Topics

• Finding Autobiographies
• Autobiographies as a Literary Form

Related Guides

• Migration
• Literature
• Psychology
• Anthropology/Sociology

Research Tools

• Refworks
• Refworks tutorial

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Friday

• Library Building Open: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
• Research Help Available: 9:00 AM - Noon; 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
• Circulation Desk Open: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
  

Saturday

• Library Building Open: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
• Research Help Available: 9:00 AM - Noon; 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM
• Circulation Desk Open: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Sunday

• Library Building Open: 1:00 PM - 2:00 AM
• Research Help Available: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM; 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
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*For exceptions see the Hours link on the library home page.

Autobiographies may provide unique psychological, sociological, and historical insights.  At the same time, however, they can also present a bias or skewed interpretations of events.  This guide is designed to help you:

• Locate autobiographies.
• Find information about autobiographies as a literary form and identify theories on memory, truth, and concept of self that impact the construction/accuracy of autobiographies.

• Contrast autobiographies by the same author that are written for different audiences.

• Explore the concept of self in autobiography.  Is there such a thing as authentic self?  Is there such thing as core self?

• Define the role of truth in autobiography.  What does it mean to be truthful in this contect?

• Describe theories of memory that are relevant to autobiography. 

• Is it possible for someone other than the author to critique an autobiography?