Contrary to popular belief, history is not only the scholarly, formal, recorded, writings found in texts; it can take several forms: autobiography; biography; letter writing; and diary.
An autobiography is the details of one’s life written by that person. Autobiographies utilize any number of the following aims: to inform; to justify; to reveal; to communicate; to reflect, and to record. Just imagine what this world would be if no footprints were left in ‘the sand of times.” A world without history, what reason would there be to hope? What would be the meaning of hope if there is no record of success? This is the reason a long, long time ago, the decision was made to write history.
Autobiography, used as a means of recording is one way by which the past can be preserved. Autobiography can also be used as a medium to inform, for example, most people born after 1950, would not know who Malcolm X is. Also there would be people who would have the wrong information about him; therefore, an autobiography is a logical method to introduce himself to the world. .Malcolm X had great respect for time, and did not care to do business with someone without a watch. He told Alex Haley; "I have less patience with someone who doesn't wear a watch than with anyone else, for this type is not time-conscious" (Malcolm X, 1965, 422).
Unlike autobiography biography is written about a person by another person. Like autobiography, biographies are written for the same purpose, therefore, it is safe to say that they are distinctly alike, except for their writers. William Shakespeare is a writer and though some people may not agree, a philosopher. None of the many biographies written about Shakespeare defines him as well as his own work. Quotations from his plays are some of the most used quotations. One of Shakespeare’s great quotes is from “Hamlet,” "Rich gifts wax poor when givers prove unkind.” (Hamlet, 3,1).
Man’s first form of long distance communication was through letters. Even now with the advance of telephone, there are people who still enjoy communication through the written word. One such person is the late President Ronald Reagan. “The Great Communicator who shifted the American political center of gravity to the conservative side. Reagan's autographs and letters can be rich in content and replete with the vision that permeated his presidency and career”(www.raabcollection.com/presidential-auto).. Succumbing to the eminent sting of dementia, he addressed his beloved citizens with a letter he had written, maybe his last. If he were not remembered for anything, he was remembered by this last letter—his address to the nation, “I am in the twilight of my life.”
Almost everyone at some point has recorded something important. Even if it gets torn up right after it is written, everyone with the capability to write has kept some kind of diary. A diary is mostly used to record one’s private.. Anne Frank’s diary is one of the most read piece of literature from the Holocaust. Here she writes to her friend; “Yesterday was a very tumultuous day, and we're still all wound up. Actually, you may wonder if there's ever a day that passes without some kind of excitement” (www.penguin.co.uk/static/cs/uk/0/mini, 1943)..
Autobiographies, biographies, letters, and diaries are all methods of communication, recording, and information. Although these have become history, none of these writers ever dreamt that they would be immortalized through their writings or the flames they left in their trail..
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Malcolm X. with the Assistance of Haley, Alex.. Afterward by Ossie Davis.. (1964). The Autobiography of Malcolm. New York, New York. Ballentine Books
“RAAB Collection Remold Reagan Autobiography.” [online] Available at<http://www.raabcollection.com/presidential-auto> .
Shakespeare, William. “Hamlet.” [online] Available at < www.online- literature.com/shakespeare/hamlet>
