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How to Write a Brief Autobiography

What would you do if you found an autobiography written by your great-great grandfather? Just think how exciting that would be! An autobiography is a narrative of a person's entire life, and such a story can become quite lengthy. Because people find the task daunting, they tend to put it off year after year. But you can write a mini-autobiography using the same elements that are used in a full-length autobiography. Whatever your reasons for deciding to write an autobiography, you will find the rewards will last for generations to come.

Instructions

    • 1

      Commit to writing no more than one or two paragraphs per topic. For instance, you can write a paragraph about siblings one week, a paragraph about parents and siblings another week, and a paragraph about significant events the following week.

    • 2

      Begin with an introduction. Briefly tell why are writing an autobiography. Were you assigned it in a class, or are you writing it for your personal reasons? Detail what you hope to get out of writing your life story.

    • 3

      Tell about the circumstances of your birth. When and where were you born? Describe any events that were taking place during the time of your birth. Include events within your family, in your town and worldwide. For brevity, include these items in a list, with just a few details.

    • 4

      Describe your childhood. Briefly discuss your parents and siblings and where you lived growing up. What was your favorite place as a child? What was your least favorite place? Describe each of the important people in your life at that time.

    • 5

      Write about any significant events that happened in your life. These can include relationships, natural disasters, job changes or illnesses. For a brief narrative, keep the description of each of these events to no more than a sentence or two. Choose the most important events--the ones that shaped who you are today--to expound upon in more detail.

    • 6

      End your brief autobiography by taking about your dreams for the future. What plans do you have for the next 10 years? What kind of person do you envision being 20 years from now? An autobiography is never complete until you are no longer capable of adding to it. Make a promise to yourself that you will return to add to your autobiography as the years unfold. Your descendants will thank you!

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