Autobiographical Genres MemoirAutobiographyBiography Personal Narrative

Autobiography Who you are in life – Based on facts and research! Who you are in life – Based on facts and research! What life means to you – Your feelings, both past and present What life means to you – Your feelings, both past and present What your outlook on the future is – Usually based on one event What your outlook on the future is – Usually based on one event Written by same person that it is about Written by same person that it is about

Biography History of a lifetime – Must cover entire life History of a lifetime – Must cover entire life Most important facts and events of someone’s life Most important facts and events of someone’s life Contains anecdotes, memories, trips and cherished moments Contains anecdotes, memories, trips and cherished moments Is about another person Is about another person

Personal Narrative Focus is on a particular event in a person/writer’s life Focus is on a particular event in a person/writer’s life 1 st person 1 st person Uses diction and sensory details to express emotions that place the reader in the personal experience Uses diction and sensory details to express emotions that place the reader in the personal experience

Memoir Autobiographical writing Autobiographical writing Captures certain highlights or meaningful moments in one’s past Captures certain highlights or meaningful moments in one’s past Contemplation of the meaning of that event at the time of the writing of the memoir Contemplation of the meaning of that event at the time of the writing of the memoir Much more emotional and connects the writer to someone or something that had an impact on their life Much more emotional and connects the writer to someone or something that had an impact on their life

Characteristics of the Memoir Form Focus on a brief period of time or series of related events Focus on a brief period of time or series of related events Narrative structure (storytelling elements like setting, plot, images, characterization, foreshadowing/flashback, and irony and symbolism) Narrative structure (storytelling elements like setting, plot, images, characterization, foreshadowing/flashback, and irony and symbolism) Retrospective Retrospective Fictional quality Fictional quality Higher emotional level/more personal reconstruction of the events and their impact Higher emotional level/more personal reconstruction of the events and their impact

Memoirs – Another perspective Explores an event or series of related events that remain lodged in memory Explores an event or series of related events that remain lodged in memory Describes the events and then shows, either directly or indirectly why they are significant Describes the events and then shows, either directly or indirectly why they are significant WHY do you STILL remember them? WHY do you STILL remember them? Focused in time (not long) Focused in time (not long) Focuses on problem/conflict and its resolution and why the resolution is significant in your life Focuses on problem/conflict and its resolution and why the resolution is significant in your life

How we will write a memoir Relationship between the writer and a particular person, place, animal, object or experience Relationship between the writer and a particular person, place, animal, object or experience Explain the significance of the relationship Explain the significance of the relationship Leaves reader with one impression Leaves reader with one impression Limited to a particular phase, time period, place or recurring behavior Limited to a particular phase, time period, place or recurring behavior Makes the subject of the memoir come alive Makes the subject of the memoir come alive Maintains a first person point of view Maintains a first person point of view

Outline 1 Write down the ending of your memoir first, which includes a climax. This the where the journey of your personal story ends in the memoir and once you decide on an end, you can structure the rest of the events in a linear narrative. 1 Write down the ending of your memoir first, which includes a climax. This the where the journey of your personal story ends in the memoir and once you decide on an end, you can structure the rest of the events in a linear narrative. 2 Organize a timeline of important events. Memoirs are about changes, turning points and challenges of a person's life, and write down every event that would inspire others. 2 Organize a timeline of important events. Memoirs are about changes, turning points and challenges of a person's life, and write down every event that would inspire others. 3 Talk to your parents and relatives about your birth and your family’s journey before your birth. How your ancestors influenced or didn't influence you may be important to your memoir and this research may work itself into your outline and book. 3 Talk to your parents and relatives about your birth and your family’s journey before your birth. How your ancestors influenced or didn't influence you may be important to your memoir and this research may work itself into your outline and book.

Outline Continued 4 Write all the events of your life into a coherent linear narrative. Consider adding stories before your birth. Write this down on paper in easy to read lines. You are not writing the book yet. The outline needs the basics and use short sentences as a way to organize the structure 5 Examine the outline for a three act structure or another type of story arc. Memoirs are not exactly fiction novels, but they should have all of the same elements of a good story. 6 Throw out events that are off track to the final climax and end of your story. You want a sense of unity and focus for the entire memoir and the outline stage is the best time to cut out unnecessary elements of your story.