Autobiography: what it is, parts and guidelines for doing it

Writing can be defined as a system of graphical representation of a language, by means of traced signs, in our case letters. This does not do justice at all when it comes to meaning when it comes to writing: writing and reading are an art, an ancestral means of communication, an arrangement of symbols that is capable of evoking joy, sadness, anger, fear and all the emotions present in the human being.

Within the world of reading, we can distinguish different types of literary genres, based on the content and structure of the work. We are all familiar with stories, novels, fables. Even so, there are other materials of a more didactic nature, such as essays, scientific treatises, oratory and many other variants.

Within the didactic literary current (which tries to teach something) and entering the narrative we find a genre that is especially striking and little explored by the general population: the autobiography. If you want to know what it is, what its parts are and the guidelines to do it correctly, continue reading.

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What is an autobiography?

To understand this term correctly, it is best to go to its etymology. The word autobiography comes from 3 Greek concepts: autos (of oneself), bio (life) and grapho (to write). The premise is simple: the person himself narrates his life.

From a point of view less restricted to Greek terminology, we can define an autobiography as a narrative genre in which the author himself undertakes a journey through the main episodes of his life, with special emphasis on vital situations and defining milestones, both personally and Social. It is considered an intermediate point between the narrative and the historical texts, because after all, one's own experiences are subjective and they do not always stick 100% to reality.

We can define 5 main features that define any autobiography worth its salt. These are the following:

• It is usually written in the first person. In any case, this is not mandatory, as there are cases written in the third person.
• It is narrative in nature and focuses on the life process of the author.
• It does not have to be governed by a chronological order. The writer can decide when he begins to narrate, based on what he considers most striking / important.
• There is great freedom in terms of structure and language used. It's not so much about the form, but the content.
• There is no extension limit. An autobiography can last 10 pages or 1,000 depending on what the author has to tell in the lines of it.

So that, whether you are a writer or not, you can always decide to sit down and capture your experiences and more important achievements when you feel in the mood for it. Your work does not need to become a Best Seller, as an autobiography can be a perfect format for the memory and memory of your figure in the following generations of the family that grow after you.

Parts of an autobiography

You must not forget that autobiography is a genre located between literature and history, so Objectivity is required, but also eye-catching art and resources that hold the reader's attention. If an autobiography is 100% objective and lacks linguistic resources that make reading enjoyable, it may become a glass of cement that is difficult to digest.

In general, an autobiography follows the typical structure: introduction, development and denouement. In the first section the character is usually introduced (that is, yourself), in the development the vital bulk of the itself and in the conclusion the credit or objective or subjective importance is given to the character, once its story. Again, this skeleton can serve as a starting point, but remember that this is a genre that benefits from a free style: do what you want, as long as it is interesting to read.

Guidelines for making an autobiography

As the saying goes "to each teacher, his booklet." The page is a canvas to be painted, and everyone can choose the method that suits them best to express themselves freely. However, here are some tips that can help you break the blank page barrier.

1. Create a vital timeline

Before you start writing, it is best that you draw a line that represents your journey in life from when you were born to the present. Once you have it in front of you, begin to chronologically place the facts that seem most relevant to you: where did you grow up and with whom? What were the activities that marked your school age? What studies have you taken and which ones would you have liked to take? What jobs have you done throughout your life?

In addition to these data that can be easily placed on a chronological line, there are others much more abstract that should also be listed: the people who have influenced the most your life, your desires and failures, goals, tastes, preferences and many other things are also important elements that will help shape your figure between the letters of the construction site.

2. Look for anecdotes and interesting things to tell

Not everything can be quantifiable facts: I graduated in 1998 and worked in the private sector until 2006. Then I moved to Italy, and I worked again for 10 years, but this time in the public sector. Can you imagine an entire work in this format? Since you do not want to bore the reader or yourself by writing, it is best to insert your important events, achievements and goals with anecdotes that enliven the reading and make you more of a person and not a character.

Even the simplest memories can perfectly adorn an autobiography: the color of your mother's hair and the smell of their desserts, that day you were locked in the school bathroom, the warmth of the first kiss or the wildest trip of your lifetime. Everything that is relevant to you can be included in your work, since only you judge what has been important to shape your person.

3. Take into account the historical context

It is of little use to tell your experiences if not the houses with the sociocultural context that surrounded you. You must bear in mind that not all the readers of your work will be of your generation and, therefore, They may not understand many of the details of your experiences if you do not place them properly in the weather.

Although it is not necessary to convert your writing into a geopolitical establishment, it always comes in handy draw an overview of your environment and how it influenced you on a personal level (or you to society, in contrast).

4. Choose a starting point

Perhaps this is the most difficult. Imagine an autobiography that began as follows: I was born from my mother's womb in 1970, in Cádiz, in a public hospital. This is, to say the least, a bit strange. Thus, you can start telling where and when you wantBut you should try to make it an interesting starting point, which may raise questions for the reader that will be answered in later pages.

5. Be honest and realistic

Although some people use their autobiographies as throwing weapons, we do not believe that this is the most ethical thing to do. You are capturing your experiences and your perception, but this does not have to splash people around you that you do not like, even less if you cannot defend yourself in any way.

An autobiography is not a tool for the author to place himself above the rest: We are all human, we all have things to tell and we all play an essential role in society, otherwise we would not be part of it. The fact that you want to tell your experiences does not make them more important than the rest, so humility and purpose should not be lost at any time.

Look for external opinions, contrast the events lived with colleagues and family, send sketches to the people around you and accept different points of view. An autobiography recounts your own life and is completely subjective, but attacks on other people and the feeling of elevation are never tasteful dishes for the reader.

Resume

Actually, all these guidelines are indicative, since an autobiography allows almost absolute freedom in terms of format and writing. You can write how and where you want, as long as you are not being truthful.

Autobiography is an excellent literary resource, especially if you want to leave an indelible mark on later generations. All human beings are important in our own way, but very few dare to give themselves the relevance they deserve by telling their own story. And you, do you dare?