Memoir: meaning, definitions and examples

Use when the focus is on personal experiences and the author wants to share stories or reflections from their life, often with emotional depth.

• Her memoir details the struggles she faced during her early career.
• He wrote a touching memoir about his time in the army.

Appropriate when the author is recounting their entire life story in a more structured, chronological order. It is usually detailed and factual.

• His autobiography covers his journey from humble beginnings to becoming a successful entrepreneur.
• The autobiography gives a comprehensive look at her achievements and personal challenges.

Suitable when someone writes the detailed life story of another person. It is often based on research and interviews.

• The biography of the famous scientist includes many insights from his colleagues.
• She spent five years gathering information for the biography of the renowned artist.

Best used when providing a detailed account of one's own past, experiences, and events, not necessarily in a literary form.

• In his personal history, he explains the significant events that shaped his beliefs.
• Her personal history is filled with travel stories and learning experiences.