What is a Memoir? 6th Grade LA

What is a Memoir? An account of an author’s personal experiences/memories. Memoir writing is a collection of snapshot memories, like Jack (The Thief and the Beanstalk) shares in his paintings, or Rob (Seventh Grade Weirdo) shares in his flashbacks. Snapshot memories are short and very specific. They tell who, what, when and where.

Memoirs are written in 1st person point of view 1st person pronouns: I, me, we, us, my, mine Memoirs share the author’s thoughts and emotions. Based on the author’s true memory; not a made-up story! Real-life experience!

Writing a Memoir Memoirs differ from a biography. 1. Biographies are written about someone by another person. 2. They are written in 3rd person. (he, she, they, them, etc.) 3. They are more about facts than thoughts and feelings.

Writing a Memoir Writing a memoir differs from writing an autobiography, in which you start with the day you were born and tell everything that has happened since then; it’s your entire life story!

Memoir vs Biography In August of 1984, at the insistence of his mother and father, Michael Jordan boarded a plane to Portland, Oregon. That day he met Phil Knight for the first time. “In August of 1984, at the insistence of my mother and father, I boarded a plane to Portland, Oregon. That day I met Phil Knight for the first time.”

Leads and Closings Good memoirs begin with an interesting, catchy beginning. Use a lead/hook sentence that entices the reader to read on. Good memoirs have great closing sentences that give an ending to the story.

Theme in Memoir An important part of memoir writing is the theme; the author’s message about why a memory is important enough to share. Memoirs make an observation about life and teach a life lesson (theme).

Memoirs include rich, descriptive language Figurative language: simile, metaphor, hyperbole, personification, etc. Vivid verbs Sensory language Good leads and clinchers Show, not “tell”

Memoirs show relationships to the world: It focuses and reflects on the relationship between the writer and a particular person/animal place, object, event/experience.

Memory of People/Animals

Memory of an Object

Memory of a place/event

Memory of generosity/ happy times

Memory of overcoming a challenge or difficult time

Characteristics of a Memoir A memory; a description of an event from the past. Written in past tense. It focuses and reflects on the relationship between the writer and a particular person/animal, place, object, or event/experience. Based on the truth. Tells who, where, and when. Reveals the emotions/thoughts of the writer Has meaning; tells what the author learned from the experience. This is the theme! Focused on one event; about one point in the author’s life About the author’s experience more than about the event itself. It maintains a first person point of view. Includes rich description and details. Begins with an interesting lead and ends with a strong closing that ends the story.

Writer’s Notebook (at least 3) Create a list of places that are important to you Brief description of the place Why the place is important to you Put a star next to your favorite.

Writer’s Notebook (at least 3) Create a list of objects that are important to you Brief description of the object Why the object is important to you Soccer trophy gold statue of soccer player I had never played soccer before and worked really hard to learn the game Put a star next to your favorite.

Writer’s Notebook (at least 3) Create a list of times you were generous Brief description of the time Why that time is important to you Put a star next to your favorite.

Writer’s Journal (at least 3) Create a list of people important to you. What is his/her relationship to you? Why is this person important to you? My mom parent She loves and takes care of me Put a star next to your favorite.

Being Generous Write a brief summary of a memory you have about a time you were generous Write about how you felt. Tell what you learned from this experience.

Learning from mistakes

Writer’s Notebook (at least 3) Create a list of events that are important to you Brief description of the event Why the event is important to you 10th birthday party Surprise birthday party at my house I thought everyone had forgotten my birthday, but really my family had planned a surprise party for me. Put a star next to your favorite.

Realizing a dream

Embarrassing time