considered to be subjective, as they are based on the author’s memories and perceptions of events, rather than objective facts.

To be considered a memoir, a book must be a factual account of the author’s life, but it does not have to be a comprehensive chronicle of their entire life. Instead, it should provide insight into a particular aspect of their life, such as their childhood, career, or personal relationships.

Here are some popular memoirs that have resonated with readers:

• “Educated” by Tara Westover
• “The Glass Castle” by Jeannette Walls
• “Heavy: An American Memoir” by Kiese Laymon
• “Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail” by Cheryl Strayed
• “Running with Scissors” by Augusten Burroughs
• “Night” by Elie Wiesel

These memoirs are just a few examples of the wide range of experiences and themes that can be explored through this genre of writing.

Autobiography vs. Biography vs. Memoir – Key Differences:

When it comes to writing about someone’s life, there are three main options: autobiography, biography, and memoir. While they all share similarities, there are some key differences between them.

Autobiography

An autobiography is a factual and historical account of one’s entire life written by the person themselves. It is usually written in the first person and covers the author’s life from beginning to end. Although autobiographies are often written by famous people, they can be written by anyone.

A biography is the story of someone’s life written by someone else. It is usually written in the third person and covers the subject’s life from birth to death.

A memoir is a nonfiction narrative in which the author shares their memories from a specific time period or reflects upon a string of themed occurrences throughout their life. Memoirs tend to focus on a particular aspect of the author’s life rather than their entire life story.

Comparison Chart

Here is a comparison chart highlighting the key differences between autobiography, biography, and memoir:

After examining the similarities and differences between autobiography, biography, and memoir, it is clear that each genre has its unique characteristics. While all three genres involve storytelling, they differ in their scope, focus, and style.

One notable difference between these genres is the level of objectivity. Biographies are often the most objective, as they are written by a third-party author who is not emotionally invested in the subject. In contrast, memoirs and autobiographies can be highly subjective, as they are written from the author’s perspective and often include their emotions and opinions.

Another difference is the audience. Autobiographies and biographies are usually intended for a broader audience, while memoirs are often more personal and may only appeal to a specific group of readers.

Overall, each genre has its strengths and weaknesses. It is up to the reader to decide which genre best suits their interests and preferences.

Also Read: What is the Fantasy Genre?

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What Are the Major Differences Between Memoir and Autobiography?

Rebecca Hussey

Rebecca holds a PhD in English and is a professor at Norwalk Community College in Connecticut. She teaches courses in composition, literature, and the arts. When she’s not reading or grading papers, she’s hanging out with her husband and son and/or riding her bike and/or buying books. She can't get enough of reading and writing about books, so she writes the bookish newsletter "Reading Indie," focusing on small press books and translations. Newsletter: Reading Indie Twitter: @ofbooksandbikes

View All posts by Rebecca Hussey

Feeling confused about the difference between memoir and autobiography? You’re not the only one. The terms are sometimes used interchangeably, and there is a lot of overlap between the two, so confusion is understandable. But there are some basic differences that will help you distinguish between them and make sure you are using the most appropriate word. Knowing the difference will help you choose what to read, as well: you should know what you are getting into when you pick up a book labeled memoir vs. autobiography.

First, let’s discuss similarities between the two. Both autobiography and memoir are first-person accounts of the writer’s life. This means the writer is describing her or his life using “I” and “me” (“I did this, then this happened to me,” etc.) One exception to this is that sometimes autobiographies are written in the third person (where the author refers to him or herself as “he” or “she”), but this is not common and rarely seen in contemporary writing. Mostly, both genres are about writers telling readers about their lives in their own voice.

That’s pretty simple. What’s trickier is figuring out what makes these genres different. So here’s a breakdown of the difference between memoir and autobiography, that I’ll discuss more below.

Memoir vs. Autobiography Basics

1. autobiography usually covers the author’s entire life up to the point of writing, while memoir focuses only on a part of the author’s life..

There are going to be exceptions to every point on this list, but generally speaking, autobiography aims to be comprehensive, while memoir does not. Autobiographers set out to tell the story of their life, and while some parts will get more detail than others, they usually cover most or all of it.

Memoirists will often choose a particularly important or interesting part of their life to write about and ignore or briefly summarize the rest. They will sometimes choose a theme or subject and tell stories from different parts of their life that illustrate its significance to them.

As examples,  The Autobiography of Malcolm X  covers the major points of Malcolm X’s life, while  Abandon Me: A Memoir by Melissa Febos focuses mainly on two significant relationships (with her father and with a lover).

2. In autobiography, authors usually tell their life stories because they are famous and important. A memoirist can be anybody, famous or not.

Long Walk to Freedom,  Nelson Mandela’s autobiography, is a good example: he was an important person whose personal account of his life matters because of who he was and everything he accomplished.

For memoir, Mary Karr’s  The Liar’s Club is not the story of a famous person; instead, it’s an account of a regular person’s childhood. Her childhood was especially eventful, but it doesn’t stand out because she was famous. Memoirists do sometimes become famous, but usually it’s for writing memoirs.

3. People read autobiographies because they want to know about a particular (probably famous) person. They read memoirs because they are interested in a certain subject or story or they are drawn to the writer’s style or voice.

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is a book people might read because they want to learn about an important historical figure. They may also have heard it’s exceptionally interesting and well-written, but the desire to learn about a person who shaped U.S. history is probably the main motivation.

On the other hand, readers may pick up Roxane Gay’s memoir  Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body because they want to read about food, weight, and body image. Or they may admire Gay’s essays available online and want to explore more of her work. The motivation here is more about subject and style and less about the writer as a historical or cultural figure.

4. Autobiographies tend to be written in chronological order, while memoirs often move back and forth in time.

When readers pick up an autobiography, they expect it to begin with the author’s childhood (or perhaps even with the author’s parents’ lives), to proceed through young adulthood and middle age, through to the time of the writing. Olaudah Equiano’s  The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano  does just that, opening with his childhood and proceeding in a straightforward manner through time.

Memoirs, on the other hand, can be much looser in their treatment of time.  Heart Berries by Terese Marie Mailhot shifts back and forth in time and has a structure more focused on theme than chronology. We finish the book with a sense of the major events of Mailhot’s life, but not necessarily their order.

5. Autobiography places greater emphasis on facts and how the writer fits into the historical record, while memoir emphasizes personal experience and interiority.

Autobiographies are sometimes thought of as a form of history and they are used as source material for historians. While it’s possible for both autobiographers and memoirists to get their facts wrong, the stakes are higher for the autobiographer who made history or witnessed historically-important events.

Frederick Douglass’s Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass  is important in part because of Douglass’s work as an orator, statesman, and abolitionist. His historical stature adds to the significance of his book.

The facts matter in memoir, but it’s understood that memoirists select and shape the facts of their lives to explore their chosen theme. Darin Strauss’s  Half a Life: A Memoir is rooted in a real-life event—a car crash in which Strauss accidentally hit and killed a classmate—but it focuses on the emotional aftereffects of this event rather than the historical context of Strauss’s life.

And there you have it! Again, these distinctions are loose ones, but hopefully they have helped you understand the different connotations of the two words.

Want to read more about memoir? Check out this list of 100 must-read memoirs , this discussion of how to define the term “memoir,” and this post on short memoirs .

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What’s the Difference Between a Memoir and an Autobiography?

By ellen gutoskey | jan 5, 2022.

On the literary genre spectrum, memoirs and autobiographies are right next to each other. They’re both nonfiction accounts of the author’s personal experience, usually written in first person (i.e. using I , me , and other first-person pronouns). But despite their similarities—and the fact that memoir and autobiography are often used interchangeably—they’re technically separate genres.

Since an autobiography is essentially just a biography written by the person it’s about, it has pretty much all the characteristics of a regular biography. As MasterClass explains , the narrative typically progresses chronologically and covers the subject’s whole life (thus far), with a focus on facts. That’s not to say autobiographies by default have bare-bones prose or a lack of emotion—the story of someone’s life will likely feature some fascinating formative memories and the feelings that came with them.

But those elements are much more integral to a memoir than an autobiography. According to Book Riot , a memoir doesn’t usually cover the author’s entire life, but instead a specific period or themes within it. Joan Didion’s The Year of Magical Thinking , for example, centers on the year after her husband, John Gregory Dunne, died of a heart attack in late 2003. It’s just as much a discourse on grief as it is an account of what happened in Didion’s life that year—and you might pick it up to read about grief rather than to learn about the author herself. Though Didion was, by that point in her career, famous enough that people would be interested to read about her experiences in particular, that’s not always the case with memoirists. Sometimes, it’s the subject matter that attracts readers, not the name of the author.

If you crack open an autobiography, on the other hand, it’s probably because you want to learn about the person who wrote it. Autobiographers are usually celebrities, from activists like Malala Yousafzai and Nelson Mandela to athletes like Andre Agassi —people who’ve achieved such success and/or have lived such high-profile lives that you’d want to read their full stories, starting from the cradle.

All that said, the differences between memoirs and autobiographies are more general trends than definitive guidelines. There’s no rule that says your memoir can’t be chronological, or that your autobiography must include your year and place of birth in order to be considered a true autobiography.

Have you got a Big Question you'd like us to answer? If so, let us know by emailing us at [email protected] .

Autobiography Writing Guide

Autobiography Vs Memoir

Last updated on: Feb 9, 2023

Autobiography vs. Memoir: Definitions & Writing Tips

By: Barbara P.

Reviewed By: Chris H.

Published on: Mar 2, 2021

Autobiography and memoirs are written to tell the life story of the writer. An  autobiography  covers the author’s whole life, while a memoir focuses on specific events. These two terms are used interchangeably, but there are obvious and practical differences between the two similar genres.

Writing a memoir and autobiography is a creatively challenging experience, even for the most experienced of writers.

Therefore, read on this blog and get to know the difference and similarities between autobiography vs. memoir.

On this Page

Definition of Memoir vs. Autobiography

The memoir and autobiography are the terms that overlap each other, so the confusion is understandable. These two are the formats that are used to tell a creative non-fiction story. However, there are some differences that you need to know before using the most appropriate one.

Let us discuss the definition of both in detail.

A memoir is based on the author’s real-life experience, and it is written from the author’s point of view. Also, they are not covering their whole life from birth to the present. However, they explore a specific era in great detail, which makes them much different from other writing genres.

Memoirs are more personal and focused on the writer's life. It should be written from the first-person point of view.

The main purpose of the memoir is to:

• Share your personal life experience with the readers.
• Tell the story from the author’s perspective.
• Connect with others who have similar or the same situations.
• Help the people to understand that they are not alone in their experiences.
• Make sense of the threads and themes of their life, as well as identify what's important.

Moreover, the memoir is a type of autobiography that gives a glimpse of the specific event of the writer’s life. Also, the memoir should be:

• Descriptive
• Well-written

The memoir also focuses on the relationship between the author and a particular place or person. Also, they tend to be read more like a fiction novel than a factual account. It includes the following things:

However, for a great memoir, you should share snippets from their life. Also, do not try to tell the entire story in one sitting.

Here is an example that gives you a better idea of the memoir.

Memoir Example

Autobiography

An autobiography focuses on the writer’s entire life and discusses the significant events of their life. It comes through the writer’s own life and in his own words. People write autobiographies to record their feelings and ideas to share with others. Then get it published to reach a greater number of people.

The main purpose of the autobiography is to:

• Inform or teach someone about something.
• Present the facts based on a memoir.
• Focus on the most important events and people in the writer’s life.
• Give you a better insight into how their experiences have shaped them as a person.

Moreover, an autobiography is written in a fictional tale that closely mirrors events from the author’s real life. However, your autobiography should be:

• Easy to read
• Free from obscure details

The below example will help you in writing a good autobiography.

Autobiography Example

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Autobiography vs. Memoir: Differences and Similarities

The autobiography and memoir have some differences and similarities. You must know them before you start writing it.

The below table shows the differences between autobiography and memoir.

Here are some similarities between autobiography and memoir.

• Both use the first-person point of view.
• Both demonstrate the life of the author.
• Focus on the limited aspect of the author’s life.
• Nonfiction literary genre.
• Presents facts as the person experiencing them.

Biography vs. Autobiography vs. Memoir

Some students get confused between biography, autobiography, and memoir. They are not the same and are written for different purposes.

Check the below table and better understand the similarities and differences between biography, autobiography, and memoir.

Memoir vs. Autobiography vs. Personal Narrative

The below table shows the differences and similarities between memoir, autobiography, and personal narrative.

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Tips for Writing the Autobiography and Memoir

The following are the tips that you should follow and create a well-written autobiography and memoir.

• Use fiction-writing techniques.
• Write in an engaging way.
• Mention the specific dates of the events.
• Focused on facts.
• Dialogues in memoir should be natural instead of journalistic.
• Do in-depth research.
• Start with a strong hook.
• Use the correct memoir and  autobiography format .
• Pick a strong theme.
• Focus on the main events of the person’s life.

Now, you get a complete understanding of the autobiography and memoir. However, if there is still any confusion in writing, then simply consult 5StarEssays.com.

Our  essay writer  will help you make your writing process easy. All your write my essay requests are managed by professional writers.

So, contact us now and get professional academic help at an affordable rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the 3 characteristics of a memoir.

The 3 characteristics are:

• It focuses on a specific life event
• The subject becomes alive in the writing
• They are more limited than biographies

Is a memoir more factual than an autobiography?

No! On the contrary, an autobiography is more factual than a memoir. An autobiography encompasses many facts and real incidents from one’s life.

Can we use memoir and autobiography interchangeably?

In some instances, when autobiographies become exceedingly short, they are often called memoirs. However, they are still different in their essence and purpose.

Literature, Marketing

Dr. Barbara is a highly experienced writer and author who holds a Ph.D. degree in public health from an Ivy League school. She has worked in the medical field for many years, conducting extensive research on various health topics. Her writing has been featured in several top-tier publications.

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• How to Write an Autobiography - A Complete Guide

• Autobiography Examples – Detailed Outline and Samples

• Know the Different Types of Autobiography Here

• Autobiography Format for Students - A Detailed Guide

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Biography vs autobiography vs memoir: Which Genre Best Tells Your Story?

As a writer, it’s essential to choose the right genre to tell your story effectively. However, distinguishing between memoir, autobiography, and biography can be confusing. In this article, we’ll clarify the core differences between these genres and provide insights to help you choose the one that best fits your unique story. Whether you’re interested in exploring your own experiences or delving into the lives of others, understanding the difference between a memoir and a biography and autobiography is critical to crafting a compelling narrative. So let’s get started and discover which genre will best tell your story.

The Power of Biographies: Discovering Lives and Learning Lessons

A biography is a personal story narrated from real life. The biographies come in different sub-genres, but what they have in common is the factual loyalty. Biographies provide an in-depth look into the lives of individuals, whether they’re still alive or historical figures. For a collection of famous biographies, you might want to explore Biography.com .

Professional bio writers usually conduct a great deal of research. They can describe the life events of someone still alive or a famous person who lived years ago. The author focuses his attention significantly on childhood, relationships, and ups and downs to create a complete picture of a person’s life.

The distinct feature of the story is the writer’s presence. That’s where you don’t align memoir vs biography: while people write memoirs alone, biographies require professional writers.

The main types of biographies include:

• Contemporary biography: a story of a person who’s alive and usually at the peak of their success. It can be about well-known entrepreneurs, musicians, or politicians. It can also include the people who are especially valuable at the moment or have done something great that you have to commemorate.

The examples are: “His Way: The Unauthorized Biography of Frank Sinatra” (written by Kitty Kelley) and “Robin” (Dave Itzkoff’s intimate look at the life and career of Robin Williams).

• Historical biography: provides in-depth information on the life of historical figures or people who died without the recognition they deserved.

The examples are: “Alexander Hamilton” (an epic 800+ page biography created by Ron Chernow) and “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” (written by Rebecca Skloot).

• Group biography: the authors apply this type of biography quite rarely. One of the first examples is “A General History of the Pirates,” narrated by Captain Charles Johnson in 1724. One of the latest group biographies includes an account of the life stories of famous British royals, “HRH: So Many Thoughts on Royal Style,” written by Elizabeth Holmes.

Autobiographies: Understanding the Genre, Types, and Significance

An autobiography is someone else’s story that doesn’t involve a third party. A memoir writing service puts it differently because autobiography is the first person’s account of events.

Autobiographies have been vital throughout history. They provide invaluable stories and thoughts, giving the audience an accurate impression of historical leaders and the value they represent. Also, they allow individuals to tell their own stories in their own words. For examples of famous autobiographies that have captivated readers, check out this list on Goodreads .

The main difference between autobiography and biography is that the last one provides a person’s story written by someone else. The peculiar advantage that autobiographies provide is decreasing the number of discrepancies or mistakes. Hiring cheap ghostwriters for hire may be incorrect in describing significant events.

The types of autobiography include:

• Traditional: a complete story narrated from the first person, discussing all significant events from birth, throughout childhood, and up to the present time. It’s a challenging genre since a life story should be captivating and exciting to engage the reader.
• Overcoming adversity: on the contrary, many people don’t have as shiny lives. Some survived a series of challenging circumstances, such as assaults, murders, or other life-threatening situations. Sharing the story of the “survivor” might heal people undergoing a similar journey.
• Intellectual: focus on critical events or experiences that have changed someone’s perspective on life. Prominent examples include the “Autobiography” of the philosopher John Stuart Mill and “The Education of Henry Adams.”
• Fictionalized is a story that uses made-up characters to represent an author’s experience. This autobiography reflects on actual events vs. serving as an accurate retelling of what happened. Some of the interesting examples are “The Way of All Flesh” (by Samuel Butler) and “A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man” (by James Joice).

Memoir vs autobiography: what’s the catch?

If you’re wondering what does a ghostwriter do when writing a memoir, let’s explore its main features.

Memoir highlights the essential part of someone’s life. It can describe the critical historical period or a breakdown, focusing on the events that led to the collapse. That’s where memoirs vs autobiography differ: the first ones only focus on particular excerpts instead of telling the whole story.

• A memoir is a factual story in which the author reflects on a series of related events from their life or recounts memories from a particular period.
• An autobiography is a chronological description of a person’s life.

Although the memoir can be subjective, it must lean on facts. The authors choose a pivotal moment they’d like to shed light on and recreate the event using storytelling tools.

There’s not a specific number of memoirs in a professional book writing history. Nevertheless, we will explore the most prominent types of memoirs to let you dive into the industry:

• Transformation memoirs: tell about the most significant challenges authors These stories lead with the topic of redemption, whether you achieved it or you’re trying to gain it.

The examples are “Here We Are: American Dreams, American Nightmares” (by Aarti Namdev Shahani), “Educated” (by Tara Westover), and “Finding Freedom” (by Erin French).

• Confessional memoirs: reveal the painful or dirty secrets about authors or their families and how the particular series of events has affected them.

The examples are: “Confessions” (by Jean-Jacques Rousseau) and “Running with Scissors” (by Augusten Burroughs).

• Professional or celebrity memoirs: describe the road to fame and success. Famous people often think about how to find a ghost writer to talk about their lives and significant events in a more professional tone.

The examples are: “I Am Malala” (by Malala Yousafzai) and “Just Kids” (by Patti Smith).

• Travel memoirs: focus on exciting adventures that happen while traveling. These memoirs are often the most pleasant, allowing readers to escape everyday reality.

The examples are “Wild” (by Cheryl Strayed) and “A Year in Provence” (by Peter Mayle).

Autobiography vs biography vs memoir: where’s your match?

You don’t need to be a writing professional to comprehend the difference between memoir and autobiography and biography. Let’s take a look at some of the key points to consider.

The Bottom Line

Writing a book about your life is a challenging process. It requires lots of patience and a great deal of memory to recall the most significant events. Meanwhile, it allows you to look at your life and experiences from a whole new perspective.

If you need any help with writing a biography vs autobiography vs memoir, Penfellow will gladly assist! Our professional writers have years of experience completing similar tasks and will do the job for you. We will ensure the final paper meets your requirements and writing standards. Get in touch with us today to get your biography done in no time!

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Memoir vs. Autobiography: What Are the Differences?

by Chris Snellgrove

Thinking of writing about your life? In that case, you have a choice to make: a memoir or an autobiography? Each of these types of writing represents a different way to tell your life story.

Often, people hoping to commit their life stories into a book don’t know the difference between autobiography vs. memoir. But once you understand the key differences, you’ll be able to get started writing your emotional truth for the world to see.

What’s the difference between a memoir and an autobiography?

Memoirs and autobiographies are both nonfiction narratives written by the person that they’re about. Autobiographies encompass the entirety of a person’s life story, while memoirs focus on just one powerful experience or a group of experiences. Memoirs cover less time than autobiographies, and are often about conveying a particular message, rather than simply overviewing someone’s life.

We’ll dig deeper into both autobiographies and memoirs below.

What is an autobiography?

An autobiography is a first-person work of nonfiction that’s meant to cover an author’s entire life . Because of this, many choose to write autobiographies later in life when they have more of a life story to share.

You don’t have to be famous to write an autobiography. However, it can be a tough sell convincing the average reader to dive into a subject’s entire life if the subject isn’t someone they’ve heard of before. Having heard of the subject before makes reading about that person’s life seem more interesting.

If you’re not famous, you’ll just need to find a unique perspective or slant to make an engaging story out of your life.

How is an autobiography structured?

Most autobiographies are written in chronological order. This means your autobiography will be an entertaining and detailed chronology of your entire life from beginning to end.

Even though you’re writing creative nonfiction, a reader expects the same things from a good autobiography that he expects from any other narrative: an interesting series of events told in a gripping manner. Once you have this foundation in place , your autobiography should focus on the most important moments in your life.

It all starts with you plumbing your own memories so that you can establish important details like setting, characters, background, and so on. You may need to engage in meticulous research into your own family history to get all of the info you need. You’re basically the main character of your own story, and readers want to know more about the major events that shaped you into who you are today.

Since this may mean revisiting some of dark moments, an autobiography may quickly become a more sensitive work than you were expecting. Some writers turn to creative nonfiction in order to process trauma or difficult memories, and you might find this a helpful practice for you.

Your autobiography should end with you reflecting on what you have learned from each personal experience—coming to the end of your own Hero’s Journey . That means writing the book is a great way for you to examine how different life experiences shaped you as a person. Now, the conclusion to the book is when you share in your own words what you have discovered about yourself!

Examples of autobiographies

As we’ve noted, an autobiography often features famous people and tells the story of the author’s life up to that point. As a result, famous names and faces comprise many of the best autobiography examples throughout history.

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass is one of the most well-read autobiographies in the world. It helps that Douglass had such an impressive story to share with the world!

Before that, The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin was a best-seller. Who wouldn’t want to learn more about one of the most famous Founding Fathers?

Some other popular autobiographies include The Story of My Life by Helen Keller and The Autobiography of Malcolm X . While you don’t technically have to be famous person to write an autobiography, these examples show that it doesn’t hurt!

What is a memoir?

A memoir is a nonfiction book written in the first person that conveys your impression of certain memories over a limited amount of time . In this way, memoirs are very different than autobiographies, and may be more stylized.

While an autobiography covers the author’s life from a very young age to the present day—the full expanse of their experience—a memoir may instead focus on a shorter period of time, like the author’s teenage years or their career in a particular industry.

Some writers find memoirs easier to map out, because creating an interesting narrative about a person’s entire life is difficult—even if it’s your own! It may also be easier to attract readers with a memoir than with an autobiography. That’s because someone may overlook an autobiography if it isn’t by someone they recognize, but memoirs focus on interesting experiences can feel more accessible.

Before you start to write your own memoir, though, it’s important to understand the structure of this kind of narrative.

How is a memoir structured?

Memoirs provide a more flexible way to share your life story with others. You have more options when it comes to what the memoir focuses on and how you assemble your life stories into a compelling narrative.

You might write your narrative in the same chronological order that you would write a typical autobiography or fiction book. But in this case, the principle difference between autobiography and memoir is that the memoir is focused on a shorter time period. So instead of writing your story from childhood to present, you might recount your experience through your university years.

You can also write a memoir as a series of flashbacks, where the narrative bounces from the past to the present. This technique is very effective in showing how a person’s life and thoughts have changed over time.

Sometimes, the tale of the author’s life focuses on how they overcame a specific obstacle. This type of memoir functions as a kind of extended personal essay about the subject’s life and struggles. This can help you process and share difficult experiences.

While memoirs may have subjective elements as part of the memories and impressions that are recounted, it’s important that memoirs about overcoming difficulties represent a true story of your life. Otherwise, you risk the scandal that A Million Little Pieces provoked when it was revealed that author James Frey fictionalized much of it. (Alternatively, you could just change one or two names and call it a novel instead!)

Once you settle on how to structure your memoir, make sure it includes all of the necessary elements of any good story. For memoir and autobiography, this will usually include a first-person point of view (rather than a third person, or he/she, perspective), a cohesive story built around a theme, and a well-written tale of you overcoming obstacles while being emotionally open and vulnerable during the writing process.

Examples of memoirs

If you’re not among the famous historical figures over the years, a memoir might be a better choice than an autobiography. Memoir authors know their book will be less about celebrity gossip and more about telling a good story.

One of the most popular memoirs is Ernest Hemingway’s A Moveable Feast , a personal account of his time in Paris. A more modern memoir that kicked off an entire lifestyle is Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia .

David Sedaris helped to redefine emotional rawness in his amazing memoir Me Talk Pretty One Day . Should you ever doubt how influential a memoir can be, look no further than Piper Kerman. After all, her Orange is the New Black: My Year in a Women’s Prison spawned an insanely-successful television show on Netflix!

Should I write a memoir or an autobiography?

Now you know the key difference between a memoir and autobiography. This leads us to the big question: between memoir and an autobiography, which one should you write?

If you’re looking for book sales, the better choice is usually a memoir. While the publishing industry loves churning out tell-alls from celebrities, they’re more cautious when it comes to championing an autobiography written by someone relatively unknown.

Furthermore, many writers prefer memoirs over autobiographies because they can focus more on subjective impressions rather than objective accounts. In other words, autobiographies tend to be about specific dates and facts; memoirs are explorations of personal experiences.

Finally, memoirs are more accessible for younger writers. Instead of waiting until you’re older and have more lived experience to share, you can focus on a specific event, experience, or perspective that you think will resonate with many different lives.

How to write an autobiography

As long as there are personal stories to tell, there will be plenty of autobiographies. But what separates a great autobiography from a bad one?

Good autobiographies starts with meticulous planning. We’re going to walk you through a step-by-step process that shows you exactly how you can get started.

Start with a good hook

Even being famous doesn’t guarantee readers will want to learn more about someone’s life. In order to get readers interested, you need to have a good hook.

Consider what sort of interesting things make your story unique. Did you spend time with someone famous in your line of work? Do you have insight into a cool, fascinating industry? Or did you overcome a seemingly insurmountable obstacle?

Whatever your hook, it’s a good idea to incorporate it into the title of your autobiography. For example, Maya Angelou’s famous I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings uses the evocative title to also describe the emotional truths that she discovered and unpacked throughout the book.

Craft a satisfying overall narrative

While this is easier said than done, solid autobiographical writing has to have an engaging narrative. In other words, it’s one thing for authors to write about their lives. It’s another thing for everything written to be entertaining!

Imagine the different people who populate your book as characters in a work of fiction. How will you describe their appearance, actions, and personalities? Interesting characters and relatable dialogue may make the difference between compelling writing and boring writing.

At its heart, though, the book will be about your own specific theme and conflicts as you overcome your obstacles. Again, you’re the hero of this book: time to make the story of your life something others want to read!

Map out a clear timeline

Compared to memoirs, which can be narratively experimental, autobiographies have a straightforward layout. Everything is written in chronological order. That’s why it’s so important to establish a clear timeline of events.

If you’ve never written an autobiography, you may think this means the author writes everything off the top of their head. In reality, the process can involve a lot of research to get important dates just right. Before you begin writing, put together an outline of important dates and events you want to touch on in your story (this can be a good practice for fiction, too !)

When the timeline of your book is clear, you make it easier for others to read and understand your story. When the timeline isn’t clear, though, your readers may just be left scratching their heads in confusion!

Conduct extensive research

We already touched on this, but once again: an autobiography requires a lot of research. It may be a very different process than what you’re used to in your other writing!

That’s because you can’t just rely on things like Google when it comes to your own life. You’re going to need to interview family members and friends, dig through old photo boxes, and learn as much about different eras of your life as possible.

How to write a memoir

Compared to an autobiography, a memoir isn’t just a historical account of your life. Rather, it’s a subjective peek into some of the most raw and formative experiences you have encountered.

Fortunately, there are a few key ingredients to writing solid memoirs. These tips will help you hit the ground running when you decide to sit down and write!

Develop a powerful theme

Themes are an element of autobiographical writing, but they aren’t at the centre of the narrative. In memoirs, though, a powerful theme is the most important way to help your story stand out.

Again, it helps to think like a fiction writer when developing this theme. Is this a story of a person succeeding an unforgiving world? A heartbreaking work of someone learning brutal lessons about love? Or maybe a coming-of-age story where someone’s forced to grow up too soon?

With memoirs, you have the freedom of focusing on only one part of your life. Be sure to develop a powerful theme and use it to unify the rest of the narrative.

Highlight its universal appeal

While it’s easier said than done, a good memoir needs to have universal appeal. In other words, no matter how fantastic your tale is, there should be something any reader can relate to.

For example, nobody else may have endured the exact heartbreak you did, but everyone has suffered from a broken heart at least once. Because of this, tales of love lost always find an audience.

Everyone has failed at something and then tried to make a comeback. Because of this, tales of redemption have a universal appeal.

By choosing a theme that’s universally resonant, you can gain the largest possible audience for your memoir.

Balance facts and personal reflection

Though known for poetry rather than memoirs, Emily Dickinson offers memoir writers some great advice: “Tell the truth, but tell it slant.”

As we noted, it’s important for memoirs to convey true events. If the events aren’t true, then memoirs lose all their appeal and become just another kind of fiction.

However, memoirs are more personal than autobiographies are. This gives you room to reflect on different people and experiences through a more subjective lens. By combining interesting stories with engaging reflections, you can keep readers captivated.

Begin writing the story of your life

Memoirs and autobiographies offer different ways to share your life with the world. While these primary formats for writing about yourself share some similarities, there are key differences that may influence your choice.

Once you have decided on which medium is right for you, you may be surprised at how rewarding writing about your life can be. This way, you also leave a powerful legacy for future readers to discover.

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Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Memoir, biography, autobiography, oh my! All these book genres have a focus on someone’s life and are written in completely factual ways. The adage that truth is stranger than fiction rings true when we delve into the lives of significant people or people who have endured something significant.

Table of Contents: • What is a biography? • What is an autobiography? • What is a memoir? • Differences between a memoir vs. autobiography vs. biography • Key features of a memoir • Key features of an autobiography • Key features of biography • BookBaby can help you self-publish

It’s easy to confuse the style and tone of these three different nonfiction books. Each has different requirements to qualify as a memoir vs. biography vs. autobiography.

What is a biography?

A biography is a novel written about someone’s entire life, typically in chronological order, written by someone other than the subject.

The topic of a biography will often be someone who is an important historical figure, a celebrity, or a person who has had significant cultural or societal impact.

One excellent example of a biography is The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, by Rebecca Skloot. This biography describes how a black woman’s body was used to advance modern medicine. Henrietta Lacks’ cancer cells were taken — without her knowledge — for medical testing and has served as the blueprint for cancer treatment.

This real-life tale reveals a hidden narrative in modern medicine and points to a history of racism in the field. The story was written and recounted by Rebecca Skloot, an American writer who has contributed to many scientific publications.

What is an autobiography?

While a biography is a written account of someone else’s life, an autobiography is written by the person who is the subject of the book.

The Autobiography of Malcolm X: As Told to Alex Haley details the life of civil rights activist Malcolm X. Written by Malcolm, this autobiography features a collaboration with author and journalist Alex Haley and was released nine months after Malcolm X’s assassination.

Reading an autobiography can be more powerful and intriguing than a biography, partly because the words and perspectives are unique to the subject. There are details and insights that only the person who is the subject can convey — unfiltered by the lens of someone else. As they recount the important events of their lives from start to finish, we get to experience it in their own words.

What is a memoir?

While a biography or autobiography usually focuses on impactful historical figures or someone who had significant cultural impact, it’s not only famous people who can write about their lives. While some lesser-known figures will be the subjects of those books, memoirs allow someone who has led a less “public” life to write about their experiences and the lessons they’ve learned.

A memoir covers a specific period of the subject’s life, often detailing a unique personal experience and how the subject was transformed by it. Unlike autobiographies and biography, a memoir does not present someone’s life from the beginning to the present (or the end). It gives us a unique look into a specific period that was transformational to the person writing it.

More than the other real-life accounts, memoir proves over and over how ordinary people can have great impact and insight writing about the trials they overcome.

Wild, by Cheryl Strayed, is a compelling example of a memoir vs. autobiography. This is a story about a young woman who, after losing her mother to cancer and getting divorced (among other travails), embarks on a 1,100-mile hike on the Pacific Crest trail — alone.

Having no previous professional hiking experience, her expedition mirrors the inner trials and tribulations she overcame before surviving in the wild on this extraordinary hike.

Men We Reaped: A Memoir, by Jesmyn Ward, is another notable memoir. The story focuses on the death of five black men in Ward’s life between the years 2000–2004. Ward details the lives of these young black men who die early in her life and speaks to how young black men’s lives are cut short far too often. She traces the impact of these losses through her own family history and writes of the complexities of love and grief.

Differences between a memoir vs. autobiography vs. biography

Key features of a memoir.

As a rule, a memoir is pulled from the writer’s real-life experience. When a person picks up a memoir, they are expecting a story that truly happened to the author. That said, a memoir isn’t just recalling events and re-told to the reader. A satisfying memoir touches on universal themes about the life story uncovered by the events that happened to the writer.

Of course, memoirs aren’t here to preach a specific message or serve as a “how-to” guide to overcoming a particular experience — in the best memoirs, the author shows their emotional truth as opposed to the truth.

Memoirs do not have to be recounted in chronological order, and there is room for creative freedom. You can’t make up important events, but there is some wiggle room around specific details in dialogue and other specifics.

Notably, a memoir also doesn’t recount the author’s whole life, but details a pivotal part of it that holds significance based on the author’s transformation. It is the author’s recollection of memories and their perspective on it.

Key features of an autobiography

An autobiography is a life account written by the subject themself. An autobiography is a recounting of the writer’s entire life from childhood up until the age they are at the time of the writing, accurately detailing significant accomplishments and telling the story of the making of who the writer is and the events that shaped their life. All of the contents of an autobiography must be 100 percent true.

Key features of biography

A biography is an account of a person’s life story written by someone other than the subject. It is the author’s rendition of what the author knows about the person’s life, sometimes personally and certainly by collecting and researching information about their life. It is typically focused on someone of cultural or historical significance.

BookBaby can help you self-publish

Whether you’re embarking on an autobiography, a biography, or a memoir, drawing universal truths from the lives of real people is a rewarding task. Of course, as a writer, once you have completed the first draft of your manuscript, it’s important to have an editor work on your manuscript to ensure it reads clearly to your reader.

BookBaby offers three types of book editing services that will be good to use at different stages of your editing process.

Line editing is our most popular editing service for first-time authors. Our line editors will review your manuscript and check for style, structure, word choice and syntax. You will also receive feedback regarding pacing, advice for writing flow, and an audit on tone and style.

Copy editing might be the best option for nonfiction authors writing a biography, autobiography, or memoir. Copy editing is a “word-by-word” edit, focusing on spelling and punctuation, along with an intensive grammar audit.

Proofreading is the last and final stage. It includes a basic check for grammar, spelling, and any lingering typos before publishing.

When your manuscript is proofed and ready, BookBaby offers print-on-demand services and distribution of your book, so you can get your work in the hands of readers. Call one of our publishing specialists to get started at 1-877-961-6878 or visit us at www.bookbaby.com .

Related Posts What is Copy Editing and Does Your Book Need It? Finding Your Story In Your Memoir Sensory Language Makes Your Writing Come Alive What To Include In Your Memoir To Create A Powerful Reading Experience The Art Of The Memoir

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Home / Book Writing / Autobiography vs. Biography vs. Memoir

Autobiography vs. Biography vs. Memoir

Telling the difference between an autobiography, a biography, and a memoir is easier said than done. They're generally about a person's life (often a famous person or public figure), but they each go about telling the story in different ways. They have different expectations and often cover different facets of the subject's life. But once you know what differentiates these three types of books, you'll be able to tell them apart with ease.

• The difference between autobiographies, biographies, and memoirs
• What defines each type of nonfiction book
• Famous examples of each type

Table of contents

• The Difference Between Autobiographies, Biographies, and Memoirs
• What is an Autobiography?
• What is a Memoir?
• What is a Biography?

An autobiography is a book written by the subject him or herself, detailing the important events of their life. Similarly, a memoir is also written by the subject, but focuses more on the emotional aspects of their life story, rather than the events themselves. Lastly, a biography is an account of a person's life written by someone other than the subject, usually relying on many different sources for factual accuracy.

That’s the broad view. Now let's get a little more in depth to make these differences a little clearer.

Reading an autobiography is reading a first-person account of a person's life. You get to walk a mile in the subject's shoes, seeing the world through their eyes as they share their experiences.

Since most autobiographies detail an interesting life lived, they're often written by the subjects in their later years. However, there are always exceptions to this. Some people have written autobiographies while they were still young because their younger years were interesting or extraordinary. The three most famous examples of autobiographies written by young people include:

• The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
• I Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai
• Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave by Frederick Douglass

Since autobiographies are about the author's life as told by them, they can be biased, since everyone sees the world a little differently and human memory isn't always the most accurate thing.

Most autobiographies work chronologically through the subject's life, including stories from their childhood and early years, their career, and any other milestones throughout their life.

Although autobiographies are ostensibly written by the subjects, it's not uncommon for a professional ghostwriter to be involved in the project. A ghostwriter can bring a flow and cohesive narrative to the subject's life story.

Some other famous autobiographies, written later in the subject's life, include:

• Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin
• Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela
• Agatha Christie: An Autobiography by Agatha Christie

An “event” autobiography is less common, but there are some famous examples. Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer is a first-person account of a Mount Everest climb that went terribly wrong, costing the lives of eight people.

Format Beautiful Professional Books

Easy to use, and and full of amazing features, you can quickly turn your book into a professional book.

Since a memoir is considered a type of autobiography, it's best to cover it now before we dive into biographies. Like an autobiography, a memoir is written by the subject — usually in the first person. It's a personal narrative that focuses more on the feelings, emotions, and memories that are important or impactful to the author.

While key events may be present in the memoir, they're generally there in relation to the emotional journey the author experienced. They focus more on the life lessons learned, regrets, and those things the subject was grateful for over their life.

While both autobiographies and memoirs are nonfiction, you're more likely to get a chronological sequence of life events and professional achievements in an autobiography . In a memoir, you're more likely to get a collection of personal details and life experiences in terms of how they affected the subject emotionally and influenced their personality and decisions.

(Interested in publishing a memoir? Check out our step-by-step article on publishing a memoir !)

Some famous memoirs include:

• The Liars' Club by Mary Karr
• I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
• A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway

Another good example is On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King. It's half memoir and half writing tips from one of the masters of fiction. The memories King shares give you an insight into his upbringing, his family, and his first successes as an author. But it's all in service of talking about writing fiction.

A biography is a nonfiction account of a person's life similar to an autobiography, with the major difference that it's not written by the subject. For this reason, biographies can be written any time. In fact, new biographies about famous historical figures are often released when new information comes to light.

Biographers use a number of different sources to piece together the information they need to give the reader a look into the subject's life. They may use interviews with those who were close to the subject (such as a family member or friend) and interviews with the subject him or herself. They'll use photos, news articles, diaries, and many other sources to present a cohesive, and usually chronological, biographical sketch of the person's life.

Sometimes, the author is someone who was close to the subject. Other times, it's a professional writer who didn't know the subject personally. A biography will usually cover childhood, professional experience, personal information, accomplishments, and key events in the person's life.

Some examples of famous biographies include:

• Steve Jobs: The Exclusive Biography by Walter Isaacson
• Red Comet: The Short Life and Blazing Art of Sylvia Plath by Heather Clark
• His Excellency: George Washington by Joseph J. Ellis

A good example of a biography written by a relative is Virginia Woolf: A Biography , written by her nephew, Quentin Bell.

Biographies, autobiographies, and memoirs are all different ways to write about a person's life. Memoirs and autobiographies differ in their presentation and focus, but both are written by the subject. A biography is written by someone aside from the subject, who relies on various sources to present a thorough and (usually) chronological book of the subject's life story.

Although memoirs and autobiographies are “straight from the horse's mouth,” so to speak, they do allow room for some unconscious (or conscious) bias. Biographies are generally more objective because of the extensive research required to write about another person's life and accomplishments.

Now you know the difference between these three types of nonfiction books (not to mention some great recommendations for new books to read). Enjoy!

Dave Chesson

When I’m not sipping tea with princesses or lightsaber dueling with little Jedi, I’m a book marketing nut. Having consulted multiple publishing companies and NYT best-selling authors, I created Kindlepreneur to help authors sell more books. I’ve even been called “The Kindlepreneur” by Amazon publicly, and I’m here to help you with your author journey.

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The Differences between Memoir, Autobiography, and Biography - article

Creative nonfiction: memoir vs. autobiography vs. biography.

Writing any type of nonfiction story can be a daunting task. As the author, you have the responsibility to tell a true story and share the facts as accurately as you can—while also making the experience enjoyable for the reader.

There are three primary formats to tell a creative nonfiction story: memoir, autobiography, and biography. Each has its own distinct characteristics, so it’s important to understand the differences between them to ensure you’re writing within the correct scope.

A memoir is a collection of personal memories related to specific moments or experiences in the author’s life. Told from the perspective of the author, memoirs are written in first person point of view.

The defining characteristic that sets memoirs apart from autobiographies and biographies is its scope. While the other genres focus on the entire timeline of a person’s life, memoirs structure themselves on one aspect, such as addiction, parenting, adolescence, disease, faith, etc.

They may tell stories from various moments in the author’s life, but they should read like a cohesive story—not just a re-telling of facts.

“You don’t want a voice that simply relates facts to the reader. You want a voice that shows the reader what’s going on and puts him or her in the room with the people you’re writing about.” – Kevan Lyon in Writing a Memoir

Unlike autobiographies and biographies, memoirs focus more on the author’s relationship to and feelings about his or her own memories. Memoirs tend to read more like a fiction novel than a factual account, and should include things like dialogue , setting, character descriptions, and more.

Authors looking to write a memoir can glean insight from both fiction and nonfiction genres. Although memoirs tell a true story, they focus on telling an engaging narrative, just like a novel. This gives memoir authors a little more flexibility to improve upon the story slightly for narrative effect.

However, you should represent dialogue and scenarios as accurately as you can, especially if you’re worried about libel and defamation lawsuits .

Examples of popular memoirs include Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert and The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls.

Key traits of a memoir:

- Written in 1 st person POV from the perspective of the author - Less formal compared to autobiographies and biographies - Narrow in scope or timeline - Focused more on feelings and memories than facts - More flexibility to change the story for effect

Autobiography

Like a memoir, an autobiography is the author’s retelling of his or her life and told in first person point of view, making the author the main character of the story.

Autobiographies are also narrative nonfiction, so the stories are true but also include storytelling elements such as a protagonist (the author), a central conflict, and a cast of intriguing characters.

Unlike memoirs, autobiographies focus more on facts than emotions. Because of this, a collaborator often joins the project to help the author tell the most factual, objective story possible.

While a memoir is limited in scope, an autobiography details the author’s entire life up to the present. An autobiography often begins when the author is young and includes detailed chronology, events, places, reactions, movements and other relevant happenings throughout the author’s life.

“In many people’s memoir, they do start when they’re younger, but it isn’t an, ‘I got a dog, then we got a fish, and then I learned to tie my shoes’…it isn’t that kind of detail.” – Linda Joy Meyers in Memoir vs. Autobiography

The chronology of an autobiography is organized but not necessarily in date order. For instance, the author may start from current time and employ flashbacks or he/she may organize events thematically.

Autobiographers use many sources of information to develop the story such as letters, photographs, and other personal memorabilia. However, like a memoir, the author’s personal memory is the primary resource. Any other sources simply enrich the story and relay accurate and engaging experiences.

A good autobiography includes specific details that only the author knows and provides context by connecting those details to larger issues, themes, or events. This allows the reader to relate more personally to the author’s experience. 

Examples of popular autobiographies include The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank and I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou.

Key traits of an autobiography:

- Written in 1 st person POV from the perspective of the author, occasionally with the help of a collaborator - More formal and objective than memoirs, but more subjective than biographies - Broad in scope or timeline, often covering the author’s entire life up to the present - Focused more on facts than emotions - Requires more extensive fact-checking and research than memoirs, but less than biographies

A biography is the story of events and circumstances of a person’s life, written by someone other than that person. Usually, people write biographies about a  historical  or  public figure . They can be written with or without the subject’s authorization.

Since the author is telling the account of someone else, biographies are always in third person point of view and carry a more formal and objective tone than both memoirs and autobiographies.

Like an autobiography, biographies cover the entire scope of the subject’s life, so it should include details about his or her birthplace, educational background, work history, relationships, death and more.

Good biographers will research and study a person’s life to collect facts and present the most historically accurate, multi-faceted picture of an individual’s experiences as possible. A biography should include intricate details—so in-depth research is necessary to ensure accuracy.

“If you’re dealing principally with historical figures who are long dead, there are very few legal problems…if you’re dealing with a more sensitive issue…then the lawyers will be crawling all over the story.” – David Margolick in Legal Issues with Biographies

However, biographies are still considered creative nonfiction, so the author has the ability to analyze and interpret events in the subject’s life, looking for meaning in their actions, uncovering mistakes, solving mysteries, connecting details, and highlighting the significance of the person's accomplishments or life activities.

Authors often organize events in chronological order, but can sometimes organize by themes or specific accomplishments or topics, depending on their book’s key idea.

Examples of popular biographies include Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot.

Key traits of a biography:

- Written about another person, often a celebrity or public figure, and told in 3 rd person point of view - More formal and objective than both memoirs and autobiographies - Broad in scope or timeline, often covering the subject’s entire life up to the present - Focused solely on facts - Requires meticulous research and fact-checking to ensure accuracy

• Biographies and Memoirs
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Met you this morning briefly and just bought your book on Amazon. Congratulations. 

Very helpful. I think I am heading down the path of a memoir.

Thank you explaining the differences between the three writing styles!

Very useful article. Well done. Please can we have more. Doctor's Orders !!!

My first book, "Tales of a Meandering Medic" is definitely a Memoir.

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Biography vs. Autobiography vs. Memoir: Art of Life Stories

Have you ever found yourself lost in the pages of someone’s life story, marveling at their journey, and wondered, “How did they capture this essence so vividly?” Whether it’s the inspiring tale of a visionary like Steve Jobs, the intimate diary of Anne Frank, or the raw honesty of Michelle Obama’s “Becoming,” the allure of personal narratives is undeniable. But here’s a question: do you know the difference between a biography, an autobiography, and a memoir? These genres, while similar, have distinct flavors and purposes. In this journey through words, let’s unravel these threads and discover the unique tapestry each one weaves.

Biography vs. Autobiography vs. Memoir

In the realm of personal narratives, biographies, autobiographies, and memoirs are often mentioned in the same breath. Yet, each genre has its unique flavor and purpose. Understanding the differences between them is like distinguishing between different genres of music – each tells a story in its own unique way.

The Distinctive Flavors

Biographies are akin to a well-researched documentary. They are written by someone other than the subject and provide an external perspective on a person’s life. Biographers are like artists who paint a portrait of a person using the palette of history, interviews, and other sources.

Autobiographies, on the other hand, are self-written accounts. They are the self-portraits of literature, offering an internal perspective. Autobiographies often cover the author’s entire life, providing a detailed chronology of events and experiences from the person who lived them.

Memoirs are more like snapshots or a series of vignettes from the author’s life. They focus on specific experiences, periods, or events, often with a particular theme or emotional undercurrent. Memoirs are less about the chronological details and more about the emotional journey and personal insights.

The Art of Storytelling

While all three genres share the common thread of personal narrative, the way they tell their stories differs significantly. Biographies often have a more formal and comprehensive approach, while autobiographies and memoirs tend to be more personal and introspective. Autobiographies give you a panoramic view of a person’s life, while memoirs zoom in on particular aspects, offering a more detailed and intimate perspective.

The Purpose and Appeal

Each of these genres serves a different purpose and appeals to readers in different ways. Biographies satisfy our curiosity about the lives of others, especially prominent figures, and help us understand the broader historical and cultural context. Autobiographies allow us to connect directly with the author’s experiences and perspectives. Memoirs, with their focused and thematic approach, often resonate on a deeper emotional level, offering insights into specific life experiences and universal truths.

Now, let’s put these differences into perspective with a comparison table:

Literary Genre Quiz (Easy)

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What is a Biography?

In the tapestry of literature, a biography stands out as a vibrant thread, weaving together the intricate details of a person’s life. But what exactly makes a biography? It’s not just a chronological account of events; it’s a journey into the heart and soul of another human being, crafted with the careful hands of an author who is not the subject themselves.

The Essence of Biography

A biography is a detailed description or account of someone’s life, yet it involves more than just the basic facts like education, work, relationships, and death. It portrays a comprehensive picture of a person’s experiences and the times in which they lived. Think of it as a portrait painting; while the basic outlines are drawn from the subject’s life, the colors and textures are provided by the author’s insights into their character, motivations, and the impact they had on the world around them.

The Author’s Perspective

One of the most intriguing aspects of a biography is the author’s perspective. Unlike autobiographies, biographies are written by someone other than the subject. This external viewpoint allows for a more objective portrayal of the subject’s life. The biographer’s task is akin to that of a detective – piecing together the story of a life from letters, journals, interviews, and other sources. They must tread the fine line between fact and interpretation, ensuring that their narrative is both accurate and engaging.

The Journey Through Time

Biographies take readers on a journey through time, offering a glimpse into different eras and the people who shaped them. They provide context to the subject’s actions and decisions, helping readers understand the historical and cultural circumstances that influenced their life. This journey is not just about the destination – the events of the subject’s life – but also about the path they took, the obstacles they faced, and the legacy they left behind.

The Universal Appeal

While biographies are about individual lives, their appeal is universal. They tell stories of human struggle and achievement, of overcoming odds, and of making a mark on the world. Biographies inspire, educate, and entertain, bridging the gap between the past and the present. They remind us that history is not just about events and dates, but about real people who lived and breathed, loved and lost, and in their own way, changed the world.

3 Biography Examples

Diving into the world of biographies, we encounter stories that are as diverse as they are profound. These narratives not only chronicle the lives of remarkable individuals but also offer us a window into their souls. Let’s explore three exemplary biographies that stand as testaments to the power of well-told life stories.

“Steve Jobs” by Walter Isaacson

“Steve Jobs” by Walter Isaacson is a masterful portrayal of the iconic co-founder of Apple Inc. Isaacson, renowned for his in-depth research and engaging storytelling, paints a vivid picture of Jobs’ complex personality and groundbreaking innovations. This biography delves into Jobs’ intense drive, creative genius, and the path he blazed in the tech world. It’s a compelling read that takes you behind the scenes of his famous product launches and into the depths of his personal and professional relationships. Isaacson’s narrative is a rich tapestry that weaves together the triumphs and tribulations of a man who changed how we interact with technology.

“Marie Curie: A Biography” by Marilyn Bailey Ogilvie

In “Marie Curie: A Biography,” Marilyn Bailey Ogilvie offers an intimate look into the life of the trailblazing scientist who broke barriers in a male-dominated field. This biography shines a light on Curie’s relentless pursuit of knowledge, her groundbreaking discoveries in radioactivity, and her monumental contributions to science, which earned her two Nobel Prizes. Ogilvie’s portrayal is not just about Curie’s scientific achievements but also about her personal struggles, resilience, and the legacy she left for future generations of scientists, especially women. It’s a story of determination and brilliance, inspiring readers to believe in the power of perseverance.

“Alexander Hamilton” by Ron Chernow

Ron Chernow’s “Alexander Hamilton” is a riveting account of one of America’s most influential founding fathers. This biography takes you on a journey through Hamilton’s tumultuous life, from his humble beginnings in the Caribbean to his pivotal role in shaping the United States’ financial system. Chernow’s meticulous research and eloquent writing bring to life Hamilton’s political genius, his role in the creation of the U.S. Constitution, and his infamous rivalry with Aaron Burr. This book is more than a biography; it’s a vibrant portrait of a man whose legacy continues to resonate in modern American politics.

What is an Autobiography?

Have you ever wished you could step directly into someone’s shoes, to see the world through their eyes and understand their innermost thoughts and feelings? This is the essence of an autobiography. Unlike biographies, written by observers, an autobiography is a self-penned narrative, offering a first-person account of the author’s life. It’s as if the subject has invited you into their living room for a candid, personal conversation about their life’s journey.

The Personal Lens of Autobiography

In an autobiography, the author takes you by the hand and guides you through the corridors of their past. You get to experience their childhood memories, their triumphs and failures, their joys and sorrows, all narrated with the intimate knowledge that only they can provide. This genre is not just about recounting events; it’s about sharing the emotional journey that accompanied those events. It’s a deep dive into the author’s psyche, revealing their motivations, challenges, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.

The Authentic Voice

What sets autobiographies apart is their authentic voice. The narrative is often conversational, filled with personal anecdotes and reflections that give you a sense of who the author really is. It’s like listening to a friend recount their life story, complete with insights and introspections that only they could offer. This authenticity makes autobiographies uniquely compelling, as they provide a direct window into the author’s soul.

The Evolution of Self

Autobiographies often focus on the evolution of the author’s identity and perspective. They chronicle not just the external events of the author’s life but also their internal growth and development. Through the pages, you witness the transformation of the individual, understanding how each experience has shaped them into the person they are today.

The Universal in the Personal

While autobiographies are deeply personal, they often resonate with readers on a universal level. The struggles and triumphs, the dreams and disappointments, the moments of clarity and confusion – these are experiences that many of us share. By sharing their stories, authors of autobiographies connect with readers, offering insights and inspiration that transcend their individual experiences.

3 Autobiography Examples

In the realm of autobiographies, each book is a window into a life, offering unfiltered access to the author’s world. These narratives are not just accounts of events; they are personal testimonies of resilience, courage, and the human spirit. Let’s delve into three powerful autobiographies that have left an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of readers worldwide.

“Long Walk to Freedom” by Nelson Mandela

“Long Walk to Freedom” is not just an autobiography; it’s a testament to the unyielding spirit of one of the most iconic figures in the fight for equality, Nelson Mandela. In this deeply moving narrative, Mandela recounts his journey from a young village boy to a leader in the African National Congress, his enduring 27 years in prison, and his pivotal role in dismantling apartheid in South Africa. What makes this autobiography so compelling is Mandela’s ability to blend the political with the personal. His story is not just about the struggle for freedom but also about the power of hope, forgiveness, and the unbreakable will to achieve justice. Mandela’s voice resonates with dignity and wisdom, offering a profound lesson in leadership and humanity.

“The Diary of a Young Girl” by Anne Frank

Anne Frank’s “The Diary of a Young Girl” is a poignant and heart-wrenching autobiography that captures the essence of human resilience under the most harrowing circumstances. Written while hiding from the Nazis during World War II, this diary is a raw, unfiltered account of a young girl’s life and thoughts as she confronts the horrors of war and the threat of persecution. Anne’s diary is more than a historical document; it’s a journey into the soul of a bright, insightful, and incredibly brave girl facing unimaginable adversity. Her observations, dreams, and fears, penned with remarkable clarity and wisdom, continue to inspire and move readers around the world, serving as a powerful reminder of the horrors of war and the enduring strength of the human spirit.

“The Story of My Life” by Helen Keller

“The Story of My Life” by Helen Keller is an extraordinary autobiography that chronicles the life of a woman who, despite being deaf and blind from a young age, became one of the most inspirational figures of the 20th century. Keller’s narrative is a stunning testament to the power of determination and the human capacity to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Through her words, readers experience her journey of learning to communicate, her educational triumphs, and her work as an advocate for people with disabilities. Keller’s story is not just about the challenges of her physical condition but also about her intellectual and emotional growth. Her autobiography is a beacon of hope and a celebration of the indomitable human spirit, inspiring readers to believe in the potential within themselves, regardless of the challenges they face.

What is a Memoir?

Step into the world of memoirs, and you’re stepping into a garden of personal experiences, each flower representing a specific time, emotion, or event in someone’s life. Unlike autobiographies, which often span the entirety of a person’s life, memoirs focus on a particular aspect, theme, or period. They’re like a spotlight, illuminating a specific part of the garden, revealing its colors and textures in vivid detail.

The Intimacy of Memoirs

Memoirs are deeply personal narratives that offer a window into the author’s soul. They’re not just about what happened, but how what happened affected the author. It’s this introspective and reflective nature that sets memoirs apart. They delve into the emotional journey, exploring the author’s feelings, reactions, and insights. A memoir is like a conversation with an old friend, where stories and reflections are shared with honesty and vulnerability.

Crafting a Narrative

What makes memoirs so captivating is their narrative style. They often read like a novel, with a strong emphasis on storytelling. Authors of memoirs use literary techniques to weave their experiences into a narrative that’s not just informative but also emotionally engaging. They transport readers into their world, allowing them to see, feel, and experience life from the author’s perspective.

Memoirs may be personal, but their themes often resonate on a universal level. They touch on experiences and emotions that many of us can relate to, such as love, loss, triumph, and failure. This relatability is what draws readers into the memoir; it’s like finding parts of your own story in someone else’s narrative. Memoirs remind us that, despite our diverse life paths, our emotional experiences are often shared.

A Journey of Self-Discovery

Writing a memoir is often a journey of self-discovery for the author. It’s a process of reflecting on their life, making sense of their experiences, and understanding how those experiences have shaped them. For the reader, it’s an opportunity to learn from someone else’s life lessons, to gain insights that can be applied to their own journey.

3 Memoir Examples

Memoirs, with their intimate and focused narratives, offer a unique lens into the authors’ lives, highlighting specific experiences and the profound lessons they impart. Each memoir is a personal journey, a deep dive into moments that have shaped the author’s life. Let’s explore three captivating memoirs that have not only enthralled readers but also provided insights into different facets of the human experience.

“Becoming” by Michelle Obama

In “Becoming,” Michelle Obama invites us into her world, sharing the experiences that have shaped her from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years as an executive balancing the demands of motherhood and work, to her time spent at the world’s most famous address. This memoir is a work of deep reflection and mesmerizing storytelling. Michelle Obama describes her triumphs and disappointments, both public and private, telling her full story as she has lived it – in her own words and on her own terms. Warm, wise, and revelatory, “Becoming” is an intimately powerful read about a woman who has steadily defied expectations and whose story inspires us to do the same.

“Educated” by Tara Westover

Tara Westover’s “Educated” is a heart-wrenching memoir of self-invention and a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Born to survivalists in the mountains of Idaho, Westover was seventeen the first time she set foot in a classroom. Her quest for knowledge transformed her, taking her over oceans and across continents, to Harvard and to Cambridge. Despite her isolated upbringing, her pursuit of education opened new worlds and gave her a new voice. “Educated” is an account of the struggle for self-invention, a tale of fierce family loyalty, and the grief that comes from severing one’s closest ties. It’s a poignant reminder of the power of education to change one’s life.

“The Glass Castle” by Jeannette Walls

“The Glass Castle” by Jeannette Walls is a remarkable memoir of resilience and redemption, and a revelatory look into a family at once deeply dysfunctional and uniquely vibrant. Walls grew up with parents whose ideals and stubborn nonconformity were both their curse and their salvation. Her story focuses on her unconventional upbringing and how she and her siblings had to fend for themselves while their parents followed their whims. This memoir is a testament to the unbreakable bond of family and a celebration of the indomitable spirit to overcome insurmountable odds. Walls’ storytelling is straightforward and unadorned, yet the narrative she weaves is deeply moving and profoundly inspiring.

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Frequently Asked Questions

In the fascinating world of personal narratives, questions often arise about biographies, autobiographies, and memoirs. Let’s dive into some of the most frequently asked questions to shed light on these intriguing genres.

Is a Biography a Life Story?

Absolutely! A biography is indeed a life story, but it’s told by someone other than the subject. It’s an account that covers the significant events and experiences of a person’s life, often providing a comprehensive view of their journey.

Can Anyone Write a Biography?

Yes, anyone can write a biography, but it requires thorough research and a deep understanding of the subject. Biographers often spend years gathering information through interviews, archives, and other sources to paint an accurate and compelling picture of the person’s life.

Can a Biography Be Fictionalized?

While biographies are primarily factual, some authors use creative nonfiction techniques to enhance the narrative. However, the core of a biography should always be rooted in factual, well-researched information. Fictionalizing real events or characteristics of the person would stray into the realm of historical fiction.

How Do Authors Research for Writing a Biography?

Researching for a biography involves diving into various sources like letters, diaries, interviews, historical records, and other relevant documents. Biographers often interview people who knew the subject personally and gather as much firsthand information as possible to ensure accuracy and depth in their portrayal.

How Do You Start an Autobiography?

Starting an autobiography usually involves introspection. Authors often begin by outlining the key events in their life, reflecting on their experiences, and deciding on the overall theme or message they want to convey. It’s about finding the unique angle of your life story that will resonate with readers.

Are Autobiographies Always Written in the First Person?

Yes, autobiographies are typically written in the first person since they are personal accounts of the author’s life. Writing in the first person helps convey a sense of intimacy and immediacy, allowing readers to see the world through the author’s eyes.

How Do Authors Ensure Accuracy in Their Autobiographies?

Authors ensure accuracy in their autobiographies by relying on their memories, personal records, diaries, and sometimes by corroborating events with others. They strive to recall events and experiences as truthfully as possible, although it’s understood that personal perspectives may color these recollections.

Is Memoir a Fiction?

No, a memoir is not fiction. It’s a true account of specific experiences in the author’s life. While memoirs are subjective and focus on personal perceptions and emotions, they are grounded in the author’s real experiences.

Who is a Memoir Written by?

A memoir is written by the person who experienced the events or periods being described. It’s a personal narrative that delves into the author’s memories, emotions, and insights about particular aspects of their life.

What Are Some Common Themes in Memoirs?

Common themes in memoirs include personal growth, overcoming adversity, relationships, identity, and resilience. Memoirs often explore these themes through the lens of the author’s unique experiences and insights.

How Do Authors Decide What to Include in Their Memoirs?

Authors decide what to include in their memoirs based on the overall theme or focus of their narrative. They select events and experiences that are significant to the story they want to tell, often those that have had a profound impact on their personal journey or that illustrate a particular aspect of their life.

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Biography, Autobiography, and Memoir: What is the Difference?

Apr. 4th, 2022

If you have a true story you would like to tell, it is important to decide how you want to tell it. What is the difference between a biography, autobiography, and a memoir? We will discuss each form of nonfiction storytelling in this blog. 

A biography is one’s life story written by someone other than themself. Often, someone chooses a biographer to tell their story after careful consideration. People want to make sure their biographer is a writer who can tell their story well. Authors can also write biographies about a figure they are interested in without that person’s official consent. Biographies can be about any person, living or dead, famous or simply a regular person with a fascinating tale.

A biographer spends time interviewing with their subject, conducting research, and also speaking to people who know the subject in order to form a full picture of their life. Factual accuracy is important in biographies. While factual accuracy is important, it is also essential to write in a way that flows nicely rather than a laundry list of facts. Biographies still use structures found in fiction such as scenes and characterization in order to accomplish this. Summarize when appropriate, but use action scenes to describe important events.

Biographies are broad in scope, focusing on most of a subject’s life or a certain long period of their life. They are heavily structured, usually in chronological order. The biographer uses a bird’s eye view – third person perspective – to tell the story of their subject. That way, they themselves do not become a character in the story. 

If you would prefer to tell your life story on your own terms, then an autobiography may be right for you.

Autobiography

An autobiography is one’s life story as told by themselves. Autobiographies have all the traits of biographies, except the writer is telling their own story. As an autobiographer, a writer will use first person point of view. Speaking from your own perspective will lend your autobiography more credibility. Like biographies and fiction, autobiographies utilize scenes and characterization to tell the story in a way that is compelling, rather than simply reciting facts. 

However, it is still important to be factually accurate so your whole story lines up. If you would like to delve deeper into how something felt rather than how it happened in a literal sense, perhaps a memoir is a better choice.

A memoir is a nonfiction story that centers on one event or period in someone’s life, rather than a longer period or their whole life. Memoirs often use the same literary devices as fiction stories and poetry in order to make them more dynamic and compelling. As creative nonfiction, memoirs deal in finer detail than biographies and autobiographies. Authors attempt to convey their feelings. They talk about how an experience changed them. They focus on sensory details and crafting a unique narrative voice.

In memoir, the accuracy of how an event might have happened takes a backseat to how that event felt to the writer. Most importantly, a memoir attempts to reach a universal appeal through one’s own experience. While your experience may be something that only happened to you, it will be relatable to your audience. 

Ultimately, which format you decide will, in many ways, determine the course of your book. Therefore, it is important to choose wisely.

Sources consulted: Author Learning Center

For more tips on nonfiction writing, check out this blog.  

Have a biography, autobiography, or memoir you would like to publish? Contact us!

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How To Write An Autobiography

Autobiography Vs Biography

Autobiography vs. Biography vs. Memoirs: The Differences & Similarities

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Autobiography vs. Memoir - Differences & Similarities

How to Write a Memoir: Everything You Need to Know

Autobiographies, biographies, and memoirs are familiar ways to tell someone's story. But they aren't quite the same. Knowing the difference between them is crucial to getting your story right.

This blog is your guide to understanding the contrast between an autobiography, biography, and a memoir. We'll explain what sets them apart and what they have in common.

We will also include some examples to help you understand how to write these types of books. By uncovering these differences and similarities, we'll make it easier for both writers and readers to capture life stories. 

So, let’s dive right in!

• 1. Understanding Autobiography
• 2. Understanding Biography
• 3. Key Difference Between Autobiography and Biography - H2
• 4. How are they Different from a Memoir?
• 5. Autobiography vs. Biography vs. Memoir: Comparison Chart

Understanding Autobiography

Writing an autobiography is different from a biography, although both describe the character of the story of one's life. 

An autobiography is a description of a person’s life written by that person. As the book is written by the author, they are the main characters. 

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 childhood, career, life choices, achievements, and the difficulties they face. 

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

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:

Journey Through My Lens, A Life Unveiled - Autobiography Example

You can also refer to some more autobiography examples online to get inspiration and write about your life.

Understanding Biography

A biography is the story of a person’s life written by someone else. Usually, people write biographies about famous personalities. 

Since the writer is telling the story of someone, 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

“His Excellency: George Washington” by Joseph J. Ellis and “Steve Jobs” by Walter Isaacson are some of the key examples of a biography. 

Look at an example to help you understand:

The Life of Marie Curie - Biography Example

Key Difference Between Autobiography and Biography - H2

Look at the key differences between autobiography and biography in the following table:

Autobiography vs. Biography Examples 

Here are some examples below to get a better understanding of the concepts:

Autobiography Example

Biography Example

How are they 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 person.

The main difference between autobiography vs. 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 intimate 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:

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.

Writing a captivating autobiography is not an easy task. You need to plan your time, read books for inspiration, and search for information about various writing styles and formats.

If this seems like an overwhelming task to you, then get help from a legitimate essay writing service online.

Simply contact us and share your initial requirements, and we will get back to you in no time.

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Memoir vs. Autobiography: What’s the Difference?

The Difference Between Memoir and Autobiography

As authors and writers, we’re often compelled to share our personal stories with the world. Two common forms of personal narratives are memoirs and autobiographies, each offering a unique lens through which to explore life experiences. But what exactly is the difference between memoir and autobiography?

In this article, I’ll unravel the differences between memoirs and autobiographies, offer insights into how to choose between the two, and touch on how Atmosphere Press can assist authors in bringing their narratives to fruition.

Understanding Memoirs and Autobiographies

While memoirs and autobiographies both delve into the author’s life experiences, they approach storytelling in distinct ways:

A memoir focuses on a specific aspect or period of the author’s life, often delving into personal reflections, emotions, and insights. It captures the essence of a particular theme, event, or relationship, offering readers an intimate and subjective portrayal of the author’s experiences.

In contrast, an autobiography provides a comprehensive and chronological account of the author’s entire life, from childhood to the present. Autobiographies aim to present a factual and objective overview of the author’s life, covering significant events, achievements, and relationships in a linear fashion.

Key Differentiators

Scope and focus.

Memoirs hone in on specific moments or themes, allowing authors to delve deeply into their personal experiences and reflections. Autobiographies, on the other hand, provide a broad overview of the author’s entire life, encompassing a wide range of events and experiences.

Narrative Voice

Memoirs often feature a distinct narrative voice, as authors share their thoughts, emotions, and perspectives on the events portrayed. Autobiographies typically adopt a more objective tone, presenting events and facts in a straightforward manner without extensive personal reflection.

Audience Appeal

Memoirs appeal to readers seeking intimate and emotional storytelling, offering a nuanced exploration of the author’s experiences and insights. Autobiographies cater to those interested in a comprehensive overview of the author’s life and achievements, providing a broader perspective on their journey.

Choosing Between Memoir and Autobiography

Deciding whether to write a memoir or an autobiography depends on factors such as the scope of your story, your intended audience, and your storytelling style. Consider your narrative goals and reflect on questions such as:

What aspect of my life do I want to explore in my writing?

Am I drawn to a more intimate and reflective narrative, or do I prefer a comprehensive overview of my entire life?

Who is my target audience, and what type of narrative is likely to resonate with them?

By considering these questions and understanding the unique attributes of memoirs and autobiographies, you can determine which genre best suits your story and objectives.

For readers seeking a deeper understanding, consider memoirs like Educated by Tara Westover, The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, and Wild by Cheryl Strayed, and check out autobiographies such as Becoming by Michelle Obama, Open by Andre Agassi, and Born a Crime by Trevor Noah.

While memoirs and autobiographies share the common goal of sharing personal experiences, they differ in scope, narrative style, and audience appeal. By understanding the distinctions between these two genres and considering your own story and goals, you can choose the approach that best aligns with your narrative vision. With the support of publishing professionals like Atmosphere Press, authors can embark on a publishing journey that amplifies their personal narratives with authenticity and impact.

Erin K. Larson-Burnett, Production Manager at Atmosphere Press (submit your manuscript here !), is a born-and-raised Southerner currently living in Katy, Texas, with her husband and their small domestic zoo. She is an avid ink drinker who lives and breathes books—during the day, she works remotely with authors around the world, honing and perfecting books published through Atmosphere Press. By night, she crafts her own stories…or at least tries to.  The Bear & the Rose  is her debut novel.

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Memoir vs Biography: Spotting the Genre Differences

POSTED ON Jan 16, 2024

Written by Sarah Rexford

Identifying the differences in memoir vs biography can feel nuanced. To be clear, it is. Both genres are about an individual’s life, but the focus you take depends on which you choose to write: biography vs memoir. 

Neither is better or worse than the other. What matters is determining what you want to accomplish with your manuscript. Memoir focuses on the individual from a specific angle, while biography spends time recounting the individual’s life in a different way. 

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Your writing perspective plays a crucial role in:

• The stories you include
• Tone you write in
• Audience you connect with

In this article, I discuss memoir vs biography, the key differences, and how to determine which one you should write. Let’s start with a definition of biography vs memoir. 

Memoir vs biography…what's covered:

How is a memoir different from a biography.

A memoir is different from a biography in that memoirs focus on specific life events that teach a specific theme. Writers draft and publish biographies as a way to document an individual’s life, start to finish. For this reason, anyone who experienced specific life events that could be of benefit to others can write their memoir. 

Many celebrities and public figures share their memoirs, but everyday people can as well. As long as you have a lesson to teach or a theme that will resonate with a specific audience, you can write your memoir. 

Assessing the major difference in memoir vs biography 

The key difference between memoir vs biography is that biographies document an individual’s life from start to finish, or start to present day. Memoirs focuses on a specific theme that threads throughout key events in an individual’s life.  

Readers are not usually interested in reading the everyday occurrences of the average person. However, most people are curious about how celebrities and influential people live on a day to day basis.

For instance, Caroline Fraser’s, Prairie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder , recounts the life of a little girl growing up on the prairie. Today, Laura Ingalls Wilder is a major name associated with this specific time period. Learning about the daily life of this iconic individual is inspiring. 

The same is true for Steve Jobs, Christopher Knight, Louis Zamperini, and Henrietta Lacks. Each of these individuals have helped shape history. Because of this, the details of their lives are of interest. 

Consider the key themes of memoir 

Memoir, on the other hand, can highlight the themes of unknown individuals’ lives and in turn, bring them into the spotlight. Whether you desire to share you experience as a Mennonite, working with a speech impediment, or dealing with racism, your story matters.

See if you can identify the themes in the following memoirs: 

• Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home , Rhoda Janzen
• Out With It: How Stuttering Helped Me Find My Voice , Katherine Preston
• Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption , Bryan Stevenson 

There are various themes in the above: a mennonite, Preston’s struggle with stuttering, Stevenson’s role in bringing justice to people of color in the Deep South. 

These differences bring up the valid question: if biographies recount a person’s life and memoir’s share specific parts of their life, is memoir always a biography?

Is a memoir always a biography?

No, memoir is not always a biography but rather pulls key features from your life. The key difference between memoir vs biography is its deep dive into specifics. 

The specific focus of a memoir can center around:

• A personal recounting of a thought-process through events
• Events that shaped your life, outlook, and worldview 
• A certain season in life and lessons learned 
• An inside look at your hobby
• Challenges you faced

When it comes time to learn how to write a memoir outline , think of a memoir as the key ingredients in the recipe: the themes and stories an author includes are necessary to hold the story together.

A biography adds in other seasonings that bring flavor and nuance to an individual’s life: stories and events that do not necessarily add to the theme but provide a more detailed look at their life.

Memoir vs biography: key traits of each

Now that you firmly grasp the differences in memoir vs biography (find more on autobiography vs memoir and biography vs autobiography here), it’s important to discuss the traits that set each apart. Choosing between writing a biography vs memoir can feel difficult. After all, your life matters and the different aspects of your story all feel important. 

A vital question to keep top of mind is, “How will each event I share aid my readers?” To help answer this question, below is a list of traits common in both memoir vs biography. You can read through both, then take note of which traits most resonate with you. The genre with the most traits you connect with is likely the one you should choose to write. 

Memoir vs biography:

Which column did you most resonate with? Does your life hold important moments that could resonate with a large audience? You may want to write your memoir. 

On the other hand, if you are relatively well-known, experience a certain level of influence, and find people regularly interested in the everyday details of your life, you may want to hire someone to help you write your biography.

If you want to write your story yourself, you can write an autobiography. However, even if you chose to share your story via a biography, you can work closely with the writer to ensure the final product is exactly as you want it. 

Two key traits of memoirs 

First, if you choose memoir as your final choice in your decision in memoir vs biography, rest assured that you do not need to recount your entire life story. 

This can feel empowering for some writers who may feel overwhelmed at the prospect of condensing decades of experiences into one manuscript. 

Instead, as you draft your memoir (and articulate the memoir sub-genres right for your story), focus on one main theme or story and the life experiences that build on this theme. Memoirs focus on teaching the reader through the experience of the writer, so don’t forget to be vulnerable and establish that connection at an emotional level.

Memoirs allow readers an inside look at defining moments in your life and what you learned in those seasons. 

Second, remember to use fiction writing techniques when drafting your memoir. Begin in medias res , or in the middle of the action. While biographies often begin at the start of the subject’s life, with memoir, begin in the middle. 

Grab your readers early on. Helpful questions to consider are below:

• At what point did I encounter a profound awareness that this specific situation was teaching me a lesson?
• What part of my experience will be most engaging for readers?
• How can I immerse them in my world as quickly as possible?

But now what? What’s a concrete step you can take now that you understand the key differences between memoir vs biography? Here are some examples of writing goals to inspire you. And don't forget to check out the free resource below! 

FREE BOOK OUTLINE TEMPLATE

100% Customizable For Your Manuscript.

Related posts

The six-word memoir: an exercise on short, powerful stories.

Memoir, Non-Fiction

How to Start a Memoir: 10 Steps for Sharing Your Story 

What is a memoir definition & purpose of this genre.

Microsoft 365 Life Hacks > Writing > What’s the difference between a biography and an autobiography?

What’s the difference between a biography and an autobiography?

If you’ve ever set foot in a bookstore, you’ve likely come across both autobiographies and biographies that tell about the lives of notable individuals. Let’s take a look at the most important differences between these non-fiction books.

What is a biography?

Typically written in the third person, a biography is a detailed story about a living or deceased person’s life. A third party writes this non-fiction account of someone’s life. Let’s say Person A is a famous singer who recently passed away. Person B researches and writes a fact-based story on the famous singer’s life from start to finish. Person B’s factual story of Person A’s life is a biography.

Types of biographies

Biographies don’t always take the same approach or follow the same structure. Some are more official, while others get more creative. Writers can choose from a few common biography types, including:

• Authorized biographies, which received the subject’s input and/or permission.
• Unauthorized biographies, which were written without the subject’s approval or input.
• Biographical novels, which were inspired by a real person’s life, but feature embellishments that may make the story more interesting.
• Group biographies, which focus on groups of people rather than a single person.

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Examples of biographies

Each biography is a window into someone’s life, offering unique insights and perspectives. From the struggles of historical figures to the triumphs of artistic icons, biographies are not just informative but can also be deeply inspiring. Here are a few examples:

• The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot is a biography that describes the life of Henrietta Lacks, an African American woman whose cells were extremely important for medical research.
• Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman by Robert K. Massie is a biography that describes Catherine the Great’s origins and rise to power as a Russian empress.
• Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo by Hayden Herrera details the painter’s life and famous works.

What is an autobiography?

Usually written in the first person, an autobiography is when the author writes about their own life. This subjective account is unique because it allows the author to share details of their life that another writer might not have been able to uncover.

Types of autobiographies

There are two main types of autobiographies: complete autobiographies and memoirs. In a complete autobiography, the author begins their story with their roots or birth and ends the autobiography at their current age. In a memoir, the author writes about a specific period of their life. For example, a famous actor may begin a memoir by sharing their first role in a movie, rather than sharing details about the beginning of their life or their childhood.

Examples of autobiographies

Autobiographies offer a unique lens into the lives of their authors, providing firsthand accounts of their experiences, challenges, and triumphs. Here are a few examples of notable autobiographies:

• In Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda, Yogananda provides a first-hand account of his life and spiritual growth.
• In The Story of My Life by Helen Keller, Keller shares her life from birth until she was 22. She shares how she learned to communicate despite being blind and deaf.
• In The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X, he shares his life from childhood through adulthood and how he impacted the civil rights movement.

In summary, a biography is a story of someone’s life, written by a different person, versus an autobiography where an author writes about their own life.

Why should you read biographies (or autobiographies)?

Biographies and autobiographies are a great way to get an in-depth look at the lives of politicians, musicians, historical figures, innovators, and more. If there’s a famous person that you admire, there’s likely a biography written about them or an autobiography that they wrote themselves that can teach you more about their accomplishments.

If you’re interested in writing a biography or autobiography, see how you can write, research, and organize a book using OneNote . Whether you’re just putting together your first draft or you’re still outlining your story , you can elevate your writing in real time with Microsoft Editor .

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