Example of an Autobiography

What is an autobiography?

The word autobiography is actually a combination of three Greek root words. "Auto" means self. "Bio" means life. "Graph" means to write, or something that is written. Autobiography therefore is a written account of a person's life authored by the person himself or herself. In other words, you are writing your own events in your own life. You are the author yourself. Autobiography is a form of non-fiction (real life) prose literature. How to write an autobiography, its formatting and style, is purely subjective, meaning it depends on the author. Although it can be written in the third person, most autobiographies are written in first person, that is, using the personal pronouns "I", "me", "myself", "we", etc.

Why write your own autobiography?

Why write your own autobiography? There can be a number of reasons. Among these, some do it for inspiration to other people, to serve as an example for others to follow, to help in overall improvement by showing the lessons learned from past experiences and past events of person's lives. Each individual is unique, as shown by the fact that no two persons have the same finger print and more importantly, no two DNA's are ever the same. Because of these same reasons, autobiographies of persons will be invariably different from each other.

Five key elements of an autobiography

There are basically five key elements of an autobiography. Of course it can be more or less. These are: (1) Family Information; (2) Education; (3) Employment; (4) Associations and Organizations; and (5) Sports, Hobbies and Recreation.

I. Family Information:

This section discusses the author's legal names as well as nicknames; details of the person's birth such as date and place of birth, as well as the names of parents; childhood history; information and history of parents and other siblings; and other accounts relevant to the author's family.

II. Education:

This is the educational background of the author. It normally starts with informal education at home then it progresses to kindergarten or preparatory (prep). This is followed by primary education or in other countries, this is called elementary school. Next is secondary education or high school. This is probably the most exciting part of the autobiography because the person tries many experiences and goes out of the home to have fun and enjoyment. First relationships and high school romances start, break-ups, rivalries, proms, dates, crushes, and so much more. Then finally college education, bachelor, masteral, and doctorate degrees in university.

III. Employment:

This part is all about work experiences and other job-related activities such as seminars, trainings, etc. This will include the names and addresses of employers. You can talk about your accomplishments, promotions, and other highlights of your career in these companies that you worked for. In case of self-employed individuals, you can discuss about your own business, how it started, products and services provided, and customers.

IV. Associations and Organizations:

You can start with the associations as early as cub scouts or school teams and move on to student organizations from high school to undergraduate. As your career progresses, you can include memberships to leagues, professional organizations, national, international, and worldwide institutions, associations and organizations.

V. Sports, Hobbies and Recreation:

This portion encompasses a vast area of your life. In here, you can write about your hobbies, favorite sports, and all other activities related to leisure, relaxation, and recreation. Write things about travel trips and adventures. Social, community, volunteer, charity and religious activities are also included here. Any other extra curricular activities, write them here.


Sample Autobiography:

I, James Smith, was born on September 21, on the first day of autumn in the year 1971. My birthplace is Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. My middle name is Scot which is my mother's maiden name. My nickname at home is Jim, and Tiago but in school I was called by many nicknames such as Jimmy, Santy, and Smithy. My father was a retired miner in Alberta. He had an automotive mechanics diploma in San Luis School, Abra, Philippines. He moved to Alberta, Canada when he was 37 years old. He then worked for Sandbanks Mining Inc. until retirement. He died of diabetes and heart failure at the age of 70. My mother had a degree in Education. She started working as temporary teacher in different cities in Ilocos, Philippines. After getting a permanent position in an elementary school in Santiago city, she then met my dad, dated for 3 years, and got married. After 2 years of marriage, I was born. I am the oldest of 3 children. My younger brother's name is Marlon and my younger sister is Erika.

I can say that the best education I ever had started at home. This was when mommy and daddy taught me the principles in life and values that I still hold strong until this very day. My kindergarten was in Macaulay School. I love my first teacher in school. I also remember so well the names of my first classmates and friends in school. My elementary school was a bit far from my home. My dad or mom gave me ride to school. I received two awards in school being the most responsible student of the month of November and a Chess competition award. I took high school in Ferguson Bay High School. This was the coolest and most enjoyable facet of my life. I was a transferee from another school of a different city. The school is located on top of a mountain on a mining company. It is a 20-minute walk from my Dad's residence bunkhouse to the school. My first year in High School was a huge adjustment in all aspects. I missed my Mom, brothers, sisters and family in the province. Often I found myself in tears because I miss them all. I count the calendar days before the next vacation comes so that I could go home to the province and see them once again...

~

IQ TEST: Vocabulary Aptitude, Verbal Ability - Greek, Latin, Old English, German, French SUFFIXES

A

able = capable [readable, understandable]

ade = result of action [blockade]

age = act of, state of, result of [stoppage]

al = relating to [manual, natural]

algia = pain [neuralgia, nostalgia]

an = native of, relating to [American, Asian]

ance, ancy = action, process, state [assistance, consultancy]

ary = relating to, quality, place where [sanctuary]



B

bound = heading in the direction of [inbound, southbound]    



C

cele, coele, coel = body cavity [mucocoel, mucocoele]    

cele = tumor, hernia [hydatidocele]    

centesis = puncturing [amniocentesis]    

cephalic = relating to the head [anencephalic, macrocephaly]   

chondrion = small grainlike structure [mitochondrion]    

cian = possessing a specific skill or art [physician]

cule = very small [molecule]

cy = action, function [prophecy]



D

dom = quality, realm [martyrdom, kingdom]



E

ee = one who receives the action [payee, refugee]

en = made of, to make [strengthen, golden]

ence, ency = action, state of, quality [confidence, efficiency]

er = one who, that which [writer, rider]

ery = relating to, quality, place where [bravery]

escent = in the process of [adolescent]

ese = a native of, the language of [Chinese, Japanese]

esis = action, process, condition [genesis]

ess = female [waitress, actress]

et, ette = small one, group [baronet]



F

fic = making, causing [horrific, scientific]

ful = full of [helpful, doleful]
   
fy = make [fortify, glorify]



G

gamy = wife [polygamy]

graph = write, written [autograph]

gram = write, written [telegram]





H

hedron = seat, face [tetrahedron]

holic = love, addiction [alcoholic, workaholic]

hood = order, condition, quality [manhood, brotherhood]



I

ian = native of, relating to [Canadian]

ible = capable [tangible]

ic = nature of, like [metallic, acidic]

ice = condition, state, quality [justice, malice]

id, ide = a thing connected with or belonging to [fluid, chloride]

ile = relating to, suited for, capable of [juvenile]

ine = nature of [feminine]

ion = act, result, or state of [contagion]

ish = origin, nature, resembling [foolish, Swedish]

ism = system, manner, condition, characteristic [optimism, capitalism]

ist = one who, that which [soloist, pianist]

ite = nature of, quality of, mineral product [graphite, Israelite]

ity = state of, quality [captivity, clarity]

ive = causing, making [offensive, exhaustive]

ize, ise = make [realize, improvise]



L

ling = small [duckling]

logy = study, science, theory [theology, anthropology]

ly = like, manner of [randomly, hopelessly]



M

mancy =    divination by [necromancy]

ment = act of, state or, result [contentment, judgment]

morphism = form [isomorphism, polymorphism]    



N

ness = state of [carefulness, attractiveness]

nik = Slavic origin, corresponds to "-er" [sputnik, beatnik]    

nomy = law [economy]




O

oid = resembling [asteroid, spheroid]

ology = study of [biology]

or = one who, that which [savior, creator]

ory = relating to, quality, place where [obligatory]
   
osis = action, process, condition [osmosis]

ous = full of, having [glorious, gracious]



P

phone = sound [telephone]

phyte = little plant [microphyte, sporophyte]



S

scope = see, watch [telescope]

ship = state of, office, quality [fellowship, friendship]

sion = act, result, or state of [conversion]

some = like, apt, tending to [tiresome, lonesome]



T

tion = act, result, or state of [protection]

tude = state of, condition of [fortitude, aptitude]

ty = state of, quality [poverty]
   



U

ure = state of, act, process, rank [curvature, culture]

us = inflammation [ulcus]



V

ville =    city, town from French [Nashville]    

vore, vorous =    to devour [carnivore, herbivorous]    



W

ward = in the direction of [leeward, eastward]

wise = direction [clockwise]



Y

y = characteristic of, inclined to, tend to [juicy, fruity]