Remember what you thought when you were asked to write your autobiography by your English teacher? As you reflect on your life and your achievements, you may find yourself thinking back to those school days. Starting an autobiography can be challenging because most readers evaluate the quality of the book based on its first pages. You dont wish to disappoint them. These tips can help you start your autobiography off on the right foot.
Before you start, imagine the face of one reader. If you need to, tape an image of a magazine on your monitor that represents the reader most accurately. If you are writing an autobiography for a family member, display a photo of that relative nearby. As you write, address the person directly.
Decide on whether youll write in third or first person. Stick to the format if youre writing an autobiography in the third person. It is important to learn to refer to yourself with your pronouns and name. You should write in the first-person as if it were a diary entry.
Use the following steps to write your autobiographys introduction paragraph. Use the one that sounds the best as a model. Use this technique: Write three different stories, leave them aside for a few days, and then go back to them. See which one you like best.
Start your paragraph with an event that is unique to you and that sets your story apart from others. You might have won a prize or been to an exotic country. You can invite the reader into your world by telling a story.
Create a sentence that begins with a chronological date, stating where you were and under what circumstances you came into the world. Was there war in the World? Was this your fifth child? Did your doctor deliver you under unusual circumstances? Each chapter gives the readers a preview of the changes you will experience as your age increases.
A third paragraph should begin before your birth. This introduction helps the reader understand your roots and heritage. This technique requires you to have information about your ancestors before writing.
You can use the style you decide to write your autobiography based on the introduction. If you use a chronological order, you can begin each section with a place-keeper that shows the time and date.
You shouldnt give anyone your introduction. Although family and close friends will want to read the work youre doing, unwanted feedback can be detrimental. You can let people know when your work is finished that they will be able to read the introduction. However, you should not tell them if or how theyre in it.
