How to Write an Autobiography Essay

You will be asked to write an autobiographical essay at some point of your academic life. Usually, an autobiographical essay is required when applying for a scholarship.

For some students writing this type of essay is a threatening and an impossible task; for others, it comes naturally. If you fall under the first category, here are some useful tips on writing an autobiography essay.

How to write an autobiography essay?

First and the most essential thing about writing an autobiography essay is that you should chronologically list the events of your life. For example: “I was born in 1987 and I went to kindergarten in my hometown. I studied in Coyote High School and etc.” Yes, an autobiographical essay is about you but you must pick a topic about yourself that will show who you are, what drives you and what makes you special. It is true that not all of us have the most amazing childhood in the world. It would be good if we could start our autobiographical essay with how we went to South Africa and helped on a voluntary project but not many of us have that kind of experience. Do not worry about that though.

When writing an autobiographical essay focus on your life, your family, the region you are born in, etc. There is so much about you, your family and culture that you accept it as everyday boring events but actually, it can be of great interest to the person reading your essay. The purpose of the essay is to highlight the best in you. So brainstorm on your culture, your holidays, and your lifestyle. Have you grown up in the countryside or in a big town? Do you enjoy hiking, surfing, skiing, horse riding, etc.? Gather all interesting moments and aspects of your life and turn them into an engaging essay. Pick up positive moments and experiences or a specific story that will grab the audience’s attention.

Structure and body of an autobiographical essay

The structure and body of an autobiographical essay are the same as any other kind of the essay. You start with an introduction. The purpose of the introduction in an autobiographical essay is to describe your strongest qualities which you believe will help you get the scholarship by telling a specific story or by summarizing more than one. The introduction has to be strong and captivating. You may start with a line like “At the moment I was falling from the tree I have realized …” or “The first day my mother/father made me …” or “There is nothing more worse than a dream come true and I realized that when …” See, it grabbed your attention so it will also interest the attention of others. One of the ways to understand whether you are writing a good autobiographical essay is to give it to someone to read; in fact, show it to more than one person.

After that continue with the body of the essay. Its purpose is to strengthen the initial impression about you that was created in the introduction. In an autobiography essay things are strictly individual. Use supporting details on what you have stated in the introduction, do not overwrite or include irrelevant information. The best advice here may be to keep it straightforward and simple. Use your own words, experience and thoughts. In an autobiography essay emotions are important but do not rely only on them, keep the essay logical and organized. Be optimistic and positive; it will create a good impression.

End up with a good conclusion. The purpose of the conclusion is to create a sense of positivism and hope. The most important thing here is not to restate a single argument or story, but to create a whole positive picture about you and your future, and to create that kind of closure in the audience.

Proofread your autobiography essay. Make sure your essay is free from grammatical and spelling mistakes. Also, ensure it is written in a positive, logical and well organized manner. Ask for professional opinion before turning it it. Write intelligently with a positive outlook. Make sure your essay flows.