written third person biography

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Ian doesn't take his bio too seriously but uses every character to highlight everything about him.

He includes his skills as a marketer and podcast host, who he is outside work as a dad, and what he can help you do. His smiles also give the bio a sense of humor and realness.

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Writing in Third Person: How to, When to, and Why

When it comes to writing, the third person is one of the most commonly used points of view. This point of view allows readers to get inside the heads of multiple characters and can make stories more immersive and engaging.

But, how do you write third person? When should you use the third person instead of the first or second? We will answer all of those questions in this blog post and more!

What Is Writing In Third Person?

How to write in third person about yourself, when should you write in third person, how to write in third person omniscient, why do authors write in third person, are biographies written in third person.

Writing in the third person point of view is when the writer tells the story using third-person pronouns like "he" or "she".

It gives the story a more objective perspective and can be less confusing for the reader.

When done well, it can make the story more engaging by giving the reader a different perspective on the events.

However, some people struggle to write in the third person, as they have to keep track of the thoughts and actions of all the different characters in the story.

This may not sound like a difficult task; however, you need to once you decide to write in third person, you need to remain consistent throughout the entire story.

When writing about yourself in the third person, it's important to maintain a consistent point of view. You don't want to switch back and forth between the first and third person within the same sentence or paragraph.

To stay in the third person, use pronouns like "he," "she," and "it," and avoid using words like "I" and "me." For example, you might write, "She went for a run this morning" instead of "I went for a run this morning."

It can be helpful to think of yourself as if you're someone else observing yourself from the outside. This will help you stay in the third person when describing your own actions and thoughts.

Now that you know how to write in third person point of view, when should you use third person?

The third person point of view is most commonly used in fiction writing, but it can also be used when writing non-fiction or even when writing about yourself.

If you're not sure whether or not to write in third person, consider these three factors:

- Who is your audience?

- What tone do you want to set?

- What point of view will best suit your story?

If you're writing for a professional or academic audience, third person is often the best choice. It can help you sound more objective and less biased.

If you're writing a more personal piece, such as a memoir, you might want to consider writing in a first-person point of view. This will allow you to share your personal thoughts and experiences more directly with the reader.

When it comes to setting a tone, third person can be either formal or informal. It all depends on how you use pronouns and other third-person words.

For example, using third-person pronouns like "they," "them," and "their" can make your writing sound more objective.

On the other hand, using third-person pronouns like "he," "she," and "him" can make your writing sound more personal.

Ultimately, the best point of view for your story will be the one that allows you to tell your story most effectively.

There are a few things to keep in mind when writing in third person omniscient point of view. First, you need to know everything about your story and all of its characters.

This can be difficult to do if you haven’t planned everything out ahead of time. It’s important to have a clear understanding of the plot and all of the motivations for each character before beginning to write. 

Second, while it is called “third-person omniscient,” this doesn’t mean that the narrator knows everything about every character.

The narrator can only know what each individual character knows. This is important to remember when writing dialogue and internal thoughts for each character. What one character knows will be different from what another character knows. 

Many authors choose to write in third person point of view because it gives them a greater sense of objectivity. When an author writes in first person, they can only relate events that they personally experienced or witnessed.

However, when an author writes in third person, they can include events that took place outside of their own experience.

This can be particularly useful for historical fiction or other genres that rely heavily on research. In addition, third person point of view can help to create a more omniscient narrator, which can be beneficial for certain types of stories.

Finally, some authors simply find it easier to write in third person point of view because it allows them to distance themselves from their characters.

Whatever the reason, it is clear that there are many advantages to writing in a third person point of view.

Yes. A biography is written in third person to provide a more objective and detached perspective of the subject. It allows readers to get a more holistic understanding of the person's life without being filtered through the subjective lens of the author.

Third person point of view can be helpful for biographers because it allows them to explore different aspects of their subject's life without becoming emotionally attached or invested in one particular perspective.

It also provides a broader scope for storytelling, as opposed to first or second person which tend to be more limited in focus.

An autobiography, on the other hand, is usually written from a first-person point of view. This is because an autobiography is typically more personal and intimate than a biography.

The author wants readers to feel as though they are getting to know them on a personal level, and third-person would not allow for that same level of connection.

However, there are exceptions to every rule. If an author feels more comfortable or believes that their story will be better served by writing in third person, then they are certainly free to do so.

There is no hard and fast rule that says biographies must be written in the third person and autobiographies must be written in the first person. It ultimately comes down to the author's preference.

About The Author

Arielle Phoenix

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Alyssa Bushell: Cozy Mystery Author / Baker / Blogger

How to Write a Third-Person Author Biography

In the world of submitting to literary magazines, a short third-person biography is required. What if like me, you’re starting out with few, if any, qualifications to your authorly name? What if, like me, you’re unsure of how to promote yourself? Let me help.

Alyssa Bushell is a flash fiction addict and mystery novelist from Southern Ontario. She has spent hours trawling the internet for tips on and examples of author bios. Her own short bio appears in such literary publications as Ellipsis Zine, Leon Literary Review, and Reckon Review. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her near water with her nose in a book, a coffee in hand, and some sort of pastry nearby. Connect with her @WritesAly

The above is an example of a 75-word biography that, while admittedly tongue-in-cheek, accomplishes the two fundamental goals:

• It tells you who I am.
• It tells you why you’ll be interested in what I have to say.

That is precisely the point of your author bio. Give your readers a sense of who you are, lend credibility to your writing, and arouse interest in your work.

I’ve curated a few suggestions that I found most helpful.

Start with a punchy byline.

Open with one interesting sentence that quickly summarizes your profile. It could include your profession, the title of your book, or something else that will catch the reader’s attention.

Introduce your background.

Mention your location, culture, work history, or anything noteworthy and applicable. What makes you uniquely capable of telling this story?

Don’t be humble.

This is your moment to call attention to your achievements. If you’ve won an award or been published somewhere relevant, include it. If you don’t have confidence in yourself, why would your reader?

Don’t list every accomplishment.

A few pertinent achievements are enough. Your bio should not read like a list of lit mags.

Include something personal.

Your bio is your calling card. Make it relatable and friendly. Breed familiarity by including some personal tidbits like a hobby or interest, especially if these details complement the theme of your writing or mesh with your target reader.

Link to your socials.

Finish off with a link to your website or Twitter account to give readers a prompt to connect with you further.

Be succinct.

Most publications require a bio that is 100 words or less—some prefer as few as 50 words. In editing the bio above, I removed a frivolous adverb and the modifier “cozy” from “mystery novelist” to pare it down to 75 words. Keep the frills to a minimum, and trim unnecessary verbiage and long, unwieldy sentences.

Get feedback.

Ask several author friends to critique your bio, but don’t stop there. Get feedback from some of your ideal readers as well.

Let it rest.

As with any piece of writing, give it time to breathe after you’ve drafted it. This piece might be small, but it is mighty, and it can benefit from some distance before you revise it.

Read examples.

Get in the habit of reading other authors’ bios any time you read a literary magazine or novel. This can help you to hone your own bio.

 And now, for my real, official author bio as it stands right now:

Alyssa Bushell lives and writes at the shore of Lake Huron in southern Ontario. Alyssa’s work is upcoming in Blank Spaces Magazine and is featured in Ellipsis Zine, Reckon Review, and Leon Literary Review, among others. She writes flash fiction and poetry and is currently working on her debut cozy mystery novel, though she can often be found baking up new ways to procrastinate. Find her at: @WritesAly or AlyWrites.ca.

Comment below with your own author bio.

Share this:, published by aly writes.

I bake. I write. What goes better together than a good story and a delicious fresh-baked pastry? Nothing. And I can give you both. Grab a hot cuppa and join me. View more posts

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How to Write a Biography in Third Person About Yourself

Lauren turnbull.

Writing an autobiography in the third person can be a challenging creative writing exercise as well as a practical necessity for career development. Many companies expect you to write in third person when you describe your accomplishments. This manner of writing helps to focus the subject matter while giving your work a professional tone. Whether you are writing about yourself for work or just stretching your creative muscles, writing an autobiography in the third person prompts personal reflection as you take note of your interests, dreams and accomplishments.

Write the objective of your autobiography at the top of a notebook page. The objective of a professional autobiography is to explain your experience; an informal autobiography explains your personal history or interests.

List your attributes, awards, interests and accomplishments. Minimize environmental distractions such as the television or radio and review old resumes to spark your memory.

Ask your friends or family to tell you about your attributes or history. Getting another person's perspective helps to remove subjectivity from the evaluation process. Add their input to your list.

Edit your list using your autobiography's objective as a guide. Delete or modify interests, accomplishments or facts that do not support or relate to your main point. Needless details can distract and mislead readers.

Organize your attributes list in a logical progression, such as chronological.

Write an outline of your autobiography using your organized attributes list. Divide your chronological outline into a beginning, middle and end. Your autobiography should progress from past accomplishments to present goals or interests. Set your outline aside.

Write your name and "is" to start a new paragraph in the third-person voice. Pretend you are writing about another person.

Write your beginning, middle and end paragraphs using your outline as a guide. Include a few personal details such as hobbies to reduce formality. Add details such as professional experience to make your work more formal.

Edit your writing for consistent tone and review your piece for grammatical errors. Ask another person to read your work to evaluate its flow and grammar.

About the Author

Lauren Turnbull has been a freelance writer and photographer since 2005, specializing in science, government, politics and community development topics. Her work has been featured in "The Raven" literary magazine and Pratt Institute's "Gateway" newsletter. Turnbull has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in film from the Pratt Institute's College of Art and Design.

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How to Write Engaging Personal & Professional Bios (with Examples)

Last Updated: August 24, 2023 Fact Checked

Writing Personal and Professional Bios

Writing student bios, making your bio stand out, sample bios.

This article was co-authored by Melody Godfred, JD and by wikiHow staff writer, Glenn Carreau . Melody Godfred is a Career Coach, Entrepreneur, and Founder of Write In Color, a full-service resume and career development company that specializes in developing compelling personal narratives and brands. With over ten years of experience, Melody has worked with clients at entertainment and media companies including Apple, Disney, Fox, Netflix, Riot Games, Viacom, and Warner Bros, among others. The Muse invited Melody and Write In Color to serve as one of its 30 trusted career counselors (out of 3,000) to provide one-on-one coaching and resume services to the platform's more than four million active users. Melody earned a JD from Loyola Marymount University and BS from the University of Southern California. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 5,726,269 times.

Personal bios are a great way to show people who you are and what you do. Whether writing a bio about yourself for a personal or professional website, a college application, or a social media account, bios are an important part of connecting with your audience or customer base. It’s important to take your time and be thoughtful as you write to ensure you get the right message across! Read on for a complete guide to writing a personal (or professional) bio about yourself, along with writing tips to make it as engaging as possible.

Things You Should Know

• Start with your first and last name in a quick introductory sentence. Then, explain your job, greatest achievements, and professional mission statement.
• Expand on personal details, including where you’re from, your educational background, and a quick summary of passions that aren’t related to your job.
• Mention any projects you’re working on and end the bio with your contact information. Write in the third-person perspective unless it’s for social media.

• The difference between personal and professional bios is all in the tone you use. Both cover your job and skills, but the bio you write for a personal website might sound less formal than the one you write for a job application.
• As you write your bio, adjust your tone to make your bio appropriately formal, funny, professional, or personal.
• If you can’t figure out what to write, check out bios from other people in your field and get a sense of their writing strategy. You can use their bios as models and write yours based on their overall structure.

• For example, begin a third-person bio with a sentence like, "Joann Smith is a graphic designer in Boston," and a first-person bio with "I am a graphic designer in Boston."

• For example, a simple yet solid introduction sentence could be, “Dan Keller is a columnist for the Boulder Times.”
• Avoid writing a nickname in your bio. Even if your bio isn’t strictly for professional use, it’s best to treat it like a formal introduction to other people.
• Be sure to mention your company or brand within your introduction. You might work for a company or own your own business with a personal brand.

• For example, “Dan Keller is a columnist for the Boulder Times. He specializes in writing public interest stories on the latest technology.
• Both personal and professional bios typically include job information; personal bios simply present that information a little more informally.
• If you’re writing about your job informally, you might write something like, “Joann Smith is a passionate knitter who also happens to own and run her paper supply company.”

• “Dan Keller is a columnist for the Boulder Times. His 2011 series "All that and More" earned him Boulder’s prestigious “Up-and-Comer” award for innovation.”
• Don’t make up accomplishments if you don’t have anything notable to add and only include achievements that relate to the career information or skills discussed in the bio.
• Avoid buzzwords like "innovative," "experienced," "creative," and so on, which are often so overused that they don’t mean anything to people. Show readers what you can do through specific details, not catchy phrases.

• For example, “Dan is committed to helping people understand and embrace the true power of technology.”

• For example: “When he isn’t glued to a computer screen, Dan spends time working in the garden, learning French, and trying very hard not to be the worst pool player in the Rockies.”
• The details you share can vary by bio. For a strictly personal bio, include details like hobbies, personal beliefs, and mottos.
• For a bio that falls between "professional" and "personal," try sharing details that give a sense of who you are but won’t alienate others.
• Avoid self-deprecating comments and details that are too intimate or potentially embarrassing for you or your audience.

• For example: “Dan is currently working on a memoir.”
• Keep this part of your bio short and sweet! A sentence is two is all you need.

• If you publish this bio online, format your email address carefully to avoid spam. Many people write email addresses online like: “Greg (at) fizzlemail (dot) com.”
• This clearly tells readers how to spell out your email without making it easy for spammers and bots to copy and use your information.

• Ask your friends and family (especially anyone who is a strong writer) to proofread your bio and give you feedback. A fresh pair of eyes can catch mistakes that you may miss!
• Online editing software like Grammarly can grade your piece in terms of readability and suggest minor improvements.
• Every once in a while, go back and update your bio. By putting in a little work frequently to keep it up to date, you'll save yourself a lot of work when you need to use it again.

• Chronological. Start at the story's beginning and end at the end. It’s simple and works well if you’ve had an interesting life that has taken you from points A to B to C in unusual or impressive ways.
• Circular. Start at an important moment (D), then backtrack to the beginning (A), and explain all the events leading up to that moment (B, C), eventually bringing the reader full circle. This is good for building suspense!
• Zoomed In. Focus on one critical event (C) to symbolically tell a larger story. Use a few small surrounding details (A, B, D) to orient the reader, but give that one moment enough emphasis to stand on its own.

• Avoid statements like, "UCSF has one of the top-ranked research-based med schools in the world, which would provide me with the foundation necessary to achieve my lifelong dream of becoming a doctor."
• Instead, write something like, “Watching a trauma surgeon save my brother’s life is a moment I’ll never forget. Since then, I’ve known undoubtedly that I would dedicate my life to medicine. My brother was lucky that his surgeon studied at one of the best programs in the country. By doing the same, I hope to one day mean to another family what Dr. Heller does to mine."

• Avoid statements like, "Having had a rather minimalistic upbringing, I find that I continue to assiduously value hard work and frugality above all else."
• Instead, try something like, "Growing up very poor taught me that hard work and thrift are sometimes the only things a person can afford."
• Well-written ideas make you seem far more intelligent than big words do. Focus on expressing yourself clearly, and don’t worry about the syllable count!

• Avoid statements like, "I learned a lot from my experience as a camp counselor."
• Instead, try something like, "I came out of my time as a camp counselor with a better understanding of empathy than before. Now, when my younger sister acts up, I know how to help her without sounding bossy or controlling."

• Different types of bio have different word count expectations. For instance, the average brief personal bio is around 250 words. For a resume or job search, it’s okay to have a personal bio of around 300 to 500 words.
• For longer personal bios (ones you might post on an “about me” page for a professional website, for example), aim for around 1,000 to 2,000 words. Include all the details you can, but keep them concise.
• Some social media sites, such as Twitter, restrict your bio to a certain number of words or characters. Ensure that you make the most of that space.

• For example, Tom Hank’s personal bio on Twitter reads, “I'm that actor in some of the movies you liked and some you didn't. Sometimes I'm in pretty good shape, other times I'm not. Hey, you gotta live, you know?”

• Passive: "The window was broken by the zombie."
• Active: "The zombie broke the window."
• The difference between these sentences is stark: in the first, you have no idea whether the window just happened to be broken. The second is obvious: the zombie broke the window, and you need to hit the road.

• Avoid statements like, "Reading The Great Gatsby was a pivotal moment in my life that made me totally rethink my preconceptions about what it means to live in modern America. Thanks to that assignment, I want to pursue American Studies."
• Instead, try something like, "My family’s ties to this country aren’t glamorous. We didn’t arrive on the Mayflower or have our surname butchered at Ellis Island. We settled in four states across the Midwest, where we’ve lived happily for over 100 years. The magic of that simple act isn’t lost on me, which is why I’ve chosen to major in American Studies."

• For example, if you’re writing an Instagram bio, include a link to your personal website too—especially if there’s a longer and more detailed bio for readers to check out there.
• Include a brief call-to-action, too! For example, if you have contact info, you might write “Contact me using the following” before you add the links.

• On your website, longer bios (between 1,500 and 2,000 words) will have the best online optimization. If your bio needs to be shorter, be sure to at least use third-person POV, since your name is another keyword.
• For example, your website’s “About” page could easily support a 1,500+ word bio. However, from there, you’d need to edit that bio down to a few sentences (a short paragraph) for your LinkedIn profile.

Community Q&A

• Throughout the process, think back to the purpose and audience you identified in Step 1. This will help guide your writing. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• If you're writing online, include hyperlinks to things you mention, such as projects you worked on or a personal blog you keep. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ http://theundercoverrecruiter.com/8-steps-writing-bio-pro-chris-brogan-fact/
• ↑ http://michaelbmaine.com/home/2012/12/13/how-to-write-a-personal-bio
• ↑ https://www.pullmanfoundation.org/professional-bio-writing-101/
• ↑ https://www.collegerecruiter.com/blog/2011/01/28/how-to-write-a-personal-bio
• ↑ https://thewritepractice.com/how-to-write-a-bio/
• ↑ https://weareindy.com/blog/freelance-bio-examples-how-to-write-an-eye-catching-bio
• ↑ https://searchengineland.com/guide/what-is-seo

About This Article

When you write a personal bio, write in the third person so it sounds more objective and professional. Start with a sentence that includes your name and what you do for a living. Then, mention your most important accomplishments that are relevant to your field of work. Briefly mention a couple of your hobbies or interests to make your bio more relatable. End with a sentence on any big projects you’re currently working on. Try to keep your bio around 250-500 words. For help writing a personal bio for college applications or social media, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Typically, Books Written in the Third Person: Author Guide

• October 26, 2023

Table of Contents:

Understanding the importance of books written in the third person perspective, types of books written in the third person perspective, third-person omniscient: , third-person limited:, third-person objective: , third-person semi-omniscient:, third-person stream of consciousness: , advantages of books written in the third person perspective, objective perspective: , multiple character insights: , professional and formal: , avoiding bias: , creating a world: , engages the reader: , character development: , how do we maintain a consistent narrative tone in third-person writing, character voice:, narrative distance: , avoid sudden changes:, do autobiography writers commonly use the third-person perspective in their writing, conclusion:.

How you decide to tell a story in a book can greatly affect its success in today’s book world. One way of telling a story that has always worked is by using the “third-person” point of view. Whether you’ve written many books before or just started as a book writer , this guide will help you learn how to tell a great story using the third-person perspective.

Imagine you’re watching a movie. When you see the characters on the screen, you’re not inside their heads, and you’re not one of them. Instead, you’re like a silent observer, watching what they do and say. That’s a lot like the third-person perspective in writing.

So, writing a story from the third-person point of view, such as children’s book ghostwriters , means you’re not part of the story, and you’re not one of the characters. Instead, you’re like an invisible spectator who can see and hear everything happening. You can watch how the characters act, listen to what they say, and describe their thoughts and feelings.

This perspective can be helpful because it lets you get to know your characters well. You can understand them better because you have this bird’s-eye view of their actions, words, and inner thoughts. It’s like you’re looking at their lives from the outside, which can give you a deeper understanding of who they are.

Let’s discuss the types of books written in the third person perspective in detail.

In this type, the narrator knows everything about the characters and the story. They can see into the thoughts and feelings of all the characters. It’s like the narrator has a magical bird’s-eye view of everything happening in the story.

 With this style, the narrator still uses “he,” “she,” or “they” to talk about the characters, but the narrator only knows the thoughts and feelings of one character. It’s as if the narrator is a close friend of just one character and can tell you what that character thinks and feels, but not others.

The narrator doesn’t know any character’s thoughts or feelings. They can only describe what they see and hear like a camera recording what’s happening. This creates a more distant and objective view of the story.

 This is a mix of omniscient and limited. The narrator knows some characters’ thoughts and feelings, but not all. They have a few special insights, but they’re not all-knowing.

Here, the narrator tries to capture a character’s unfiltered thoughts and feelings as they happen, often chaotically and messily. It’s like you’re inside a character’s mind, experiencing their thoughts as they come.

Choosing the right type of book written in the third-person perspective is crucial, as it can effectively convey the theme of your story. If you’re uncertain about how to make this choice, you can consider hiring an affordable ghostwriter service  to assist you.”

There are several benefits of books written in the third person perspective. Let’s dig into them more deeply.

When you write in the third person, you can present the story from a more objective viewpoint. It’s like you’re a neutral observer, not part of the story. This helps readers see the events and characters more clearly without their personal opinions or emotions getting in the way. However, it’s important to note that when considering information sources, such as in historical research, the question is biography a primary source arises.

You can share the thoughts and feelings of multiple characters in the story. This way, readers understand different characters’ perspectives, making the story richer and more diverse.

Writing in the third person is often seen as more formal and professional. It is commonly used in academic, business, and research Wikipedia writing . So, if you want your writing to sound serious and credible, the third person is a good choice.

Third-person writing helps you avoid showing bias or favoritism towards one character. It keeps your storytelling fair and impartial, as you’re not limited to one character’s point of view.

Writing in the third person lets you build a detailed world and describe it to your readers. You can paint a vivid picture of the setting, the people, and the events because you’re not tied to one character’s limited perspective.

Third-person writing can engage readers by offering them a broader view of the story. It allows them to connect with different characters and see the bigger picture, which can be more captivating and intriguing.

You can show character development more effectively. Since you can reveal the thoughts and emotions of various characters, readers can witness how they change and grow throughout the story.

Writing in the third person means you’re telling a story about characters without using words like “I” or “me.” To keep your writing style steady and uniform, here are some tips:

Pay attention to how your characters speak and think. Try to use words and phrases that match their personalities. For example, a serious character might use formal language, while a laid-back character might use casual and relaxed words. This helps maintain a consistent tone throughout the story.

Imagine a sort of “distance” between the narrator and the characters. Decide how close or far this narrator is from the characters. If you are writing with a close perspective, like our specialized short story writing service , you can describe the characters’ thoughts and feelings in detail. If it’s a more distant perspective, describe their actions and behaviors without digging too deep into their thoughts. Consistently maintain this distance throughout your story.

 Be careful not to suddenly change your writing style or perspective without reason. If you’ve been describing a scene from one character’s point of view, don’t suddenly switch to another character’s perspective without warning. This can confuse your readers and disrupt the tone.

Autobiography writers typically do not use the third-person perspective in their writing. Autobiographies are written in the first-person perspective, where the author narrates their life story. Using the third-person perspective would create a disconnect from the author’s personal experiences and feelings, contrary to the genre’s purpose.

Books written in the third person perspective are a skill worth mastering. It allows you to tell diverse stories, delve deep into your characters’ minds, and captivate readers with rich narratives. With practice and dedication, you can harness the power of the third-person perspective to create literary works that stand the test of time.

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Writing your personal bio: 1st person or 3rd person?

This is a question that I’m always asked, and while there is no set rule on the matter, it’s certainly something that divides opinion. Just glance through a handful of LinkedIn profiles to see what I mean. But as our personal bio becomes more important in a world where our digital profiles are read before our voices are heard, understanding how best to write your bio is definitely something worth figuring out.

Your personal bio serves several functions. Firstly, it needs to tell people who you are and what you’re about and it’s a great opportunity for you to tell people what makes you great/different/interesting/unique/qualified for the job/credible/worth listening to (*delete as appropriate). Ideally it should tell people what you think they will be interested in knowing about you and help you to stand out and be memorable. What you don’t want, are people giving up on reading your personal bio half way through because they’re bored or they think you’re an idiot. Anyway, back to the question; “Should my personal bio be written in the first person or third person?”

As part of my research for this post, I put the question to my Twitter followers, and here are some of the responses I received.

@Story_Jon Jon Thomas “If its your own site, I would say first. Otherwise, third.”

@colinjbrowne Colin J Browne “Third. That way people can cut and paste it, which is really the point, I reckon.”

@CopyFountain “Personal bios: 1st or 3rd person RT @colinjbrowne: @AlexiaL Third. That way people can cut and paste it. <- Mark likes this.”

@gspress4attnpr Greg Simpson “hmmm re personal bio, I would say 3rd person as often used by people who do not know you”

When I ran a poll on my Facebook page , the votes were 67% – first person and 33% – third person. What does that tell you? We don’t really know! So, to help us figure this out, I think the first question we need to ask ourselves is this:

Where is it going to be used?

Is it on your personal website? Is it for a speaker bio at a conference? Is it for the “Meet our team” page on the company website? Is it for a book? All these are very different environments and the reader will have a different expectation of “who” is doing the talking. For example, at a conference, all literature and collateral is likely to be produced by the event organiser. So, in this situation, most people would probably expect a bio to be written in the third person. Just as if the organiser is standing there on stage introducing this person who’s about to come on.

However, if it’s for your personal website or your LinkedIn profile they are going to have a different expectation. People are going to be engaging directly with you (you hope!). So, in this environment you want to be able to create that connection as effortlessly and as naturally as possible. Imagine being at an event and introducing yourself: would you do it in the 3rd person? NO! Not unless you’re an idiot or you’ve multiple personalities. People are going to assume that you are responsible for your own website or LinkedIn profile and that you write it yourself. That is, unless you want to create the impression that you have a team of minions that do everything for you. But even if you did, would you still outsource the bit where you meet and engage with new people? Probably not. A great bio will encourage people want to find out more about you. People are more likely to want to find out more about you if you’ve helped to create a connection with them and in this situation, a connection is better created when you’re speaking as you rather than through someone else.

@StoryJon ‘s response “If its your own site, I would say first. Otherwise, third.” highlights my next point.

Your personal bio never exists in the singular

You have several. It is likely after all, that you will be engaging with different audiences, in different places, in different contexts. Different audiences have different needs and will be interested in different aspects of you. In some instances your bio will need to be four or five lines, whereas others may be two or three paragraphs. Do you have the same bio in your Twitter profile as your LinkedIn profile? Knowing what to say, where, and to who is the art of communicating. So having one bio to fit all these is just not going to work. You don’t have just one way of introducing yourself when you meet people; you have several depending on who you meet, where you are and what you think they’ll be interested in. The same goes for your bio.

Free for all?

@ColinJBrown ’s comment “Third. That way people can cut and paste it, which is really the point, I reckon.“ is interesting. Personally I’d never considered that someone would copy and paste my bio from my site. Why would anyone be using your bio without your knowledge? In my mind, if someone wants a bio from you, it’s very likely that you’re already engaging with them on some level and that you know that they will want your bio. Maybe you’re speaking at their event, or contributing to their magazine or blog. In this case I would send them a bio that is tailored to the audience and message I want to get across. This may well be a standard bio that you have ready to send, even if it is a direct copy of your first person bio.

Keep control of your message

Mark (@copyFountain) likes the fact that people can copy and paste a bio from the online home where it may be living. Personally, I find this a risky strategy. If anything, you DO NOT want people to copy it. If someone wants your bio, then it’s worth taking the time finding out where it’s going to be used and who’s likely to be reading it. This then offers you the opportunity to tailor your bio appropriately thus ensuring that you are saying exactly what you want to say to that particular audience.

This close management of your message will go a long way in helping you to build and maintain the kind of reputation that you can be proud of. The lazy approach of letting people copy and paste what they like, maybe even writing it for you, means that you are relinquishing control of one of the most important opportunities for you to be clear on what you’re about and thus extend your reach and your network in the way that you want. In a world where people will first meet you through your personal bio, can you afford to take the lazy approach?

So, what are your thoughts on whether your personal bio should be written in the first person or third person? I would love to know, so please leave me a comment and let me know!

At university I was told a bio should be in the 1st person, I think it was because the tutor wanted to really get to know us personally rather than read an evaluation of our skills, strengths and weaknesses.

Having worked a fair bit in the professional world where sometimes a bit of discretion goes a long way, I nearly always write in third person. Somehow it looks so much more professional. I work in the performance arts and third person sounds business like, e.g Samantha gained a major county award to study at…Samantha has since shifted her choreography away from traditional narrative to social justice issues. Certainly, in business and if you are an established professional third person appears more professional in my opinion. Samantha Jennings BA RAD RTS PgCE

Hi Samantha, Thanks for dropping by. I think you’re right, in the professional world, writing in 3rd person is worthwhile. It really depends on where the bio will be read – on your site or someone else’s? In a performance program or at the back of your book? For some of these, 3rd is best, while for others 1st is preferable. Having multiple versions of your bio, in 1st and in 3rd should mean you have a bio for all needs. Alexia

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Definition of Biography

A biography is the non- fiction , written history or account of a person’s life. Biographies are intended to give an objective portrayal of a person, written in the third person. Biographers collect information from the subject (if he/she is available), acquaintances of the subject, or in researching other sources such as reference material, experts, records, diaries, interviews, etc. Most biographers intend to present the life story of a person and establish the context of their story for the reader, whether in terms of history and/or the present day. In turn, the reader can be reasonably assured that the information presented about the biographical subject is as true and authentic as possible.

Biographies can be written about a person at any time, no matter if they are living or dead. However, there are limitations to biography as a literary device. Even if the subject is involved in the biographical process, the biographer is restricted in terms of access to the subject’s thoughts or feelings.

Biographical works typically include details of significant events that shape the life of the subject as well as information about their childhood, education, career, and relationships. Occasionally, a biography is made into another form of art such as a film or dramatic production. The musical production of “Hamilton” is an excellent example of a biographical work that has been turned into one of the most popular musical productions in Broadway history.

Common Examples of Biographical Subjects

Most people assume that the subject of a biography must be a person who is famous in some way. However, that’s not always the case. In general, biographical subjects tend to be interesting people who have pioneered something in their field of expertise or done something extraordinary for humanity. In addition, biographical subjects can be people who have experienced something unusual or heartbreaking, committed terrible acts, or who are especially gifted and/or talented.

As a literary device, biography is important because it allows readers to learn about someone’s story and history. This can be enlightening, inspiring, and meaningful in creating connections. Here are some common examples of biographical subjects:

• political leaders
• entrepreneurs
• historical figures
• serial killers
• notorious people
• political activists
• adventurers/explorers
• religious leaders
• military leaders
• cultural figures

Famous Examples of Biographical Works

The readership for biography tends to be those who enjoy learning about a certain person’s life or overall field related to the person. In addition, some readers enjoy the literary form of biography independent of the subject. Some biographical works become well-known due to either the person’s story or the way the work is written, gaining a readership of people who may not otherwise choose to read biography or are unfamiliar with its form.

Here are some famous examples of biographical works that are familiar to many readers outside of biography fans:

• Alexander Hamilton (Ron Chernow)
• Prairie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder (Caroline Fraser)
• Steve Jobs (Walter Isaacson)
• Churchill: A Life (Martin Gilbert)
• The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary (Simon Winchester)
• A Beautiful Mind (Sylvia Nasar)
• The Black Rose (Tananarive Due)
• John Adams (David McCullough)
• Into the Wild ( Jon Krakauer )
• John Brown (W.E.B. Du Bois)
• Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo (Hayden Herrera)
• The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (Rebecca Skloot)
• Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln (Doris Kearns Goodwin)
• Shirley Jackson : A Rather Haunted Life ( Ruth Franklin)
• the stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit (Michael Finkel)

Difference Between Biography, Autobiography, and Memoir

Biography, autobiography , and memoir are the three main forms used to tell the story of a person’s life. Though there are similarities between these forms, they have distinct differences in terms of the writing, style , and purpose.

A biography is an informational narrative and account of the life history of an individual person, written by someone who is not the subject of the biography. An autobiography is the story of an individual’s life, written by that individual. In general, an autobiography is presented chronologically with a focus on key events in the person’s life. Since the writer is the subject of an autobiography, it’s written in the first person and considered more subjective than objective, like a biography. In addition, autobiographies are often written late in the person’s life to present their life experiences, challenges, achievements, viewpoints, etc., across time.

Memoir refers to a written collection of a person’s significant memories, written by that person. Memoir doesn’t generally include biographical information or chronological events unless it’s relevant to the story being presented. The purpose of memoir is reflection and an intention to share a meaningful story as a means of creating an emotional connection with the reader. Memoirs are often presented in a narrative style that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Examples of Biography in Literature

An important subset of biography is literary biography. A literary biography applies biographical study and form to the lives of artists and writers. This poses some complications for writers of literary biographies in that they must balance the representation of the biographical subject, the artist or writer, as well as aspects of the subject’s literary works. This balance can be difficult to achieve in terms of judicious interpretation of biographical elements within an author’s literary work and consideration of the separate spheres of the artist and their art.

Literary biographies of artists and writers are among some of the most interesting biographical works. These biographies can also be very influential for readers, not only in terms of understanding the artist or writer’s personal story but the context of their work or literature as well. Here are some examples of well-known literary biographies:

Example 1:  Savage Beauty: The Life of Edna St. Vincent Millay  (Nancy Milford)

One of the first things Vincent explained to Norma was that there was a certain freedom of language in the Village that mustn’t shock her. It wasn’t vulgar. ‘So we sat darning socks on Waverly Place and practiced the use of profanity as we stitched. Needle in, . Needle out, piss. Needle in, . Needle out, c. Until we were easy with the words.’

This passage reflects the way in which Milford is able to characterize St. Vincent Millay as a person interacting with her sister. Even avid readers of a writer’s work are often unaware of the artist’s private and personal natures, separate from their literature and art. Milford reflects the balance required on the part of a literary biographer of telling the writer’s life story without undermining or interfering with the meaning and understanding of the literature produced by the writer. Though biographical information can provide some influence and context for a writer’s literary subjects, style, and choices , there is a distinction between the fictional world created by a writer and the writer’s “real” world. However, a literary biographer can illuminate the writer’s story so that the reader of both the biography and the biographical subject’s literature finds greater meaning and significance.

Example 2:  The Invisible Woman: The Story of Nelly Ternan and Charles Dickens  (Claire Tomalin)

The season of domestic goodwill and festivity must have posed a problem to all good Victorian family men with more than one family to take care of, particularly when there were two lots of children to receive the demonstrations of paternal love.

Tomalin’s literary biography of Charles Dickens reveals the writer’s extramarital relationship with a woman named Nelly Ternan. Tomalin presents the complications that resulted for Dickens from this relationship in terms of his personal and family life as well as his professional writing and literary work. Revealing information such as an extramarital relationship can influence the way a reader may feel about the subject as a person, and in the case of literary biography it can influence the way readers feel about the subject’s literature as well. Artists and writers who are beloved , such as Charles Dickens, are often idealized by their devoted readers and society itself. However, as Tomalin’s biography of Dickens indicates, artists and writers are complicated and as subject to human failings as anyone else.

Example 3:  Virginia Woolf  (Hermione Lee)

‘A self that goes on changing is a self that goes on living’: so too with the biography of that self. And just as lives don’t stay still, so life-writing can’t be fixed and finalised. Our ideas are shifting about what can be said, our knowledge of human character is changing. The biographer has to pioneer, going ‘ahead of the rest of us, like the miner’s canary, testing the atmosphere , detecting falsity, unreality, and the presence of obsolete conventions’. So, ‘There are some stories which have to be retold by each generation’. She is talking about the story of Shelley, but she could be talking about her own life-story.

In this passage, Lee is able to demonstrate what her biographical subject, Virginia Woolf, felt about biography and a person telling their own or another person’s story. Literary biographies of well-known writers can be especially difficult to navigate in that both the author and biographical subject are writers, but completely separate and different people. As referenced in this passage by Lee, Woolf was aware of the subtleties and fluidity present in a person’s life which can be difficult to judiciously and effectively relay to a reader on the part of a biographer. In addition, Woolf offers insight into the fact that biographers must make choices in terms of what information is presented to the reader and the context in which it is offered, making them a “miner’s canary” as to how history will view and remember the biographical subject.

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How Do You Write An Autobiography In 3rd Person?

• Bios should be written in third person, so use your name and third person pronouns (he, she, his, hers, him, and her) rather than first person pronouns (I and me). …
• Use a friendly and conversational tone as if talking to someone who knows you in a professional setting.

Is autobiography written in past tense?

The vast majority of memoirs, autobiographies, and personal histories are written in past tense , with a “first person” point of view. It makes sense: you are telling your own life stories, about things that have happened in the past, and so it feels more natural.

What point of view was used in the autobiography?

Like a memoir, an autobiography is the author’s retelling of his or her life and told in first person point of view , making the author the main character of the story.

How do you start a brief autobiography?

How to Write a Short Formal Autobiography

• Identify the Audience. Identify the objective of your autobiography and its target demographic. …
• Tell Your Story. …
• Describe our Credentials. …
• Mention Your Future Goals. …
• Get a Sense Check.

How do I begin to write?

8 Great Ways to Start the Writing Process

• Start in the Middle. If you don’t know where to start, don’t bother deciding right now. …
• Start Small and Build Up. …
• Incentivize the Reader. …
• Commit to a Title Up Front. …
• Create a Synopsis. …
• Allow Yourself to Write Badly. …
• Make Up the Story as You Go. …
• Do the Opposite.

What are the 3 point of views?

There are three main types of third-person point of view: limited, objective, and omniscient . The limited point of view is arguably the most popular. … The objective point of view is when the narrator tells you what the narrator sees and hears without describing the thoughts and feelings of the protagonist.

Does memoir have to be true?

A memoir is a nonfiction book that tells your own story, focusing on elements of your real life like personal experience, intimacy, and emotional truth. Enables self-discovery. The memoir book writing process requires you to really reexamine your own experiences, not just write an entire book retelling them.

What are the 5 types of point of view?

In fact, there are only five different types of narrative point of view:

• first-person.
• second-person.
• third-person omniscient.
• third-person limited.
• third-person objective.

What tense is a biography written in?

The one thing you probably won’t consider is what tense to write it in. A biography deals with events of the past, right? Ergo, you write it in the past tense . While this is perfectly fine and indeed the norm for the majority of biographies, it doesn’t necessarily follow.

What is inside the autobiography?

Just like the biography of a famous person, your autobiography should include things like the time and place of your birth, an overview of your personality, your likes and dislikes , and the special events that shaped your life. Your first step is to gather background detail.

What is first person writing?

First person point of view is often used in personal narrative—when the writer is telling a story or relating an experience. This perspective is writer’s point of view , and the writer becomes the focal point. First person personal pronouns include I, we, me, us, my, mine, our, and ours.

Is a bio in 3rd person?

What is a Bio? … The bio should be authoritative , and it should reflect a person’s level of professional experience and achievements. The information should be written in the third person instead of the first person so that it is useful to the intended audience.

How do you write in 3rd person?

When you are writing in the third person, the story is about other people. Not yourself or the reader. Use the character’s name or pronouns such as ‘he’ or ‘she’ . “He sneakily crept up on them.

What is an example of third person?

The third-person pronouns include he, him, his, himself, she, her, hers, herself, it, its, itself, they, them, their, theirs, and themselves . Tiffany used her prize money from the science fair to buy herself a new microscope. The concert goers roared their approval when they realized they’d be getting an encore.

Do memoirs have to be 100% true?

As memoir writers, we’re crafting a literary work. We’re also relying on memory and our own interpretation of events. … Memory is always inaccurate, so memoir is never true . It might not be factually true, but it’s emotionally true.

What do you call a novel based on a true story?

If you do want to write a book based entirely on true events, it would fall under the umbrella of memoirs and biographies , and is often referred to as creative non-fiction. … The most important thing is to decide if you actually want to write a fictional novel, or a work of creative non-fiction.

Does a memoir need dialogue?

Why You Need Dialogue In Memoirs

Dialogue is the easiest way to show and not tell. Dialogue is an effective way to increase conflict, tension, and suspense in your memoir. … You must make the people in your memoir speak because you are not writing an essay.

Is there a 4th person point of view?

What is the 4th person visual perspective? Traditionally it is considered omniscient . It’s often associated with an objective deity who exists outside Earth and thus, this 4th point-of-view is portrayed as a global perspective which sees the world from above.

Is US a third person word?

What Is Third Person? (with Examples) The term “third person” refers to someone else , i.e., not the writer or a group including the writer (“I,” “me,” “we,” “us”) or the writer’s audience (“you”). Whenever you use a noun (as opposed to pronoun), it is in the third person.

How do I start a writing career?

How To Start A Writing Career in 10 Steps

• Don’t wait to call yourself a writer. You don’t have to be published to be a writer. …
• Don’t quit. …
• Write from your passions. …
• Work at it every day. …
• Create your writer’s website. …
• Look for opportunities. …
• Seek like-minded writers. …
• Network, network, network.

What is a good sentence to start a story?

Story starters

• I didn’t mean to kill her.
• The air turned black all around me.
• Icy fingers gripped my arm in the darkness.
• Wandering through the graveyard it felt like something was watching me.
• The eyes in the painting follow him down the corridor.
• A shrill cry echoed in the mist.

How do you start a good story?

Find out which starter makes your partner most interested in reading your story.

• Start with action or dialogue.
• Ask a question or set of questions.
• Describe the setting so readers can imagine it.
• Give background information that will interest readers.
• Introduce yourself to readers in a surprising way.

Related Q&A:

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