Biography vs. Autobiography: What’s the Difference?

Martin Scorsese once said, “What’s personal is most creative.” At first glance, this seems impossible. Shouldn’t creativity flourish when a narrative is being constructed derived from fiction? Well, no.

Stories shape how the world is viewed. Some of the most compelling narratives are shaped by real-life experiences, either told by the person who lived them or by a writer who brings a story to life.

This is where the line between a biography and an autobiography is drawn. If you don’t know the difference between them, you’re in the right place. Although they have one thing in common, which is narrating an individual’s story, they share a key difference, which lies in who writes it and how the story is told.

In this blog, we’ll discuss biography vs. autobiography, providing you with features and formats that best fit your story. Similarly, if you are writing a book about your or someone else’s life events, custom book writing help can make the process seamless.

Table of Contents

4 Key Takeaways

Main Difference: A biography is written by someone else, while an autobiography is written by the subject themselves.
Perspective and Tone: Biographies are more objective and research-based, while autobiographies are personal and emotional.
Research vs. Memory: Biographies’ data is taken from interviews, documents, and historical records; the latter is based on personal experiences and memories.
Purpose and Impact: A biography book aims to inform and analyze. And autobiography is more like self-reflection and storytelling.

What is a Biography?

This type of book is basically an account of a person’s whole life written by someone else. It includes important events, accomplishments, challenges, and sometimes personal insights shared through an objective take on the subject.

Key Features of a Biography

Written by a Third Party: A biography is not written by the person it is about. An author, historian, or journalist compiles the information.
Based on Research: Needs historical records, interviews, letters, and other means.
Objective perspective: The writer presents facts, achievements, and life events without personal bias.
May include analysis: Some biographies analyze the subject’s role in society and history along with stating facts.

Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson and Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow are examples of famous biographies.

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What is an Autobiography?

An autobiography is a first-person account of someone’s life written by himself or herself, involving recounting personal experiences, thoughts, and feelings, providing a close-window view of the journey taken.

Key Features of an Autobiography

Written by the Subject. The person telling the story is also the author.
Personal Perspective – Whereas biography is not marred by the emotions, reflections, and opinions of the writer, an autobiography contains the same.
Chronological order: Cumulative events go from childhood to adulthood according to what most autobiographies experience.
First-person Narrative: Because the author willingly gives his or her personal story, the words “I” and “my” are used in the statements of autobiographies.

Famous examples are Anne Frank’s The Diary of a Young Girl and Nelson Mandela’s Long Walk to Freedom.

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Biography vs. Autobiography: Key Differences

While both biographies and autobiographies tell the story of a person’s life, they differ in:

Feature	Biography	Autobiography
Author	Written by someone else	Written by the subject
Perspective	Third-person, objective	First-person, personal
Sources	Based on research, interviews, documents	Based on personal memories and experiences
Tone	Analytical, factual	Emotional, reflective
Purpose	To inform and analyze	To share a personal story

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Should You Write a Biography or an Autobiography?

Deciding between a biography and an autobiography is a matter of deciding how the storyteller plays his or her role. If you’re writing an account about somebody else’s life, you want a biography; if you’re writing your story, that would be an autobiography.

When to Write a Biography

Writing a biography is a great choice if:

You Want to Share Someone Else’s Legacy: Biographies capture the impact of historical figures, leaders, or influential individuals.
You Prefer an Objective Perspective: Since biographies are based on research, they allow for a more balanced and analytical approach.
You Have Access to Historical Records: If you’re writing about a well-known figure, interviews, letters, and documents will help piece together their story.
You’re a Journalist, Historian, or Researcher: Many biographers are experts in a subject’s field and use their skills to present an accurate life story.

When to Write an Autobiography

An autobiography is the better choice if:

You Want to Share Your Personal Journey: Did you lead a life full of struggle and exciting events? Share them with this type of book.
You Want to Inspire Others: Many autobiographies share lessons on resilience, success, and fighting hardships.
You Have a Deep Emotional Connection to Your Story: Unlike biographies, autobiographies allow the writer to share personal thoughts and feelings.
You’re a Public Figure or Have an Interesting Life Experience: If you’ve achieved something remarkable, your story could inspire readers.

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How to Write a Biography or an Autobiography

Whether writing a biography or an autobiography, the process entails research, planning, and storytelling skills. Here’s how to start.

Step 1: Choose the Right Subject

For a biography, it should be someone who has an impactful, inspiring, or historically significant life story. Research their life events, accomplishments, and challenges.

Then, outline a personal journey and highlight the significant experiences and lessons in life you are going to share.

Step 2: Conduct Research

Research is the most critical aspect of a biography vs autobiography; you can use the following:

Interviews with family, colleagues, and historians.
Letters, diaries, and personal papers.
Books, newspaper articles, and academic sources.

Research your own memories for autobiographies. Revisit your old journal and old letters, and talk to family members to recall key moments.

Step 3: Create a Timeline

Like biographies, autobiographies follow a clear timeline. The typical structure will include the following components:

Early Life: Childhood, family background, and formative years
Major Life Events: Schooling, career, achievements, and relationships
Adversities and Suffering: Hardships, struggles, and personal growth
Legacy and Impact: The contributions of the subject and their long-term effect

Step 4: Focus on Storytelling

You don’t have to just state facts, interviews, or statements when writing a biography. If you are planning to continue doing so, get a strong narrative, etc. Focus on:

Strong Narrative Flow: Make sure the story progresses smoothly and logically.
Emotional Depth: Include personal reflections and emotions.
Vivid Descriptions: Bring events to life with detailed storytelling.

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Ready to tell a compelling life story?

At last, we hope your confusion regarding biography vs. autobiography is all cleared now. So, if you’re writing about someone else, a biography is the right choice. And if you want to share your own journey, an autobiography is the way to go.

No matter which format you choose, top professional book writing services can help bring your story to life!

FAQs on Biography

What is the main difference between a biography and an autobiography?

A biography is written by someone else about a person’s life, while an autobiography is written by the subject themselves.

Do biographies have to be factual, or can they include creative elements?

Biographies should be fact-based and well-researched, but some may include interpretations, analysis, or narrative storytelling to make them engaging.

Can an autobiography be written with the help of a ghostwriter?

Yes! Many autobiographies are co-written or ghostwritten, where a professional writer helps the subject tell their story.

Which format is better for inspiring readers: biography or autobiography?

Both can be inspiring! Autobiographies are more personal and emotional, while biographies provide an objective look at a person’s impact.

What should I consider before writing a biography or an autobiography?

Ask yourself: what is the goal, research availability, and storytelling style? If writing about yourself, is it okay for you to share personal details? And if about someone else, do you have reliable sources?