2.  define memoir.
 identify qualities of memoirs.
 evaluate sample memoirs.
 brainstorm ideas for our own memoirs.
 write memoirs of our own lives.

3.  An autobiographical text in which the author
retells a story from his/her own life.

4.  A story retrieved from the writer’s memory
 Stars the writer as protagonist
 Written in first person
 Uses ―I‖ to remember and comment on the
events
 Often includes reflection
 Places emphasis on the story
 The ―point‖ emerges from events +
characters, rather than from narration.
 A record of the event, not a reaction to it.

5.  ―Writing memoir is a way to figure out
who you used to be and how to be who
you are…‖ – Abigail Thomas
 In retelling your story, you discover
new thoughts about yourself and the
experience.

6.  ―Why I Ride‖ - Jana Richman
 See handout.

8.  ―Clutter is the disease of American writing.‖
- William Zinsser
 Americans have short attention spans.
 Strip sentences to their cleanest
components.
 Clear thinking becomes clear writing.
 Ask yourself: What am I trying to say?

9. The Economy of Words

10.  What are they?
 Six-Word Memoirs by Teens
 What did you notice about them?
 Why write them?
 Economy of words – spend your 6 words wisely!
 Word choice
 NPR examples; books
 Your task:
 Write two or three six-word memoirs.
 Share.

11.  I teach and never stop learning.
 He said ―improprietous.‖ I felt love.
 Dog takes me on walks everyday.
 He was furry and my friend.
 Sisters moved away. Skype erases miles.

12. What’s good about six
word memoirs?
What’s frustrating about
six word memoirs?

13.  Pick one of your Six Word Memoirs. Say a little
more this time.
 There are still limits, but you have 140
characters, as many as Twitter allows for a post.
My example:
He was furry and my friend.
 Duke used to rock my cradle. In elementary
school, I'd follow him around and try to ride on
his back. When he passed, tears rained for days.

14. How does having 140
characters change your
memoir?

15. Telling the Full Story

16.  Memoirs are usually longer than 140 characters.
In order to provide the full picture of the moment
to your audience, you simply need more words.
 Let’s brainstorm possibilities for longer
memoirs.

17. See back of today’s handout.
Mrs. Mundy’s list:
 The Olympic torch as it passed through Buffalo.
 The track team ―streaking‖ through my college library.
 A beached whale set free.
 My HS jazz band playing with Wynton Marsalis on stage at
NYC’s Lincoln Center.
 A free Barenaked Ladies concert outside of the Rock and Roll
Hall of Fame.
 A college acquaintance physically assaulted by a police officer.
 A boat parade on the 4th of July.
 Fireworks in the fog in San Fran.

18.  Waffles with walnuts—made by my grandma
 Goldfish crackers
 GG’s Potato salad
 Softened chocolate ice cream
 Burgers and macaroni salad
 Corn on the cob in Chautauqua
 Pizza pies in pie irons over the fire
 S’mores
 Nachos (cheddar OR mozzerella & pepperoni)
 Bocce’s pizza
 McDonald’s Hamburger Happy Meals (sometimes 2 @ a
time)
 Dairy Queen Dilly Bars made w/ chocolate ice cream

19.  Chances are good that these tastes/foods have
stories attached to them.
 ―Corn on the cob at Chautauqua‖ reminds me of
the summers spent at my grandfather’s cottage.
It reminds me of the close knit family I am lucky
to have.

20.  Choose one of the stories you brainstormed in
any of the activities today.
 Six Word Memoirs
 Tweet Your Life
 I Was a Witness
 My Childhood Tasted Like…
 Do your best to tell that full story in a draft for
next class.
 It will be collected.
 Please type it!