Noticing Newbies

Thank you for replying. I have started a biography and a memoir. For the biography of my mother, I am very fortunate to have 22 years of diaries and written correspondence to work with. Yet, I don't know how to structure the story - chronological of thematic?

I understand the concept of the three acts starting with a triggering event that goes to a low point then things improve until there's another problem leading to the second turning point with little hope which is resolved with an epiphany. I can see how that would work with fiction. But how do I write a biography using this structure when relaying true events? Maybe there isn't a low point when I need one? But then if there isn't an ebb and flow of turning points - it's not really a great story and can be pretty boring. I want to avoid the typical - and then this happens and then that happens.

This story ends in her untimely death.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Can you tell me how the portfolio works?

Thanks!