What Jeff said. A biography is an overview of a life, and a memoir is thematic. Like, someone writing about their battle with cancer is writing a memoir because there’s a specific element and theme to the book. But a biography will generally cover an entire life, ostensibly objectively, though there can be biases.
I have seen stores use them as the same before. There isn’t s kot of difference really. Biography generally is more encompassing.
For instance there are biographies on gymnasts and they deal only with that part of their life but still classes as a bio.
Romeo dallaire wrote a memoir about his time in Rwanda during the genocide and then one about himself and his struggles with PTSD. It is a very fine line
I looked this up recently. Apparently a biography looks at the entire life. A memoir looks at a particular part or facet of that life.
Exactly what Jeff said
What Jeff said. A biography is an overview of a life, and a memoir is thematic. Like, someone writing about their battle with cancer is writing a memoir because there’s a specific element and theme to the book. But a biography will generally cover an entire life, ostensibly objectively, though there can be biases.
Biography is someone else telling your story, Memoir is you telling your story…
There are many biographies written directly by that person.
@Sean That’s called an autobiography. A true biography is written by someone else.
I understand that. But many are also co written.
What Staci said. Memoir is the fancy way of saying “autobiography.”
I have seen stores use them as the same before. There isn’t s kot of difference really. Biography generally is more encompassing.
For instance there are biographies on gymnasts and they deal only with that part of their life but still classes as a bio.
Romeo dallaire wrote a memoir about his time in Rwanda during the genocide and then one about himself and his struggles with PTSD. It is a very fine line
I think a memoir is more personal. Not just autobiography but emotionally what it all meant. I like to read memoirs
A lot of memoirs that I read are essay style. I know that doesn’t define it but I am likely to call it a memoir when it’s written like that.
A biography is someone’s story being told. Memoirs are someone’s story being told while putting on airs.
Jeff’s definition is entirely accurate!