The different techniques of autobiographical writing include narrative arc, dialogue, and imagery.

One technique of autobiographical writing is narrative. With this method, a person tells the story of their life as they would any other story—from start to middle to end. It’s like they’ve turned their life into a novel and the people in it into characters. The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is a solid example of how narrative and narrative arc can be used in autobiographical writing, as Franklin traces his life and recounts the key events in it, including trips to London and his involvement in the newspaper business.

Another technique often used in autobiography is dialogue. The author of an autobiography will recreate conversations to add dimension to their experiences. In I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Maya Angelou frequently uses dialogue. In one powerful part, Maya has a conversation with a woman, Mrs. Flowers, who helps Maya figure out how to use her voice again after her harrowing ordeal with sexual abuse pushed her into silence.

Another method used in autobiographical writing is imagery. In Agatha Christie’s An Autobiography, the famous crime writer provides vivid images of her life to illuminate her experiences for the reader. For example, Christie recalls her first birthday and the birthday cake with “all sugar icing.” She also remembers noticing “a tiny red spider” scampering across the white table cloth.

For other techniques of autobiographical writing, consider tone and diction. Some autobiographies sound funny, while others sound serious. More so, some autobiographies use sophisticated language, while others stick to a colloquial vocabulary.