Do autobiographies count as wider reading for personal statements?? (history/english)

11

Hey - just a quick thought. I love history and want to apply for it, but the prospect of reading a bunch of dry stat packed 500 page non fiction books does not appeal...I accept that I will definitely have to get used to reading them, but I was wondering if autobiographies are historical and academic enough as well?? Just to mix it up a bit. I love autobiographies/biographies and I personally think they provide a great insight into important historical moments/moments of cultural change. For example (a few of my favourites) The Tin Ring by Zdenka Fantlova and The Go Between by Osman Yousafzada...also books like Wild Swans and The Past is Myself. I am anticipating this small hope being squashed by any replies but I thought I might check at least and see what other people have read to put on personal statements.

Reply 1

McGinger

20

You would have to acknowledge the problems with using anything like autobiographies or diaries as a primary source. Essentially, they are biased, self-interested and highly selective. See Is an Autobiography a Primary Source? for a good summary of this. This is something that academics have to grapple with all the time and discussing this, even very briefly, would be a good angle to take and show that you are already realising some of the problems in historical research.

Reply 2

eimme

OP

11

Original post

by McGinger

You would have to acknowledge the problems with using anything like autobiographies or diaries as a primary source. Essentially, they are biased, self-interested and highly selective. See Is an Autobiography a Primary Source? for a good summary of this. This is something that academics have to grapple with all the time and discussing this, even very briefly, would be a good angle to take and show that you are already realising some of the problems in historical research.

okay, thanks!! but would most of the books referenced have to be very academic??

Reply 3

McGinger

20

Original post

by eimme

okay, thanks!! but would most of the books referenced have to be very academic??

It might help if do some reading about the historical/situational background to one of these autobiographies, and therefor were aware of the context, and could use that as a way of showing you understand some of the problems with historical research.

Reply 4

zazzy.r

15

English graduate (Durham)- we absolutely studied autobiographical texts and full-blown autobiographies!! As others have said, you can talk about the issues with autobiography as a primary source for History (I'd imagine), and then on the English side I'd encourage you to look up autofiction. One of my favourite things to talk about/study, reasonably accessible, and relevant!! It'll look impressive too since it's not really talked about below undergrad so it shows that wider reading that they're so keen on. (Something like Hazel Carby's Imperial Intimacies)

Either way, even if not autofiction, autobiographies are a form of writing, and one whose writing style/form/presentation is absolutely worthy of analysis.

Good luck!

Reply 5

eimme

OP

11

Original post

by zazzy.r

English graduate (Durham)- we absolutely studied autobiographical texts and full-blown autobiographies!! As others have said, you can talk about the issues with autobiography as a primary source for History (I'd imagine), and then on the English side I'd encourage you to look up autofiction. One of my favourite things to talk about/study, reasonably accessible, and relevant!! It'll look impressive too since it's not really talked about below undergrad so it shows that wider reading that they're so keen on. (Something like Hazel Carby's Imperial Intimacies)
Either way, even if not autofiction, autobiographies are a form of writing, and one whose writing style/form/presentation is absolutely worthy of analysis.
Good luck!

Ok, thanks!! Never heard of autofiction, that sounds cool. How was Durham for you?? I'm thinking of not bothering with Oxbridge and trying my best to get into Durham for a joint honours history/English lit, would you recommend it as a uni? x

Reply 6

zazzy.r

15

Original post

by eimme

Ok, thanks!! Never heard of autofiction, that sounds cool. How was Durham for you?? I'm thinking of not bothering with Oxbridge and trying my best to get into Durham for a joint honours history/English lit, would you recommend it as a uni? x

I loved it, I really miss it!! The English department are really fab and passionate, and from what I heard the history department are broadly good (they have something a bit odd with their modules in second/third year but ultimately I think most people enjoyed the subject itself). With both there's a fair bit of freedom module-wise too which is always nice. The difference in workload between Durham and Oxbridge seems huge but that means you can decide what to put effort into rather than doing a weekly essay (I would never have been able to do that wow)

What I will say is that the admin across the board, especially history from what I've heard, is shockingly poor. You do need to chase people for replies, and the student support can be hit and miss (much more hostile extensions policy than York for example).

I'd choose durham again, and my college. It's a beautiful place with so much to get involved with. Obviously I can't speak on Oxbridge so can't compare but academically really good and staff are kind. I never applied to oxbridge- if you can apply to both and have enough slots I reckon do it since being an oxbridge graduate is always a useful credential. Wherever you'll end up you'll have a great time- both are good unis :smile:

)

Reply 7

Kingston Trenyce

Official Rep

11

Original post

by eimme

Hey - just a quick thought. I love history and want to apply for it, but the prospect of reading a bunch of dry stat packed 500 page non fiction books does not appeal...I accept that I will definitely have to get used to reading them, but I was wondering if autobiographies are historical and academic enough as well?? Just to mix it up a bit. I love autobiographies/biographies and I personally think they provide a great insight into important historical moments/moments of cultural change. For example (a few of my favourites) The Tin Ring by Zdenka Fantlova and The Go Between by Osman Yousafzada...also books like Wild Swans and The Past is Myself. I am anticipating this small hope being squashed by any replies but I thought I might check at least and see what other people have read to put on personal statements.

Hi @eimme! That's actually a really good question and honestly you're not alone in feeling that way. Autobiographies and biographies can definitely count as historical reading especially if they give insight into the period, culture or social changes you're interested in. What matters is how you engage with the material not whether its labelled "academic".

Trenyce (Kingston Rep)

Reply 8

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

21

Original post

by eimme

Hey - just a quick thought. I love history and want to apply for it, but the prospect of reading a bunch of dry stat packed 500 page non fiction books does not appeal...I accept that I will definitely have to get used to reading them, but I was wondering if autobiographies are historical and academic enough as well?? Just to mix it up a bit. I love autobiographies/biographies and I personally think they provide a great insight into important historical moments/moments of cultural change. For example (a few of my favourites) The Tin Ring by Zdenka Fantlova and The Go Between by Osman Yousafzada...also books like Wild Swans and The Past is Myself. I am anticipating this small hope being squashed by any replies but I thought I might check at least and see what other people have read to put on personal statements.

You just have to read them critically and analytically considering who their audience is, what their position in the situation is and how that will shape their presentation of the material. That is in itself valuable to understand how different people construct events (especially the same event from different perspectives). As above you'll likely read (auto)biographical material in English or history courses as texts but you are never going to be taking them as verbatim truth. You need to approach them with an analytical mindset when reading them (as with any text really, but particularly so). You also probably should contextualise them against academic writings on the topics/events/periods in question and other sources to develop whatever particular point you're trying to make about them.

Do autobiographies count as wider reading for personal statements?? (history/english)

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