2. First…Choose an Event
1.Pick an event that is
important to you.
2.Make sure you have a lot to
say about this event.
3.Spend time just
remembering this event.
3. Example: Flying to Visit Family
If I were going to write a memoir, I
might write about the first time I ever
flew on an airplane. My grandmother
was taking me to visit her family in
Tennessee. I can remember most of
the details of this trip.
4. Second…Begin at the Beginning
Memoirs are easy to start because you just begin
at the beginning. Don’t worry if you can’t
remember every detail; in a memoir, you can add
in details. For instance, I don’t remember getting
on the plane, but I know I must have walked down
that accordion-like tunnel, so here goes.
On a summer day, my grandmother and I
walked down a tunnel into an airplane. I had never
flown anywhere before.
5. Third…Layer in Details
Make the writing more vivid by describing and explaining. Add in imagery, words
that appeal to at least one of your five senses. Go through them one-by-one
looking for ways to add them in. (remember you can embellish a bit) Here goes…
Before: On a summer day, my grandmother and I walked down a tunnel into an
airplane. I had never flown anywhere before.
After:
On a sticky summer day the year I turned seven, my grandmother and I walked
hand-in-hand down an accordion-like tunnel into an airplane. I had never flown
anywhere before. I was wearing my brand-new navy and white sailor dress, and my
grandmother’s signature Jessica McClintock perfume wafted around us as we
strolled.
…SKIPPING AHEAD IN THE MEMOIR…
After awhile, the smiling flight attendant brought me an ice-cold Coke in a real
glass. I was relishing the chilly, sweet sips when a voice boomed, “Ladies and
gentlemen, please be seated and place your tray tables in an upright and secure
position in preparation for landing.” Just then, I accidentally spilled my sweet
treat, turning my navy and white dress into a navy, white, and brown dress.
6. Fourth…Add in Reflection
A memoir isn’t just a play-by-play of what happened. It’s a reflection.
After: (see the end of the previous slide for the “before”)
On a sticky summer day the year I turned seven, my grandmother and I walked
hand-in-hand down an accordion-like tunnel into an airplane. I had never flown
anywhere before, and I was brimming with excitement over this new adventure. I
was proudly wearing my brand-new navy and white sailor dress so I could look like
an adorable little lady to my great-aunts. My grandmother’s signature Jessica
McClintock perfume wafted around us as we strolled.
…SKIPPING AHEAD IN THE MEMOIR…
After awhile, the smiling flight attendant brought me an ice-cold Coke in a real
glass. I was relishing the chilly, sweet sips when a voice boomed, “Ladies and
gentlemen, please be seated and place your tray tables in an upright and secure
position in preparation for landing.” I hurried to comply, and I accidentally spilled
my sweet treat, turning my navy and white dress into a navy, white, and brown
dress. I was so disappointed; I no longer looked perfect! Imperfect though it was, I
couldn’t have looked more like a real little girl, sweet as can be in my sailor dress
and a little bit sticky from my adventures!
7. Fifth…Finishing up – Proof and Submit
1. Content and Grammar: One of the best ways to proof-
read is to ask someone else to read your work out loud
to you. You’ll hear your mistakes! A close second is to
read it out loud to yourself. No matter how, you should
read your writing through at least once and correct all
errors in content and grammar.
2. Check the rubric and/or assignment. Read each
requirement and then highlight where you’ve met it in
your writing. If you can’t find it, neither can your
teacher.
3. Then, save it and submit it!
