The Five Traits of an Autobiography

Autobiography Characteristics can be a little difficult to nail down. The best way to think about autobiography characteristics is to figure out what gives your story character.

The number of ways to construct an autobiography is about as diverse as the number of people who write them. However, there are some simple items that you can include in your autobiography that will make it both personal and meaningful to others.

1. Tell Your Story Honestly.

Before you start writing, you need to decide to be honest. This sounds simple, but it's amazing how easy it is to either embellish the description of events or inaccurately describe your feelings about a given event. Even leaving some things out can be a form of dishonesty. This means that you may have to address things in your autobiography that are painful or awkward for you to address.

2. Sound Like You

This is a tough one. When I write, I sometimes choose vocabulary that doesn't sound like me at all. It sounds overly stuffy or cold. It's tempting to try and sound like someone else. Someone more educated. Or someone funnier. Or less funny. Or...Or...Or...

Don't fall into the trap of wanting to sound like someone else. Just be yourself!

3. Let the Audience Know Your Why

You should have a why for writing your autobiography. In his famous autobiography, Benjamin Franklin included, as an introduction, a letter to his son. In the letter Mr. Franklin explains his Why for writing his story.

Benjamin Franklin identified 11 reasons for writing his own autobiography:

He enjoyed collecting stories about his ancestors. In fact, he sometimes traveled to find the stories he wanted.

He hopes that others will get some benefit from his words.

To share how he went from poverty to wealth.

He wants to describe how he found happiness.

He examines his life for anything he would do differently.

Revisiting one's life is the next best thing to living it again.

Make the autobiography "durable." He wants it to persist.

He wants to pamper himself.

He wants to acknowledge the hand of God in his life.

Even through his success, he realizes that it could be taken from him at anytime.

Perhaps one of Benjamin Frankin's reasons struck a nerve with you. If one did, use it. If not, be sure to find your Why. This is one of the most important of the autobiography characteristics. You'll need it to work through the slow times.

4. Figure Out Who You're Writing For

Chances are that someone will read your autobiography someday (if you write it.) Who do you want to write for? If that person were present what would you tell him? Benjamin Franklin's autobiography is one of the most read autobiographies because he recognized that his audience was wider than himself or even his son.

So, who do you think will read your story? Your kids? Grandkids? Their kids?

5. Know Where Your Headed

After you have collected your stories. You need to bring them together. They need to stick. Your life has led you somewhere. Where is that somewhere? Show how the sum of your experiences has led you to where you are today.

Autobiography Characteristics Summarized:

1. Be Honest

2. Find Your Voice

3. Figure Out Why You're Writing Your Autobiography

4. Know Your Audience

5. Choose a Direction

If you include these Autobiography Characteristics, you will write a successful autobiography, no matter what final form it takes.

Go out and create your story!

Article Source: http://mylilpeanut.com

Visit our discussion on Starting an Autobiography . Robert Brady's Autobiography Workshop is a fantastic tool for writing an autobiography .
This and other unique content starting an autobiography articles are available with free reprint rights.

Please Rate this Article

5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5 

Not yet Rated