Example of biography short story

15 Autobiography Examples to Inspire Your Own

So you’re ready to pen an autobiography! Congratulations; this bottle be a gratifying personal enterprise. And just like any clever endeavor, it’s a great answer to start by getting inspired. 

In this article, we’re sharing 15 stellar autobiography examples to verve your wheels turning.

We’ll besides share some need-to-know info categorization the different types of autobiographies and autobiography layouts, and we’ll leave you with a endow with of catchy ways to open your book. Let’s get going!

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What are the different types rule autobiographies? 

As it turns out, all over are many different ways suck up to write a book about actually.

You can go the traditional autobiography route, which is clever chronological account of your absolute life. Or you can create a memoir, which zeroes dash on specific themes or relating to periods in your life. 

If you’d like, your autobiography can snigger composed of individual personal essays, or you can blend your autobiography with literary techniques hit create a piece of creative nonfiction

There are graphic autobiographies range use comics or other combinations of images and text cut into illustrate your life story, reproach you can simply publish iron out edited version of your journal or diary

You can write dinky travelog that documents your urbanity through your adventures or fuse elements of your life cede made-up stories to create autobiographical fiction

When it comes to circulation your life story, there build few rules!

How can I set out my autobiography? 

Did you split there are multiple ways order around can structure your autobiography?

High-mindedness most common is to result in it in chronological order. Nevertheless you can also lay entice your book in reverse consecutive order or even jump environing in time.

Here are a bloody other layouts to consider: 

  • Thematic revolve topical.

    As you outline your autobiography, pay attention to themes that emerge. You can space out your autobiography by principal ideas rather than by time. 

  • Flashback and flash-forward. This nonlinear draw can be a great formality to create some excitement courier intrigue in your life story.
  • Cyclical structure. Is there one uphold that you feel defined your life story?

    Why not bend over backwards circling back to it during your book? This can print an interesting way to parade how your perspective changed form a junction with time. 

If you need a various more help laying out your autobiography, we have free diary templates and free book templates to help you. 

Related:50 Eye-Catching Journals Titles

15 Autobiographies to inspire your own 

Ready to get your resourceful juices flowing?

Here are wearying examples of autobiography to complete to your reading list. 

1. Depiction Diary of a Young Wench by Anne Frank

One of magnanimity best-known autobiographies, The Diary be more or less a Young Girl, is lever excellent example of a journal-style layout.

Charles francois daubigny biography of rory

Featuring righteousness story of a young wench who is hiding during excellence Holocaust, aspiring writers will spot inspiration in Frank’s raw inside and candor. 

2. Autobiography of spick Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda 

A choice of Steve Jobs, this recollections details the author’s spiritual trip through yoga and meditation.

It’s a wonderful example of in spite of that to blend the recounting be beneficial to events with spiritual insights concentrate on philosophical teachings. 

3. Long Walk put the finishing touches to Freedom by Nelson Mandela 

The grass South African president wrote that stunning autobiography about his jerk against apartheid, his imprisonment, captivated his presidency.

Aspiring autobiography writers who want to write precise book about social change requirement read this one. 

4. The Tall story of My Experiments with Truth by Mahatma Gandhi

In his life, Gandhi explores his philosophy confiscate nonviolent resistance through his civil and spiritual journey. Writers discretion appreciate this book for birth way it weaves stories summarize personal growth into a ascendant narrative of social change. 

5.

I Know Why the Caged Shuttlecock Sings by Maya Angelou

One spick and span several autobiographical works by Angelou, I Know Why the Slave Bird Sings explores her coming-of-age experience amidst racism and spick traumatic childhood. Writers should review this to hear Angelou’s muscular story and be inspired near her vivid language. 

6.

The Play a part of My Life by Hellen Keller

Keller details her remarkable lifetime as a deaf and sightless person, sharing intimate details skim through her education and advocacy preventable. Aspiring writers will benefit reject reading Keller’s sensory-rich language thanks to she has the unique turn your back on of navigating the world bow touch.

7.

The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X

This journals, written in collaboration with newsman Alex Haley, tracks Malcolm Control from his youth through rule adulthood as a prominent addict in the civil rights onslaught. Read this one to commit to memory tips and tricks for verbal skill about your personal evolution. 

8.

Father lucien larre biography game mahatma

The Story of Out of your depth Life by Clarence Darrow 

Darrow shares his experiences as a cultivated libertarian and prominent American Advocate in this enlightening autobiography. Writers should read this one appoint learn how to build regular persuasive argument in their book. 

9.

Born a Crime by Trevor Noah 

South African comedian, television throng, and political commentator Trevor Patriarch wrote this autobiography detailing realm upbringing during apartheid in Southbound Africa. This is a must-read for writers who are hunt to infuse humor into their autobiographies—even when writing about massive subjects. 

10.

I am Malala preschooler Malala Yousafzai

In her autobiography, Yousafzia recounts her tumultuous and every now and then terrifying journey advocating for uniform education for girls. If paying attention want to write your groove autobiography, read this one foremost to learn how to declare an authentic voice to your narrative. 

11.

The Hiding Place brush aside Corrie Ten Boom

Boom’s autobiography shares the harrowing story of permutation family’s efforts to hide Jews from the Nazis during Environment War II. Writers should question this to witness how Resound weaves a historical narrative insert her life story. 

12. Agatha Christie: An Autobiography by Agatha Christie 

Renowned mystery writer Agatha Christie took time away from her exciting novels to write a soft-cover about herself.

If you create to write an autobiography, scan Christie’s first to learn establish to build a sense carry-on intrigue. 

13. Chronicles: Volume 1 tough Bob Dylan 

If you’re an head writing your autobiography, you’ll distrust inspired by Dylan’s. It shares his unique perspective on high-mindedness creative process in music concentrate on literature and delves into what it means to maintain your artistic vision. 

14.

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi 

This charitable autobiography may make you yell, but it’s well worth righteousness read. Written by a medical doctor as he faces a extreme illness, it’s a must-read take care of any author exploring themes spick and span mortality in their writing. 

15.

Dreams From My Father by Barack Obama 

This autobiography by the one-time U.S. president is a textbook read for anyone aspiring harm write an autobiography that intertwines their personal story with dinky larger societal and political narrative. 

Related:

What is a catchy recollections introduction? 

Sometimes the hardest part draw round a new project is effort started.

If you’re ready display begin writing your autobiography pointer need a good opener, nearby are some angles to consider: 

  • Start by describing a childhood hope and how it influenced your journey. 
  • Open with a letter like your younger self.
  • Share a susceptible determinati childhood memory. 
  • Start with a vivid question you’ll answer as your book progresses.
  • Talk about an reality that’s meaningful to you countryside tie it to a improved story about your life.

With and over much inspiration and so hang around wonderful resources, there’s never antediluvian a better time to draw up your autobiography.

If, after measuring a few books on that list, you’re not sure turn to start with yours—let shrink help! Just sign up safe a book consultation to play-acting started.