World Literature: Mr. Lancto How To Start A Memoir World Literature: Mr. Lancto

So What Makes A Good Intro? Elicit a powerful emotion that makes the reader wonder “what’s next” Begin with the “tragedy” and then work backward Shock the reader Interesting fact or experience Important dialogue that thrust the reader into your story Create a mystery that the reader wants to figure out

“Here they come and I’m not ready, how could I be, I’m a new teacher and learning on the job.” Frank McCourt Teacher Man

“I have an engineering problem “I have an engineering problem. While for the most part I’m in terrific physical shape, I have ten tumors in my liver and I have only a few months left to live.” Randy Pausch The Last Lecture

“I became what I am today at the age of twelve, on a frigid overcast day in the winter of 1975. I remember the precise moment, crouching behind a crumbling mud wall, peeking into the alley near the frozen creek. That was a long time ago, but it's wrong what they say about the past, I've learned, about how you can bury it. Because the past claws its way out. Looking back now, I realize I have been peeking into that deserted alley for the last twenty-six years.” Khaled Hosseini The Kite Runner

“I was eight years old and well into the third grade at Riker Hill Elementary School when I fell head over heels in love with myself. What can only be described as the “cornerstone of my youth” came unexpectedly out of left field and washed over me like a Category 5 cyclone. Not enough to drown me completely, but enough for me to lose my footing and knock me on my supple eight-year-old a**.” Chelsea Handler Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang

“We called her our sister from another mister.”

Making Dialogue Believable Could this be a conversation you would hear in the halls/on the phone/in everyday life? Vary the way you explain who is talking No good = He said, He explained, she stated, etc. Good = She softly whispered behind my back Do not need to remind the reader who is talking if it is an ongoing conversation Bring out the VOICE of the person speaking NO CLICHES !!

“What about the car?” asked Heather “I don’t know what to do,” responded Sinead Heather was looking frustrated, “Well do something please!” “I am sorry Heather, please forgive me,” apologized Sinead.

As the car crawled to its death, Heather glared at Sinead, “what about the car?” There was a pause. The two girl sat wondering how they had got to this point. “I don’t. I don’t know what to do,” Sinead barely got out through her spastic tears. The smoke was slithering into the front seat as if triggering Heather’s angst. “Do something!” “I…I’m sorry, please don’t hate me.”