Prewriting

Do Now: Complete the following activity on loose-leaf and place the loose-leaf in your Writing Mini-Lessons section. Write a complete heading on the top of your piece of paper. Answer the following question: What is an autobiography? What does it include? Exclude? Who is the speaker? What are the themes? What is the time frame?

Definitions: Memoir vs. Autobiography- Notes Place notes in your Writing Mini-Lessons section: The term autobiography describes a genre that records an author’s chronological life, while including self-revelation and self-analysis. The term memoir describes a story that shows a slice of life, while also emphasizing self-analysis and self-revelation. Recipe for a great autobiography or memoir: Retrospection: Memoirs and autobiographies interpret experience and the experience’s significance. Honesty: In order to be authentic, memoirs and autobiographies must tell the truth.

Writing Assignment In your W.N., complete the following prompt: Choose a headline from a newspaper. Now imagine that the headline somehow connects to your life. Write a newspaper article the shows the connection. (This may take some very creative thinking).

Writing Assignment In your W.N., make a list of places in your neighborhood that are significant for you. Why are they significant? What memorable activities happened there?

Writing Assignment In your W.N., answer the following prompt: If you could, what would you put in a time capsule, so it would always stay the same? Write about something you wish your could bottle up and save forever.

Writing Assignment Finish your community map and make a heart map.

Writing Assignment In your W.N., describe a change you loved. Describe a change you hated.

Standout Moments To Consider: Birth of a sibling Getting a pet Learning how to do something new Discovering you do something well Winning or losing a big contest Moving to a new country, neighborhood, or school Meeting a best friend Falling in love A special birthday, holiday, or vacation Doing something that took a lot of courage A major illness or accident Been lost Divorce Death of a loved one

Writing Assignment: 1) In your W.N., answer the following prompt: Imagine that you just finished writing your autobiography, which included ten different chapters. Write the title of each chapter in the book.

Writing Assignment Describe your favorite toy as a child. Why was it significant?