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Attributes Of An Autobiography |
By:
Robert Brady |
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Attributes of an Autobiography
by Robert Brady
What separates autobiographical writing from other types of writing? The biggest thing to thing to remember about an autobiography is that it should be reflection of who you are.
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. Don't lie to your audience (yourself or others)
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
We all experience times in our lives when we would rather be someone else. Now is not the time to try and be someone else. You want to preserve an accurate reflection of your personality.
Don't fall into the trap of wanting to sound like someone else. Just be yourself!
3. Figure Out Why You're Writing Your Autobiography
Of course, you should have a why. This makes it easier to continue with the writing. It also lets your audience in on your reasons. You can explicitly express it, or you can let it show through in between the lines of what you write.
Benjamin Franklin identified 11 reasons for writing his own autobiography:
He liked reading about his own ancestors.
He hopes that others will get some benefit from his words.
To help others see how he overcame his impoverished childhood and created riches for himself.
He wants to describe how he found happiness.
He wants to reflect on his life and decide on what he would change.
Next to reliving one's life, recollecting one's life is the best thing.
Make the autobiography "durable." He wants it to persist.
He wants to pamper himself.
He wishes to tell others of God's workings in his life.
Success is fleeting.
I'm sure that Benjamin Franklin wouldn't mind if you stole one of his reasons. If nothing he wrote sounded like a good reason for you, then keep looking. I can't stress how important it is for you to find your Why.
4. Figure Out Who You're Writing For
Knowing your audience is key. It will help you focus your writing. It will help you decide what to leave in and what to leave out. Benjamin Franklin decided to expand his audience beyond himself and his son. Now his autobiography is one of the most read in the world.
Of course, your autobiography probably won't be read by millions. But who will read it? Your children? Your grandchildren? Their children? Think about that.
5. Choose a Direction
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.
To Sum It Up:
1. Don't lie to your audience (yourself or others)
2. Find Your Voice
3. Let the Audience Know Your Why
4. Know Your Audience
5. Choose a focus
Write something that people want to read. By adding these attributes to your autobiography, people will appreciate your work.
Get started!
See our discussion on Starting an Autobiography . Robert Brady's Autobiography Workshop is a motivating tool for writing an autobiography . This article is available as a unique content article with free reprint rights.
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Article Source: http://www.statssheet.com/articles/article54388.html |
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