1. Introduction to Memoir

2. Memoirs are good options for the final exam writing task. Incorporate theme Use all the writing strategies you’ve learned Be different – creative Be meaningful

3. Memoir is a kind of LIFE WRITING Life writing: the recording of selves, memories, experiences (yours or someone else’s) many genres and practices: autobiography, biography, memoir, diaries, journals, letters, testimonies, personal essays, blogs, e-mails, texts

4. Nonfiction A kind of autobiographical writing Captures particular scenes of life and often a reflection on meaning (i.e., ‘so what?’) NOT about every single thing that ever happened to you (that’s autobiography) More room to experiment (be creative) than in autobiography More exterior than an autobiography: includes other people, events you’ve witnessed, your place in your culture

5. social justice – a place for people to tell stories degrees of accuracy/truth? what a memoir looks/sounds like famous memoirs:

6. Select a story – something that happened to you write a mini-memoir – I expect you to write until the end of the period Title: Quickwrite #1 (April 2) As you write, I will read excerpts of a memoir to you…

7. Record the history of items you consider to be family heirlooms. The heirloom doesn't have to be valuable, so long as it is important to the family. Tell the story of one item. Write about your religious tradition (or lack of religious tradition) growing up. Continue by writing what you believe in your life today and the personal philosophy you live by. Write the story of how you came by your scars. Be sure to describe the scars and their locations.