Memoir Writing Project

1. Memoir Writing Project by Stacy Upton

2. Memoir Directions Write a true story about an event in your life Today’s lesson – Brainstorming techniques and rough draft

3. How to uncover Life topics • Indelible moments… • with important people • with a treasured object • in special places • Writer’s Notebook: Treasured Object, Neighborhood map, Heart Map, Blueprint, Important People web • Talk to parents or other relatives • Look through photo albums • Complete the Memoir Brainstorm Chart

4. House Map or “Blueprint” • Draw a rough sketch of a home or a place you have lots of family memories • Label the rooms and write the names of people who are usually associated with those rooms • Jot down a short description of memorable events that happened in some of the rooms – try to include events that contain elements of your culture or heritage • Explain your events with your seat partner • Tell your seat partner which story you think would work best for his or her family story

5. Brainstorm Chart Using ideas from your photo albums or blueprint, fill in each column of the chart. Choose the story that is most meaningful to you.

6. Rough Draft • Stay focused on ONE event • Include your reflections about the event • Three basic ingredients to a good narrative: • Characters (You, parents, relatives, friends, pets) • Setting (Home, neighborhood, vacation sites) • Plot (Events, action, dialogue – the DETAILS are what make it interesting!)

7. Leads • Life lesson lead “I was six years old when my mother taught me the art of invisible strength.” ~Amy Tan • Descriptive lead “At my grandparents’ home there was a long closet that had two entrances.” ~Jane Yolen • Dialogue and suspense lead “You must not tell anyone,” my mother said, “what I am about to tell you.” ~The Woman Warrior • Narrator or character lead “The name my family calls me in Morning Girl because I wake up early always with something on my mind.” ~Michael Dorris