The document contains notes from an 8th grade language arts class on writing memoirs. It includes sections on what makes for a bad memoir, questions for memoir writers to consider, what makes an experience memoir-worthy, and a Willa Cather quote about acquiring material for writing before age 15. The agenda lists reading assignments and activities on spelling tests, reading logs, questions for memoirists, and vocabulary writing.
1. Questions for memoirits.notebook September 13, 2012
9/13/12 Assi
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ents
8th Grade Language Arts -Rea :
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6-8
Agenda: -Rea (F)
ding
Log
1. Warm-up: -Spe a nd g
lling reen
Tes shee
2. Questions for memoirists -Que t (F t (F)
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mem ns f
oir w or m
orth emo
y ex irist
-Lit peri s/
Circ ence
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-Voc W) )
ab W
ritin
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2. Questions for memoirits.notebook September 13, 2012
Memoirs and The Outsiders
BAD MEMOIRS
• lack of heart
• experience doesn't intrigue the writer
• no itch to find out how and what a
memory signifies in a writer's life
• empty and flat
• a string of events laid endtoend in
narrative form
• "and then we did this and then we did
that and it was all so much fun"
• Safe, superficial topics
• "The Time I Went to Disney World"
• "My Summer Camp"
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5. Questions for memoirits.notebook September 13, 2012
“Most of the basic material a writer works
with is acquired before the age of fifteen.”
-Willa Cather
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