Library and Memoir 9/5 Learning Objective: Can I use specific word choice to write autobiographically?

Library Visit

5 minute vocab quiz!

Quick task: Capitalization Review RED PEN only!

What is a memoir?

Writing a six-word memoir... In November 2006, writer and editor Larry Smith issued a challenge to fans of his Web publication, SMITH Magazine. Inspired by Ernest Hemingway's legendary shortest of short stories ("For sale: Baby shoes, never worn"), Smith asked his readers to describe their lives in six words. The Six-Word Memoir contest officially ended after a month, but the stories kept coming. Five years on, participants have contributed more than half a million mini-memoirs. Smith has published five compilations of the intensely personal accounts and continues his online quest to spark the creativity of aspiring writers. "There is inspiration everywhere," he says. "Even if you don't think you're a storyteller, you are."

Writing a six-word memoir... In order to narrow down a life into six words, a writer needs to begin with many words and ideas. Follow these instructions to complete a six-word memoir.

Start with a list List as many words, topics, memories, or personality traits as you can about yourself – activities you do, items, belongings, places you like, and feelings you have. Don’t edit, cross out, change, or rewrite words. Don’t worry about spelling – just write. You are going for quantity, so write as much as you can in about three minutes. You should fill at least one full page.

Example list: Singer, writer, happy, tired, overworked, camping, colorful, shoes, sea shore, dragons, faeries, teacher, Spanish, Internet, laughing, cartoons, 70s, rock music, Jeep, teddy bears, church, baths, jingles, gum, crayons, super heroes, technology, legos, reading, Saturday morning, dancing, weight lifting, Ziggy, more shoes, sunrises, mother, daughters, snakes, dogs, mythology, thinking, dreamer, fries…

Now, circle the two or three words that stand out for you, the ones that you could say more about.

Pick one item and freewrite about the thought Pick one item and freewrite about the thought. That means you just start writing about that idea, object, role, or event. The only rule is don’t stop writing for at least two or three minutes. Whatever comes to mind is fair game. mother

Freewrite example… I’ve been a mother for 14 years and have 3 ½ kids. This means that one is a step-child. She does not want me to be her mother, but she wants her mother to be me. This is a difficult situation that will never be resolved. As for my other three children, I have a son and two daughters. I have learned that being a parent is by far the hardest thing I have ever done. I am not only responsible...

Rubric

Your 6WM must be “checked off” by Mrs. Hejny or Ms Your 6WM must be “checked off” by Mrs. Hejny or Ms. Wiedmeyer by the end of the lesson. IF you decide to change your memoir over the weekend, please email one of us with your new sentence. We will approve it via email.

HOMEWORK: Due Tuesday, September 9th: Novel/Non-Fiction book for Independent Reading Project 6 Word Memoir