FAQ: What is the difference between a memoir, an autobiography, and a biography?

I often get asked this question by people who are thinking of sharing their stories but are unsure which genre to use. Let's break down the differences between these three genres of Life Writing.

What do they have in common?

Even though memoirs, autobiographies, and biographies fall under the nonfiction umbrella, each is a distinct genre of literature. All three are based on the truth and require some research, but they differ slightly in focus and execution.

How do they differ?

Biography

• About the life history of a person

• Written by someone else about the subject of the book

• Usually written from a third-person perspective

• Entails much research and fact-checking

Autobiography

• Usually focuses on a person’s entire life, presenting a broad view

• Goes from birth and progresses chronologically to the author’s current age

• It’s usually written by a famous person about themselves (first-person point of view)

• Tends to be more objective and factual than a memoir

Memoir

• A personal account that focuses on a snippet of a person’s life, a particular era, memory, theme, or event

• It can begin anywhere and can move back and forth in time

• Can be written by anyone (famous or unknown), in the first-person

• Provides a more subjective perspective than an autobiography, adopting an intimate and introspective style.

Examples of memoirs, autobiographies, and biographies

Biography	Autobiography	Memoir
Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow	The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank	When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson	The Story of My Life by Helen Keller	The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion
Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo by Hayden Herrera	Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela	Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kasen

Related FAQ: Can a ghostwriter write my autobiography or memoir?

Answer:

Yes, you can hire a ghostwriter to write your autobiography or memoir. In fact, many celebrities, politicians, and business leaders work with ghostwriters to create their autobiographies.

Examples:

Autobiographies written by ghostwriters: “The Autobiography of Malcolm X,” written by Alex Haley, and “My Mission in Life by Eva Peron,” written by Manuel Panella de Silva

Memoirs written by ghostwriters: “Prince Harry – Spare,” written by J. R. Moehringer, and “Miley Cyrus – Miles to Go,” Written by Hilary Liftin

Related FAQ: Can my story make a good memoir?

According to a memoir writing expert that I know, it's not just celebrities whose stories are worth reading about. Memoirs from ordinary people have seen a boom in recent years. Learn how and why your story can make a good memoir in Ezinne's article.