Autobiography
* Who writes it: The person whose life story is being told.
* Perspective: First-person narrative (using "I" and "me").
* Focus: Personal experiences, memories, thoughts, and feelings of the author.
* Examples: "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou, "Becoming" by Michelle Obama.
Biography
* Who writes it: Someone other than the subject of the book.
* Perspective: Third-person narrative (using "he," "she," or "they").
* Focus: The life story of the subject, often including research, interviews, and secondary sources.
* Examples: "Steve Jobs" by Walter Isaacson, "Einstein: His Life and Universe" by Walter Isaacson, "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot.
Key Differences
* Author: Autobiography is written by the subject, while biography is written by someone else.
* Perspective: Autobiography is a first-person account, while biography is a third-person account.
* Level of Personal Insight: Autobiographies offer a deeper level of personal insight, while biographies may rely more on objective reporting.
Similarities
* Purpose: Both aim to tell the story of a person's life.
* Structure: Both often follow a chronological order, but can also be thematic.
* Impact: Both can be inspirational, informative, and entertaining.