Introduction to Memoir

Writers Workshop

Memoirs are good options for the final exam writing task. Incorporate themeUse all the writing strategies you’ve learnedBe different – creativeBe meaningful

Just FYI (before we get started)

Memoir is a kind of LIFE WRITINGLife 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

Life writing

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

What is a Memoir?

social justice – a place for people to tell stories

degrees of accuracy/truth?what a memoir looks/sounds likefamous memoirs:

odds ‘n’ ends

Select a story – something that happened to youwrite a mini-memoir – I expect you to write

until the end of the periodTitle: Quickwrite #1 (April 2)

As you write, I will read excerpts of a memoir to you…

To do!

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.

Ideas for writing…