1. INGL 3231 Prof. Cristal Heffelfinger
The autobiography
INGL 3231
Prof. Cristal Heffelfinger

2. The story of your life Narrative = story
Combines creativity and exposition
Based on past events, present challenges, and future goals
Includes: settings, anecdotes, interests, beliefs, private and public life
Main components:
characters
central conflict, overarching question

3. “You should attempt … to make one main thread, of however many colors it may be woven, rather than a series of parallel threads.” (Curl, 1919, loc. 4900)

4. Engaging the audience
You are the protagonist, but the reader plays a leading role. Keep your audience in mind.
Don’t just tell what happened, show what happened. Don’t merely satisfy curiosity, create curiosity (adapted from LaRocque, 2003).
Reveal your personality and inspire empathy (Curl, 1919).
Do not give away any valuable information; instead, build interest, create a climax, and generate expectations.

5. STEPS TO writing a successful autobiography

6. 1. Make a timeline
The most common way to write an autobiography is by narrating events in chronological order.
Make a list of memorable events and milestones (brainstorming).
Classify them by: chronological order (stages of development)
topic or significance
Either way, try to be consistent and follow a clear path.

7. 2. Set your goal(s)
Delete any unnecessary, redundant, or trivial facts.
Choose those events that you wish to highlight.
Identify/create connections between them.
Formulate your guiding question or “conflict.”

8. 3. Get to writing! Your introduction sets the tone of your text .
Avoid dull, predictable, beginnings: “I was born on January 7th, 1991…”
Avoid clichés: “As a gift from above, I came to the world…”
Instead, be original and inviting:
Incorporate a short quote.
Make reference to historical facts.
Use vivid descriptions of a setting or scene.
Write a line or two about your parents.
Start from the present; introduce your story as a series of flashbacks/memories.

9. 4. Keep your momentum going
It is easier to continue once your first paragraph is done.
Mind your grammar:
Write from your point of view: I.
Use pronouns with caution to avoid ambiguous references.
Be consistent with your verb tenses:
Do not switch back and forth, as this confuses the reader.
Use the past tense, unless you have a specific agenda or want to achieve a particular effect.
Remember the different verb conjugations and structures, and use them appropriately.

10. 5. Incorporate transitions
Keep your text clean, organized, and cohesive.
Guide your readers smoothly from one paragraph to another.
Use time-related phrases, such as: before/after, earlier/later, at last, during, simultaneously, meanwhile, immediately, subsequently, then/now, currently, next, in the future, etc.

11. 6. Close with style The final paragraph is the perfect opportunity to:
Present a solution to the main conflict
Leave an open ending: Your story is far from being over. Discuss any future plans, goals, and challenges.
Circularity: Link your ending to your beginning via direct or indirect references.
Grammar: Use both the present and future tenses.

12. 7. Revise and edit Pay attention to: Seek and welcome any feedback.
Spelling and punctuation
Verb conjugations
Vocabulary
Wordiness, clutter
Agreement
Sentence structure
Connections, transitions
Overall coherence
Seek and welcome any feedback.

13. If desired, use poetic imagery and other special effects.
8. Provide a title
Capture your readers’ attention.
Trigger their curiosity.
This is the main “hook.”
Offer just a hint.
Save space for more lengthy descriptions later.
Be short and precise.
However, do not confuse or mislead.
It should be related to the content.
If desired, use poetic imagery and other special effects.

14. References
Baker, J., Brizee, A., & Angeli, E. (2013, July 30). Narrative essays. Retrieved from
Curl, M. J. (1919). Expository writing [Kindle Fire edition]. Cambridge, MA: The Riverside Press.
LaRocque, P. (2003). The book on writing [Kindle Fire edition]. Arlington, TX: Grey and Guvnor Press.