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Autobiography Characterictics

By: Robert Brady.. What separates autobiographical writing from other types of writing? The biggest thing to thing to remember about an autobiography is that it should be reflection of who you are.

Once you've chosen the appropriate way your story, you'll need to remember five autobiography values to assure yourself that what you capture is an accurate reflection of the life you lived. Remember these five values:

1. Tell Your Story Honestly.

Everyone believes he's honest. Trouble is that we all tend to exaggerate our lives. Choose honesty from the get-go. Your audience will appreciate and you will respect yourself in the morning.

2. Find Your Voice

We all experience times in our lives when we would rather be someone else. Now is not the time to try and be someone else. You want to preserve an accurate reflection of your personality.

People appreciate you. Let them see you.

3. Let the Audience Know Your Why

You should have a why for writing your autobiography. In his famous autobiography, Benjamin Franklin included, as an introduction, a letter to his son. In the letter Mr. Franklin explains his Why for writing his story.

In his famous autobiography, Benjamin Franklin stated 11 reasons for recording his life:

He enjoyed collecting stories about his ancestors. In fact, he sometimes traveled to find the stories he wanted.

He thought others might like reading about him.

To help others see how he overcame his impoverished childhood and created riches for himself.

He desires to impart his secrets of happiness and success.

He examines his life for anything he would do differently.

Revisiting one's life is the next best thing to living it again.

He wants some level of immortality.

He wants to pamper himself.

He wishes to tell others of God's workings in his life.

Even through his success, he realizes that it could be taken from him at anytime.

Perhaps one of Benjamin Frankin's reasons struck a nerve with you. If one did, use it. If not, be sure to find your Why. This is one of the most important of the autobiography characteristics. You'll need it to work through the slow times.

4. Know Who You're Writing For

Knowing your audience is key. It will help you focus your writing. It will help you decide what to leave in and what to leave out. Benjamin Franklin decided to expand his audience beyond himself and his son. Now his autobiography is one of the most read in the world.

Of course, your autobiography probably won't be read by millions. But who will read it? Your children? Your grandchildren? Their children? Think about that.

5. Choose a Direction

After you have collected your stories. You need to bring them together. They need to stick. Your life has led you somewhere. Where is that somewhere? Show how the sum of your experiences has led you to where you are today.

Autobiography Characteristics Summarized:

1. Don't lie to your audience (yourself or others)

2. Let You Shine Through

3. Let the Audience Know Your Why

4. Know Your Audience

5. Choose a Direction

By incorporating these traits into your autobiography, you will write your story in such a way that people will want to read it.

Go out and create your story!

Article Source: http://www.lifeweightloss.com

Review our article on Starting an Autobiography . Robert Brady's Autobiography Workshop is a motivating tool for writing an autobiography .
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