Definition of Memoir vs. Autobiography
The memoir and autobiography are the terms that overlap each other, so the confusion is understandable. These two are the formats that are used to tell a creative non-fiction story. However, there are some differences that you need to know before using the most appropriate one.
Let us discuss the definition of both in detail.
Memoir
A memoir is based on the author’s real-life experience, and it is written from the author’s point of view. Also, they are not covering their whole life from birth to the present. However, they explore a specific era in great detail, which makes them much different from other writing genres.
Memoirs are more personal and focused on the writer's life. It should be written from the first-person point of view.
The main purpose of the memoir is to:
- Share your personal life experience with the readers.
- Tell the story from the author’s perspective.
- Connect with others who have similar or the same situations.
- Help the people to understand that they are not alone in their experiences.
- Make sense of the threads and themes of their life, as well as identify what's important.
Moreover, the memoir is a type of autobiography that gives a glimpse of the specific event of the writer’s life. Also, the memoir should be:
- Novelistic
- Descriptive
- Well-written
- Specific
- Natural
The memoir also focuses on the relationship between the author and a particular place or person. Also, they tend to be read more like a fiction novel than a factual account. It includes the following things:
- Character
- Dialogue
- Plot
- Setting
- Storyline
However, for a great memoir, you should share snippets from their life. Also, do not try to tell the entire story in one sitting.
Here is an example that gives you a better idea of the memoir.
Autobiography
An autobiography focuses on the writer’s entire life and discusses the significant events of their life. It comes through the writer’s own life and in his own words. People write autobiographies to record their feelings and ideas to share with others. Then get it published to reach a greater number of people.
The main purpose of the autobiography is to:
- Inform or teach someone about something.
- Present the facts based on a memoir.
- Focus on the most important events and people in the writer’s life.
- Give you a better insight into how their experiences have shaped them as a person.
Moreover, an autobiography is written in a fictional tale that closely mirrors events from the author’s real life. However, your autobiography should be:
- Logical
- Relevant
- Easy to read
- Free from obscure details
The below example will help you in writing a good autobiography.
Autobiography vs. Memoir: Differences and Similarities
The autobiography and memoir have some differences and similarities. You must know them before you start writing it.
The below table shows the differences between autobiography and memoir.
| Autobiography | Memoir |
| Chronological narrative | Not a chronological narrative |
| Historical and factual truths | Emotional truths |
| Focus on the author entire life | Cover only a specific part of the author life |
| Written by famous people | Written by anyone |
| People read autobiographies because they want to know about a particular person's life | Memoirs are read because of the subject, story, or voice that they provide. |
Here are some similarities between autobiography and memoir.
- Both use the first-person point of view.
- Both demonstrate the life of the author.
- Focus on the limited aspect of the author’s life.
- Nonfiction literary genre.
- Presents facts as the person experiencing them.
Biography vs. Autobiography vs. Memoir
Some students get confused between biography, autobiography, and memoir. They are not the same and are written for different purposes.
Check the below table and better understand the similarities and differences between biography, autobiography, and memoir.
| Biography | Autobiography | Memoir |
| Objective in nature | Subjective in nature | Subjective in nature |
| Write in the 3rd person point of view | Write in the 1st person point of view | Write in the 1st person point of view |
| Broad in scope or timeline | Broad in scope or timeline | Narrow in scope or timeline |
| Focused solely on facts | Focused more on facts than emotions | Focused more on feelings and memories than facts |
| It can be written anytime | It is usually written later in life | It can be written anytime |
| Requires meticulous research and fact-checking to ensure accuracy | Requires more extensive fact-checking and research | Require research comprehensively |
| Cover the person’s life | Cover the author entire life | Cover only a specific part of the author life |
Memoir vs. Autobiography vs. Personal Narrative
The below table shows the differences and similarities between memoir, autobiography, and personal narrative.
| Memoir | Autobiography | Personal Narrative |
| About the author’s own life | About the author’s own life | About the author’s own life |
| The lesson learned is embedded | Include events significant to them | Share a life lesson |
| Inform and entertain the audience by focusing on one aspect of the life | Inform and entertain the audience with stories from their entire life | Inform and entertain the audience with one story from their life |
| Subjective in nature | Subjective in nature | Subjective in nature |
| Written chronologically | Move back and forth in time | Written chronologically |
Tips for Writing the Autobiography and Memoir
The following are the tips that you should follow and create a well-written autobiography and memoir.
- Use fiction-writing techniques.
- Write in an engaging way.
- Mention the specific dates of the events.
- Focused on facts.
- Dialogues in memoir should be natural instead of journalistic.
- Do in-depth research.
- Start with a strong hook.
- Use the correct memoir and autobiography format.
- Pick a strong theme.
- Focus on the main events of the person’s life.
Now, you get a complete understanding of the autobiography and memoir. However, if there is still any confusion in writing, then simply consult 5StarEssays.com.
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