1. Memoir Writing

2. Welcome Back
You are going to take notes on memoirs today and develop a foundation for what makes a good memoir.
Get a memoir notes sheet from the sub to get started.

3. What is a memoir?
The word memoirs shares the same root word as the words memory and remember.
A memoir captures memories and comes from remembering
A memoir is a slice of ordinary life (a small moment).
A memoir acts as a record of what happened and a forecast of the future.
A memoir strives for emotional truths.
A memoir is a story about something that actually happened to you, the author. It is about events, people, or places that are important to you, the author.

4. How is a memoir different from a narrative?
A memoir is a specific type of narrative.
In a memoir, there is distance or time between when the event happened and when you are writing about it (written in past tense).
In a memoir, there is a reflection (lesson learned).

5. Characteristics of a memoir
Read the following memoirs. As you are reading, determine what is common between all of the memoirs and write them down in your composition book.
Some things to consider:
Point of view
Structure
Plot
Literary elements
Moonwalk
Excerpt from Fist, Stick, Knife, Gun
My Side of the Story

6. Characteristics of a memoir
Written in first person point of view
Written in past tense
Based on the truth
Focused on one event
Have an introduction with an attention grabbing opening
Lots of specific details, imagery
Dialogue
Internal dialogue
Emotions and feelings
Flashback or background information
Reflection- what author learned

7. Finished? You will finish the notes in tomorrow’s lesson
Glue your notes into your composition book
Put your computer away
Read your independent reading book