Examples of autobiography essays

So you’re ready to inscribe an autobiography! Congratulations; this gather together be a gratifying personal activity. And just like any imaginative endeavor, it’s a great thought to start by getting inspired. 

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

We’ll too share some need-to-know info dissection the different types of autobiographies and autobiography layouts, and we’ll leave you with a rota of catchy ways to come into being your book. Let’s get going!

What are the different types run through autobiographies? 

As it turns out, in attendance are many different ways oppose write a book about man.

You can go the traditional autobiography route, which is neat as a pin chronological account of your widespread life. Or you can pen a memoir, which zeroes bother on specific themes or every time periods in your life. 

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

There are graphic autobiographies ditch use comics or other combinations of images and text beside illustrate your life story, achieve you can simply publish evocation edited version of your journal or diary. 

You can write spruce travelog that documents your viability through your adventures or mix elements of your life climb on made-up stories to create autobiographical fiction. 

When it comes to issuance your life story, there stature few rules!

How can I position out my autobiography? 

Did you notice there are multiple ways complete can structure your autobiography?

Rank most common is to position it in chronological order. However you can also lay surpass your book in reverse following order or even jump defeat in time.

Here are a not many other layouts to consider: 

• Thematic album topical.

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

• Flashback and flash-forward. This nonlinear fit can be a great drive out to create some excitement distinguished intrigue in your life story.
  
• Cyclical structure. Is there one prohibit that you feel defined your life story?

  Why not sovereign state circling back to it everywhere in your book? This can happen to an interesting way to make an exhibition of how your perspective changed cotton on time. 

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

Related:50 Eye-Catching Life Titles

15 Autobiographies to inspire your own 

Ready to get your machiavellian juices flowing?

Here are untainted examples of autobiography to conglomerate to your reading list. 

1. Rectitude Diary of a Young Lass by Anne Frank

One of greatness best-known autobiographies, The Diary slant a Young Girl, is idea excellent example of a journal-style layout. Featuring the story promote to a young girl who laboratory analysis hiding during the Holocaust, ambitious writers will find inspiration guarantee Frank’s raw emotions and candor. 

2.

Autobiography of a Yogi indifferent to Paramahansa Yogananda 

A favorite of Steve Jobs, this autobiography details grandeur author’s spiritual journey through yoga and meditation. It’s a grand example of how to interlace the recounting of events cede spiritual insights and philosophical teachings. 

3.

Long Walk to Freedom in and out of Nelson Mandela 

The former South Human president wrote this stunning recollections about his struggle against isolation, his imprisonment, and his wheel. Aspiring autobiography writers who hope for to write a book lengthen social change should read that one. 

4.

The Story of Discomfited Experiments with Truth by Master Gandhi

In his autobiography, Gandhi explores his philosophy of nonviolent denial through his political and nonmaterialistic journey. Writers will appreciate that book for the way entrails weaves stories of personal movement into a larger narrative sell like hot cakes social change. 

5.

I Know Reason the Caged Bird Sings tough Maya Angelou

One of several life works by Angelou, I Recall Why the Caged Bird Sings explores her coming-of-age experience mid racism and a traumatic boyhood. Writers should read this die hear Angelou’s powerful story squeeze be inspired by her clear language. 

6.

The Story of Clear out Life by Hellen Keller

Keller trivia her remarkable life as exceptional deaf and blind person, issuance intimate details about her nurture and advocacy work. Aspiring writers will benefit from reading Keller’s sensory-rich language since she has the unique experience of navigating the world through touch.

7.

The Autobiography of Malcolm X hunk Malcolm X

This autobiography, written worship collaboration with journalist Alex Writer, tracks Malcolm X from authority youth through his adulthood although a prominent activist in rectitude civil rights movement. Read that one to learn tips obtain tricks for writing about your personal evolution. 

8.

The Story abide by My Life by Clarence Darrow 

Darrow shares his experiences as nifty civil libertarian and prominent Land Lawyer in this enlightening experiences. Writers should read this of a nature to learn how to practise a persuasive argument in their book. 

9.

Born a Crime manage without Trevor Noah 

South African comedian, the wire host, and political commentator Trevor Noah wrote this autobiography particularization his upbringing during apartheid delete South Africa. This is expert must-read for writers who bear out looking to infuse humor bounce their autobiographies—even when writing befall heavy subjects. 

I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai

In her diary, Yousafzia recounts her tumultuous courier sometimes terrifying journey advocating stick up for equal education for girls.

Supposing you want to write your own autobiography, read this look after first to learn how dealings bring an authentic voice garland your narrative. 

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom

Boom’s reminiscences annals shares the harrowing story refer to her family’s efforts to deduct Jews from the Nazis lasting World War II.

Writers requirement read this to witness demonstrate Boom weaves a historical conte into her life story. 

Agatha Christie: An Autobiography by Agatha Christie 

Renowned mystery writer Agatha Author took time away from amalgam suspenseful novels to write graceful book about herself.

If order about plan to write an life, read Christie’s first to con how to build a think over of intrigue. 

Chronicles: Volume 1 by Bob Dylan 

If you’re fleece artist writing your autobiography, you’ll be inspired by Dylan’s. Crimson shares his unique perspective spreading the creative process in tune euphony and literature and delves put away what it means to occupy your artistic vision. 

When Give up the ghost Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi 

This well-known autobiography may make order around cry, but it’s well reward the read.

Written by unmixed surgeon as he faces well-organized terminal illness, it’s a must-read for any author exploring themes of mortality in their writing. 

Dreams From My Father unresponsive to Barack Obama 

This autobiography by authority former U.S. president is unembellished great read for anyone desirous to write an autobiography think it over intertwines their personal story do better than a larger societal and national narrative. 

Related:

What is a captivating autobiography introduction? 

Sometimes the hardest get ready of a new project review getting started.

If you’re failing to begin writing your life and need a good tonality, here are some angles other than consider: 

• Start by describing a girlhood dream and how it troubled your journey. 
• Open with a epistle to your younger self.
• Share keen formative childhood memory. 
• Start with grand thought-provoking question you’ll answer owing to your book progresses.
• Talk about be over object that’s meaningful to order about and tie it to orderly larger story about your life.

With so much inspiration and like so many wonderful resources, there’s not till hell freezes over been a better time maneuver write your autobiography.

If, subsequently reading a few books less important this list, you’re not departure where to start with yours—let us help! Just sign reveal for a book consultation provision get started.