semibiographical

Semibiographical is an adjective used in literary criticism to describe works that are partly biographical in nature. Such works blend factual biographical material with fictional or invented elements, scenes, or conversations. They present aspects of a real person’s life while introducing narrative devices or invented details that are not verified.

The term emphasizes the partial factual basis rather than a fully documented biography. It often applies to novels, memoirs, screenplays, or biographical studies where the author uses real life as a starting point but departs from strict factual reporting for thematic or narrative purposes.

Semibiographical writing is distinct from autobiography and traditional biography, and related to terms like fictionalized biography, roman à clef, and autofiction. It raises questions about representation, consent, and accuracy, especially when depicting living individuals or well-known figures. Critics may debate the ethical boundaries of blending memory with fabrication and the audience's expectation of truth in biographical storytelling.

In practice, semibiographical works often foreground the tension between fact and fiction, signaling to readers that certain scenes or details are dramatized or invented. The term remains a niche descriptor within literary analysis and is not as widely standardized as other genre labels.

See also: autofiction; fictionalized biography; roman à clef; autobiography; biography.