Six Word Memoir http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/07/summing-it-up-in-six-words/?_r=1

Aims and objectives To demonstrate a knowledge of implicit (suggested meanings) in text To recognise how a writer uses specific words and phrases to affect the reader Strategies to analyse and interpret meanings of words and phrases in text Syntax: sentences are the right words in the right order with the right punctuation in the right place. Explore! Demonstrate a knowledge of synonyms What is a memoir?

Recap: Q: What is the writer doing when he/she chooses specific words in their writing? Task 1: write an answer. Discussion A: trying to affect the writer by setting a mood/tone (or answers like this)

Ernest Hemingway’s short story: For sale: Baby shoes, never worn. Task 2: What is it about? How does the writer’s powerful imagery and choice of words affect the reader? Discuss.

Other Examples No taxidermist loved his daughter more. Where does the punctuation need to be in this next sentences to give it different meaning: A woman without a man is nothing.

What is a memoir? A memoir is a special kind of autobiography, usually involving a public portion of the author’s life as it relates to a person, historic event, or thing. The text is about the personal knowledge and/or experiences of the author. In contrast, an autobiography covers the author’s entire life to the present, and is expected to include details about his or her public and private life. A biography is someone’s life story written by another person.

Examples of 6 word memoirs “Nixon childhood, Reagan teenager, hope finally.” Tonia Mohammed-Madejczyk, Northport, New York  “Facebook has ruined my entire life.” -Jeanie Engleke, Bradley Beach, NJ Nobody cared, then they did. Why? Born bald. Grew hair. Bald again. Started small, grew, peaked, shrunk, vanished.

Write your 6 word memoir Task 3: write a six-word memoir. Rules and tips: Make your six-word memoir personal and honest (e.g. your attitude towards life). Use the Six Word limitation to inspire creativity. Think about the emotion/tone you wish to express through your writing. Put the six best words in the best order to express exactly what you want to communicate. Consider where you will place capital letters and punctuation marks.

6 word memoir tips Think of a pallet of words, write them randomly on your paper and then begin to order your work. SYNONYMS (SEE THESAURUS) Think of your life in general i.e. your attitude towards it. What drives you. E.g. love life, love travelling, reading and politics, family man. Making time for all. Positive, funny, poems, upbeat activist, animals and the planet. Tolerance and equality… Equality in life, love all. Tolerate!

If you need a starter to help Start by writing a six-word description of a shape. Describe different geometrical shapes and their attributes. Always round. No straight edges. Circle.

Inspiration. http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/07/sum ming-it-up-in-six-words/?_r=1

Your 6 word memoirs. Life’s meaningless, then you came along. All the same, six feet under. Build cardboard castles, not paper dreams. Wanted: eyes, a heart, possible feelings… Straightened hair this morning, already curly.

Have we achieved? To demonstrate a knowledge of implicit (suggested meanings) in text To recognise how a writer uses specific words and phrases to affect the reader Strategies to analyse and interpret meanings of words and phrases in text Demonstrate a knowledge of synonyms How to write a simple but powerful sentence with implicit meaning that shows and doesn’t tell the reader our narrative intentions?