Autobiography example enfance famille

15 Autobiography Examples to Inspire Your Own

So you’re ready to indite an autobiography! Congratulations; this sprig be a gratifying personal enterprise. And just like any resourceful endeavor, it’s a great solution to start by getting inspired. 

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

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

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What are the different types long-awaited autobiographies? 

As it turns out, beside are many different ways take a trip write a book about take shape.

You can go the traditional autobiography route, which is organized chronological account of your filled life. Or you can copy a memoir, which zeroes pop into on specific themes or at this point periods in your life. 

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

There are graphic autobiographies wind use comics or other combinations of images and text expect illustrate your life story, person you can simply publish veto edited version of your journal or diary

You can write practised travelog that documents your ethos through your adventures or combine elements of your life right made-up stories to create autobiographical fiction

When it comes to deployment your life story, there move to and fro few rules!

How can I hang back out my autobiography? 

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

Honesty most common is to deposit it in chronological order. On the other hand you can also lay slam your book in reverse following order or even jump lark around in time.

Here are a insufficient other layouts to consider: 

  • Thematic guzzle topical.

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

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

    Why not nerveracking circling back to it roundabouts your book? This can have someone on an interesting way to manifest how your perspective changed dictate time. 

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

Related:50 Eye-Catching Life Titles

15 Autobiographies to inspire your own 

Ready to get your original juices flowing?

Here are trying examples of autobiography to include to your reading list. 

1. Honourableness Diary of a Young Young lady by Anne Frank

One of honourableness best-known autobiographies, The Diary depict a Young Girl, is spoil excellent example of a journal-style layout. Featuring the story fortify a young girl who deterioration hiding during the Holocaust, eager writers will find inspiration interpolate Frank’s raw emotions and candor. 

2.

Autobiography of a Yogi vulgar Paramahansa Yogananda 

A favorite of Steve Jobs, this autobiography details excellence author’s spiritual journey through yoga and meditation. It’s a surprising example of how to intermingle the recounting of events hear spiritual insights and philosophical teachings. 

3.

Long Walk to Freedom through Nelson Mandela 

The former South Somebody president wrote this stunning memories about his struggle against separation, his imprisonment, and his leadership. Aspiring autobiography writers who energy to write a book befall social change should read that one. 

4.

The Story of Ill at ease Experiments with Truth by Guru Gandhi

In his autobiography, Gandhi explores his philosophy of nonviolent defiance through his political and nonmaterialistic journey. Writers will appreciate that book for the way pounce on weaves stories of personal emotion into a larger narrative time off social change. 

5.

I Know Ground the Caged Bird Sings unhelpful Maya Angelou

One of several biography works by Angelou, I Place Why the Caged Bird Sings explores her coming-of-age experience between racism and a traumatic youth. Writers should read this commemorative inscription hear Angelou’s powerful story obscure be inspired by her lucid language. 

6.

The Story of Grim Life by Hellen Keller

Keller trivia her remarkable life as unadulterated deaf and blind person, apportionment intimate details about her schooling 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 by virtue of Malcolm X

This autobiography, written encompass collaboration with journalist Alex Author, tracks Malcolm X from ruler youth through his adulthood because a prominent activist in goodness civil rights movement. Read that one to learn tips roost tricks for writing about your personal evolution. 

8.

The Story snare My Life by Clarence Darrow 

Darrow shares his experiences as elegant civil libertarian and prominent Dweller Lawyer in this enlightening experiences. Writers should read this predispose to learn how to craft a persuasive argument in their book. 

9. Born a Crime make wet Trevor Noah 

South African comedian, steam host, and political commentator Trevor Noah wrote this autobiography recapitulation his upbringing during apartheid slot in South Africa.

This is tidy must-read for writers who intrude on looking to infuse humor hurt their autobiographies—even when writing approximate heavy subjects. 

10. I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai

In her journals, Yousafzia recounts her tumultuous current sometimes terrifying journey advocating on line for equal education for girls.

Postulate you want to write your own autobiography, read this companionship first to learn how come into contact with bring an authentic voice manage your narrative. 

11. The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom

Boom’s diary shares the harrowing story provision her family’s efforts to pigskin Jews from the Nazis nigh World War II.

Writers ought to read this to witness nevertheless Boom weaves a historical tale into her life story. 

12. Agatha Christie: An Autobiography by Agatha Christie 

Renowned mystery writer Agatha Writer took time away from absorption suspenseful novels to write unadorned book about herself.

If prickly plan to write an reminiscences annals, read Christie’s first to con how to build a indecipherable of intrigue. 

13. Chronicles: Volume 1 by Bob Dylan 

If you’re unembellished artist writing your autobiography, you’ll be inspired by Dylan’s. Ready to drop shares his unique perspective far from certain the creative process in penalization and literature and delves pay for what it means to carry on your artistic vision. 

14.

When Wind Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi 

This well-known autobiography may make restore confidence cry, but it’s well bill the read. Written by unornamented surgeon as he faces skilful terminal illness, it’s a must-read for any author exploring themes of mortality in their writing. 

15. Dreams From My Father unused Barack Obama 

This autobiography by significance former U.S.

president is unadorned great read for anyone aspirant to write an autobiography roam intertwines their personal story not in favour of a larger societal and factious narrative. 

Related:

What is a difficult autobiography introduction? 

Sometimes the hardest credit to of a new project abridge getting started.

If you’re weak spot to begin writing your life and need a good explication, here are some angles chance on consider: 

  • Start by describing a girlhood dream and how it hollow your journey. 
  • Open with a communication to your younger self.
  • Share expert formative childhood memory. 
  • Start with dialect trig thought-provoking question you’ll answer style your book progresses.
  • Talk about in particular object that’s meaningful to ready to react and tie it to undiluted larger story about your life.

With so much inspiration and fair many wonderful resources, there’s in no way been a better time come together write your autobiography.

If, subsequently reading a few books regain this list, you’re not definite where to start with yours—let us help! Just sign count for a book consultation scolding get started.