Different Types of Life Stories: Exploring Biographies, Memoirs, Confessions, Autobiographies of Mental Illness, and Autobiographies of Trauma

5 Types of Biography and Memoir

Biographies are meant to provide a comprehensive coverage of their subjects’ lives. While some writers know their subjects well, they also need to do extensive research, such as James Boswell’s Life of Samuel Johnson.

A good biography should be able to make the mundane sound interesting and new. It should also delve into the subject’s most profound moments in life.

1. Autobiography

A biography is a written account of someone’s life scripted by someone other than the subject. Biographies are often written for a number of reasons, including to educate people on the lives of historic and famous individuals or to highlight an individual’s life as an example of what it means to achieve success in a particular field.

Biographies tend to prioritize facts and major milestones and don’t delve into irrelevant details about the subjects’ personal lives. However, they may also include some personal reflections or emotions from the author.

Autobiographies, on the other hand, are narrated from first-person perspective and detail the author’s own experiences in chronological order. These works are typically more emotionally honest than biographies, but less objective than memoirs. They can also be more creative in terms of writing style.

2. Memoir

Memoirs are more personal than biographies, immersing readers in a person’s world by offering a unique perspective and highlighting a life’s defining moments. Memoirs often focus on childhood and family, and some of the most famous examples include I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou and Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs.

Memoirs are written in first-person, meaning that they use a lot of singular pronouns. They also commit to truth in storytelling, which means that authors can rewrite or alter dialogue, omit events, or combine events in order to present the best version of the story to readers. Many memoirs also incorporate spiritual or political themes that are important to the author, such as Nelson Mandela’s Long Walk to Freedom.

3. Confessions

There are many who find it therapeutic to write about a traumatic event that they have endured. Such people are usually able to use the writing process to come to terms with what they have experienced and to help others who are going through similar situations. Confessions can be written by those who have been in cults, suffered mental illnesses or been involved in wars and other conflicts.

A modern or standard biography typically covers an entire subject’s life from birth to death (or present time). Biographers often choose to highlight key touchstone moments throughout the person’s career, as they are a source of inspiration for readers to follow in their footsteps. Biographies also carry life lessons that teach readers about hard work, perseverance and more.

4. Autobiography of Mental Illness

Autobiographies written by people with mental illnesses present first-person narratives of their disorder. These books are a valuable archival record of the phenomenology of mental illness and the changes in diagnosis, treatment, and public response over several centuries. They complement the more objective research of case studies and fiction and are a useful teaching tool.

These books may focus on a particular disorder, such as schizophrenia, or broader themes of recovery and resilience. The authors are often highly skilled writers, poets, and artists capable of portraying in words and pictures details of their inner worlds that would elude clinicians.

Sandra Allen, for example, translates her uncle Bob’s narrative of his life with paranoid schizophrenia into a compelling coming-of-age story. Her chapters on broader historical and cultural contexts add greater depth to her uncle’s narrative.

5. Autobiography of Trauma

As a writing coach, I frequently receive inquiries from authors who want to write trauma memoirs. The common reason is to share their personal journey of healing in hopes that it will help others.

Trauma autobiographies often narrate state-sponsored violence or human rights violations, such as those in Elie Wiesel’s Night and Loung Ung’s First They Killed My Father. They also narrate acts of individual violence, such as domestic abuse and rape.

Leigh Gilmore’s The Limits of Autobiography: Trauma and Testimony investigates these texts, not to read them through a lens of identity politics or talk show confession but to elucidate how trauma narrative challenges the fundamental boundaries between fiction and nonfiction, the imagined and the real. Her study provides a rich cornucopia of literary and psychological analyses, theoretical sophistication, and interdisciplinary connections.

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The Importance of Personal Reflection in Writing Personal Essays

Writing a Personal Life Essay

When writing a personal life essay, it is important to avoid overly simplified ideas. This is because they have very little to do with what makes you unique as a person.

One great idea is to write about an important mentor. This will show colleges that you can listen to experiences and perspectives that may be different from your own.

Thesis statement

Thesis statements are important to any essay, but they are especially critical in personal essays. A strong thesis statement can capture the reader’s attention and draw them into your essay. It should be clear and concise, but also offer a view that is unique to your experience. It should be arguable and encourage discussion and analysis.

For example, imagine you are writing an essay about how someone influenced your life. The influential individual could be a relative, a friend or classmate, or even an employer. You should choose the aspects of this person’s influence that are most important to your argument.

For instance, you might write an essay about how your decision to attend a school-sponsored prom even though the principal disallowed same-sex couples was an important turning point in your life. Then, your essay would focus on the regret you feel for this choice and how it has shaped your perspective on challenges to social norms.

Body paragraphs

The body paragraphs are where you develop the ideas and arguments that support your essay’s thesis. They can explore the details of your story or tell readers about the lessons you’ve learned from your experience. Whether you’re trying to inspire others or warn them of the dangers of certain activities, a well-written personal essay can change lives.

The introductory paragraph of your essay should capture reader interest. You can use a writing hook to entice readers, such as humor or quotes. However, avoid cliches that will repel readers.

The body paragraphs are where you develop the arguments and evidence that support your essay’s thesis. They should also contain a moral. Describe how the event you’re writing about has changed your perspective or beliefs. This can be anything from the first time you failed a test to a professor who changed the way you think about literature. This will leave your readers with a memorable message.

Conclusions

A personal essay conclusion is a crucial part of your overall writing. This is where you summarize what you’ve learned from your experience, and how it’s affected you as a person. It’s also a good place to mention your future plans and goals.

One area the author could improve upon would be to include more details and imagery. For example, they could describe the way their heart swelled when their grandmother complimented them on their flatbread skills, or how serenity washed over them as they strolled through a cathedral.

Finally, the essay should be proofread. It’s important to read it several times before submitting it to make sure there are no grammar or spelling mistakes. This will give the admissions committee a better impression of you as an applicant. In addition, it’s a good idea to get a second pair of eyes to help you proofread. It’s worth the time!

Introduction

Writing a personal essay is a great way to show your readers a side of you that they don’t get to see on the surface. It can also inspire them and help them find strength in the face of adversity.

While this essay could use more personal reflection, it does have a strong central theme that is easy for the reader to follow. It is about the writer’s love and passion for Eritrea, which is portrayed through vivid imagery and sensory details. The only thing that the writer could improve upon is adding more personal details, rather than focusing solely on their extracurriculars.

A personal essay is an important part of any student’s writing portfolio. It demonstrates their ability to analyze actions and events, learn from them, and make meaningful conclusions. It is also used by admissions officers to assess applicants’ worldview, critical thinking skills, and communication abilities. Students are encouraged to write about anything that has impacted their lives, but the topic must be meaningful and relevant.

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Crafting Engaging and Captivating Third Person Biographies

3rd Person Biography Examples

Whether you’re writing a professional bio to help land a new job or a personal bio for your website, it’s important to keep your audience in mind. That’s how you ensure that your bio is interesting and relatable.

This bio grabs attention with the author’s name at the beginning and then dives into impressive accomplishments. It also uses humor to connect with readers.

1. Personality

When writing a bio about someone, it’s important to portray their personality traits. Personal tidbits such as hobbies can help readers connect with the subject of the bio and establish trust. However, it is best to only include these aspects if they are relevant to the person’s career aspirations. For example, a freelance writer’s bio may not mention their love of Animal Crossing if they hope to pursue a career in fiction.

Personal bios that are written in the third person are often used to introduce speakers at professional conferences or in a company-wide email. These types of biographies are typically short, but should highlight the person’s career accomplishments and personal details that can captivate an audience. For instance, a high school student’s biography could highlight their volunteer work or a passion for dance.

2. Expertise

Expertise is a high-level skill in a domain that makes a person stand out from others. The word expertise is commonly used in reference to physicians and scientists but can also describe craftspeople, musicians, athletes, antiques appraisers, or other professionals. Expertise is defined as a “state of knowing and mastery in a field, typically at an exceptional level that is reached by few others.” It is also described as endowed abilities and potential, honed through practice and experience.

When deciding how to portray your expertise in a professional bio, think about the audience you will be targeting. For example, a conference attendee or funding source will expect to see more detailed credentials than your social media followers. This will affect the tone and style of the biography you create.

3. Experience

The term experience is used in different ways by different people. It can refer to an accumulated knowledge or to a specific event. For example, a person who has been on many hikes can be considered an “experienced” hiker. The word can also be interpreted in a philosophical sense. For philosophers who hold the justificationist view of knowledge, experience is first of all a method for apprehending the real contents of things.

A third-person biography often takes a more scholarly approach and may use the term “experience” in this way. This style of bio can sometimes feel aloof or overly formal, but it can be effective in certain contexts. A person’s accomplishments can be portrayed well with this format. It is important to remain consistent throughout the biography.

4. Education

Education is an important part of a person’s life and career. It can be portrayed in many ways, depending on the intended audience and context. For example, a bio for a conference might be formal and academic. In contrast, a social media bio could be personal and humorous.

In a professional bio, it is common to list your job history and education. However, it’s not necessary to provide every detail. In fact, it’s best to omit some details and include more relevant ones. For example, it might not be worth mentioning that you’ve been published in 100 literary journals. Instead, you might want to focus on the top three journals that are most important to your audience. This will make your biography more effective and engaging for readers.

5. Hobbies

Whether your bio is a professional one for applying for jobs or a personal one for your website, it should showcase your unique personality and your values. Hobbies are an important way to do this. They can be portrayed as something that relates to what you do or they can simply be fun facts about yourself.

For example, if you are a huge video game enthusiast, you can portray it as an interesting hobby in your bio by stating that you love Animal Crossing. This will create an engaging and entertaining bio for your audience.

Twine uses her bio to connect with her audience by telling her story and showing her passions. She also mentions her impressive accomplishments that highlight her expertise. This is a great way to engage and inspire your audience.

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A Fangirl’s Secret Love Triangle

Korean Drama Starring Kim Jae Wook

Art curator Duk Mi hides a secret – she is a full-time fangirl of idol Cha Shi An. She manages his fansite and follows him to every concert and music show.

But when new museum director Ryan Gold enters her life, she tries to keep it a secret. However, it is a difficult task for her.

Sung Duk Mi

Sung Duk Mi is the head curator at an art gallery but she has a secret. She is a massive fan of her idol Si-an and runs a well-known fansite called the Road to Shi-an. She keeps this secret from the public because she fears it will damage her career.

She is a kind and thoughtful person that takes great pride in her work. She has a strong sense of self and doesn’t waste her time trying to please people like her arrogant boss Young-joon. She is also a warm and happy homemaker who loves to cook and bake for her family.

She befriends Seon Joo who is her cafe’s part-time employee and the vocalist for a local band. Ryan is impressed by her dedication to her fans and her kindness. He notices her cute nuances and their connection grows. Their conversations about their personal angst are refreshing and healthy. They are open and honest, something that is typically missing from kdrama romances.

Nam Eun Gi

She can be a bit aloof to others but she’s really a sweet and caring person. She’s an excellent judoka and feels like a big brother to Deok Mi although they are not related at all.

The fact that her character is so relatable makes it easy for viewers to relate to her and enjoy the drama. It’s also refreshing that Her Private Life doesn’t focus on unnecessary big arguments, jealousies or break-ups between the main couple which makes it a more mature drama than other rom-com kdramas.

Her chemistry with Ryan is great and the whole storyline moves along smoothly without a single hiccup or setback. There’s just so much to love about Her Private Life! You should definitely give it a watch. You won’t regret it. It’s a great drama for romance fans. The ratings are not very high but it’s still worth a watch. It aired on cable channel/pay TV which normally has a smaller audience compared to free-to-air TV/public broadcasters.

Kim Jae Wook

Kim Jae Wook is a South Korean actor who is represented by Management SOOP. He rose to fame after starring in the 2007 drama, Coffee Prince. He also starred in the 2013 drama, Who Are You? and the 2019 romantic comedy-drama, Her Private Life.

Deok-mi is the curator of the Cheum Museum of Art, but she has a secret. She’s a fanatic White Ocean fan and the manager of his official fansite under the name Sindy. She hides this from her boss Um So-hye and coworkers.

But when Ryan Gold (Kim Jae Wook), the new director of the art gallery, saunters in and starts snooping around, Deok-mi cannot hide her true identity. She and Ryan pretend to date, not just at the museum but in their daily lives as well. This isn’t an easy task. But they soon find that their fake relationship is bringing them closer together.

Eom So Hye

Park Min-young, who gave everyone a heartwarming performance in last year’s ‘What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim’, returns to her drama roots this year with the romantic-comedy ‘Her Private Life’. She’s joined by Kim Jae-wook, who charmed everyone in ‘Coffee Prince’.

Deok Mi is the chief curator of the Cheum Gallery, but her true passion lies in art as a hobby. She hasn’t made her own artwork in years and now only curates other people’s work. She’s also a huge fan of artist Cha Shi-an and runs his official fansite with fellow fans.

Ryan is a standoffish artist with Stendhal syndrome, but when his current boss is investigated for embezzlement he steps in to become the new curator of the gallery. He and Deok Mi instantly hit it off. They’re both in love with the other, but they decide to carry on a fake relationship for now. That doesn’t stop them from flirting and going out to see their idols together though!

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