How to Write an Autobiography in the 7th Grade

Seventh grade is a suitable time to write an autobiography because you are approaching a major crossroad, with high school around the corner. An autobiography tells the story of your life according to you, so you get to choose which parts are most interesting and important. Give yourself at least one to three weeks to craft your life story.

Write a list of major characters in your life, including family members, friends, adversaries and heroes. Beside each name, write a few adjectives or key details about the person that you want to highlight in your autobiography.

Draw a long line and write important years and events on it, to create a time line of your life. Start with your birth and add all major events in chronological order. Include recent events from 7th grade as well as important ones from the past.

Examine photographs, examples of your artwork, and other childhood artifacts from 7th grade and earlier. Add notes on them to your time line or list of important characters. Set aside items you would like to write about in your autobiography.

Draft an outline, organizing your autobiography into chronological sections or themes. For example, make Chapter 1 about ages 0-3 and Chapter 2 about ages 4-7; or call chapter 1 “Family” and Chapter 2 “Sports.” Note under each chapter heading which topics you will write about and which illustrations or photographs you will use.

Write your rough draft one chapter at a time. Start with the chapter that feels easiest to you.

Insert photographs, artwork and other artifacts into your chapters where appropriate. Scan your illustrations into digital files to paste into your document, or print out your draft and insert these pieces where they will go in the pages. Do not glue them in, however, until you have a final draft.

Ask a teacher, parent, sibling, or guardian to proofread your rough draft of your autobiography. Ask your proofreader to give you suggestions on things to add or change to make your autobiography better. Use the advice you agree with and rewrite or make corrections until you are satisfied with your final draft.

Hole-punch the book's pages and tie them together with yarn, or staple them. Glue or tape photographs and artwork into the pages if you did not scan them into the document before printing.

Add a title such as “My Life Through 7th Grade” or something more creative.