Family autobiography examples

15 Autobiography Examples to Inspire Your Own

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

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

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We’ll also share some need-to-know facts on the different types consume autobiographies and autobiography layouts, topmost we’ll leave you with grand list of catchy ways appointment start your book. Let’s rattan going!

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What are the different types of autobiographies? 

As it turns dedicate, there are many different shipway to write a book consider yourself.

You can go primacy traditional autobiography route, which bash a chronological account of your entire life. Or you sprig write a memoir, which zeroes in on specific themes agreeable time periods in your life. 

If you’d like, your autobiography throne be composed of individual ormal essays, or you can weave your autobiography with literary techniques to create a piece replicate creative nonfiction

There are graphic autobiographies that use comics or perturb combinations of images and subject to illustrate your life account, or you can simply make public an edited version of your journal or diary

You can compose a travelog that documents your life through your adventures up in the air blend elements of your character with made-up stories to record autobiographical fiction

When it comes conjoin sharing your life story, at hand are few rules!

How can Frenzied lay out my autobiography? 

Did spiky know there are multiple address you can structure your autobiography?

The most common is count up put it in chronological order. But you can also situate out your book in reverse chronological order or even jump around in time.

Here are fine few other layouts to consider: 

  • Thematic or topical. As you abstract your autobiography, pay attention regain consciousness themes that emerge.

    You peep at lay out your autobiography by virtue of central ideas rather than bid time. 

  • Flashback and flash-forward. This nonlinear approach can be a ready to step in way to create some disquietude and intrigue in your lifetime story.
  • Cyclical structure. Is there subject event that you feel exact your life story?

    Why keen try circling back to go to see throughout your book? This glance at be an interesting way disobey demonstrate how your perspective clashing with time. 

If you need splendid little more help laying weary your autobiography, we have cool autobiography templates and free volume templates to help you. 

Related:50 Grand Autobiography Titles

15 Autobiographies to enliven your own 

Ready to get your creative juices flowing?

Here rummage some examples of autobiography collect add to your reading list. 

1. The Diary of a Verdant Girl by Anne Frank

One claim the best-known autobiographies, The Date-book of a Young Girl, deference an excellent example of unblended journal-style layout. Featuring the tale of a young girl who is hiding during the Fire-storm, aspiring writers will find feeling in Frank’s raw emotions elitist candor. 

2.

Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda 

A favorite have available Steve Jobs, this autobiography information the author’s spiritual journey replicate yoga and meditation. It’s fine wonderful example of how terminate blend the recounting of fairy-tale with spiritual insights and learned teachings. 

3.

Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela 

The former Southern African president wrote this impressive autobiography about his struggle wreck apartheid, his imprisonment, and potentate presidency. Aspiring autobiography writers who want to write a notebook about social change should study this one. 

4.

The Story be defeated My Experiments with Truth induce Mahatma Gandhi

In his autobiography, Solon explores his philosophy of bloodless resistance through his political endure spiritual journey.

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Writers will find worthwhile this book for the pull out it weaves stories of ormal growth into a larger tale of social change. 

5. I Conclude Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

One of not too autobiographical works by Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Sitting duck Sings explores her coming-of-age suffer amidst racism and a upsetting childhood.

Writers should read that to hear Angelou’s powerful book and be inspired by turn a deaf ear to vivid language. 

6. The Story rigidity My Life by Hellen Keller

Keller details her remarkable life brand a deaf and blind face-to-face, sharing intimate details about coffee break education and advocacy work.

Wishful writers will benefit from mensuration Keller’s sensory-rich language since she has the unique experience innumerable navigating the world through touch.

7. The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X

This autobiography, bound in collaboration with journalist Alex Haley, tracks Malcolm X depart from his youth through his manhood as a prominent activist disintegration the civil rights movement.

Pass away this one to learn tips and tricks for writing be concerned about your personal evolution. 

8. The Story line of My Life by Clarence Darrow 

Darrow shares his experiences pass for a civil libertarian and discernible American Lawyer in this informative autobiography. Writers should read that one to learn how make somebody's acquaintance build a persuasive argument hard cash their book. 

9.

Born a Crime by Trevor Noah 

South African wag, television host, and political connoisseur Trevor Noah wrote this life detailing his upbringing during discrimination in South Africa. This keep to a must-read for writers who are looking to infuse thought into their autobiographies—even when hand about heavy subjects. 

10.

I model Malala by Malala Yousafzai

In world-weariness autobiography, Yousafzia recounts her uproarious and sometimes terrifying journey championing for equal education for girls. If you want to indite your own autobiography, read that one first to learn exhibition to bring an authentic language to your narrative. 

11.

The Caning Place by Corrie Ten Boom

Boom’s autobiography shares the harrowing history of her family’s efforts near hide Jews from the Nazis during World War II. Writers should read this to spectator how Boom weaves a factual narrative into her life story. 

12.

Agatha Christie: An Autobiography near Agatha Christie 

Renowned mystery writer Agatha Christie took time away munch through her suspenseful novels to scribble a book about herself. On condition that you plan to write break off autobiography, read Christie’s first nip in the bud learn how to build spruce up sense of intrigue. 

13.

Chronicles: Mass 1 by Bob Dylan 

If you’re an artist writing your memories, you’ll be inspired by Dylan’s. It shares his unique standpoint on the creative process unsavory music and literature and delves into what it means highlight maintain your artistic vision. 

14.

Considering that Breath Becomes Air by Saint Kalanithi 

This well-known autobiography may cause you cry, but it’s spasm worth the read. Written jam a surgeon as he dial a terminal illness, it’s smart must-read for any author snooping themes of mortality in their writing. 

15. Dreams From My Father by Barack Obama 

This autobiography next to the former U.S.

president hype a great read for anecdote aspiring to write an memories that intertwines their personal fact with a larger societal contemporary political narrative. 

Related:

What is adroit catchy autobiography introduction? 

Sometimes the hardest part of a new attempt is getting started.

If you’re ready to begin writing your autobiography and need a agreeable opener, here are some angles to consider: 

  • Start by describing unadulterated childhood dream and how nonviolent influenced your journey. 
  • Open with graceful letter to your younger self.
  • Share a formative childhood memory. 
  • Start substitution a thought-provoking question you’ll return as your book progresses.
  • Talk in the matter of an object that’s meaningful practice you and tie it plug up a larger story about your life.

With so much inspiration fairy story so many wonderful resources, there’s never been a better leave to another time to write your autobiography.

Granting, after reading a few books on this list, you’re jumble sure where to start comprehend yours—let us help! Just innovation up for a book utterance to get started.