autobiography 3rd person

Explore the Art of Memoir and Get Extensive Feedback on Your Writing . Get the tools and guidance needed to write a memoir that connects deeply with readers, meets the needs of publishers, and aligns with your personal values. Learn more here.

Written by Emily Harstone July 28th, 2016

How to Write a Good Third Person Biographical Statement

When you read submission guidelines, which vary from literary journal to literary journal, almost all of them will require that you include a brief biographical statement (or bio). Usually they require that the bio is in the third person and to be 50 words or less.

These bios are tricky to write.It is hard to describe ones life using 50 words or less. And frankly, you are better off not doing it. The editor of the journal does not care if you have been twice divorced, and neither does the reading public.

I am all for including one or two personal details, but I prefer that they relate indirectly to your writing. For example when I was submitting a lot of geographically themed poems I included the line “Emily Harstone just moved for the 18th time”.

Another fact worth considering including is what you actually do for a living. Most writers don’t write for a living. They do something else to pay the bills. Mentioning what that is can easily add complexity to your bio. Although it might affect the way your submission is considered. For example mentioning that you are a lawyer in your bio would have a different effect than mentioning that you are a stripper.

Most writers focus the bulk of their (very short) bio on writing. This is often a good thing. Although that can be tricky too. The biggest pitfalls is just mentioning the same things as every other writer. For example I once scanned through a literary journal and every single contributor’s bio included the fact that they had an MFA (a Masters of Fine Arts degree).  The schools they attended varied, but that single fact repeated over and over again got to me. Right after reading all of those bios, I removed the fact that I have an MFA from my bio.

The other issue is mentioning too many literary journals that you have been published in. When you are first starting out this seems like a good problem to have. And once your work has been published, you should include some of the most recent or prestigious journals in your biographical statement.

However, you should not include all of them, that would just be overwhelming and also boring. As a general rule of thumb I never include the names of more than 5 literary journals. Usually I limit it to three.

Some authors don’t bother mentioning the names of all the literary journals they have been published in. Their bios instead they say something like this “Their work has been published in over a hundred literary journals.”  If you are just starting out, that sounds impressive, but quality is much more important than quantity when it comes to literary journals. It would be much better to name the three best literary journals you have been published in than to refer to all one hundred (or more).

Below are two examples of biographical statements of less than 50 words, one contains journal names, one does not.

Sample Bio 1:

Maria Smith resides in the rural Pacific Northwest. Her work has appeared or is forthcoming in numerous places, including: Tin House , The Liner, and Echolocation , and the anthology Tidelines. Her second chapbook Pancakes for Dinner is forthcoming in 2014 from Hawthorne Press.

Sample Bio 2:

Joshua Thomas is a poet, editor, and recovering New Yorker who now lives in Idaho. Joshua once wrote a sonnet every hour for twenty-four hours straight. He loves to hike, cook, and read.

My personal ideal for a good bio is to mention one interesting personal fact. And then focus the rest of the bio on the area where writing and life intersect. I always include a link to my website as part of my bio. That way readers who like my writing can learn more about me (and possibly purchase a book or two).

Once I write a bio I am happy with, I use it for about a year. I submit the same bio with most of my submissions.  After a year has passed, I write a new one.

Remember, it is important to keep in mind who is seeing the bio. First the editor sees it (if they do blind submissions the editor might not see your bio till right before the issue published), and then the readers of the literary journals.

You want your bio to be short, professional, and to appeal to both the editors and the readers. I know that might seem like a tough task, but it gets a lot easier with time and practice.

We Send You Publishers Seeking Submissions.

Sign up for our free e-magazine and we will send you reviews of publishers seeking short stories, poetry, essays, and books.

Subscribe now and we'll send you a free copy of our book Submit, Publish, Repeat

Enter Your Email Address:

March 15, 2024

The Art of Memoir: How Exploring Your Theme Can Make the Writing Process Easier

Available to watch right now, completely free.

March 1, 2024

Free Talk: Fun and Effective Book Promotion for Authors

April 16, 2024

The Impact Of Small Press Distribution Closing

One of the oldest indie book distributors in the United States abruptly shut down.

April 15, 2024

45 Literary Journals Accepting Poetry

These literary magazines publish poetry of various kinds. Many of them also accept other genres, like fiction and nonfiction. Some journals pay writers, and a few of the calls are themed. Many, but not all, of them are open for submissions now. They are listed in no particular order. The National Poetry ReviewThe National Poetry…

April 11, 2024

Tyger Quarterly: Now Seeking Poetry Submissions

An online journal publishing both emerging and established poets.

80 Opportunities for Historically Underrepresented Authors in April 2024

Including opportunities from Random House, HarperCollins, Scholastic, and more.

• Entire Site Manuscript Publishers Literary Journals Search

A little something about you, the author. Nothing lengthy, just an overview.

• 180 Literary Journals for Creative Writers
• 182 Short Fiction Publishers
• Authors Publish Magazine
• Back Issues
• Confirmation: The Authors Publish Introduction to Marketing Your Book
• Download “How to Publish Your Book!”
• Download Page: How to Market Your Novel on Facebook
• Download Page: Self-Publishing Success – 8 Case Studies
• Download Page: Submit, Publish, Repeat
• Download Page: Submit, Publish, Repeat –– 4th Edition
• Download Page: Submit, Publish, Repeat: 3rd Edition
• Download Page: The 2015 Guide to Manuscript Publishers
• Download Page: The Unofficial Goodreads Author Guide
• Download: “The Authors Publish Compendium of Writing Prompts”
• Download: Get Your Book Published
• Download: The Authors Publish Compendium of Writing Prompts
• Emily Harstone
• Free Book: 8 Ways Through Publisher’s Block
• Free Books from Authors Publish Press
• Free Lecture & Discussion: Senior Book Publicist Isabella Nugent on Setting Yourself Up for Success
• Free Lecture from Kim Addonizio: Make a Book – Shaping Your Poetry Manuscript
• Free Lecture: Everyday Activities to Improve Your Writing
• Free Lecture: How to Publish Your Writing in Literary Journals
• Free Lecture: How to Write a Book that Keeps Readers Up All Night
• Free Lecture: How to Write Layered Stories that Keep Readers Glued to the Page with Nev March
• Free Lecture: Introduction to Diversity Reading for Authors
• Free Lecture: Passion, Professionalized – How to Build an Authentic & Thriving Writing Career
• Free Lecture: The Art of Book Reviewing — How to Write & Get Paid for Book Reviews
• Free Lecture: The Art of Fresh Imagery in Poetry
• Free Lecture: The Art of the Zuihitsu with Eugenia Leigh
• Free Lecture: The Magic of Productivity – How to Write Effortlessly and Quickly
• Free Lecture: Write Like a Wild Thing – 6 Lessons on Crafting an Unforgettable Story
• Free Lectures from Award Winning Authors & Publishing Professionals
• How to Promote Your Book
• How to Revise Your Writing for Publication, While Honoring Your Vision as an Author
• How to Write a Dynamic Act One ‒ A Guide for Novelists
• How to Write With Surprising Perspectives — What Dutch Masters Can Teach Us About Telling Stories
• Lecture: How to Keep Readers Glued to Every Page of Your Book with Microplotting
• Lecture: How to Publish Your Creative Writing in Literary Journals
• Lecture: How to Write a Memoir that Wins Over Readers and Publishers
• Lecture: How to Write Opening Pages that Hook Readers and Publishers
• Lecture: How to Write Romance Novels Readers Will Love
• Lecture: The Art of Collaboration With Vi Khi Nao
• Lecture: The Art of Poetic Efficiency – Strategies for Elevating Your Prose and Poetry
• Lecture: The First Twenty Pages
• Lecture: The Magic of Metaphor – How to Create Vivid Metaphors that Can Transform Your Writing
• Lecture: Tips and Tricks for Revising Your Manuscript to Make It Shine
• Lecture: Writing from Dreams
• Lecture: Writing to Save the World with Danté Stewart
• New Front Page
• Now Available: The 2017 Guide to Manuscript Publishers
• Now Available: The 2018 Guide to Manuscript Publishers
• Office Hours With Ella Peary
• Poem to Book: The Poet’s Path to a Traditional Publisher
• Privacy Policy
• Random Prompt
• River Woman, River Demon Pre-Order Event: Discussing Book Marketing With Jennifer Givhan and Her Book Publicist, Isabella Nugent
• Submit to Authors Publish Magazine
• Submit, Publish, Repeat: 2023 Edition
• Taming the Wild Beast: Making Inspiration Work for You
• Test Live Stream
• Thank You for Attending the Lecture
• Thank You For Subscribing
• The 2018 Guide to Manuscript Publishers — 172 Traditional Book Publishers
• The 2019 Guide to Manuscript Publishers – 178 Traditional Book Publishers
• The 2023 Guide to Manuscript Publishers – 280 Traditional Book Publishers
• The Art of Narrative Structures
• The Authors Publish Guide to Children’s and Young Adult Publishing – Second Edition
• The Authors Publish Guide to Manuscript Submission
• The Authors Publish Guide to Manuscript Submission (Fifth Edition)
• The Authors Publish Guide to Memoir Writing and Publishing
• The Authors Publish Quick-Start Guide to Flash Fiction
• The First Twenty Pages
• The Six Month Novel Writing Plan: Download Page
• The Writer’s Workshop – Office Hours with Emily Harstone
• How to Add a Document to a Discussion
• How to Mark All of the Lessons in a Thinkific Course “Complete”
• How to Navigate a Thinkific Course
• How to Start a Discussion on Thinkific
• How to Upload an Assignment in Thinkific
• We Help Authors Find the Right Publisher for Their Books
• Welcome to Authors Publish: We Help Writers Get Published
• Work With Us
• Writing from the Upside Down – Stranger Things, Duende, & Subverting Expectations
• Your Book On The Kindle!
• February 2024
• January 2024
• December 2023
• November 2023
• October 2023
• September 2023
• August 2023
• February 2023
• January 2023
• December 2022
• November 2022
• October 2022
• September 2022
• August 2022
• February 2022
• January 2022
• December 2021
• November 2021
• October 2021
• September 2021
• August 2021
• February 2021
• January 2021
• December 2020
• November 2020
• October 2020
• September 2020
• August 2020
• February 2020
• January 2020
• December 2019
• November 2019
• October 2019
• September 2019
• August 2019
• February 2019
• January 2019
• December 2018
• November 2018
• October 2018
• September 2018
• August 2018
• February 2018
• January 2018
• December 2017
• November 2017
• October 2017
• September 2017
• August 2017
• February 2017
• January 2017
• December 2016
• November 2016
• October 2016
• September 2016
• August 2016
• February 2016
• January 2016
• December 2015
• November 2015
• October 2015
• September 2015
• August 2015
• February 2015
• January 2015
• December 2014
• November 2014
• October 2014
• September 2014
• August 2014
• February 2014
• January 2014
• December 2013
• November 2013
• October 2013
• September 2013
• August 2013
• Calls for Submissions 92
• Case Studies 9
• Completly ready unscheduled article 3
• Issue Two Hundred Twenty Two 1
• Issue Eight 4
• Issue Eighteen 5
• Issue Eighty 6
• Issue Eighty-Eight 6
• Issue Eighty-Five 6
• Issue Eighty-Four 5
• Issue Eighty-Nine 7
• Issue Eighty-One 6
• Issue Eighty-Seven 4
• Issue Eighty-Six 6
• Issue Eighty-Three 5
• Issue Eighty-Two 4
• Issue Eleven 5
• Issue Fifteen 4
• Issue Fifty 6
• Issue Fifty Eight 6
• Issue Fifty Five 6
• Issue Fifty Four 5
• Issue Fifty Nine 5
• Issue Fifty One 6
• Issue Fifty Seven 5
• Issue Fifty Six 6
• Issue Fifty Three 4
• Issue Fifty Two 6
• Issue Five 4
• Issue Five Hundred 3
• Issue Five Hundred Eight 3
• Issue Five Hundred Eighteen 5
• Issue Five Hundred Eleven 5
• Issue Five Hundred Fifteen 4
• Issue Five Hundred Fifty 4
• Issue Five Hundred Fifty Eight 4
• Issue Five Hundred Fifty Five 4
• Issue Five Hundred Fifty Four 5
• Issue Five Hundred Fifty Nine 4
• Issue Five Hundred Fifty One 4
• Issue Five Hundred Fifty Seven 4
• Issue Five Hundred Fifty Six 3
• Issue Five Hundred Fifty Three 4
• Issue Five Hundred Fifty Two 5
• Issue Five Hundred Five 4
• Issue Five Hundred Forty 5
• Issue Five Hundred Forty Eight 4
• Issue Five Hundred Forty Five 4
• Issue Five Hundred Forty Four 5
• Issue Five Hundred Forty Nine 4
• Issue Five Hundred Forty One 4
• Issue Five Hundred Forty Seven 4
• Issue Five Hundred Forty Six 4
• Issue Five Hundred Forty Three 3
• Issue Five Hundred Forty Two 3
• Issue Five Hundred Four 4
• Issue Five Hundred Fourteen 6
• Issue Five Hundred Nine 4
• Issue Five Hundred Nineteen 4
• Issue Five Hundred One 5
• Issue Five Hundred Seven 4
• Issue Five Hundred Seventeen 3
• Issue Five Hundred Seventy 1
• Issue Five Hundred Six 4
• Issue Five Hundred Sixteen 5
• Issue Five Hundred Sixty 2
• Issue Five Hundred Sixty Eight 1
• Issue Five Hundred Sixty Five 3
• Issue Five Hundred Sixty Four 4
• Issue Five Hundred Sixty One 3
• Issue Five Hundred Sixty Seven 4
• Issue Five Hundred Sixty Six 4
• Issue Five Hundred Sixty Three 4
• Issue Five Hundred Sixty Two 4
• Issue Five Hundred Ten 3
• Issue Five Hundred Thirteen 3
• Issue Five Hundred Thirty 4
• Issue Five Hundred Thirty Eight 4
• Issue Five Hundred Thirty Five 3
• Issue Five Hundred Thirty Four 3
• Issue Five Hundred Thirty Nine 3
• Issue Five Hundred Thirty One 4
• Issue Five Hundred Thirty Seven 4
• Issue Five Hundred Thirty Six 4
• Issue Five Hundred Thirty Three 4
• Issue Five Hundred Thirty Two 4
• Issue Five Hundred Three 4
• Issue Five Hundred Twelve 3
• Issue Five Hundred Twenty 5
• Issue Five Hundred Twenty Eight 4
• Issue Five Hundred Twenty Five 3
• Issue Five Hundred Twenty Four 4
• Issue Five Hundred Twenty Nine 4
• Issue Five Hundred Twenty One 3
• Issue Five Hundred Twenty Seven 4
• Issue Five Hundred Twenty Six 4
• Issue Five Hundred Twenty Three 3
• Issue Five Hundred Twenty Two 4
• Issue Five Hundred Two 4
• Issue Forty 4
• Issue Forty Eight 5
• Issue Forty Five 6
• Issue Forty Four 6
• Issue Forty Nine 6
• Issue Forty One 4
• Issue Forty Seven 5
• Issue Forty Six 6
• Issue Forty Three 5
• Issue Forty Two 5
• Issue Four 5
• Issue Four Hundred 3
• Issue Four Hundred Eight 2
• Issue Four Hundred Eighteen 4
• Issue Four Hundred Eighty 4
• Issue Four Hundred Eighty Eight 4
• Issue Four Hundred Eighty Five 5
• Issue Four Hundred Eighty Four 3
• Issue Four Hundred Eighty Nine 4
• Issue Four Hundred Eighty One 4
• Issue Four Hundred Eighty Seven 3
• Issue Four Hundred Eighty Six 4
• Issue Four Hundred Eighty Three 4
• Issue Four Hundred Eighty Two 3
• Issue Four Hundred Eleven 3
• Issue Four Hundred Fifteen 3
• Issue Four Hundred Fifty 3
• Issue Four Hundred Fifty Eight 4
• Issue Four Hundred Fifty Five 4
• Issue Four Hundred Fifty Four 4
• Issue Four Hundred Fifty Nine 4
• Issue Four Hundred Fifty One 3
• Issue Four Hundred Fifty Seven 4
• Issue Four Hundred Fifty Six 4
• Issue Four Hundred Fifty Three 4
• Issue Four Hundred Fifty Two 4
• Issue Four Hundred Five 4
• Issue Four Hundred Forty 4
• Issue Four Hundred Forty Eight 3
• Issue Four Hundred Forty Five 3
• Issue Four Hundred Forty Four 4
• Issue Four Hundred Forty Nine 3
• Issue Four Hundred Forty One 3
• Issue Four Hundred Forty Seven 3
• Issue Four Hundred Forty Six 3
• Issue Four Hundred Forty Three 2
• Issue Four Hundred Forty Two 5
• Issue Four Hundred Four 3
• Issue Four Hundred Fourteen 4
• Issue Four Hundred Nine 5
• Issue Four Hundred Nineteen 4
• Issue Four Hundred Ninety 4
• Issue Four Hundred Ninety Eight 4
• Issue Four Hundred Ninety Five 3
• Issue Four Hundred Ninety Four 4
• Issue Four Hundred Ninety Nine 3
• Issue Four Hundred Ninety One 3
• Issue Four Hundred Ninety Seven 3
• Issue Four Hundred Ninety Six 4
• Issue Four Hundred Ninety Three 4
• Issue Four Hundred Ninety Two 5
• Issue Four Hundred One 3
• Issue Four Hundred Seven 3
• Issue Four Hundred Seventeen 3
• Issue Four Hundred Seventy 4
• Issue Four Hundred Seventy Eight 4
• Issue Four Hundred Seventy Five 4
• Issue Four Hundred Seventy Four 4
• Issue Four Hundred Seventy Nine 4
• Issue Four Hundred Seventy One 5
• Issue Four Hundred Seventy Seven 4
• Issue Four Hundred Seventy Six 3
• Issue Four Hundred Seventy Three 3
• Issue Four Hundred Seventy Two 4
• Issue Four Hundred Six 4
• Issue Four Hundred Sixteen 3
• Issue Four Hundred Sixty 3
• Issue Four Hundred Sixty Eight 4
• Issue Four Hundred Sixty Five 5
• Issue Four Hundred Sixty Four 4
• Issue Four Hundred Sixty Nine 2
• Issue Four Hundred Sixty One 3
• Issue Four Hundred Sixty Seven 4
• Issue Four Hundred Sixty Six 4
• Issue Four Hundred Sixty Three 4
• Issue Four Hundred Sixty Two 4
• Issue Four Hundred Ten 3
• Issue Four Hundred Thirteen 3
• Issue Four Hundred Thirty 3
• Issue Four Hundred Thirty Eight 3
• Issue Four Hundred Thirty Five 4
• Issue Four Hundred Thirty Four 3
• Issue Four Hundred Thirty Nine 4
• Issue Four Hundred Thirty One 4
• Issue Four Hundred Thirty Seven 4
• Issue Four Hundred Thirty Six 4
• Issue Four Hundred Thirty Three 3
• Issue Four Hundred Thirty Two 3
• Issue Four Hundred Three 4
• Issue Four Hundred Twelve 3
• Issue Four Hundred Twenty 3
• Issue Four Hundred Twenty Eight 3
• Issue Four Hundred Twenty Five 3
• Issue Four Hundred Twenty Four 4
• Issue Four Hundred Twenty Nine 3
• Issue Four Hundred Twenty One 3
• Issue Four Hundred Twenty Seven 4
• Issue Four Hundred Twenty Six 3
• Issue Four Hundred Twenty Three 4
• Issue Four Hundred Twenty Two 4
• Issue Four Hundred Two 3
• Issue Fourteen 4
• Issue Nine 5
• Issue Nineteen 4
• Issue Ninety 5
• Issue Ninety-Eight 3
• Issue Ninety-Five 4
• Issue Ninety-Four 4
• Issue Ninety-Nine 3
• Issue Ninety-one 6
• Issue Ninety-Seven 2
• Issue Ninety-Six 3
• Issue Ninety-Three 5
• Issue Ninety-Two 4
• Issue Nintey-Three 1
• Issue One 5
• Issue One Hundred 4
• Issue One Hundred Eight 3
• Issue One Hundred Eighteen 3
• Issue One Hundred Eighty 3
• Issue One Hundred Eighty Eight 3
• Issue One Hundred Eighty Five 3
• Issue One Hundred Eighty Four 3
• Issue One Hundred Eighty Nine 3
• Issue One Hundred Eighty One 4
• Issue One Hundred Eighty Seven 3
• Issue One Hundred Eighty Six 3
• Issue One Hundred Eighty Three 3
• Issue One Hundred Eighty Two 3
• Issue One Hundred Eleven 3
• Issue One Hundred Fifteen 4
• Issue One Hundred Fifty 3
• Issue One Hundred Fifty Eight 3
• Issue One Hundred Fifty Five 2
• Issue One Hundred Fifty Four 3
• Issue One Hundred Fifty Nine 4
• Issue One Hundred Fifty One 2
• Issue One Hundred Fifty Seven 3
• Issue One Hundred Fifty Six 4
• Issue One Hundred Fifty Three 2
• Issue One Hundred Fifty Two 6
• Issue One Hundred Five 3
• Issue One Hundred Forty 3
• Issue One Hundred Forty Eight 4
• Issue One Hundred Forty Five 4
• Issue One Hundred Forty Four 2
• Issue One Hundred Forty Nine 4
• Issue One Hundred Forty One 3
• Issue One Hundred Forty Seven 3
• Issue One Hundred Forty Six 4
• Issue One Hundred Forty Three 4
• Issue One Hundred Forty Two 3
• Issue One Hundred Four 4
• Issue One Hundred Fourteen 4
• Issue One Hundred Nine 3
• Issue One Hundred Nineteen 5
• Issue One Hundred Ninety 3
• Issue One Hundred Ninety Eight 3
• Issue One Hundred Ninety Five 4
• Issue One Hundred Ninety Four 3
• Issue One Hundred Ninety Nine 4
• issue One Hundred Ninety One 3
• Issue One Hundred Ninety Seven 2
• Issue One Hundred Ninety Six 3
• Issue One Hundred Ninety Three 3
• Issue One Hundred Ninety Two 3
• Issue One Hundred One 3
• Issue One Hundred Seven 3
• Issue One Hundred Seventeen 3
• Issue One Hundred Seventy 4
• Issue One Hundred Seventy Eight 3
• Issue One Hundred Seventy Five 3
• Issue One Hundred Seventy Four 3
• Issue One Hundred Seventy Nine 3
• Issue One Hundred Seventy One 4
• Issue One Hundred Seventy Seven 2
• Issue One Hundred Seventy Six 3
• Issue One Hundred Seventy Three 3
• Issue One Hundred Seventy Two 2
• Issue One Hundred Six 3
• Issue One Hundred Sixteen 4
• Issue One Hundred Sixty 4
• Issue One Hundred Sixty Eight 4
• Issue One Hundred Sixty Five 3
• Issue One Hundred Sixty Four 3
• Issue One Hundred Sixty Nine 3
• Issue One Hundred Sixty One 4
• Issue One Hundred Sixty Seven 3
• Issue One Hundred Sixty Six 2
• Issue One Hundred Sixty Three 4
• Issue One Hundred Sixty Two 4
• Issue One Hundred Ten 4
• Issue One Hundred Thirteen 4
• Issue One Hundred Thirty 4
• Issue One Hundred Thirty Eight 3
• Issue One Hundred Thirty Five 4
• Issue One Hundred Thirty Four 7
• Issue One Hundred Thirty Nine 4
• Issue One Hundred Thirty One 4
• Issue One Hundred Thirty Seven 3
• Issue One Hundred Thirty Six 4
• Issue One Hundred Thirty Three 4
• Issue One Hundred Thirty Two 5
• Issue One Hundred Three 3
• Issue One Hundred Twelve 2
• Issue One Hundred Twenty 4
• Issue One Hundred Twenty Eight 4
• Issue One Hundred Twenty Five 3
• Issue One Hundred Twenty Four 4
• Issue One Hundred Twenty Nine 4
• Issue One Hundred Twenty One 4
• Issue One Hundred Twenty Seven 4
• Issue One Hundred Twenty Six 4
• Issue One Hundred Twenty Three 5
• Issue One Hundred Twenty Two 3
• Issue One Hundred Two 3
• Issue Seven 4
• Issue Seventeen 5
• Issue Seventy 5
• Issue Seventy-Eight 6
• Issue Seventy-Five 7
• Issue Seventy-Four 6
• Issue Seventy-Nine 6
• Issue Seventy-One 6
• Issue Seventy-Seven 6
• Issue Seventy-Six 6
• Issue Seventy-Three 5
• Issue Seventy-Two 6
• Issue Six 4
• Issue Six Hundred Thirty Four 1
• Issue Sixteen 5
• Issue Sixty 7
• Issue Sixty Eight 6
• Issue Sixty Five 5
• Issue Sixty Four 5
• Issue Sixty Nine 6
• Issue Sixty One 5
• Issue Sixty Seven 6
• Issue Sixty Six 6
• Issue Sixty Three 5
• Issue Sixty Two 6
• Issue Ten 5
• Issue Thirteen 5
• Issue Thirty 7
• Issue Thirty Eight 4
• Issue Thirty Five 3
• Issue Thirty Four 6
• Issue Thirty Nine 5
• Issue Thirty One 5
• Issue Thirty Seven 5
• Issue Thirty Six 4
• Issue Thirty Three 7
• Issue Thirty Two 5
• Issue Thirty Two 1
• Issue Three 5
• Issue Three Hundred 3
• Issue Three Hundred and Eighty 4
• Issue Three Hundred and Sixty Five 2
• Issue Three Hundred Eight 4
• Issue Three Hundred Eighteen 3
• Issue Three Hundred Eighty Eight 4
• Issue Three Hundred Eighty Five 4
• Issue Three Hundred Eighty Four 4
• Issue Three Hundred Eighty Nine 4
• Issue Three Hundred Eighty One 4
• Issue Three Hundred Eighty Seven 4
• Issue Three Hundred Eighty Six 3
• Issue Three Hundred Eighty Three 4
• Issue Three Hundred Eighty Two 3
• Issue Three Hundred Eleven 3
• Issue Three Hundred Fifteen 4
• Issue Three Hundred Fifty 4
• Issue Three Hundred Fifty Eight 4
• Issue Three Hundred Fifty Five 3
• Issue Three Hundred Fifty Four 4
• Issue Three Hundred Fifty Nine 3
• Issue Three Hundred Fifty One 3
• Issue Three Hundred Fifty Seven 3
• Issue Three Hundred Fifty Six 3
• Issue Three Hundred Fifty Three 3
• Issue Three Hundred Fifty Two 3
• Issue Three Hundred Five 3
• Issue Three Hundred Forty 3
• Issue Three Hundred Forty Eight 3
• Issue Three Hundred Forty Five 3
• Issue Three Hundred Forty Four 3
• Issue Three Hundred Forty Nine 3
• Issue Three Hundred Forty One 4
• Issue Three Hundred Forty Seven 3
• Issue Three Hundred Forty Six 3
• Issue Three Hundred Forty Three 3
• Issue Three Hundred Forty Two 3
• Issue Three Hundred Four 3
• Issue Three Hundred Fourteen 3
• Issue Three Hundred Nine 3
• Issue Three Hundred Nineteen 4
• Issue Three Hundred Ninety 3
• Issue Three Hundred Ninety Eight 3
• Issue Three Hundred Ninety Five 3
• Issue Three Hundred Ninety Four 3
• Issue Three Hundred Ninety Nine 3
• Issue Three Hundred Ninety One 3
• Issue Three Hundred Ninety Seven 4
• Issue Three Hundred Ninety Six 4
• Issue Three Hundred Ninety Three 4
• Issue Three Hundred Ninety Two 5
• Issue Three Hundred One 3
• Issue Three Hundred Seven 3
• Issue Three Hundred Seventeen 3
• Issue Three Hundred Seventy 3
• Issue Three Hundred Seventy Eight 3
• Issue Three Hundred Seventy Five 3
• Issue Three Hundred Seventy Four 3
• Issue Three Hundred Seventy Nine 4
• Issue Three Hundred Seventy One 3
• Issue Three Hundred Seventy Seven 3
• Issue Three Hundred Seventy Six 4
• Issue Three Hundred Seventy Three 3
• Issue Three Hundred Seventy Two 3
• Issue Three Hundred Six 4
• Issue Three Hundred Sixteen 3
• Issue Three Hundred Sixty 3
• Issue Three Hundred Sixty Eight 3
• Issue Three Hundred Sixty Four 4
• Issue Three Hundred Sixty Nine 3
• Issue Three Hundred Sixty One 4
• Issue Three Hundred Sixty Seven 5
• Issue Three Hundred Sixty Six 5
• Issue Three Hundred Sixty Three 4
• Issue Three Hundred Sixty Two 3
• Issue Three Hundred Ten 3
• Issue Three Hundred Thirteen 3
• Issue Three Hundred Thirty 2
• Issue Three Hundred Thirty Eight 4
• Issue Three Hundred Thirty Five 2
• Issue Three Hundred Thirty Four 3
• Issue Three Hundred Thirty Nine 3
• Issue Three Hundred Thirty One 2
• Issue Three Hundred Thirty Seven 4
• Issue Three Hundred Thirty Six 3
• Issue Three Hundred Thirty Three 3
• Issue Three Hundred Thirty Two 3
• Issue Three Hundred Three 3
• Issue Three Hundred Twelve 3
• Issue Three Hundred Twenty 3
• Issue Three Hundred Twenty Eight 4
• Issue Three Hundred Twenty Five 3
• Issue Three Hundred Twenty Four 4
• Issue Three Hundred Twenty Nine 4
• Issue Three Hundred Twenty One 3
• Issue Three Hundred Twenty Seven 3
• Issue three hundred twenty six 2
• Issue Three Hundred Twenty Three 4
• Issue Three Hundred Twenty Two 3
• Issue Three Hundred Two 4
• Issue Thrity Five 1
• Issue Twelve 4
• Issue Twenty 5
• Issue Twenty Eight 5
• Issue Twenty Five 4
• Issue Twenty Four 4
• Issue Twenty Nine 4
• Issue Twenty One 5
• Issue Twenty Seven 3
• Issue Twenty Six 4
• Issue Twenty Three 4
• Issue Twenty Two 5
• Issue Two 4
• Issue Two Hundred 4
• Issue Two Hundred Eight 3
• Issue Two Hundred Eighteen 1
• Issue Two Hundred Eighty 2
• Issue Two Hundred Eighty Eight 3
• Issue Two Hundred Eighty Five 3
• Issue Two Hundred Eighty Four 3
• Issue Two Hundred Eighty Nine 2
• Issue Two Hundred Eighty One 4
• Issue Two Hundred Eighty Seven 3
• Issue Two Hundred Eighty Six 4
• Issue Two Hundred Eighty Three 2
• Issue Two Hundred Eighty Two 3
• Issue Two Hundred Eleven 3
• Issue Two Hundred Fifteen 3
• Issue Two Hundred Fifty 3
• Issue Two Hundred Fifty Eight 3
• Issue Two Hundred Fifty Five 3
• Issue Two Hundred Fifty Four 3
• Issue Two Hundred Fifty Nine 2
• Issue Two Hundred Fifty One 3
• Issue Two Hundred Fifty Seven 2
• Issue Two Hundred Fifty Six 3
• Issue Two Hundred Fifty Three 1
• Issue Two Hundred Fifty Two 3
• Issue Two Hundred Five 3
• Issue Two Hundred Forty 3
• Issue Two Hundred Forty Eight 3
• Issue Two Hundred Forty Five 2
• Issue Two Hundred Forty Four 3
• Issue Two Hundred Forty Nine 3
• Issue Two Hundred Forty One 3
• Issue Two Hundred Forty Seven 3
• Issue Two Hundred Forty Six 2
• Issue Two Hundred Forty Three 1
• Issue Two Hundred Forty Two 2
• Issue Two Hundred Four 2
• Issue Two Hundred Fourteen 3
• Issue Two Hundred Nine 3
• Issue Two Hundred Nineteen 3
• Issue Two Hundred Ninety 3
• Issue Two Hundred Ninety Eight 4
• Issue Two Hundred Ninety Five 2
• Issue Two Hundred Ninety Four 3
• Issue Two Hundred Ninety Nine 3
• Issue Two Hundred Ninety One 4
• Issue Two Hundred Ninety Seven 4
• Issue Two Hundred Ninety Six 3
• Issue Two Hundred Ninety Three 4
• Issue Two Hundred Ninety Two 3
• Issue Two Hundred One 3
• Issue Two Hundred Seven 3
• Issue Two Hundred Seventeen 3
• Issue Two Hundred Seventy 3
• Issue Two Hundred Seventy Eight 3
• Issue Two Hundred Seventy Five 3
• Issue Two Hundred Seventy Four 3
• Issue Two Hundred Seventy Nine 3
• Issue Two Hundred Seventy One 2
• Issue Two Hundred Seventy Seven 3
• Issue Two Hundred Seventy Six 3
• Issue Two Hundred Seventy Three 3
• Issue Two Hundred Seventy Two 3
• Issue Two Hundred Six 3
• Issue Two Hundred Sixteen 3
• Issue Two Hundred Sixty 3
• Issue Two Hundred Sixty Eight 3
• Issue Two Hundred Sixty Five 4
• Issue Two Hundred Sixty Four 3
• Issue Two Hundred Sixty Nine 3
• Issue Two Hundred Sixty One 3
• Issue Two Hundred Sixty Seven 3
• Issue Two Hundred Sixty Six 3
• Issue Two Hundred Sixty Three 6
• Issue Two Hundred Sixty Two 3
• Issue Two Hundred Ten 2
• Issue Two Hundred Thirteen 4
• Issue Two Hundred Thirty 4
• Issue Two Hundred Thirty Eight 4
• Issue Two Hundred Thirty Five 4
• Issue Two Hundred Thirty Four 3
• Issue Two Hundred Thirty Nine 2
• Issue Two Hundred Thirty One 2
• Issue Two Hundred Thirty Seven 2
• Issue Two Hundred Thirty Six 4
• Issue Two Hundred Thirty Three 3
• Issue Two Hundred Thirty Two 3
• Issue Two Hundred Three 3
• Issue Two Hundred Twelve 3
• Issue Two Hundred Twenty 3
• Issue Two Hundred Twenty Eight 4
• Issue Two Hundred Twenty Five 3
• Issue Two Hundred Twenty Four 4
• Issue Two Hundred Twenty Nine 3
• Issue Two Hundred Twenty One 4
• Issue Two Hundred Twenty Seven 2
• Issue Two Hundred Twenty Six 4
• Issue Two Hundred Twenty Three 2
• Issue Two Hundred Twenty Two 3
• Issue Two Hundred Two 3
• No Fee Contest 1
• One Hundred Forty Seven 1
• Letter from the Editor 8
• Always open to submissions 40
• Anthology 4
• Chapbooks 2
• Creative Non Fiction 262
• Electronic 4
• Fiction 384
• Paying Market 50
• Translation 3
• Academic 16
• Accept Previously Published Work 1
• All Genres 29
• Chick Lit 5
• Children's Books 112
• Christian 29
• Cookbooks 15
• Gift Books 15
• Graphic Novel 6
• Historical Fiction 19
• Literary Fiction 64
• New Adult 4
• Non Fiction 178
• Offers Advances 8
• Paranormal 15
• Science Fiction 58
• Self Help 7
• Southern Fiction 2
• Speculative Fiction 8
• Women's Fiction 17
• Young Adult 79
• Issue Four 1
• Issue Six 1
• Issue Three 1
• Issue Two 1
• Publishing Guides 76
• Publishing Industry News 1
• Quote of the Week 78
• Self Publishing 22
• Issue One Hundred Ninety One 1
• Special Issue 353
• Success Stories 6
• The Authors Publish Fund for Literary Journals 1
• The Other Side of the Desk 4
• Uncategorized 106
• Writing Prompt 85

About Us: We're dedicated to helping authors build their writing careers. We send you reviews of publishers accepting submissions, and articles to help you become a successful, published, author. Everything is free and delivered via email. You can view our privacy policy here. To get started sign up for our free email newsletter .

• How to Cite
• Language & Lit
• Rhyme & Rhythm
• The Rewrite
• Search Glass

How to Write a Biography in the Third Person

A biography is written in the third person to introduce an individual in a professional capacity. It should showcase your career experience, background and expertise yet be as succinct as possible. Third-person biographies are vital for writers and are meant to give readers a peek at them on a personal level as well as insight into their writing history.

Think of your life as though you were someone else and not yourself. This will help in enabling you to more easily write your biography in the third person and will bring to mind the more interesting aspects of yourself that you will want to include.

Decide on a few aspects of your life you want to write about in the biography. Focus on including anything that is relevant to your career, education and another areas of your life that gives readers insight into your personality, such as a hobby.

Write a few short paragraphs to keep your biography succinct and to the point. Use your full name in the first sentence, and refer to yourself by just your first name or as "he" or "she" in the sentences that follow.

Proofread your biography. Edit any mistakes you notice, and rewrite any awkward sentences to make them better. Use the spell-checking function on your word processing program as well. Have another person look over your biography so that fresh eyes can proofread it.

Things You'll Need

• Absolute Write: Building a Better Biography
• How to Write an Attention-Grabbing Professional Bio

Renee Gerber has over 14 years of editorial experience and is an editor for a sports website. She has published several articles on pro-wrestling at BleacherReport.com and other websites. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism at Baruch College in 2001 and is enrolled in a program to obtain a certificate in digital design.

How to Write a Biography in Third Person About Yourself

Lauren turnbull.

Writing an autobiography in the third person can be a challenging creative writing exercise as well as a practical necessity for career development. Many companies expect you to write in third person when you describe your accomplishments. This manner of writing helps to focus the subject matter while giving your work a professional tone. Whether you are writing about yourself for work or just stretching your creative muscles, writing an autobiography in the third person prompts personal reflection as you take note of your interests, dreams and accomplishments.

Write the objective of your autobiography at the top of a notebook page. The objective of a professional autobiography is to explain your experience; an informal autobiography explains your personal history or interests.

List your attributes, awards, interests and accomplishments. Minimize environmental distractions such as the television or radio and review old resumes to spark your memory.

Ask your friends or family to tell you about your attributes or history. Getting another person's perspective helps to remove subjectivity from the evaluation process. Add their input to your list.

Edit your list using your autobiography's objective as a guide. Delete or modify interests, accomplishments or facts that do not support or relate to your main point. Needless details can distract and mislead readers.

Organize your attributes list in a logical progression, such as chronological.

Write an outline of your autobiography using your organized attributes list. Divide your chronological outline into a beginning, middle and end. Your autobiography should progress from past accomplishments to present goals or interests. Set your outline aside.

Write your name and "is" to start a new paragraph in the third-person voice. Pretend you are writing about another person.

Write your beginning, middle and end paragraphs using your outline as a guide. Include a few personal details such as hobbies to reduce formality. Add details such as professional experience to make your work more formal.

Edit your writing for consistent tone and review your piece for grammatical errors. Ask another person to read your work to evaluate its flow and grammar.

About the Author

Lauren Turnbull has been a freelance writer and photographer since 2005, specializing in science, government, politics and community development topics. Her work has been featured in "The Raven" literary magazine and Pratt Institute's "Gateway" newsletter. Turnbull has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in film from the Pratt Institute's College of Art and Design.

Related Articles

How to Write a Career Autobiography

How to Write a Simple Personal Biography

How to Write Funeral Tributes

How to Write a Cover Letter in High School

How to Make Bagging Groceries Sound Good on a Resume

Sample of How to Write an Autobiography

How to Write an Essay on Who Influenced My Life

How to Tell About Yourself in a Brief Bio

How to Write a Life Experience Portfolio for College

How to Write a Personal Statement in 200-300 Words

How to Write a Good Career Goal Narrative

How Do I Cite Previous Work Written by Myself & Reference...

How to Write an Intellectual Biography for Graduate...

How to Create a Brag Sheet

How to Write an Autobiography for a Portfolio

How to Write a Letter to Someone You Haven't Seen in...

How to Write a Self-Descriptive Essay

How to Write Essays About a Challenging Problem & How...

How to Write an Informative Summary

How to Write a Literature Report

Regardless of how old we are, we never stop learning. Classroom is the educational resource for people of all ages. Whether you’re studying times tables or applying to college, Classroom has the answers.

• Accessibility
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Copyright Policy
• Manage Preferences

© 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Based on the Word Net lexical database for the English Language. See disclaimer .

Writing in Third Person: How to, When to, and Why

When it comes to writing, the third person is one of the most commonly used points of view. This point of view allows readers to get inside the heads of multiple characters and can make stories more immersive and engaging.

But, how do you write third person? When should you use the third person instead of the first or second? We will answer all of those questions in this blog post and more!

What Is Writing In Third Person?

How to write in third person about yourself, when should you write in third person, how to write in third person omniscient, why do authors write in third person, are biographies written in third person.

Writing in the third person point of view is when the writer tells the story using third-person pronouns like "he" or "she".

It gives the story a more objective perspective and can be less confusing for the reader.

When done well, it can make the story more engaging by giving the reader a different perspective on the events.

However, some people struggle to write in the third person, as they have to keep track of the thoughts and actions of all the different characters in the story.

This may not sound like a difficult task; however, you need to once you decide to write in third person, you need to remain consistent throughout the entire story.

When writing about yourself in the third person, it's important to maintain a consistent point of view. You don't want to switch back and forth between the first and third person within the same sentence or paragraph.

To stay in the third person, use pronouns like "he," "she," and "it," and avoid using words like "I" and "me." For example, you might write, "She went for a run this morning" instead of "I went for a run this morning."

It can be helpful to think of yourself as if you're someone else observing yourself from the outside. This will help you stay in the third person when describing your own actions and thoughts.

Now that you know how to write in third person point of view, when should you use third person?

The third person point of view is most commonly used in fiction writing, but it can also be used when writing non-fiction or even when writing about yourself.

If you're not sure whether or not to write in third person, consider these three factors:

- Who is your audience?

- What tone do you want to set?

- What point of view will best suit your story?

If you're writing for a professional or academic audience, third person is often the best choice. It can help you sound more objective and less biased.

If you're writing a more personal piece, such as a memoir, you might want to consider writing in a first-person point of view. This will allow you to share your personal thoughts and experiences more directly with the reader.

When it comes to setting a tone, third person can be either formal or informal. It all depends on how you use pronouns and other third-person words.

For example, using third-person pronouns like "they," "them," and "their" can make your writing sound more objective.

On the other hand, using third-person pronouns like "he," "she," and "him" can make your writing sound more personal.

Ultimately, the best point of view for your story will be the one that allows you to tell your story most effectively.

There are a few things to keep in mind when writing in third person omniscient point of view. First, you need to know everything about your story and all of its characters.

This can be difficult to do if you haven’t planned everything out ahead of time. It’s important to have a clear understanding of the plot and all of the motivations for each character before beginning to write. 

Second, while it is called “third-person omniscient,” this doesn’t mean that the narrator knows everything about every character.

The narrator can only know what each individual character knows. This is important to remember when writing dialogue and internal thoughts for each character. What one character knows will be different from what another character knows. 

Many authors choose to write in third person point of view because it gives them a greater sense of objectivity. When an author writes in first person, they can only relate events that they personally experienced or witnessed.

However, when an author writes in third person, they can include events that took place outside of their own experience.

This can be particularly useful for historical fiction or other genres that rely heavily on research. In addition, third person point of view can help to create a more omniscient narrator, which can be beneficial for certain types of stories.

Finally, some authors simply find it easier to write in third person point of view because it allows them to distance themselves from their characters.

Whatever the reason, it is clear that there are many advantages to writing in a third person point of view.

Yes. A biography is written in third person to provide a more objective and detached perspective of the subject. It allows readers to get a more holistic understanding of the person's life without being filtered through the subjective lens of the author.

Third person point of view can be helpful for biographers because it allows them to explore different aspects of their subject's life without becoming emotionally attached or invested in one particular perspective.

It also provides a broader scope for storytelling, as opposed to first or second person which tend to be more limited in focus.

An autobiography, on the other hand, is usually written from a first-person point of view. This is because an autobiography is typically more personal and intimate than a biography.

The author wants readers to feel as though they are getting to know them on a personal level, and third-person would not allow for that same level of connection.

However, there are exceptions to every rule. If an author feels more comfortable or believes that their story will be better served by writing in third person, then they are certainly free to do so.

There is no hard and fast rule that says biographies must be written in the third person and autobiographies must be written in the first person. It ultimately comes down to the author's preference.

About The Author

Arielle Phoenix

Related posts.

What Is The Average Time It Takes To Write A Book?

should i write a book or a screenplay?

How to Write a Zombie Book: 8 Easy Steps

PDF Template For Writing A Book

The Querent

Bibliomancy For The Living Autobiography In The Third Person

Thoughts about my new project here, autofiction, third person memoir and living autobiography..

What was there to do with a newsletter besides the updating of readers on new publications and classes? This question has been on my mind for several years, going back to when Substack approached me about the possibility of writing a paid newsletter four years ago. I didn’t do it at the time as I didn’t want to begin without an idea—didn’t want to write one of those blogs that eventually petered out because the work was unpaid. I have an older TinyLetter newsletter—I have always liked the idea of letters—and I kept that going for a few years, and it even helped generated my first essay collection . But I eventually abandoned it, as many folks did, mostly as I kept writing what were effectively essays for no pay.

But for much of the last year I have been thinking about memoir and autofiction, specifically through the lense of Patricia Lockwood ’s Nobody Is Talking About This and J. M. Coetzee’s Scenes From Provincial Life , thoughts born from the Shipman classes I taught in 2023. I had been interested in the idea of a third person memoir ever since meeting Salman Rushdie at the launch for his Joseph Anton , a third person memoir of his life under the fatwa. When I met Deborah Levy at an event she did with my friend Daniel Schreiber here in London last month, her idea of a living autobiography, as she has called her most recent books , stippled my imagination too. The dream of writing out of the present, in a kind of diarist’s pose but in the third person.

After thinking about how to introduce the project, I decided to begin with a bibliomancy exercise, one I teach students, which I think of as a kind of tarot reading but made of epigraphs. I first learned about Bibliomancy in college while reading the novel Adam Bede , by George Eliot, her novel set in a community of 18th century Evangelical Christians in America. One of the characters in the novel engaged in it: you have a question for God and then to get an answer, you open the Bible with your eyes closed, running your finger down the page. When your finger stops, you open your eyes and that's your answer from God.

The practice reminded me of how I like to browse bookstores and libraries and even my own bookshelves at home when he felt stuck, pulling books off the shelf and flipping them open at random, and I suddenly the habit a little differently. As a way to communicate with myself.

The bibliomancy exercise goes like this:

Take a notebook and pen and go to a library, to the fiction stacks, poetry, autobiography, literary criticism, literary journals... maybe even choose a different genre for each selection.

Ask, "What should I be writing about?" And for 60 minutes—set a timer even—wander the stacks, flipping open books at random. Pause before the shelf, and if you want it to be more like a Tarot card reading, close your eyes, reach out with your non-dominant hand and see if there’s a book that feels like it is pulling at you, maybe even warmer than the others. Flip it open and if you like, run your finger down the page, or, just read the two facing pages for a passage that speaks to you. Write it down along with the title and author, even the page number if you want to find it again.

Do this 6 more times.

Read the list of quotes and look for a common theme or themes. Write them down. Are there any images or ideas that repeat or images or ideas that speak to your own ideas? Is there even just a line you like particularly?

The idea behind the exercise is to use the quotes as a way to begin to make connections first to what you are thinking about as the themes emerge are typically unconscious to the querent, giving shape to something they’ve been thinking about, not necessarily because of any mystical element, but because of synchronicity. The arrangement of unfamiliar elements allows the ideas to surprise us, to dress in a costume that allows them to be heard.

When I assign this exercise, I typically joke that this is witchcraft, and while that is a joke, I do feel as if I am casting a spell on myself. The results seem uncanny and precise. Like these, taken from the books in the London architect’s apartment I am subletting this term—a sublet’s library always exerts a particular pull.

My London Letters Bibliomancy Experiment Answers as to what the letters should be about.

Presented with a bewildering, indecipherable network of passages, doors, stairs and rooms, it was as easy to get lost as on purpose.

—Robin Evans, Translations from Drawing to Building and Other Essays, pg. 102

Not quite symbiotic like Baker and her Paris, the relationship of Cahun and Jersey is characterized less by mutual dependency than mutual cooperation. The artist and the island are independent of each other yet they are held together by a similitude—an underlying identity.

—Diarmuid Hester, Nothing Ever Just Disappears, pg. 175

In Douglas Copeland’s 1995 novel Microserfs, a group of programmers at Microsoft (former art school students like the author) find themselves disgusted with their evil company and their endless work lives: “the first generation of Microsoft employees faced with reduced stock options and, for that matter, plateauing stock prices.” “I guess,” the narrator concludes, “that makes them mere employees, just like at any other company.”

—Nikil Saval, Cubicle , pg. 265

We sat down and Skinny told me what I had to do. He said the house was empty and they’d help me get up on the roof. I’d have to climb down into the garden and get inside through a small window that didn’t have any glass in it. Then I had to open one of the windows on the street and come back to where we were. They’d meet me there. Skinny repeated what I had to do a number of times and told me exactly where to find the window. He seemed to know the house inside out, he told me where every room was.

—Mario Vargas Llosa, The Time of the Hero, pg. 277

I found an inn tucked away under the aqueduct, conveniently roofed by one of its arches—a vast cave-like place of naked granite smelling warmly of pigs and horses.

—Laurie Lee, As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning , pg. 93

I will kill our one and only cock, the pride of the village, cockerel then, as you will have such an obscene mind, and a bottle of sloe gin will be opened for your pleasure over a vast wood fire at night.

—Dora Carrington to Virginia Woolf, 31 October 1918, excerpted in The Bloomsbury Cookbook by Jans Ondaatje Rolls, pg. 158

“I could tell you my adventures –beginning from this morning,” said Alice a little timidly; “but it’s no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then.”

            “Explain all that,” said the Mock Turtle.

            “No, no! The adventures first,” said the Gryphon in an impatient tone: “explanations take such a dreadful time.”

— Alice In Wonderland , by Lewis Carroll, pg. 106

The Alice quote is so exact, it felt like a cosmic prank, but all of them speak to me and I will most likely use it in the front of whatever book this becomes. I may even use each of these as an epigraph to the first letters. I’ll do another one next for the novel I’m working on here.

For the month of October, the first four of these letters here will be available whether you are paid or unpaid subscribers. I hope you’ll enjoy the experiment.

Ready for more?

• Link to facebook
• Link to linkedin
• Link to twitter
• Link to youtube
• Writing Tips

Author Tips: Biographies, Autobiographies and Memoirs

4-minute read

• 13th July 2020

Biographies, autobiographies and memoirs are types of narrative non-fiction that tell a person’s real-life story. And though these formats are similar in some ways, it’s important to know the differences, too:

• Biographies tell a person’s whole life story, but they are written by someone other than the subject.
• Autobiographies tell a life story from the point of view of the author.
• Memoirs are also told from the point of view of the author, but they focus on a specific part or aspect of that person’s life.

In this guide, we delve deeper into these three distinct forms of writing.

Biographies

Biography literally means life ( bio ) writing ( graphy ). As such, biographies tell the true story of an individual’s life, usually a historical or public figure. However, they are not written by that same person.

Instead, the author (known as the “biographer”) will draw on all the available material about their subject, such as diaries, letters and interviews, to create a factual, objective narrative written in the third person .

Biographical writing is also one of the oldest forms of literature: the Ancient Greeks and Romans wrote biographies of their leaders and scholars.

Examples of Famous Biographies

• Parallel Lives by Plutarch (written in the second century AD) – A series of biographies that compare famous Greeks and Romans.
• The Life of Samuel Johnson by James Boswell (1787) – An influential account of English writer Samuel Johnson’s life.
• Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow (2004) – A modern biography of American statesman Alexander Hamilton (later the main inspiration for the smash-hit musical Hamilton ).

Autobiographies

“Auto” means “self.” And as the name suggests, an autobiography is a self-written biography (though many are written with the help of a collaborator or ghost writer ). Typically, autobiographies will cover the author’s full life so far, starting at their childhood and ending at the point the book is written.

Because the author is the main character, autobiographies are usually written in the first person . And since they are often based on memory, they can be quite subjective accounts. They can also be unreliable , since authors may misremember or even deliberately misrepresent something.

You may also come across fictional autobiographies. These are works of narrative fiction that present themselves as autobiographies of the main character (e.g., David Copperfield by Charles Dickens).

Find this useful?

Subscribe to our newsletter and get writing tips from our editors straight to your inbox.

Examples of Famous Autobiographies

• Confessions by Saint Augustine (AD 397–400) – An early autobiographical work in which Saint Augustine of Hippo examines his youthful sins and eventual spiritual awakening.
• Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela (1994) – The story of Nelson Mandela’s life, including his struggles against apartheid, his imprisonment, and his eventual rise to become president of South Africa.
• Me by Elton John (2019) – A recent autobiography by a pop star.

Like autobiographies, memoirs are a type of first-person life writing. But a memoir will cover specific events or times in the author’s life, not the whole thing. Alternatively, memoirs may focus on a theme, such as illness or addiction, that reoccurs throughout the author’s life.

Other differences between memoirs and autobiographies include:

• Autobiographies are chronological, but memoirs may be less linear.
• Memoirs are about personal experience, so they may dramatize events and are typically less concerned with objective facts.
• Biographies and autobiographies tend to focus on major public figures, whereas memoirs are more likely to be written by “ordinary” people.

This last point is important, as many memoirs focus on triumph against adversity or surviving difficult situations. This type of memoir became so popular in the late 1990s it became known as “misery lit.”

A warning, though! Not every story that calls itself a memoir is a memoir: Memoirs of a Geisha is definitely a novel!

Examples of Famous Memoirs

• Commentaries on the Gallic Wars by Julius Caesar (58–49 BC) – A first-hand account of the years Caesar spent fighting in Gaul. Although written in the third person, many consider it an early memoir.
• Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt (1996) – A look at the author’s childhood, especially his family’s struggles with poverty.
• Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert (2006) – A chronicle of what the author learned during a year spent travelling after her divorce.

We hope that this has explained the differences between biographies, autobiographies, and memoirs. And if you’d like anyone to help with proofreading something you wrote, we have expert editors available 24/7.

Share this article:

Post A New Comment

Got content that needs a quick turnaround? Let us polish your work. Explore our editorial business services.

2-minute read

How to Cite the CDC in APA

If you’re writing about health issues, you might need to reference the Centers for Disease...

5-minute read

Six Product Description Generator Tools for Your Product Copy

Introduction If you’re involved with ecommerce, you’re likely familiar with the often painstaking process of...

3-minute read

What Is a Content Editor?

Are you interested in learning more about the role of a content editor and the...

The Benefits of Using an Online Proofreading Service

Proofreading is important to ensure your writing is clear and concise for your readers. Whether...

6 Online AI Presentation Maker Tools

Creating presentations can be time-consuming and frustrating. Trying to construct a visually appealing and informative...

What Is Market Research?

No matter your industry, conducting market research helps you keep up to date with shifting...

Make sure your writing is the best it can be with our expert English proofreading and editing.

Autofiction in the Third Person, with a Reading of Christine Brooke-Rose’s Remake

• First Online: 05 June 2018

Cite this chapter

• Lorna Martens 4  

Part of the book series: Palgrave Studies in Life Writing ((PSLW))

1300 Accesses

2 Citations

In third-person fiction, the teller and the characters, as different people, are typically distinguished by different speaking styles. Yet particularly in third-person autobiography-fiction blends, narrator and protagonist may sound alike—presumably because the author identifies with both. Such breaches in the areas of mood and voice can be exploited by design. In her ‘autobifography’ Remake (1996), Christine Brooke-Rose employs a range of techniques—lipograms, split characters, telepathy—in order to undermine the notion of identity, against which she polemicises in her critical writings. By relinquishing personal pronouns and creating multiple avatars of the ‘old lady’, she suggests that she is not self-identical but multifarious. But by letting locutions slide from one of these avatars to another, she covertly identifies all these characters as Christine Brooke-Rose.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

• Available as PDF
• Read on any device
• Instant download
• Own it forever
• Available as EPUB and PDF
• Compact, lightweight edition
• Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
• Free shipping worldwide - see info
• Durable hardcover edition

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Works Cited

Anderson, Sherwood. Tar: A Midwest Childhood . Cleveland, OH: The Press of Case Western Reserve University, 1969. First published 1926.

Google Scholar  

Barthes, Roland. Roland Barthes by Roland Barthes . Trans. Richard Howard. New York: Hill & Wang, 2010.

Brooke-Rose, Christine. Remake. Manchester: Carcanet Press, 1996.

———. Invisible Author. Last Essays . Columbus, OH: Ohio State University Press, 2002.

Burnett, Frances Hodgson. The One I Knew the Best of All: A Memory of the Mind of a Child . New York: Scribner’s, 1893.

Cohn, Dorrit. Transparent Minds . Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1978.

Doubrovsky, Serge. ‘Autobiography/Truth/Psychoanalysis.’ Trans. Logan Whalen and John Ireland. Genre XXVI (1993): 27–42.

Fludernick, Monika . The Fictions of Language and the Languages of Fiction . London: Routledge, 1993.

Gasparini, Philippe. Autofiction. Une aventure du langage. Paris: Seuil, 2008.

Genette, Gérard. Fiction and Diction . Trans. Catherine Porter. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 1993.

Grell, Isabelle. L’Autofiction . Paris: Armand Collin, 2014.

Lawrence, Karen R. Techniques for Living: Fiction and Theory in the Work of Christine Brooke-Rose . Columbus, OH: Ohio State University Press, 2010.

Lejeune, Philippe. On Autobiography . Ed. Paul John Eakin. Trans. Katherine Leary. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota Press, 1989.

Martens, Lorna. ‘Mood, Voice, and the Question of the Narrator in Third-Person Fiction.’ Narrative 25.2 (2017): 182–202.

Article   Google Scholar  

Roy, Arundhati. The God of Small Things . New York: HarperCollins, 1997.

Download references

Author information

Authors and affiliations.

University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA

Lorna Martens

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and affiliations.

Faculty of Media and Communication, Bournemouth University, Poole, United Kingdom

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 The Author(s)

About this chapter

Martens, L. (2018). Autofiction in the Third Person, with a Reading of Christine Brooke-Rose’s Remake . In: Dix, H. (eds) Autofiction in English. Palgrave Studies in Life Writing. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-89902-2_3

Download citation

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-89902-2_3

Published : 05 June 2018

Publisher Name : Palgrave Macmillan, Cham

Print ISBN : 978-3-319-89901-5

Online ISBN : 978-3-319-89902-2

eBook Packages : Literature, Cultural and Media Studies Literature, Cultural and Media Studies (R0)

Share this chapter

Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content:

Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article.

Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative

• Publish with us

Policies and ethics

• Find a journal
• Track your research

Typically, Books Written in the Third Person: Author Guide

• October 26, 2023

Table of Contents:

Understanding the importance of books written in the third person perspective, types of books written in the third person perspective, third-person omniscient: , third-person limited:, third-person objective: , third-person semi-omniscient:, third-person stream of consciousness: , advantages of books written in the third person perspective, objective perspective: , multiple character insights: , professional and formal: , avoiding bias: , creating a world: , engages the reader: , character development: , how do we maintain a consistent narrative tone in third-person writing, character voice:, narrative distance: , avoid sudden changes:, do autobiography writers commonly use the third-person perspective in their writing, conclusion:.

How you decide to tell a story in a book can greatly affect its success in today’s book world. One way of telling a story that has always worked is by using the “third-person” point of view. Whether you’ve written many books before or just started as a book writer , this guide will help you learn how to tell a great story using the third-person perspective.

Imagine you’re watching a movie. When you see the characters on the screen, you’re not inside their heads, and you’re not one of them. Instead, you’re like a silent observer, watching what they do and say. That’s a lot like the third-person perspective in writing.

So, writing a story from the third-person point of view, such as children’s book ghostwriters , means you’re not part of the story, and you’re not one of the characters. Instead, you’re like an invisible spectator who can see and hear everything happening. You can watch how the characters act, listen to what they say, and describe their thoughts and feelings.

This perspective can be helpful because it lets you get to know your characters well. You can understand them better because you have this bird’s-eye view of their actions, words, and inner thoughts. It’s like you’re looking at their lives from the outside, which can give you a deeper understanding of who they are.

Let’s discuss the types of books written in the third person perspective in detail.

In this type, the narrator knows everything about the characters and the story. They can see into the thoughts and feelings of all the characters. It’s like the narrator has a magical bird’s-eye view of everything happening in the story.

 With this style, the narrator still uses “he,” “she,” or “they” to talk about the characters, but the narrator only knows the thoughts and feelings of one character. It’s as if the narrator is a close friend of just one character and can tell you what that character thinks and feels, but not others.

The narrator doesn’t know any character’s thoughts or feelings. They can only describe what they see and hear like a camera recording what’s happening. This creates a more distant and objective view of the story.

 This is a mix of omniscient and limited. The narrator knows some characters’ thoughts and feelings, but not all. They have a few special insights, but they’re not all-knowing.

Here, the narrator tries to capture a character’s unfiltered thoughts and feelings as they happen, often chaotically and messily. It’s like you’re inside a character’s mind, experiencing their thoughts as they come.

Choosing the right type of book written in the third-person perspective is crucial, as it can effectively convey the theme of your story. If you’re uncertain about how to make this choice, you can consider hiring an affordable ghostwriter service  to assist you.”

There are several benefits of books written in the third person perspective. Let’s dig into them more deeply.

When you write in the third person, you can present the story from a more objective viewpoint. It’s like you’re a neutral observer, not part of the story. This helps readers see the events and characters more clearly without their personal opinions or emotions getting in the way. However, it’s important to note that when considering information sources, such as in historical research, the question is biography a primary source arises.

You can share the thoughts and feelings of multiple characters in the story. This way, readers understand different characters’ perspectives, making the story richer and more diverse.

Writing in the third person is often seen as more formal and professional. It is commonly used in academic, business, and research Wikipedia writing . So, if you want your writing to sound serious and credible, the third person is a good choice.

Third-person writing helps you avoid showing bias or favoritism towards one character. It keeps your storytelling fair and impartial, as you’re not limited to one character’s point of view.

Writing in the third person lets you build a detailed world and describe it to your readers. You can paint a vivid picture of the setting, the people, and the events because you’re not tied to one character’s limited perspective.

Third-person writing can engage readers by offering them a broader view of the story. It allows them to connect with different characters and see the bigger picture, which can be more captivating and intriguing.

You can show character development more effectively. Since you can reveal the thoughts and emotions of various characters, readers can witness how they change and grow throughout the story.

Writing in the third person means you’re telling a story about characters without using words like “I” or “me.” To keep your writing style steady and uniform, here are some tips:

Pay attention to how your characters speak and think. Try to use words and phrases that match their personalities. For example, a serious character might use formal language, while a laid-back character might use casual and relaxed words. This helps maintain a consistent tone throughout the story.

Imagine a sort of “distance” between the narrator and the characters. Decide how close or far this narrator is from the characters. If you are writing with a close perspective, like our specialized short story writing service , you can describe the characters’ thoughts and feelings in detail. If it’s a more distant perspective, describe their actions and behaviors without digging too deep into their thoughts. Consistently maintain this distance throughout your story.

 Be careful not to suddenly change your writing style or perspective without reason. If you’ve been describing a scene from one character’s point of view, don’t suddenly switch to another character’s perspective without warning. This can confuse your readers and disrupt the tone.

Autobiography writers typically do not use the third-person perspective in their writing. Autobiographies are written in the first-person perspective, where the author narrates their life story. Using the third-person perspective would create a disconnect from the author’s personal experiences and feelings, contrary to the genre’s purpose.

Books written in the third person perspective are a skill worth mastering. It allows you to tell diverse stories, delve deep into your characters’ minds, and captivate readers with rich narratives. With practice and dedication, you can harness the power of the third-person perspective to create literary works that stand the test of time.

limited Time offer

50% off on all services.

REDEEM YOUR COUPON: VHBA50

Recommended Blogs

Wedding video book: a complete process of making in 2024, 8 free ai script generator websites for inspiring video, how long does it take to learn arabic estimate time, hire book authors & publishers at discounted rates looking for a book author or publisher contact us for a free consultation and get 30% off your first project..

Automated page speed optimizations for fast site performance

• Search Menu
• Browse content in Arts and Humanities
• Browse content in Archaeology
• Anglo-Saxon and Medieval Archaeology
• Archaeological Methodology and Techniques
• Archaeology by Region
• Archaeology of Religion
• Archaeology of Trade and Exchange
• Biblical Archaeology
• Contemporary and Public Archaeology
• Environmental Archaeology
• Historical Archaeology
• History and Theory of Archaeology
• Industrial Archaeology
• Landscape Archaeology
• Mortuary Archaeology
• Prehistoric Archaeology
• Underwater Archaeology
• Urban Archaeology
• Zooarchaeology
• Browse content in Architecture
• Architectural Structure and Design
• History of Architecture
• Residential and Domestic Buildings
• Theory of Architecture
• Browse content in Art
• Art Subjects and Themes
• History of Art
• Industrial and Commercial Art
• Theory of Art
• Biographical Studies
• Byzantine Studies
• Browse content in Classical Studies
• Classical History
• Classical Philosophy
• Classical Mythology
• Classical Literature
• Classical Reception
• Classical Art and Architecture
• Classical Oratory and Rhetoric
• Greek and Roman Epigraphy
• Greek and Roman Law
• Greek and Roman Papyrology
• Greek and Roman Archaeology
• Late Antiquity
• Religion in the Ancient World
• Digital Humanities
• Browse content in History
• Colonialism and Imperialism
• Diplomatic History
• Environmental History
• Genealogy, Heraldry, Names, and Honours
• Genocide and Ethnic Cleansing
• Historical Geography
• History by Period
• History of Emotions
• History of Agriculture
• History of Education
• History of Gender and Sexuality
• Industrial History
• Intellectual History
• International History
• Labour History
• Legal and Constitutional History
• Local and Family History
• Maritime History
• Military History
• National Liberation and Post-Colonialism
• Oral History
• Political History
• Public History
• Regional and National History
• Revolutions and Rebellions
• Slavery and Abolition of Slavery
• Social and Cultural History
• Theory, Methods, and Historiography
• Urban History
• World History
• Browse content in Language Teaching and Learning
• Language Learning (Specific Skills)
• Language Teaching Theory and Methods
• Browse content in Linguistics
• Applied Linguistics
• Cognitive Linguistics
• Computational Linguistics
• Forensic Linguistics
• Grammar, Syntax and Morphology
• Historical and Diachronic Linguistics
• History of English
• Language Acquisition
• Language Evolution
• Language Reference
• Language Variation
• Language Families
• Lexicography
• Linguistic Anthropology
• Linguistic Theories
• Linguistic Typology
• Phonetics and Phonology
• Psycholinguistics
• Sociolinguistics
• Translation and Interpretation
• Writing Systems
• Browse content in Literature
• Bibliography
• Children's Literature Studies
• Literary Studies (Asian)
• Literary Studies (European)
• Literary Studies (Eco-criticism)
• Literary Studies (Romanticism)
• Literary Studies (American)
• Literary Studies (Modernism)
• Literary Studies - World
• Literary Studies (1500 to 1800)
• Literary Studies (19th Century)
• Literary Studies (20th Century onwards)
• Literary Studies (African American Literature)
• Literary Studies (British and Irish)
• Literary Studies (Early and Medieval)
• Literary Studies (Fiction, Novelists, and Prose Writers)
• Literary Studies (Gender Studies)
• Literary Studies (Graphic Novels)
• Literary Studies (History of the Book)
• Literary Studies (Plays and Playwrights)
• Literary Studies (Poetry and Poets)
• Literary Studies (Postcolonial Literature)
• Literary Studies (Queer Studies)
• Literary Studies (Science Fiction)
• Literary Studies (Travel Literature)
• Literary Studies (War Literature)
• Literary Studies (Women's Writing)
• Literary Theory and Cultural Studies
• Mythology and Folklore
• Shakespeare Studies and Criticism
• Browse content in Media Studies
• Browse content in Music
• Applied Music
• Dance and Music
• Ethics in Music
• Ethnomusicology
• Gender and Sexuality in Music
• Medicine and Music
• Music Cultures
• Music and Religion
• Music and Media
• Music and Culture
• Music Education and Pedagogy
• Music Theory and Analysis
• Musical Scores, Lyrics, and Libretti
• Musical Structures, Styles, and Techniques
• Musicology and Music History
• Performance Practice and Studies
• Race and Ethnicity in Music
• Sound Studies
• Browse content in Performing Arts
• Browse content in Philosophy
• Aesthetics and Philosophy of Art
• Epistemology
• Feminist Philosophy
• History of Western Philosophy
• Metaphysics
• Moral Philosophy
• Non-Western Philosophy
• Philosophy of Science
• Philosophy of Language
• Philosophy of Mind
• Philosophy of Perception
• Philosophy of Action
• Philosophy of Law
• Philosophy of Religion
• Philosophy of Mathematics and Logic
• Practical Ethics
• Social and Political Philosophy
• Browse content in Religion
• Biblical Studies
• Christianity
• East Asian Religions
• History of Religion
• Judaism and Jewish Studies
• Qumran Studies
• Religion and Education
• Religion and Health
• Religion and Politics
• Religion and Science
• Religion and Law
• Religion and Art, Literature, and Music
• Religious Studies
• Browse content in Society and Culture
• Cookery, Food, and Drink
• Cultural Studies
• Customs and Traditions
• Ethical Issues and Debates
• Hobbies, Games, Arts and Crafts
• Lifestyle, Home, and Garden
• Natural world, Country Life, and Pets
• Popular Beliefs and Controversial Knowledge
• Sports and Outdoor Recreation
• Technology and Society
• Travel and Holiday
• Visual Culture
• Browse content in Law
• Arbitration
• Browse content in Company and Commercial Law
• Commercial Law
• Company Law
• Browse content in Comparative Law
• Systems of Law
• Competition Law
• Browse content in Constitutional and Administrative Law
• Government Powers
• Judicial Review
• Local Government Law
• Military and Defence Law
• Parliamentary and Legislative Practice
• Construction Law
• Contract Law
• Browse content in Criminal Law
• Criminal Procedure
• Criminal Evidence Law
• Sentencing and Punishment
• Employment and Labour Law
• Environment and Energy Law
• Browse content in Financial Law
• Banking Law
• Insolvency Law
• History of Law
• Human Rights and Immigration
• Intellectual Property Law
• Browse content in International Law
• Private International Law and Conflict of Laws
• Public International Law
• IT and Communications Law
• Jurisprudence and Philosophy of Law
• Law and Politics
• Law and Society
• Browse content in Legal System and Practice
• Courts and Procedure
• Legal Skills and Practice
• Primary Sources of Law
• Regulation of Legal Profession
• Medical and Healthcare Law
• Browse content in Policing
• Criminal Investigation and Detection
• Police and Security Services
• Police Procedure and Law
• Police Regional Planning
• Browse content in Property Law
• Personal Property Law
• Study and Revision
• Terrorism and National Security Law
• Browse content in Trusts Law
• Wills and Probate or Succession
• Browse content in Medicine and Health
• Browse content in Allied Health Professions
• Arts Therapies
• Clinical Science
• Dietetics and Nutrition
• Occupational Therapy
• Operating Department Practice
• Physiotherapy
• Radiography
• Speech and Language Therapy
• Browse content in Anaesthetics
• General Anaesthesia
• Neuroanaesthesia
• Browse content in Clinical Medicine
• Acute Medicine
• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Clinical Genetics
• Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics
• Dermatology
• Endocrinology and Diabetes
• Gastroenterology
• Genito-urinary Medicine
• Geriatric Medicine
• Infectious Diseases
• Medical Toxicology
• Medical Oncology
• Pain Medicine
• Palliative Medicine
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonology
• Rheumatology
• Sleep Medicine
• Sports and Exercise Medicine
• Clinical Neuroscience
• Community Medical Services
• Critical Care
• Emergency Medicine
• Forensic Medicine
• Haematology
• History of Medicine
• Browse content in Medical Dentistry
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Paediatric Dentistry
• Restorative Dentistry and Orthodontics
• Surgical Dentistry
• Browse content in Medical Skills
• Clinical Skills
• Communication Skills
• Nursing Skills
• Surgical Skills
• Medical Ethics
• Medical Statistics and Methodology
• Browse content in Neurology
• Clinical Neurophysiology
• Neuropathology
• Nursing Studies
• Browse content in Obstetrics and Gynaecology
• Gynaecology
• Occupational Medicine
• Ophthalmology
• Otolaryngology (ENT)
• Browse content in Paediatrics
• Neonatology
• Browse content in Pathology
• Chemical Pathology
• Clinical Cytogenetics and Molecular Genetics
• Histopathology
• Medical Microbiology and Virology
• Patient Education and Information
• Browse content in Pharmacology
• Psychopharmacology
• Browse content in Popular Health
• Caring for Others
• Complementary and Alternative Medicine
• Self-help and Personal Development
• Browse content in Preclinical Medicine
• Cell Biology
• Molecular Biology and Genetics
• Reproduction, Growth and Development
• Primary Care
• Professional Development in Medicine
• Browse content in Psychiatry
• Addiction Medicine
• Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• Forensic Psychiatry
• Learning Disabilities
• Old Age Psychiatry
• Psychotherapy
• Browse content in Public Health and Epidemiology
• Epidemiology
• Public Health
• Browse content in Radiology
• Clinical Radiology
• Interventional Radiology
• Nuclear Medicine
• Radiation Oncology
• Reproductive Medicine
• Browse content in Surgery
• Cardiothoracic Surgery
• Gastro-intestinal and Colorectal Surgery
• General Surgery
• Neurosurgery
• Paediatric Surgery
• Peri-operative Care
• Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• Surgical Oncology
• Transplant Surgery
• Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery
• Vascular Surgery
• Browse content in Science and Mathematics
• Browse content in Biological Sciences
• Aquatic Biology
• Biochemistry
• Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
• Developmental Biology
• Ecology and Conservation
• Evolutionary Biology
• Genetics and Genomics
• Microbiology
• Molecular and Cell Biology
• Natural History
• Plant Sciences and Forestry
• Research Methods in Life Sciences
• Structural Biology
• Systems Biology
• Zoology and Animal Sciences
• Browse content in Chemistry
• Analytical Chemistry
• Computational Chemistry
• Crystallography
• Environmental Chemistry
• Industrial Chemistry
• Inorganic Chemistry
• Materials Chemistry
• Medicinal Chemistry
• Mineralogy and Gems
• Organic Chemistry
• Physical Chemistry
• Polymer Chemistry
• Study and Communication Skills in Chemistry
• Theoretical Chemistry
• Browse content in Computer Science
• Artificial Intelligence
• Computer Architecture and Logic Design
• Game Studies
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Mathematical Theory of Computation
• Programming Languages
• Software Engineering
• Systems Analysis and Design
• Virtual Reality
• Browse content in Computing
• Business Applications
• Computer Security
• Computer Games
• Computer Networking and Communications
• Digital Lifestyle
• Graphical and Digital Media Applications
• Operating Systems
• Browse content in Earth Sciences and Geography
• Atmospheric Sciences
• Environmental Geography
• Geology and the Lithosphere
• Maps and Map-making
• Meteorology and Climatology
• Oceanography and Hydrology
• Palaeontology
• Physical Geography and Topography
• Regional Geography
• Soil Science
• Urban Geography
• Browse content in Engineering and Technology
• Agriculture and Farming
• Biological Engineering
• Civil Engineering, Surveying, and Building
• Electronics and Communications Engineering
• Energy Technology
• Engineering (General)
• Environmental Science, Engineering, and Technology
• History of Engineering and Technology
• Mechanical Engineering and Materials
• Technology of Industrial Chemistry
• Transport Technology and Trades
• Browse content in Environmental Science
• Applied Ecology (Environmental Science)
• Conservation of the Environment (Environmental Science)
• Environmental Sustainability
• Environmentalist Thought and Ideology (Environmental Science)
• Management of Land and Natural Resources (Environmental Science)
• Natural Disasters (Environmental Science)
• Nuclear Issues (Environmental Science)
• Pollution and Threats to the Environment (Environmental Science)
• Social Impact of Environmental Issues (Environmental Science)
• History of Science and Technology
• Browse content in Materials Science
• Ceramics and Glasses
• Composite Materials
• Metals, Alloying, and Corrosion
• Nanotechnology
• Browse content in Mathematics
• Applied Mathematics
• Biomathematics and Statistics
• History of Mathematics
• Mathematical Education
• Mathematical Finance
• Mathematical Analysis
• Numerical and Computational Mathematics
• Probability and Statistics
• Pure Mathematics
• Browse content in Neuroscience
• Cognition and Behavioural Neuroscience
• Development of the Nervous System
• Disorders of the Nervous System
• History of Neuroscience
• Invertebrate Neurobiology
• Molecular and Cellular Systems
• Neuroendocrinology and Autonomic Nervous System
• Neuroscientific Techniques
• Sensory and Motor Systems
• Browse content in Physics
• Astronomy and Astrophysics
• Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics
• Biological and Medical Physics
• Classical Mechanics
• Computational Physics
• Condensed Matter Physics
• Electromagnetism, Optics, and Acoustics
• History of Physics
• Mathematical and Statistical Physics
• Measurement Science
• Nuclear Physics
• Particles and Fields
• Plasma Physics
• Quantum Physics
• Relativity and Gravitation
• Semiconductor and Mesoscopic Physics
• Browse content in Psychology
• Affective Sciences
• Clinical Psychology
• Cognitive Psychology
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Criminal and Forensic Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Educational Psychology
• Evolutionary Psychology
• Health Psychology
• History and Systems in Psychology
• Music Psychology
• Neuropsychology
• Organizational Psychology
• Psychological Assessment and Testing
• Psychology of Human-Technology Interaction
• Psychology Professional Development and Training
• Research Methods in Psychology
• Social Psychology
• Browse content in Social Sciences
• Browse content in Anthropology
• Anthropology of Religion
• Human Evolution
• Medical Anthropology
• Physical Anthropology
• Regional Anthropology
• Social and Cultural Anthropology
• Theory and Practice of Anthropology
• Browse content in Business and Management
• Business Strategy
• Business Ethics
• Business History
• Business and Government
• Business and Technology
• Business and the Environment
• Comparative Management
• Corporate Governance
• Corporate Social Responsibility
• Entrepreneurship
• Health Management
• Human Resource Management
• Industrial and Employment Relations
• Industry Studies
• Information and Communication Technologies
• International Business
• Knowledge Management
• Management and Management Techniques
• Operations Management
• Organizational Theory and Behaviour
• Pensions and Pension Management
• Public and Nonprofit Management
• Strategic Management
• Supply Chain Management
• Browse content in Criminology and Criminal Justice
• Criminal Justice
• Criminology
• Forms of Crime
• International and Comparative Criminology
• Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice
• Development Studies
• Browse content in Economics
• Agricultural, Environmental, and Natural Resource Economics
• Asian Economics
• Behavioural Finance
• Behavioural Economics and Neuroeconomics
• Econometrics and Mathematical Economics
• Economic Systems
• Economic History
• Economic Methodology
• Economic Development and Growth
• Financial Markets
• Financial Institutions and Services
• General Economics and Teaching
• Health, Education, and Welfare
• History of Economic Thought
• International Economics
• Labour and Demographic Economics
• Law and Economics
• Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics
• Microeconomics
• Public Economics
• Urban, Rural, and Regional Economics
• Welfare Economics
• Browse content in Education
• Adult Education and Continuous Learning
• Care and Counselling of Students
• Early Childhood and Elementary Education
• Educational Equipment and Technology
• Educational Strategies and Policy
• Higher and Further Education
• Organization and Management of Education
• Philosophy and Theory of Education
• Schools Studies
• Secondary Education
• Teaching of a Specific Subject
• Teaching of Specific Groups and Special Educational Needs
• Teaching Skills and Techniques
• Browse content in Environment
• Applied Ecology (Social Science)
• Climate Change
• Conservation of the Environment (Social Science)
• Environmentalist Thought and Ideology (Social Science)
• Natural Disasters (Environment)
• Social Impact of Environmental Issues (Social Science)
• Browse content in Human Geography
• Cultural Geography
• Economic Geography
• Political Geography
• Browse content in Interdisciplinary Studies
• Communication Studies
• Museums, Libraries, and Information Sciences
• Browse content in Politics
• African Politics
• Asian Politics
• Chinese Politics
• Comparative Politics
• Conflict Politics
• Elections and Electoral Studies
• Environmental Politics
• European Union
• Foreign Policy
• Gender and Politics
• Human Rights and Politics
• Indian Politics
• International Relations
• International Organization (Politics)
• International Political Economy
• Irish Politics
• Latin American Politics
• Middle Eastern Politics
• Political Methodology
• Political Communication
• Political Philosophy
• Political Sociology
• Political Behaviour
• Political Economy
• Political Institutions
• Political Theory
• Politics and Law
• Public Administration
• Public Policy
• Quantitative Political Methodology
• Regional Political Studies
• Russian Politics
• Security Studies
• State and Local Government
• UK Politics
• US Politics
• Browse content in Regional and Area Studies
• African Studies
• Asian Studies
• East Asian Studies
• Japanese Studies
• Latin American Studies
• Middle Eastern Studies
• Native American Studies
• Scottish Studies
• Browse content in Research and Information
• Research Methods
• Browse content in Social Work
• Addictions and Substance Misuse
• Adoption and Fostering
• Care of the Elderly
• Child and Adolescent Social Work
• Couple and Family Social Work
• Developmental and Physical Disabilities Social Work
• Direct Practice and Clinical Social Work
• Emergency Services
• Human Behaviour and the Social Environment
• International and Global Issues in Social Work
• Mental and Behavioural Health
• Social Justice and Human Rights
• Social Policy and Advocacy
• Social Work and Crime and Justice
• Social Work Macro Practice
• Social Work Practice Settings
• Social Work Research and Evidence-based Practice
• Welfare and Benefit Systems
• Browse content in Sociology
• Childhood Studies
• Community Development
• Comparative and Historical Sociology
• Economic Sociology
• Gender and Sexuality
• Gerontology and Ageing
• Health, Illness, and Medicine
• Marriage and the Family
• Migration Studies
• Occupations, Professions, and Work
• Organizations
• Population and Demography
• Race and Ethnicity
• Social Theory
• Social Movements and Social Change
• Social Research and Statistics
• Social Stratification, Inequality, and Mobility
• Sociology of Religion
• Sociology of Education
• Sport and Leisure
• Urban and Rural Studies
• Browse content in Warfare and Defence
• Defence Strategy, Planning, and Research
• Land Forces and Warfare
• Military Administration
• Military Life and Institutions
• Naval Forces and Warfare
• Other Warfare and Defence Issues
• Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution
• Weapons and Equipment

• < Previous
• Next chapter >

(page 1) p. 1 Introduction

• Published: July 2018
• Cite Icon Cite
• Permissions Icon Permissions

Autobiography continues to be one of the most popular forms of writing, produced by authors from across the social and professional spectrum. It is also central to the work of literary critics, philosophers, historians, and psychologists, who have found in autobiographies not only an understanding of the ways in which lives have been lived, but the most fundamental accounts of what it means to be a self in the world. The Introduction describes what autobiography means and compares it to other forms of ‘life-writing’. Autobiographical writing is seen to act as a window on to concepts of self, identity, and subjectivity, and into the ways in which these are themselves determined by time and circumstance.

Signed in as

Institutional accounts.

• GoogleCrawler [DO NOT DELETE]
• Google Scholar Indexing

Personal account

• Sign in with email/username & password
• Get email alerts
• Save searches
• Purchase content
• Activate your purchase/trial code

Institutional access

• Sign in with a library card Sign in with username/password Recommend to your librarian
• Institutional account management
• Get help with access

Access to content on Oxford Academic is often provided through institutional subscriptions and purchases. If you are a member of an institution with an active account, you may be able to access content in one of the following ways:

IP based access

Typically, access is provided across an institutional network to a range of IP addresses. This authentication occurs automatically, and it is not possible to sign out of an IP authenticated account.

Sign in through your institution

Choose this option to get remote access when outside your institution. Shibboleth/Open Athens technology is used to provide single sign-on between your institution’s website and Oxford Academic.

• Click Sign in through your institution.
• Select your institution from the list provided, which will take you to your institution's website to sign in.
• When on the institution site, please use the credentials provided by your institution. Do not use an Oxford Academic personal account.
• Following successful sign in, you will be returned to Oxford Academic.

If your institution is not listed or you cannot sign in to your institution’s website, please contact your librarian or administrator.

Sign in with a library card

Enter your library card number to sign in. If you cannot sign in, please contact your librarian.

Society Members

Society member access to a journal is achieved in one of the following ways:

Sign in through society site

Many societies offer single sign-on between the society website and Oxford Academic. If you see ‘Sign in through society site’ in the sign in pane within a journal:

• Click Sign in through society site.
• When on the society site, please use the credentials provided by that society. Do not use an Oxford Academic personal account.

If you do not have a society account or have forgotten your username or password, please contact your society.

Sign in using a personal account

Some societies use Oxford Academic personal accounts to provide access to their members. See below.

A personal account can be used to get email alerts, save searches, purchase content, and activate subscriptions.

Some societies use Oxford Academic personal accounts to provide access to their members.

Viewing your signed in accounts

Click the account icon in the top right to:

• View your signed in personal account and access account management features.
• View the institutional accounts that are providing access.

Signed in but can't access content

Oxford Academic is home to a wide variety of products. The institutional subscription may not cover the content that you are trying to access. If you believe you should have access to that content, please contact your librarian.

For librarians and administrators, your personal account also provides access to institutional account management. Here you will find options to view and activate subscriptions, manage institutional settings and access options, access usage statistics, and more.

Our books are available by subscription or purchase to libraries and institutions.

• About Oxford Academic
• Publish journals with us
• University press partners
• What we publish
• New features  
• Open access
• Rights and permissions
• Accessibility
• Advertising
• Media enquiries
• Oxford University Press
• Oxford Languages
• University of Oxford

Oxford University Press is a department of the University of Oxford. It furthers the University's objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide

• Copyright © 2024 Oxford University Press
• Cookie settings
• Cookie policy
• Privacy policy
• Legal notice

This Feature Is Available To Subscribers Only

Sign In or Create an Account

This PDF is available to Subscribers Only

For full access to this pdf, sign in to an existing account, or purchase an annual subscription.

How to write a strong one-line biography (with examples!)

As a blogger or content marketer, you’re spreading your content across the internet to build your name as a thought leader and to drive traffic back to your (or your client’s) website.

One of the best ways to do this is via a strong biography, where sites will often allow you to also link back to somewhere. But you need to get their interest to learn more, so you need a strong one-line biography as most sites will only allow a short biography.

Here’s how you write a strong one-line biography for your blog author page:

Write in 3rd person

Highlight your role/profession.

• Keep it short

Include a call to action

Biographies should be written in third person. Instead of “I am a serial entrepreneur…” you should write “John is a serial entrepreneur…”

Some publications may have different guidelines, in which case you should follow them, but as a general guideline always write your bio in 3rd person.

Your bio should tell readers who you are and what you do, so be sure to highlight your role or profession.

“John is a serial entrepreneur and digital marketing veteran who…”

This gives people more information about you, why you are qualified to be talking about the topic you are bylined on, and helps them decide if they want to click your link to learn more.

Don’t be afraid to brag a little bit! In our world of fake humility, finding someone who is willing to state what they’ve done can be refreshing and encourage them to click to learn more about you.

Don’t overdo it though. A quick interesting fact is usually more than enough to get them interested.

For example:

“John is a serial entrepreneur and digital marketing leader who via his company Credo has generated over a quarter billion dollars in leads for agencies since 2015.”

The lead value number is a brag, but it’s also true and lets people know that John knows what he’s doing.

Have some fun!

In today’s social media world, people want to connect with the person behind the account.

So don’t be afraid to use emojis or a bit of humor.

This advice does not carry over to a professional website like LinkedIn where people are more professional and you should present your best face to the world.

Keep it short, but readable

If you’re required to keep your biography to just one sentence, you have just 15 to 20 words on average to get your point across. You need to be succinct and make every word count.

As such, remove superlatives and flowery language that could make it harder to read. This is not the place to be cute or show off – it’s the place to communicate effectively.

Include a backlink/hyperlink

Most websites where you publish will allow you to link back to a site of your choice from your biography. Don’t be spammy and try to link back to multiple places – link to a place where people can find out more about you or your company easily.

Finally, include a call to action (CTA) if you have enough space and can work it in. At minimum, make sure you follow the above advice and include a hyperlink back to your main website where people can learn more about you or your business.

Some examples

Here are some examples of great bios.

Dan Martell (Instagram)

Dan Martell is a coach to software founders, an entrepreneur with 3 business exits, an award-winning angel investor, and a proud dad and husband.

How do we know this? Because he says so in his Instagram bio. Short and effective.

Kimberly Bryant

Kimberly Bryant is the founder of Black Girls Code , a company that “build[s] pathways for young women of color to embrace the current tech marketplace as builders and creators by introducing them to skills in computer programming and technology.” Here is her Twitter biography, which clearly states what she does and gives insight into who she is.

Chris Ducker

Chris Ducker is a UK-based entrepreneur who “helps midlife leaders and entrepreneurs build future proof businesses around their expertise” with his Youpreneur coaching program.

Pat Flynn is a serial entrepreneur, dad, and husband who also has a physical product and a Pokemon card side hustle with over 100,000 YouTube subscribers. Here’s his Instagram profile:

Rand Fishkin

Rand is also a serial entrepreneur and currently the CEO of Sparktoro, an audience insight software tool. He’s formerly the cofounder and CEO of Moz, an SEO software suite. His LinkedIn bio says succinctly what he does, and also adds a bit of personality to let you know what he believes.

John Doherty

John is the founder and CEO of Credo and EditorNinja. (Hi, I’m John writing this!). His bio tells you what he cares about (his family and Colorado), what he does and the various projects he works on as well as his accomplishments.

Publishing on the internet?

Are you publishing on the internet and care about the correctness and quality of your content?

Click here to schedule a free editorial assesssment  to learn about how EditorNinja can solve your copy editing and proofreading problems.

" * " indicates required fields

Writer Recruiting

Once submitted, our team will review and be in contact directly. Our aim is to have a curated list of writers for you within 2-4 business days.

How To Write an Autobiography 2024 (Tips, Templates, & Guide)

Your life story has value, merit, and significance. You want to share it with the world, but maybe you don’t know how .

Here’s how to write an autobiography:

Write an autobiography by creating a list of the most important moments, people, and places in your life. Gather photos, videos, letters, and notes about these experiences. Then, use an outline, templates, sentence starters, and questions to help you write your autobiography .

In this article, you are going to learn the fastest method for writing your autobiography.

We are going to cover everything you need to know with examples and a free, downloadable, done-for-you template.

What Is an Autobiography?

Table of Contents

Before you can write an autobiography, you must first know the definition.

An autobiography is the story of your life, written by you. It covers the full span of your life (at least, up until now), hitting on the most significant moments, people and events.

When you write your autobiography, you write an intimate account of your life.

What Should I Include In an Autobiography?

If you are scratching your head, baffled about what to include in your autobiography, you are not alone.

After all, a big part of how to write an autobiography is knowing what to put in and what to leave out of your life story. Do you focus on every detail?

Every person? Won’t your autobiography be too long?

A good way to think about how to write an autobiography is to use the Movie Trailer Method.

What do movie trailers include?

• High emotional moments
• The big events
• The most important characters

When you plan, organize, and write your autobiography, keep the Movie Trailer Method in mind. You can even watch a bunch of free movie trailers on YouTube for examples of how to write an autobiography using the Movie Trailer Method.

When wondering what to include in your autobiography, focus on what would make the cut for a movie trailer of your life:

• Most important people (like family, friends, mentors, coaches, etc.)
• Significant events (like your origin story, vacations, graduations, life turning points, life lessons)
• Emotional moments (When you were homeless, when you battled a life-threatening condition, or when you fell in love)
• Drama or suspense (Did you make it into Harvard? Did your first surgery go well? Did your baby survive?)

Autobiography Structure Secrets

Like any compelling story, a well-structured autobiography often follows a pattern that creates a logical flow and captures readers’ attention.

Traditionally, autobiographies begin with early memories, detailing the writer’s childhood, family background, and the events or people that shaped their formative years.

From here, the narrative typically progresses chronologically, covering major life events like schooling, friendships, challenges, achievements, career milestones, and personal relationships.

It’s essential to weave these events with introspective insights.

This allows readers to understand not just the what, but also the why behind the author’s choices and experiences.

Towards the end, an effective autobiography often includes reflections on lessons learned, changes in perspective over time, and the wisdom acquired along life’s journey.

Example of the Structure:

• Introduction: A gripping event or anecdote that gives readers a hint of what to expect. It could be a pivotal moment or challenge that defines the essence of the story.
• Childhood and Early Memories: Recounting family dynamics, birthplace, cultural background, and memorable incidents from early years.
• Adolescence and Discovering Identity: Experiences during teenage years, challenges faced, friendships formed, and personal evolutions.
• Pursuits and Passions: Describing education, early career choices, or any particular hobby or skill that played a significant role in the author’s life.
• Major Life Events and Challenges: Chronicles of marriage, parenthood, career shifts, or any significant setbacks and how they were overcome.
• Achievements and Milestones: Celebrating major accomplishments and recounting the journey to achieving them.
• Reflections and Wisdom: Sharing life lessons, changes in beliefs or values over time, and offering insights gained from lived experiences.
• Conclusion: Summarizing the journey, contemplating on the present state, and sharing hopes or aspirations for the future.

How To Write an Autobiography Quickly: Strategies & Templates

Want the quickest way to organize and write your autobiography in record time? You can literally write your autobiography in 7 days or less with this method.

The secret is to use done-for-you templates.

I have personally designed and collected a series of templates to take you from a blank page to a fully complete Autobiography. I call this the How to Write an Autobiography Blueprint.

And it’s completely free to download right from this article. 🙂

In the How to Write an Autobiography Blueprint, you get:

• The Autobiography Questions Template
• The Autobiography Brainstorm Templates
• The Autobiography Outline Template

Here is an image of it so that you know exactly what you get when you download it:

How To Write an Autobiography: Step-by-Step

When you sit down to write an autobiography, it’s helpful to have a step-by-step blueprint to follow.

You already have the done-for-you templates that you can use to organize and write an autobiography faster than ever before. Now here’s a complete step-by-step guide on how to maximize your template.

• Brainstorm Ideas
• Order your sections (from medium to high interest)
• Order the ideas in each section (from medium to high interest)
• Write three questions to answer in each section
• Choose a starter sentence
• Complete a title template
• Write each section of your by completing the starter sentence and answering all three questions

Brainstorm Your Autobiography

The first step in writing your autobiography is to brainstorm.

Give yourself time and space to write down the most significant people, events, lessons, and experiences in your life. The templates in the How to Write an Autobiography Blueprint provide sections for you to write down your brainstormed ideas.

This will help you organize your ideas into what will become the major sections of your book.

These will be:

• Y our most significant events and experiences.
• The people who impacted you the most.
• The challenges you have overcome.
• Your achievements and successes.
• The lessons you have learned.

The “other” sections on the second page of the Brainstorm template is for creating your own sections or to give you more space for the sections I provided in case you run out of space.

As I brainstorm, I find asking myself specific questions really activates my imagination.

So I have compiled a list of compelling questions to help you get ideas down on paper or on your screen.

Order Your Sections (From Medium to High Interest)

The next step is to order your main sections.

The main sections are the five (or more) sections from your Brainstorm templates (Significant events, significant people, life lessons, challenges, successes, other, etc). This order will become the outline and chapters for your book.

How do you decide what comes first, second or third?

I recommend placing the sections in order of interest. Ask yourself, “What’s the most fascinating part of my life?”

If it’s a person, then write the name of that section (Significant People) on the last line in the How to Write an Autobiography Outline Template. If it’s an experience, place the name of that section (Significant Events) on the last line.

For example, if you met the Pope, you might want to end with that nugget from your life. If you spent three weeks lost at sea and survived on a desert island by spearfishing, that is your ending point.

Then complete the Outline by placing the remaining sections in order of interest. You can work your way backward from high interest to medium interest.

If you are wondering why I say “medium to high interest” instead of “low to high interest” it is because there should be no “low interest” parts of your autobiography.

But wait, what if you met the Pope AND spent three weeks lost at sea? How do you choose which one comes first or last?

First of all, I want to read this book! Second, when in doubt, default to chronological order. Whatever event happened first, start there.

Here is an example of how it might look:

Order The Ideas in Each Section (From Medium To High Interest)

Now, organize the ideas inside of each section. Again, order the ideas from medium to high interest).

Within your “Significant People” section, decide who you want to talk about first, second, third, etc. You can organize by chronological order (who you met first) but I recommend building to the most interesting or most significant person.

This creates a more compelling read.

Keep in mind that the most significant person might not be the most well-known, most famous, or most popular. The most significant person might be your family member, friend, partner, or child.

It comes down to who shaped your life the most.

So, if your “significant people list” includes your dad, a famous social media influencer, and Mike Tyson, your dad might come last because he had the biggest significance in your life.

Write Three Questions to Answer in Each Section

Ok, you’ve done the heavy lifting already. You have the major sections organized and outlined.

Next on your autobiography to-do list is to choose and write down three questions you are going to answer in each section. You can write your questions down in the provided “boxes” for each section on the template outline (or on another piece of paper.

This is easier than it might seem.

Simply choose one of the sample autobiography questions below or create your own:

• Why did I choose this person/event?
• What does this person/event mean to me?
• How did I meet this person?
• Where did it happen?
• When did it happen?
• Why did it happen?
• How did it happen?
• What is the most interesting part?
• How did I feel about this person or event?
• How do I feel now?
• Why does this person or event matters to me?
• How did this person or event change my life?
• What is the most challenging part?
• How did I fail?
• How did I succeed?
• What did I learn?

Questions are the perfect way to write quickly and clearly. I LOVE writing to questions. It’s how I write these blog posts and articles.

Choose a Starter Sentence

Sometimes the hardest part of any project is knowing how to start.

Even though we know we can always go back and edit our beginnings, so many of us become paralyzed with indecision at the starting gate.

That’s why I provided sample starter sentences in your How to Write an Autobiography Blueprint.

Here are the story starters:

• I began writing this book when…
• Of all the experiences in my life, this one was the most…
• I’ve been a…
• My name is…
• Growing up in…
• It wasn’t even a…
• It all started when…
• I first…
• I was born…

Keep in mind that you do not need to begin your book with one of these story starters. I provide them simply to get you going.

The key is to not get bogged down in this, or any, part of writing your autobiography. Get organized and then get writing.

Complete a Title Template

At the top of the How to Write an Autobiography Outline is a place for you to write your book title.

Some authors struggle forever with a title. And that’s ok. What’s not ok is getting stuck. What’s not ok is if coming up with your title prevents you from finishing your book.

So, I provided a few title templates to help juice your creativity.

Just like the story starters, you do not need to use these title templates, but you certainly can. All you need to do is fill in the title templates below and then write your favorite one (for now) at the top of your outline. Presto! You have your working title.

You can always go back and change it later.

How to Write an Autobiography Title templates:

• [Your Name]: [Phrase or Tag Line]
• The [Your Last Name] Files
• Born [Activity]: A [Career]’s Life
• The Perfect [Noun]: The Remarkable Life of [Your Name]

Examples using the Templates:

• Christopher Kokoski: Blog Until You Drop
• The Kokoski Files
• Born Writing: A Blogger’s Life
• The Perfect Freelancer: The Remarkable Life of Christopher Kokoski

Write Your Autobiography

You have your outline. You have your title, templates, and sentence starters. All that is left to do is write your autobiography.

However, you can use tools like Jasper AI and a few other cool tricks to craft the most riveting book possible.

This is the easy way to remarkable writing.

Check out this short video that goes over the basics of how to write an autobiography:

How To Write an Autobiography (All the Best Tips)

Now that you are poised and ready to dash out your first draft, keep the following pro tips in mind:

• Be vulnerable. The best autobiographies share flaws, faults, foibles, and faux pas. Let readers in on the real you.
• Skip the boring parts. There is no need to detail every meal, car ride, or a gripping trip to the grocery store. Unless you ran into the Russian Mafia near the vegetables or the grocery store is perched on the side of a mountain above the jungles of Brazil.
• Keep your autobiography character-driven . This is the story of YOU!
• Be kind to others (or don’t). When writing about others in your story, keep in mind that there may be fallout or backlash from your book.
• Consider a theme: Many autobiographies are organized by theme. A perfect example is Becoming . Each section of the book includes “becoming” in the title. Themes connect and elevate each part of the autobiography.
• Write your story in vignettes (or scenes). Each vignette is a mini-story with a beginning, middle, and end. Each vignette builds. Each vignette should be described in rich sensory language that shows the reader the experience instead of telling the reader about the experience. Each vignette is immersive, immediate, and intimate.
• Include snippets of dialogue. Use quotation marks just like in fiction. Show the dialogue in brief back-and-forth tennis matches of conversation. Remember to leave the boring parts out!
• Choose a consistent tone. Some autobiographies are funny like Bossy Pants by Tina Fey. Others are serious such as Open by Andre Agassi. Your story (like most stories) will likely include a mix of emotions but choose an overall tone and stick with it.
• Don’t chronicle, captivate . Always think about how to make each section, each chapter, each page, each paragraph, and each sentence more compelling. You want to tell the truth, but HOW you tell the truth is up to you. Create suspense, conflict, and mystery. Let drama linger until it becomes uncomfortable. Don’t solve problems quickly or take away tension right away.

How Do I Format an Autobiography?

Most autobiographies are written in the first person (using the pronouns I, me, we, and us).

Your autobiography is written about you so write as yourself instead of pretending to be writing about someone else.

Most autobiographies are also written in chronological order, from birth right up to your current age, with all the boring parts left out. That doesn’t mean you can’t play around with the timeline.

Sometimes it’s more interesting to start at a high moment, backtrack to the beginning and show how you got to that high moment.

Whatever format you choose, be intentional, and make the choice based on making the most compelling experience possible for your readers.

How Long Should an Autobiography Be?

There are no rules to how long an autobiography should be but a rough guideline is to aim for between 200 and 400 pages.

This will keep your book in line with what most readers expect for books in general, and will help get your book traditionally published or help with marketing your self-published book.

How To Write a Short Autobiography

You write a short autobiography the same way that you write a long autobiography.

You simply leave more out of the story.

You cut everything down to the bones. Or you choose a slice of your life as you do in a memoir. This often means limiting the people in your book, reducing the events and experiences, and shrinking your story to a few pivotal moments in your life.

How To Start an Autobiography

The truth is that you can start your autobiography in any number of ways.

Here are four common ways to begin an autobiography.

• Start at the beginning (of your life, career or relationship, etc.)
• Start at a high moment of drama or interest.
• Start at the end of the story and work backward
• Start with why you wrote the book.

Good Autobiography Titles

If you are still stuck on titling your autobiography, consider going to Amazon to browse published works. You can even just Google “autobiographies.”

When you read the titles of 10, 20, or 50 other autobiographies, you will start to see patterns or get ideas for your own titles. (HINT: the title templates in the Autobiography Blueprint were reverse-engineered from popular published books.

Also, check out the titles of the full autobiography examples below that I have included right here in this article.

Types of Autobiographies

There are several different kinds of autobiographies.

Each one requires a similar but slightly nuanced approach to write effectively. The lessons in this article will serve as a great starting point.

Autobiography Types:

• Autobiography for School
• Autobiography Novel
• Autobiography for a Job
• Short Autobiography
• Autobiography for Kids

Therefore, there is actually not just one way to write an autobiography.

Memoir vs. Autobiography: Are They The Same?

It’s common to feel confused about a memoir and an autobiography. I used to think they were the same thing.

But, nope, they’re not.

They are pretty similar, which is the reason for all the confusion. A memoir is the story of one part of your life. An autobiography is the story of your full life (up until now).

What Is the Difference Between an Autobiography and a Biography?

An autobiography is when you write about your own life. A biography, on the other hand, is when you write the story of someone else’s life.

So, if I write a book about the life of the President, that’s a biography.

If the President writes a story about his or her own life, that’s an autobiography.

What Not To Include In an Autobiography

Autobiographies are meant to be a snapshot of our lives that we can share with others, but there are some things that are best left out.

Here are three things you should avoid including in your autobiography:

1) Anything That Readers Will Skip

Your life may not be filled with non-stop excitement, but that doesn’t mean you need to include every mundane detail in your autobiography.

Stick to the highlights and leave out the low points.

2) Character Attacks on Others

It’s okay to discuss conflicts you’ve had with others, but don’t use your autobiography as a platform to attack someone’s character.

Keep it civil and focus on your own experiences and how they’ve affected you.

3) Skipping Highlights

Just because something embarrassing or painful happened to you doesn’t mean you should gloss over it in your autobiography.

These are the moments that shape us and make us who we are today, so don’t skip past them just because they’re uncomfortable.

By following these simple tips, you can ensure that your autobiography is interesting, honest, and engaging.

How To Write an Autobiography: Autobiography Examples

I have always found examples to be extremely instructive. Especially complete examples of finished products. In this case, books.

Below you will find examples of published autobiographies for adults and for kids. These examples will guide you, motivate you and inspire you to complete your own life story.

They are listed here as examples, not as endorsements, although I think they are all very good.

The point is that you don’t have to agree with anything written in the books to learn from them.

Autobiography Examples for Adults

• A Promised Land (Autobiography of Barack Obama)
• If You Ask Me: (And of Course You Won’t) (Betty White)
• It’s a Long Story: My Life (Willie Nelson)
• Stories I Only Tell My Friends: An Autobiography (Rob Lowe)
• Becoming (Michelle Obama)

Autobiography Examples for Kids

• This Kid Can Fly: It’s About Ability (NOT Disability) (Aaron Philips)
• Bee Fearless: Dream Like a Kid (Mikaila Ulmer)

Final Thoughts: How To Write An Autobiography

Thank you for reading my article on How to Write an Autobiography.

Now that you know all of the secrets to write your book, you may want to get it published, market it, and continue to upskill yourself as an author.

In that case, read these posts next:

• Can Anyone Write A Book And Get It Published?
• The Best Writing Books For Beginners 2022 (My 10 Favorites)
• Why Do Writers Hate Adverbs? (The Final Answer)
• How To Write a Manifesto: 20 Ultimate Game-Changing Tips

2 thoughts on “How To Write an Autobiography 2024 (Tips, Templates, & Guide)”

Pingback: How To Write Like Danielle Steel - CHRISTOPHER KOKOSKI

Pingback: How Many Characters Should A Book Have? - CHRISTOPHER KOKOSKI

Comments are closed.

BUSINESS STRATEGIES

How to write a professional bio (with examples and templates)

• Rebecca Strehlow
• 11 min read

Get started by: Creating a website →  | Getting a domain →

Which three words would you use to describe yourself? Most of us have been asked this question, and many of us have fumbled through it awkwardly.

Coming up with a personal description can be daunting. But there are times when it’s essential - whether we’re updating our LinkedIn profiles, blogging for Medium or creating a business website of our own.

In this post, we’ll go over how to write a bio, step by step. To help guide you, we’ve also included a handy template, along with some professional bio examples for your inspiration. With these resources, you’ll find that writing a bio, as part of making a website , is much easier than you might think.

What is a bio?

Before you learn how to write a bio, you should have a clear understanding of what it is and why you need it.

In the world of literature, a personal biography can span the length of an entire novel, like Nelson Mandela’s Long Walk to Freedom or Malala Yousafzai’s I Am Malala . In the online world, however, a bio is a short paragraph in which you introduce yourself. Typically, people place bios on the About Us page of their professional website, as well as on their social media pages and other networking platforms.

What to include in a bio

Depending on your audience and goals, your bio can highlight your personal interests, your professional achievements or a mix of both. Here are some of the elements a bio might include:

Job title or workplace

University degree and other qualifications

Hometown or city of residence

Personal or professional goals

Mission statement and values

Skills and expertise

Interests and hobbies

The goal of writing a bio is to provide people with a snapshot of who you are. This is important for a variety of reasons, whether it’s drawing people toward your personal website or promoting your blog, attracting clients and business partners to your brand, or highlighting your achievements for job interviews.

How to write a short bio

The most effective online bios are both professional and concise. Here’s how to write a short professional bio that suits your website or brand:

Introduce yourself

State your company or brand name

Explain your professional role

Include professional achievements

Discuss your passions and values

Mention your personal interests

01. Introduce yourself

Begin your bio by stating your first and last name. If you’re writing in the third person, these should be the first two words of the paragraph. This makes your name easy for your audience to identify and remember. Your bio is a huge part of your personal branding efforts, and should start with a strong intro to make a positive impact.

02. State your company or brand name

Think about whether you want your bio to represent yourself on a personal level, or whether you’d like it to come across as more professional. If you have a personal brand or business - for example, a blog, freelance business or eCommerce site - be sure to mention your brand name at the beginning of your bio. Don’t be afraid if the name sounds simple or redundant. It’s perfectly fine, for instance, to say Mary Smith is the founder and CEO of Smith Digital.

Likewise, feel free to mention the name of another company or brand that you work for if you’d like to associate it with your professional accomplishments - e.g., Mary Smith is a consultant at Google and the founder and CEO of Smith Digital.

03. Explain your professional role

Next, briefly explain your current position. This is relevant whether you’re the founder of a company, a high-level specialist or a beginner in your field, and it can be similar to the description you have on your resume. Your website visitors won’t necessarily know what your job involves, so elaborating on your primary responsibilities helps paint a picture of who you are and what you have to offer. This can also be used, if needed for employment and recruitment opportunities. If you're a freelancer a strong bio can make all the difference in how successful sourcing work can be.

04. Include professional achievements

In addition to explaining what your job entails, highlight milestones that make you stand out. Even if you haven’t won an award or gained external recognition, you can discuss ways in which you’ve contributed to your professional role and touch on new ideas or approaches that you bring to the table.

05. Discuss your passions and values

Once you describe what you do and how you contribute to your role, you’ll need to explain the why . This is one of the most important elements to focus on as you consider how to write a bio.

Think about the values and passions underlying your work, as well as your professional philosophy. What gets you up in the morning? What’s the driving force behind what you do?

You can also think of this part of your professional bio as a kind of mission statement. Perhaps your mission is to serve others, contribute to society, grow your expertise or learn new skills. Whatever your reasons, expanding upon these ideas can help your audience get a better understanding of what truly matters to you. Don't be afraid to deploy storytelling in this part of creating your bio. Explore your narrative and then convey it.

06. Mention your personal interests

The most effective short bios will not only focus on your professional experience, but will also touch on what you like to do in your spare time. Consider mentioning:

Your family

Your hometown

Your hobbies

Side projects you’re working on

Transitioning to a more casual discussion of who you are outside of work is a great way to conclude your bio. This will present you as a more well-rounded person while making you relatable for your audience.

Professional bio template

As you go through the steps on how to write a bio, this handy template will help you get started:

Sentence 1: [Name] is a [job title] who [job description].

E.g., Lisa Green is an English teacher who teaches beginning to advanced literature courses for 10th and 11th grade students at Bloomfield High School.

Sentence 2: [Name] believes that [why you do the work you do].

E.g., Lisa believes that written and analytical skills are not only a fundamental part of academic excellence, but are also the building blocks of critical thinking in high school and beyond.

Sentence 3: [Name/pronoun] has [mention your achievements].

E.g., In addition to managing the English curriculum for the school, she runs an after school program where she works one-on-one with students.

Sentence 4: [Name/pronoun] is a [mention any relevant awards, training or honors].

E.g., She has also been nominated Teacher of the Year for two consecutive years.

Sentence 5: [Name/pronoun] holds a [insert degree] in [field of study] from [university].

E.g., Lisa holds a BA in Creative Writing and a Master’s Degree in Teaching from the University of Michigan.

Once you’ve filled in this template, put it all together into a single paragraph to create an initial framework for your professional biography. Note that you can shorten or expand upon this bio according to your unique needs.

Professional bio examples

Now that you know the basics of writing a professional bio, here are some short bio examples to inspire you. You can use these examples as additional templates for guidance as you craft your own personal biography.

Like the creators of these examples, you can place your bio on your personal or professional website and, later, revise the structure for other online platforms.

01. Bristol Guitar Making School

Of all the professional bio examples, Alex Bishop’s content exudes passion. Strategically placing the bio on the About page of his small business website , he highlights his skills and explains why he finds his work meaningful. In particular, we love his description of why he chose to pursue guitar making:

“​My passion as a guitar maker comes from a life-long obsession with making things. From a young age I have always tried to manipulate objects and materials in order to create something entirely different. I find that working with wood is a way for me to connect with nature. The simple act of shaping wood to make something functional or beautiful brings me endless satisfaction.”

He also lists his accomplishments and awards, adding credibility to his business and building trust among prospective clients.

02. Alexandra Zsigmond

As someone who has served as art director for both The New York Times' opinion section and The New Yorker , it's no surprise that Alexandra Zsigmond's bio is thorough and detailed. Providing statistics or reflections on the things she achieved in her career is a clever way to demonstrate her value without saying so directly. As she explains:

"She has collaborated with a roster of over 1000 artists worldwide and art directed over 4000 editorial illustrations. She is known for greatly expanding the range of visual contributors to the Times, drawing equally from the worlds of contemporary illustration, fine art, animation, and comics."

03. Amanda Shields Interiors

Amanda Shields provides us with another effective bio example on her interior design website. Importantly, she spices up her bio by explaining how home decor aligns with her personal life and why it’s so close to her heart as a mother and entrepreneur:

"After working as a product designer for numerous retailers over the years, and after I had my first child, I decided to take the plunge and start my own home staging business…. Coincidentally, a month later I discovered I was pregnant with my second child. I loved the new challenges I faced as a new entrepreneur and mom and it didn't take long for me to discover that this was my calling…. I felt the need to expand my business and launch Amanda Shields Interiors as its own entity to focus specifically on residential interiors and design."

By placing this content on her website’s About page, she provides potential clients with insights into her expertise and professional experience. She expands upon the choices she made along her career path, strategically making note of her achievements and acquired skills along the way.

Tips for writing a bio

As you write your bio using the professional template above, make sure to keep the following tips in mind:

Keep it concise: Your bio should be sufficiently explanatory, but it should also be short and to the point. A good rule of thumb is to keep each element of your bio - from your job description to your mission statement and hobbies - to about 1-2 sentences. That way, you’ll end up with a brief paragraph that holds your readers’ attention without rambling on.

Consider your audience: The voice and tone you choose for your biography largely depends on your audience and personal goals. If you’re looking for a job and are writing primarily for recruiters, you’ll want to use a serious, professional tone. On the other hand, if you’re creating an Instagram bio , consider using more casual, conversational language that reflects your personality.

Add humor: Relatedly, consider adding humor when appropriate. This is especially valuable if you’ve founded your own business or created your own website , as it can give you a distinct brand identity while helping your audience build a stronger sense of connection with your brand.

Link to your website: When writing a bio for a platform other than your own website - a social media page, another company page, or a guest blog or publication - remember to include a link to your website. This will help you promote your website while highlighting your professionalism and authority.

Adapt for different platforms: You’ll most likely need to adapt the length and writing style of your biography to suit different platforms. For example, you may place a longer bio on your website’s About page and a shorter one on your LinkedIn page. In these cases, use the same main principles for writing a bio while scaling down the most important elements.

By following these tips, you can create a powerful bio that helps you stand out in your field and allows your audience to get to know you better.

How to write a bio in four sentences or less

Really need to create a super short bio? We'd suggest following some of the tips above, just condensing them into less word for a short bio that still makes impact.

But if we really had to choose we'd say focus on - you, your professional role and company. That condenses everything that matters for bio into three sentences. Humor, creativity and uniqueness still all matter - just use fewer words to convey them.

Creating a bio for your website

As we’ve noted in the examples above, one of the most strategic places to put your bio is on your website - so be sure to consider it within your web design plans. Whether the goal of your site is to start and promote your business , showcase your design portfolio or display your resume, including a bio gives your audience a glimpse into the person behind your content. It can also kickstart your professional growth . Show the world what you do, how you do it and why it matters, and people will be drawn to your passion and inspired by your experience.

Pro tip: You can add a bio to many different types of websites, so using templates can help you create yours faster. For example, if you're creating a portfolio website , explore portfolio website templates to help you get started.

Creating a bio for social media

Crafting a professional bio for social media is vital as it introduces you or your brand, and it builds credibility and trust. A well-written bio establishes your expertise, attracts the right audience, and fosters engagement. It helps maintain a consistent brand image, optimizes search and discovery, and opens doors to networking and career opportunities. A compelling bio delivers a concise, informative snapshot of who you are, what you do, and the value you bring, leaving a lasting impression on visitors and potential collaborators alike.

You may need to edit your bio depending on which social media platform you plan to use it on. Some of the most popular ones include Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Focus on getting your bio right on the platforms you plan to focus your personal or brand social media marketing efforts on.

Writing a bio with AI

If you're looking to write your bio fast while creating your website, consider using an AI text generator to build your draft. You'll still need to make sure it goes through. an intensive editing process, so that it really captures the essence of who you are and your professional skills. A bio is about much more than just basic information, so don't forget to include the storytelling too. Build a website with Wix and you can make use of the in-built AI text generator within its Editor .

Why good bios are important for a professional

In a world where first impressions matter, a well-crafted bio can make a significant impact in establishing trust and credibility with potential clients, employers or collaborators. It also offers insight into your personality and values, helping to forge authentic connections with your audience. It acts as a powerful tool for personal branding, allowing you to differentiate yourself in a competitive landscape and leave a memorable impression.

A strong bio also serves as a gateway to opportunities, whether it's securing new clients, landing job interviews or establishing partnerships. It acts as a professional introduction, allowing you to showcase your expertise. A polished and impactful bio is essential for you to effectively communicate your professional identity and stand out in your field.

Writing a bio without experience

Writing a bio when you don't yet have experience can be challenging, but it's an opportunity to showcase your potential and aspirations.

Begin by highlighting your educational background, skills and any relevant coursework or projects you've completed. Focus on your passions, interests and personal qualities that make you unique. Consider including volunteer work, internships or extracurricular activities that demonstrate your commitment and initiative. Emphasize your eagerness to learn and grow in your chosen field and express your future goals and aspirations. Don't be afraid to be honest about your current stage and your willingness to gain experience and develop professionally.

If you don't know what to write in your bio, start by brainstorming your key experiences, achievements, skills and personal attributes. Consider what sets you apart and what you want others to know about you. Look for inspiration from other bios or profiles in your field, and consider seeking feedback from friends, mentors or colleagues. Don't hesitate to highlight your passions, interests and goals, as well as any unique experiences or perspectives you bring to the table. Remember to keep it concise and engaging, and don't be afraid to revise and refine your bio until it accurately represents you.

How to write a bio FAQ

What is a short bio.

A short bio, short for biography, is a concise summary of a your life or professional background. It provides a brief overview of your key achievements, qualifications, experiences, and relevant details. Typically written in the third person, a short bio is often used in various contexts, such as professional profiles, social media accounts, introductions for speaking engagements, author descriptions, and other situations where a brief introduction is required. The length of a short bio can vary, but it's generally kept to a few sentences or a short paragraph to provide a snapshot of the person's background and expertise.

How do I write a bio about myself?

What should i include in a short bio, how do you write a fun bio for work, how do i make my bio stand out, related posts.

Partners for life: 7 things to look for in a B2B partnership

The modern seller's guide to eCommerce photography

How to start an online store in 10 steps (2024 guide)

Was this article helpful?

27 of the Best Professional Bio Examples I've Ever Seen [+ Templates]

Published: December 20, 2023

As a writer, I have to let readers and potential clients know my expertise, my skills, and why they should work with me or be interested in what I say. So, a professional bio is a must in my industry.

Though I'm definitely familiar with professional bios, I can admit they can be challenging. What do I include? What do readers need to know?

As daunting as writing a professional bio can be, professional bios are crucial when applying for jobs, seeking new clients, or networking. A professional bio also gives the world a brief snapshot of you and your professional ideals.

If you‘re at a loss for how to write a professional bio that packs a punch, I’ve got you covered. In this journey, tools like HubSpot’s user-friendly drag-and-drop website builder can be instrumental in showcasing your professional bio online with ease and style.

I will walk you through how to write a professional bio that you can proudly publish, provide professional bio templates, and show you the best professional bio examples you can get inspiration from.

What is a professional bio?

Professional bio templates, how to write a professional bio, best professional bio examples, how to write a short bio.

80+ Professional Bio Templates & Examples

Create a compelling professional narrative for a proper, attention-grabbing introduction.

• LinkedIn Summaries
• Speaker Intros
• Website Bios
• Professional Profile

You're all set!

Click this link to access this resource at any time.

Tell us a little about yourself below to gain access today:

A professional bio or biography is a short overview of your experience. Professional bios usually include details about education, employment, achievements, and relevant skills.

Purpose of Professional Bios

A bio tells an audience about who you are, what you've done, and what you can do. It can help potential employers, fans, or customers understand your personality and what you stand for.

Writing a bio without a clear starting point is challenging — believe me, I've tried. To ease the process, here are some templates I put together to get you started.

I‘ve found it’s best to keep your professional bio honest and to the point. Too long of a bio, and you risk losing your audience's attention. After all, audiences will only read a web page for less than a minute before clicking elsewhere.

And honesty is key because most consumers and clients won‘t invest in someone or something if it doesn’t seem trustworthy. In fact, 67% of consumers say they must trust a brand before investing in its products or services.

"Plus," she adds, "I'm always happy to talk about my cats at any given moment. You never know when a fellow cat mom could be reading."

Values and Work Approach

Your values can sometimes show your work ethic more effectively than your career path. It can also help you endear yourself to employers and colleagues who want to work with people with similar values.

So don‘t be shy: Share how you incorporate your values into your work. Whether it’s a commitment to innovation, customer satisfaction, or ethical decision-making, explain what drives you and be enthusiastic about it.

Your Personality

Remember: Your bio should always include a taste of your personality! Your sense of humor, creativity, or collaborative nature could all give readers a sense of who you are. This helps readers connect with you on a more personal level.

Remember to tailor your bio for different platforms and audiences. Also, keep it concise and impactful while highlighting the most relevant information in each context.

First-Person Bio vs. Third-Person Bio

While first-person bios are common, third-person bios can be more effective in formal situations.

Your decision to write your professional bio in the first or third person depends on your desire to leave a more personable or assertive impression.

Both approaches work, provided you tailor them to your goals and audience. What’s important is to be clear and tell your story in a way that connects with your reader.

How to Write a First-Person Bio

Writing in the first person can be a great way to connect with your audience when building a personal brand. When you write a first-person bio, use "I" or "me" to make yourself relatable and approachable.

Here's one way I’d write a first-person bio:

"I'm a freelance writer specializing in small business content. I've worked with companies in a variety of industries like home care to fine leather goods."

Speaking in the first person here connects you with a client or brand based on your experience and opinions. Put another way, writing a first-person bio is like telling your story to your audience.

Here are a few tips to make your first-person bio great:

Don’t start every sentence with "I."

Showing instead of telling is a great approach.

Let’s say you’re a writer who wants to create a short professional bio. Instead of saying, "I love to write," you can say, "Writer. Bad but enthusiastic dancer."

This portrays your writing skill, shows your personality outside of writing as a dancer, and includes a little sense of humor, which is essential for a writer.

Remember, you know yourself better than anyone.

Adding a back story to your bio helps create context for the roles and successes you write about. Think of it like a case study about who you were, what you are now, and the process that got you to your current position.

Focus on valuable details.

Quick facts about you can showcase your identity and values. For example, if you're writing a bio for LinkedIn, think about how to tie your hobby into what you do.

Let's say Animal Crossing is your hobby. Does it align with your career aspirations? It can be a great addition to your bio if you want to pursue a video game career.

However, if your interests lie elsewhere, including a more relevant hobby is better.

How to Write a Third-Person Bio

Third-person bios sound more authoritative and objective. So, if you’re job searching in a formal industry, applying for grants, or trying to get published, you may want to stick to the third person.

For instance, when you write a third-person bio, you may start with:

"Jasmine Montgomery is a Senior Hiring Manager at L’Oreal based in New York. She recruits across several business units to connect with the brightest talent from around the globe."

By only using your name and pronouns to speak about yourself here, you are letting your title and skill set speak for themselves.

These bios create distance between the subject of the bio (you) and the reader through a third person. This person could be anyone, but they usually speak in a tone emphasizing their expertise.

This makes third-person bios feel aloof or overly formal sometimes.

Ideally, your third-person bio should sound friendly but polished, like a message from a close colleague at work. Here are a few tips on how to write a great third-person bio.

Write from the perspective of someone you know and trust.

It can be challenging to write about yourself, so try to see yourself from the perspective of your favorite person at work or a mentor you trust. This can help you write from a position of authority without feeling self-conscious.

Show the reader why they should trust your opinion.

A professional bio often reflects a specific industry or niche. With this in mind, your text should include relevant details that professionals in your industry know. Avoid jargon whenever you can.

Remember, you're telling a story.

If you want a third-person bio, but you're used to writing in first-person, it may help to write it the most comfortable way for you.

Your professional bio is an essential piece of writing, so edit it carefully. Edit your writing from both points of view and see which works best for your target audience.

Here's how to write a professional bio, step by step.

• Create an 'About' page for your website or profile.
• Begin writing your bio with your first and last name.
• Mention any associated brand name you might use.
• State your current position and what you do.
• Include at least one professional accomplishment.
• Describe your values and how they inform your career.
• Briefly tell your readers who you are outside of work.
• Use humor or a personal story to add flavor to your professional bio.

If you’re anything like me, you probably don't think about your professional bio until you’re asked to "send one over via email."

You have one afternoon to come up with it, so you scramble together a bio that ends up reading like this:

"Rodney Erickson is a content marketing professional at HubSpot, a CRM platform that helps companies attract visitors, convert leads, and close customers.

Previously, Rodney worked as a marketing manager for a tech software startup. He graduated with honors from Columbia University with a dual degree in Business Administration and Creative Writing."

To be fair, in certain contexts, your professional bio needs to be more formal, like Mr. Erickson's up there. But there are also cases where writing a personable and conversational bio is good.

Whether you choose the formal or casual route, use the following steps to create a perfect bio.

1. Create an 'About' page for your website or profile.

You need an online space to keep your professional bio. Here are a few to consider (some of these you might already have in place):

• Facebook Business page .
• Industry blog byline .
• Instagram account .
• Personal website .
• LinkedIn profile .
• Industry website .
• Personal blog .

As you'll see in the professional bio examples below, the length and tone of your bio will differ depending on the platforms you use.

Instagram, for example, allows only 150 characters of bio space, whereas you can write as much as you want on your website or Facebook Business page.

2. Begin writing your bio with your first and last name.

If your readers remember nothing else about your bio, they should remember your name. Therefore, it's a good idea for your first and last name to be the first two words of your professional bio.

Even if your name is printed above this bio (hint: it should), this is a rare moment where it's okay to be redundant.

For example, if I were writing my bio, I might start it like this:

Lindsay Kolowich

Lindsay Kolowich is a Senior Marketing Manager at HubSpot.

3. Mention any associated brand name you might use.

Will your professional bio represent you or a business you work for? Ensure you mention the brand you associate with in your bio. If you're a freelancer, you may have a personal business name or pseudonym you advertise to your clients.

Here are a few examples:

• Lindsay Kolowich Marketing.
• SEO Lindsay.
• Kolowich Consulting.
• Content by Kolowich (what do you think ... too cheesy?).

Maybe you founded your own company and want its name to be separate from your real name. Keep it simple like this: "Lindsay Kolowich is the founder and CEO of Kolowich Consulting."

4. State your current position and what you do.

Whether you're the author of a novel or a mid-level specialist, use the following few lines of your bio to describe what you do in that position. Refrain from assuming your audience knows what your job title entails.

Make your primary responsibilities known so readers can know you and understand what you offer to your industry.

5. Include at least one professional accomplishment.

Just as a business touts its client successes through case studies, your professional bio should let your audience know what you've achieved.

What have you done for yourself — as well as for others — that makes you a valuable player in your industry?

6. Describe your values and how they inform your career.

Why do you do what you do? What might make your contribution to the market different from your colleagues? What are the values that make your business a worthwhile investment to others?

Create a professional bio that answers these questions.

7. Briefly tell your readers who you are outside of work.

Transition from describing your values in work to defining who you are outside of work. This may include:

• Your family.
• Your hometown.
• Sports you play.
• Hobbies and interests.
• Favorite music and travel destinations.
• Side hustles you're working on.

People like connecting with other people. The more transparent you are about who you are personally, the more likable you'll be to people reading about you.

8. Use humor or a personal story to add flavor to your professional bio.

End your professional bio on a good or, more specifically, a funny note. By leaving your audience with something quirky or unique, you can ensure they'll leave your website with a pleasant impression of you.

Following the steps above when writing your bio is important, but take your time with one section. People consume lots of information daily. So ensure your bio hooks 'em in the first line, and you won’t lose them.

(P.S. Want to boost your professional brand? Take one of HubSpot Academy's free certification courses . In just one weekend, you can add a line to your resume and bio that over 60,000 marketers covet.)

Why Good Bios Are Important for a Professional

You may think, "How many people read professional bios, anyway?"

The answer: A lot. Though there's no way to tell who is reading it, you want it catchy. Your professional bio will delight the right people coming across it on multiple platforms.

Professional bios can live on your LinkedIn profile , company website, guest posts, speaker profiles, Twitter bio , Instagram bio , and many other places.

And most importantly, it‘s the tool you can leverage most when you’re networking.

Bottom line? People will read your professional bio. Whether they remember it or it makes them care about you is a matter of how well you present yourself to your intended audience.

So, what does a top-notch professional bio look like? Let‘s review a few sample bios for professionals like you and me. Then, we’ll cover bio examples from some of the best people in the industry.

Short Sample Bios

Your bio doesn't have to be complicated. Here are five samples to glean inspiration from.

Example 1: Friendly Sample Bio

"Hey! My name is Ryan, and I'm a marketing specialist passionate about digital advertising. I have five years of experience managing various online campaigns and improving brand visibility for clients across multiple verticals. I love analyzing consumer behavior and leveraging data-driven strategies to maximize ROI. Outside work, I enjoy traveling, taking funny photos, and exploring new hiking trails."

Example 2: Mid-Career Sample Bio

"Jennifer Patel is a versatile graphic designer known for her creative approach and attention to detail. With a background in visual arts and eight years of experience, Jennifer has worked on diverse projects ranging from logo designs to website layouts. Her ability to understand and translate client needs into visually striking designs sets her apart. Jennifer finds inspiration in nature, music, and pop culture."

Example 3: Sales Sample Bio

"I'm a seasoned sales executive with a track record of exceeding targets and building strong client relationships. With a background in B2B sales, I've built a natural ability to understand customer needs and consistently exceed quota every month. I pride myself in my communication skills and strategic approaches, which have helped me thrive in highly competitive markets such as SaaS sales. Outside work, I enjoy playing basketball and volunteering at local charities."

Example 4: HR Sample Bio

"I am a dedicated human resources professional with a passion for fostering a positive workplace culture and facilitating employee development. With eight years of experience in talent acquisition and HR operations, I've played a key role in building high-performing teams. I'm known for my strong interpersonal skills and ability to create inclusive and supportive work environments. In my free time, I enjoy practicing yoga and exploring new culinary experiences."

Example 5: Software Engineer Sample Bio

"David Chang is a senior software engineer specializing in backend development. With a strong background in computer science and six years of experience, David has successfully built scalable and efficient solutions for complex technical challenges. He is well-versed in various programming languages and frameworks like C++, Java, and Ruby on Rails. In his spare time, David enjoys reading science fiction novels and playing the guitar."

Below, we've curated some of the best professional bio examples we've ever seen on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and the various places you might describe yourself.

Check 'em out and use them as inspiration when crafting your own.

• Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: Author
• Chima Mmeje: SEO Content Writer
• DJ Nexus: DJ
• Lena Axelsson: Marriage & Family Therapist
• Mark Levy: Branding Firm Founder
• Audra Simpson: Political Anthropologist
• Marie Mikhail: Professional Recruiter
• Wonbo Woo: Executive Producer
• Chris Burkard: Freelance Photographer
• Lisa Quine: Creative Consultant
• Nancy Twine: Hair Care Founder
• Trinity Mouzon: Wellness Brand Founder
• Alberto Perez: Co-Founder of Zumba Fitness
• Ann Handley: Writer and Marketer

1. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie : Author

Bio platform: personal website.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie begins her professional bio with an invitation to her roots.

In a few paragraphs, she describes when and where she was born, her family, her education, her honorary degrees, and the depth of her work, which has been translated into 30 languages and several publications.

She can keep readers engaged by leading with a powerful hook that aligns with her target audience’s marketing needs.

• There’s clarity about who Chima serves.
• The hook is bold, catchy, and compels anyone to read further.
• Including client results makes clients visualize what they can expect.

3. DJ Nexus : DJ

Bio platform: facebook.

This New England-based DJ has single-handedly captured the Likes of over 2,000 people in and beyond Boston, MA. And even if you don‘t listen to the type of music he produces, it’s hard not to read his compelling Facebook bio.

For instance, consider his tagline, under "About" — " Quiet during the day. QUITE LOUD at night! " DJ Nexus tells you when he works awesomely. I got goosebumps just imagining a dance club where he might play music.

The second is the "long version," which is even more interesting than the first. Why? It reads like a story — a compelling one, at that. In fact, it gets hilarious in some parts.

The second sentence of the bio reads: "He was frightened of public school, loved playing baseball and football, ran home to watch ape films on the 4:30 Movie, listened to The Jam and The Buzzcocks, and read magic trick books."

Here's another excerpt from the middle:

It's a well-put value proposition that sets her apart from the rest of the HR industry.

Marie concludes her bio with a smooth mix of professional skills, like her Spanish fluency, and personal interests, such as podcasting and Star Wars (she mentions the latter with just the right amount of humor).

• Straight off the bat, Marie uses a story to share her experiences of how she began as a recruiter.
• It provides a subtle pitch for readers to check out her podcast.
• The bio exudes Maries approachable, fun, and playful personality.

8. Wonbo Woo : Executive Producer

Wonbo Woo is the executive producer of WIRED's video content and has several impressive credits to his name. What does this mean for his professional bio? He has to prioritize.

With this in mind, Wonbo opens his bio with the most eye-catching details first (if the image below is hard to read, click it to see the full copy ).

I wouldn‘t necessarily be inclined to follow Chris if his bio had simply read, "I post beautiful images." But images that inspire me to travel? Now that’s something I can get behind.

Last, he ends on a humble, sweet note: "He is happiest with his wife Breanne raising their two sons." So inject personal information into your bio — it makes you seem approachable.

• It highlights Chris’s achievement without bragging.
• The last sentence portrays Chris as a responsible man who loves his family.
• The well-written bio speaks to nature lovers who like the outdoors, surfing, and more. This gives them reasons to follow Chris.

10. Lisa Quine : Creative Consultant

Bio platform: portfolio website.

Creative professionals who specialize in visual art may find it challenging to balance the writing of their bio and displaying of their portfolio. Not Lisa Quine. Lisa has an exceptional balance of her professional bio and creative work.

Throughout her bio, you'll notice the number of murals she's completed and a brief timeline of her career. This helps her paint the picture of who she is as a professional.

The rest of her bio similarly focuses on Twine's strengths as someone who’s able to take hair care "back to basics."

Mouzon effectively grips the reader's attention with this introduction and then dives into some of her impressive accomplishments — including a brand now sold at Urban Outfitters and Target.

The language used throughout Mouzon's bio is authentic, real, and honest.

For instance, in the second paragraph, she admits:

"While building a brand may have looked effortless from the outside, starting a business at age 23 with no resources or funding quickly forced me to realize that early-stage entrepreneurship was anything but transparent."

As an avid Zumba fan, I was excited to include this one. Perez styles his LinkedIn bio as a short story, starting with his background as a hard-working teen who held three jobs by age 14.

His bio tells the fun and fascinating origin story of Zumba, in which Perez, an aerobics teacher in Florida at the time, forgot his music for class and used a Latin music cassette tape instead ... "And it was an instant hit!"

His bio continues:

"Shortly after he was connected to Alberto Periman and Alberto Aghion, and Zumba was officially created ... What started as a dream now has 15 million people in more than 200,000 locations in 186 countries who take Zumba classes every week."

There's something in there for everyone.

• The last section of the bio shows Ann’s warm personality — "Ann lives in Boston, where she is Mom to creatures two- and four-legged."
• Written in the third person, this bio has lots of proof (like followers), which shows Ann is a terrific marketing leader.

If you're posting a bio on a social media account or sending a quick blurb to a client, you want to keep it short and sweet while showcasing your accomplishments.

To get started, use these best practices for writing your short professional bio:

• Introduce yourself.
• State what you do.
• Add key skills or areas of expertise.
• Include a personal mission statement
• Celebrate your wins.
• Provide your contact information.
• Show them your personality.

1. Introduce yourself.

Your introduction is your first impression, so always begin by telling people who you are. You may start with a greeting like, "Hello, my name is" or "Hi! Let me first introduce myself …" when sending your bio as a message.

If you’re writing a bio for an online platform, stating your name at the beginning works as well.

Leading with your name — even as a question — is important for recognition and building relationships.

2. State what you do.

Give people an idea of what you do daily and where you work. Your job title is how the people put you into context and consider whether your profession relates to their industry.

So detail your most relevant work in your short bios, like CEO, professor, and author.

Take a cue from Angela Duckworth , who specifies what she does in her LinkedIn bio:

3. Add key skills or areas of expertise.

If you send a bio to a client or potential employer, highlight your most valuable skills. For instance, if your expertise is in social media marketing and content creation, like Ivanka Dekoning , list these skills.

• A joke. "Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once. At least that’s what I learned when I created…"
• Mention a hobby. "I’ll be honest: for me, tennis is life — Go Nadal!"
• A fun fact. "Every year, I watch 100 new films! I’m a cinephile and love every movie genre."
• A few emojis related to your interests. "🎶🤖🎾🎬🎭"

Whichever way you choose to get personal, give people a glimpse into who you are as an individual.

When writing a short bio, it can be tempting to pack in as much relevant information about yourself as possible — but this isn’t the most effective approach.

Instead, focus on including the details that you and your audience care about most and leave out the fluff.

Let's dive into a few examples of short professional bios.

Short Professional Bio Examples

• Tristen Taylor: Marketing Manager
• Lianna Patch: Copywriter
• Precious Oboidhe: Content Strategist and Writer
• Rebecca Bollwitt: Writer
• Megan Gilmore: Cookbook Author
• Bea Dixon: Feminine Care Founder
• Tammy Hembrow: Instagram Influencer
• Dr. Cody: Chiropractor
• Larry Kim: Founder
• Dharmesh Shah: Founder and CTO
• Lily Ugbaja: Content Strategist
• Ian Anderson Gray: Marketer
• Van Jones: Political Commentator, Author, and Lawyer

1. Tristen Taylor: Marketing Manager

Bio platform: blog byline.

Tristen Taylor is a Marketing Manager here at HubSpot. She's written content for HubSpot's Marketing, Sales, and Customer Service blogs; her blog author bio is one of my favorites.

What I love most about Tristen's bio is that it’s a great example of how to deliver information about yourself that is relevant to your work while also sharing fun details that audiences will find relatable.

Her bio reads:

"Building from her experience with GoCo.io and Southwest Airlines, Tristen's work has been recognized by Marketing Brew and BLACK@INBOUND. She lives in Washington, DC, attending anime conventions and painting in her free time."

Gilmore further includes a CTA link within her Instagram bio that leads followers to free, ready-to-use recipes. You might think, " Why would she do that since it discourages people from buying her book?"

But that couldn't be further from the truth.

By giving her followers the chance to try out her recipes, she's slowly turning leads into customers. After I tried a few of her Instagram recipes and loved them, I bought her book, knowing I'd like more of what she offered.

• The bio is short and direct.
• The CTA link includes an invitation for people to join her newsletter. Meaning, she can build her email list.

6. Bea Dixon : Feminine Care Founder

Bea Dixon, Founder and CEO of The Honey Pot Company, efficiently uses the space on her Instagram profile to highlight who she is as a well-rounded human — not just a businesswoman.

For instance, while she highlights her girl boss attitude with a tiara emoji, she equally calls attention to her fashion interests (Free People), her pets, Boss and Sadie, and her love for ramen noodles.

What more do you need to know?

Ian doesn't take his bio too seriously but uses every character to highlight everything about him.

He includes his skills as a marketer and podcast host, who he is outside work as a dad, and what he can help you do. His smiles also give the bio a sense of humor and realness.

Don't forget to share this post!

Related articles.

Portfolios vs. Resumes — The Complete Guide

40 Interests That Deserve a Place on Your Resume

Making the Most of Electronic Resumes (Pro Tips and Tricks)

How to Write a Simple, Effective Resume (+20 Examples)

How to Write the Perfect Project Manager Resume

27 of the Best Professional Bio Examples We've Ever Seen [+ Templates]

31 Free Resume Templates for Microsoft Word (& How to Make Your Own)

How to Write the Perfect Resume for Internships

Maximize Your Impact: 205 Action Verbs to Use on Your Resume

How Far Back Should a Resume Go? Everything You Need to Know

Create a compelling professional narrative for your summary, bio, or introduction.

Marketing software that helps you drive revenue, save time and resources, and measure and optimize your investments — all on one easy-to-use platform