Definitions

• Memoir – a story that relates to one part of the writer's life and reflects on reoccurring themes throughout the writer's life.¹
• Autobiography – longer counterparts of memoirs; this is a longer work that gives a complete account of the writer's life or of a particular theme throughout the writer's life.¹
• Biography – A written account of the series of events that make up another person's life.²

Memoirs

• Choosing a Subject¹
  • It does not need to cover every experience and detail. It simply explores themes and details and uses these to develop a story.
  • It will not simply list details and memories one after another; each story that is told should tie back to the issues and themes being explored. Therefore, the reader should know what each detail or story meant to the writer and his or her life overall.
• Structure of the Memoir¹
  • Include only those stories or memories that contribute to the development of the overall theme that you have chosen. Then look back at them and decide what made them important to you.
  • Do not speed through pivotal moments; you need to give the reader a chance to let them sink in. Use words that bring them into the experience with you.
  • You can either go through the stories chronologically or you can use flashbacks- "a technique of moving back and forth through time".
• Voice in the Memoir¹
  • Voice: "the personality or the mood of the speaker you hear talking to you as you read the memoir."
  • Your voice needs to let your attitude shine through. Depending on the subject, you may need to be emotional, distressed, etc.

Autobiographies³

• Things you may include: introduce yourself, where you were born, birthday, family, where you live/lived, place of worship, friends, talents, things hard for you, what you do/don't like to do, pets, sports/activities, favorite music, your goals in life, hobbies, favorite books, most important thing currently in your life.
• After you make a list of these things, go through and check off what you wish to include. The things that you choose should tie together well and may support an overall theme of your writing. For example, how did each of the things that you talk about mold you into the person that you are today?

Biographies²

• Things that should be included: date and place of birth and death, family information, lifetime accomplishments, major events of his/her life, effects/impact on society and their historical significance.
• You should not simply list these things, you should dig deeper to find captivate your reader. You could start off with an interesting detail that ties in with your facts.
• Questions you could consider to tie it all together:
  • Was there something in his/her childhood that shaped his/her personality?
  • Was there a personality trait that led him/her to be successful or impeded progress?
  • What were some turning points in his/her life?
  • What was his/her impact on history?

1. Schaefer, Candace and Rick Diamond. The Creative Writing Guide. New York: Addison-Wesley Educational Publishers, 1998.

2. Fleming, Grace. "How to Write an Interesting Biography." About: Homework/Study Tips. 05 Jan. 2007. <http://homeworktips.about.com/od/biography/a/bio.htm>. 2007.

3. Hilda and Henrietta, "Computers and Homework." Power to Learn. 05 Jan. 2007. <http://www.powertolearn.com/articles/computers_and_homework/archive.shtml>. 2007