Developing and Structuring an Autobiographical Story Copyright © 2009    Diane Howard, Ph.D.
	Here are some brief guidelines for writing an autobiographical story, yours or someone else's: Starting: Identify a Climatic Turning Point   Find the Beginning of the Story by identifying a problem or conflict that started a process that developed toward the turning point Developing the Story:        Begin with a crisis in the characters’ wants, which are counteracted   Reveal a problem that builds over the course of the presentation to the climatic conflict and turning point   Identify where the problem or tension is for the character    Include scenes of crisis and significant action that lead to the climactic turning point         Structuring the Story: ·        Include in the overall story the following: a beginning, foreshadowing, discovery, incidents, crisis, and denouement ·        Build rising action, a climax, and falling action in each scene and  in the overall story ·        Identify the high stakes for the character   ·       Focus on the motives, objectives, desires, or wants of the character ·        Trace the denouement, after the turning point with development of major life lessons ·         Conclude the story with a resolution that conveys, summarizes, confirms significant life lessons
	Writing and presenting autobiographical stories can  promote healing and internal, positive motivation in the storyteller and in audiences.  When observers identify with role models in stories, they can become significantly more motivated and productive. Reference: Howard, Diane. Autobiographical Writing and Performing: An Introductory, Contemporary Guide to Process and Research in Speech Performance. [Online] Available http://www.dianehoward.com/publication.htm, 1999.   See further publications and presentations.                                                                                                                                        Contact Dr. Howard        Professional Resume | Professional Vitae | Performance Resume | Publications/Presentations |Performance/Communication Curricula   Perf. St. Syllabi Professional Network| Public Speaking/Presenting | Professional Projects | Professional Communication Guidelines  Performances of Autobio. & Lit. | Home