Tell your Life Tell your Life Story…Story…

In (just) Six Words!In (just) Six Words!

What is a memoir?What is a memoir?

• biography or historical account: a biography or an account of historical events, especially one written from personal knowledge

Legend has it…Legend has it…

• Ernest Hemingway was challenged Ernest Hemingway was challenged to write a whole novel in six words.to write a whole novel in six words.

• His version?His version?• For sale: Baby shoes; never worn.For sale: Baby shoes; never worn.

• Take out a sheet of paper, please Take out a sheet of paper, please and write what you think this story and write what you think this story is about…is about…

• Never really finished anything, Never really finished anything, except cake.except cake.

• Carletta PerkinsCarletta Perkins

• Not quite what I was planning.Not quite what I was planning.• Summer GrimesSummer Grimes

• I managed not to destroy anythingI managed not to destroy anything..• Tucker FrazierTucker Frazier

6 word memoirs have 6 word memoirs have become so popular lately become so popular lately

that there is a website that there is a website dedicated to them. dedicated to them.

Several books have been Several books have been published, including one published, including one written entirely by teens written entirely by teens called called I Can’t Keep My I Can’t Keep My

Own Secrets.Own Secrets.

Eventually, I’ll make my own Eventually, I’ll make my own breakfast. –Sam Z.breakfast. –Sam Z.

• You’re the parent, act like one. –You’re the parent, act like one. –Anais V.Anais V.

• I only tell truth in journals. –Rachel I only tell truth in journals. –Rachel W.W.

• Money’s tight; thankfully Money’s tight; thankfully imagination is free. –Vanessa E.imagination is free. –Vanessa E.

• They screamed “nobody.” They screamed “nobody.”

I believed them. –Andrew C.I believed them. –Andrew C.

• Can’t stop taking pictures of myself. Can’t stop taking pictures of myself. –Kacey K.–Kacey K.

• Aspiration: colonize Mars. You’re not Aspiration: colonize Mars. You’re not invited. –Jordan H.invited. –Jordan H.

• I resent people who ignore I resent people who ignore grammar. –Molly S.grammar. –Molly S.

• I never got my Hogwarts letter. –I never got my Hogwarts letter. –Deanna H.Deanna H.

• Googled what he called me. Ouch. –Googled what he called me. Ouch. –Emily L.Emily L.

• Me plus brother equals total Me plus brother equals total disaster. –Zachary M.disaster. –Zachary M.

• Lost myself for popular kids’ Lost myself for popular kids’ approval. –Kimberly G.approval. –Kimberly G.

• Coach ignored me.Coach ignored me.

He’ll regret it. –Maeve M.He’ll regret it. –Maeve M.

• Can I be fourteen forever, please? –Can I be fourteen forever, please? –Emily B.Emily B.

• I’m thankful I’m not messed up. –I’m thankful I’m not messed up. –Kieran D.Kieran D.

• Tired of being the smart kid. –Tired of being the smart kid. –Danielle B.Danielle B.

• Love:Love:

not enough, not enough,

All there is.All there is.

-Katie B.-Katie B.

Memoir Don’tsMemoir Don’ts

• I like to play football alot.I like to play football alot.• Joe SchmoeJoe Schmoe

Write your life…Write your life…

• Must be 6 words(not five, not seven)Must be 6 words(not five, not seven)• Must be self-reflectiveMust be self-reflective• Must be colorful/neat Must be colorful/neat • NO PENCIL – typed or penNO PENCIL – typed or pen

• On the back, attach 2-3 sentences On the back, attach 2-3 sentences explaining what your memoir means. explaining what your memoir means.