Biography vs Autobiography
Biography vs Autobiography: An autobiography is a written account of a person’s life that is written by that person. It is a first-hand account of their experiences, thoughts, and feelings, and is usually considered to be a personal document.
A biography, on the other hand, is a written account of a person’s life that is written by someone else. It is a third-party account of the person’s life and is often considered to be a more objective document. Biographies may also include information that the subject of the biography would not have been aware of or would not have included in their autobiography.
Both autobiography and biography can be considered non-fiction, however, an autobiography is considered a primary source while a biography is a secondary source.
Definition of Biography vs Autobiography
An autobiography is a written account of a person’s life that is written by that person. It is a first-hand account of their experiences, thoughts, and feelings. An autobiography is often considered a primary source, it is a personal document that includes personal reflections and perceptions of the person.
A biography, on the other hand, is a written account of a person’s life that is written by someone else. It is a third-party account of the person’s life and is often considered to be a more objective document. Biographies may also include information that the subject of the biography would not have been aware of or would not have included in their autobiography. Biography is often considered a secondary source, as it was written by someone else and not by the person who lived the events.
The difference between the two types of written accounts of a person’s life
The main difference between an autobiography and a biography is the perspective from which the story of a person’s life is told.
An autobiography is written by the person and is a first-hand account of their experiences, thoughts, and feelings. It is a personal document that provides insight into the subject’s perspective and biases. An autobiography is often considered a primary source as it is written by the person who lived through the events.
A biography, on the other hand, is written by someone else and is a third-party account of the person’s life. It provides an outsider’s perspective on the subject’s life and can include information that the subject may not have known or included in their autobiography. Biographies are often considered secondary source, as it was written by someone else who research the person.
Another difference is that autobiography is often written to tell the story of one’s own life and can be written at any time in life. While biography is typically written after a person’s death and often with a specific focus or angle, such as the subject’s accomplishments, impact, or legacy.
Both autobiography and biography can be considered non-fiction, however, an autobiography is considered a primary source while a biography is a secondary source.
How an autobiography is a first-hand account, while a biography is a third-party account
An autobiography is a first-hand account of a person’s life because it is written by the person. It is a personal document that provides insight into the subject’s perspective, experiences, thoughts, and feelings. The author of an autobiography is the person who lived through the events and can provide unique insights, emotions, and personal reflections that only they can provide.
On the other hand, a biography is a third-party account of a person’s life because it is written by someone else. The author of a biography is not the person who lived through the events but rather someone who has researched, interviewed, and analyzed the person’s life and then wrote the account. Biographies often provide an outsider’s perspective on the subject’s life and can include information that the subject may not have known or included in their autobiography. The author of a biography can provide an objective point of view of the subject, and can also include information from different sources, such as interviews, diaries, letters, etc.
It’s worth noting that a biography can be written by someone who knew the subject well, but it still would be considered a third-party account as the author is not the person whose life is being written about.
Examples of famous Biography vs Autobiography
Many famous autobiographies and biographies have been written throughout history. Here are a few examples of both:
Autobiographies:
- “The Autobiography of Malcolm X” by Malcolm X and Alex Haley
- “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou
- “The Diary of a Young Girl” by Anne Frank
- “Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance” by Barack Obama
- “The Story of My Experiments with Truth” by Mahatma Gandhi
- “The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin” by Benjamin Franklin
Biographies:
- “Steve Jobs” by Walter Isaacson
- “The Life and Times of Frederick Douglass” by Frederick Douglass
- “Einstein: His Life and Universe” by Walter Isaacson
- “The Life and Times of William Shakespeare” by Peter Ackroyd
- “Alexander Hamilton” by Ron Chernow
- “Steve Jobs” by Walter Isaacson
- “Cleopatra: A Life” by Stacy Schiff
These are just a few examples, some many more famous autobiographies and biographies have been written about a wide range of people from different backgrounds, cultures, and periods.
How to analyze a Biography vs Autobiography
Analyzing an autobiography and a biography can be done by considering several key elements and perspectives. Here are a few things to consider when analyzing both:
Autobiography:
- Look at the author’s perspective: The author is the person who lived through the events and experiences described in the autobiography. Pay attention to the author’s perspective, biases, and emotions.
- Analyze the author’s writing style: Look at how the author has written the story, how they have structured the narrative, and the language they used.
- Consider the context: Take into account the historical, social, and cultural context in which the events of the autobiography took place. This can help to understand the author’s experiences and perspectives better.
Biography:
- Look at the author’s perspective: Consider the author’s perspective, biases, and research methods.
- Analyze the author’s writing style: Look at how the author has written the story, how they have structured the narrative, and the language they used.
- Look at the subject’s perspective: Take into account the subject’s perspective, biases, and emotions as much as possible.
- Consider the context: Take into account the historical, social, and cultural context in which the events of the biography took place. This can help to understand the subject’s experiences and perspectives better.
In general, when analyzing any text, it’s important to consider the author’s purpose, audience, and context. Additionally, you may also want to consider the reliability and credibility of the author, and the sources they used to gather information.
It’s also worth noting that it is important to keep an open mind when analyzing any text and be aware of one’s own biases and perspectives.
Final Word of Biography vs Autobiography
In conclusion, an autobiography is a written account of a person’s life that is written by that person themselves, it is a first-hand account of their experiences, thoughts, and feelings. It is a personal document that provides insight into the subject’s own perspective and biases. An autobiography is often considered a primary source as it is written by the person who lived through the events.
A biography, on the other hand, is a written account of a person’s life that is written by someone else. It is a third-party account of the person’s life and is often considered to be a more objective document. Biographies may also include information that the subject of the biography would not have been aware of or would not have included in their own autobiography. Biography is often considered a secondary source, as it was written by someone else who researches the person.
Both autobiography and biography can provide a unique and valuable perspective on a person’s life. An autobiography can give readers a first-hand account of a person’s thoughts, feelings, and experiences, while a biography can provide an outsider’s perspective and additional context, and can also include information from different sources. Both are important for understanding a person’s life, legacy, and impact.