Biographers write biographies about a specific person. When the subject is still alive, the biographer can interview the subject. However, when the subject has passed away, the biographer must interview those who knew the subject and do research to uncover information about the subject, such as newspaper articles that included the subject. Biographies include basic information such as the person's birth date, place of birth and country or city of origin. The biography also includes the date of death. Biographies must always be true accounts of the person's life. If the story has false elements, it is not a biography but is instead historical fiction or is "based on a true story."
Subjects for biographies usually made a significant contribution to the world. Biographies detail how the subject affected other people and society as a whole. Biographers must find characteristics in a person that makes that person unique. Biographies usually include important events in history that influenced the subject and the subject's environment. Biographies describe the obstacles and problems that the subject had to overcome, including stories and details that give readers a sense of the experiences that the subject had. Biographies often use a narrative style to give readers a sense of how different details of the subject's life come together.
Writers sometimes put themselves into the biography, describing how they feel about the subjects they cover. Biographies should not just provide information, but should interpret the information. The biography shows how certain types of people grow up and become who they are. Biographers must not only know a lot about the subject, but must also make information about the subject meaningful. Biographers provide insight into human character and experiences, including the emotions involved in the subject's life to help readers also develop a greater insight into themselves.
If the subject of a biography is also its author, it is an autobiography. She can cover her subject in much greater depth, since she has insight into her thoughts. Sub-genres of autobiographies include diaries and memoirs.