What distinguishes an autobiography from other types of writing?

An autobiography is distinguished from other types of writing by being the author's personal account of their own life. This genre emphasizes the author's experiences, thoughts, and feelings as they relate to significant events and milestones. The narrative is usually written in the first person, allowing readers to gain intimate insights into the author's perspective and personal journey.

In contrast, focusing on fictional events would align more with novel writing or creative fiction, which are not based on real-life experiences. Likewise, a comprehensive history of a community would typically fit into the realm of historical or sociological writing, where the emphasis is on collective experiences rather than individual narratives. Finally, narrating someone else's story would be characteristic of biographies or memoirs written by individuals other than the person being discussed, further separating it from the definition of an autobiography, which is strictly a self-referential account.