1. Memoirs are: a story about something specific that has happened to the author. It is a personal recollection or reflection on an event. It may be a story about a specific experience or a feeling. Many memoirs involve friends or family. Memoirs are stories that are important to the writer. Memoirs are not: A story about the author’s feelings toward a subject Something that takes place over a long period of time. Made up. Although at times we make up insignificant details in order to complete the story. For instance, a conversation between you and a parent when you were small. Have you read memoirs? If so, what were they?

2. Memoir Prompts 1.My favorite mistake is…… ALL MUST DO THIS ONE 2.An accident 3.Ouch 4.Teacher/Mentor 5.Book or movie that changed your life 6.Coolest person you know 7.I was in big trouble 8.Moving 9.A conversation that changed you 10.I was so embarrassed when…. 11.A Crush 12.A smell or sound 13.First impressions of people 14.Sickness 15.A time when you didn’t want to but you did it anyway You will choose mistake + 3 from this list or conference with me to create your own.

3. Brainstorming My Favorite Mistake Prompt What is my favorite mistake that I have made? Expression: What details do I recall surrounding that mistake: before, during or after. Reflection: Looking back at the event, have I learned from the experience? What do I take from that mistake?

4. Memoir Pre-Writing Name: This must be turned in, conferenced and approved for points before moving on. Date Due: Who: What: When: Where: Intro: Climax: Conclusion: Things I can show instead of tell:

5. Hooks Dialogue: Creating interesting dialogue gives the reader an idea of what they are getting into as they read your work. Ex.: “We are late, hurry up!” she shouted. Internal Monologue: What is the author thinking? It is another way to get the reader interested. Ex. Why is there blood on my pants, I don’t remember falling, Oh my god, there’s a hole in my leg. Sounds: Depending on the story you are telling, you can catch a reader’s attention by using your onomatopoeias. Ex. Crrrruuuuuuuuukkkk, as his head hit the dashboard. Flashback: Thinking about the past or the end of the story will encourage your reader to want to find out what happened! Ex. I’ve only been in a car accident once but the hospital was enough to change my life. Reflection or Humorous Statement: This can be both serious or humorous, but it should encourage the author to keep reading with just one sentence. Ex. I had never thought about what it would be like to get the diagnosis. Character Snapshot: This gives the reader a glimpse of whether or not they will find the characters interesting or not. Ex. At 6’4”and 250 pounds, she was a mammoth of a woman.

6. Writing a Hook Types of Hooks Dialogue Internal monologue (italics) Sounds Flashback Reflection or humorous statement Character Snapshot Assignment Circle the type of hook on the left you will try in memoir 1. Write your hook below. Have this approved. Name:

7. Show Tell Telling is the process of supplying information. It is basic and gets the idea out. Think of this as informing the reader about something happening. Ex. It’s cold outside. Ex. I fell off the swing Showing is the process of creating an experience in vivid detail. Ex. It’s so could outside my coffee is frozen and so is my snot. Ex. I torpedoed toward the ground, face first cheeks flapping. Make these Tell statements into Show statements. 1.The baby had a big head. 2.I like books. 3.I tripped. 1. 2. 3. Name:

8. Grab a device. Go to a book/music/movie critic website. Find a thing you’ve been interested in acquiring. Most helpful FAVORABLE review (include the review and its author) Most helpful CRITICAL review (include the review and its author) Reviews: Show Vs. Tell We’ve looked at different types of reviews for books online. In our search we have determined that some reviews are better than others. Create a review of a book, film or musical.

9. Writing a Paragraph List what happened in order: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Senses You must have 3 in each paragraph. Sights: Sounds: Smells: Tastes: Touches: Topic: Write your paragraph below:

10. Writing a Paragraph List what happened in order: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Senses You must have 3 in each paragraph. Sights: Sounds: Smells: Tastes: Touches: Topic: Write your paragraph below:

11. Writing a Paragraph List what happened in order: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Senses You must have 3 in each paragraph. Sights: Sounds: Smells: Tastes: Touches: Topic: Write your paragraph below:

12. Direct characterization is something we are specifically told about the character. Indirect characterization is based on inferences based on actions, thoughts or interactions. Creating Characters What do we read from you about yourself? What does that tell us about you as a person? What dialogue do you use to provide information about yourself? What does that tell us about you as a person? What do you say to another person to give us a feeling about you or them? What does that tell us about you as a person? What action do you take that indicates something about you? What does that tell us about you as a person?

13. Characterization Editing List Direct: What do you specifically say about yourself in your memoir? Indirect: What should we infer about you or other people in your memoir?

14. Conclusions A good conclusion wraps everything up, there is nothing missing and the story feels complete. It doesn’t leave you wanting more because you know what has happened. Memoirs are a short piece of writing in a short amount of time, there will never be a sequel or trilogy. Memoirs stand alone. Mentor Text Grab a book that you recently finished, you will use it as a frame of reference for your conclusion writing. Answer the questions below. What book did you look at: What did you think of the conclusion: How did it leave you feeling: What did the author do to give you that feeling:

15. Introduction A good memoir introduction gives you a sense of anticipation. It should encourage you to want to read more but additionally, should get you thinking about what you would have felt like in the same situation. Think of books you abandoned, you probably chose to do that within the first few pages. What made you stay with a different text? Mentor Text Grab a book that you recently started, you will use it as a frame of reference for your introduction writing. Answer the questions below. What book did you look at: What did you think of the hook and intro: Which hook technique did your author use? How did it leave you feeling: What did the author do to give you that feeling:

16. Conclusion Types of Conclusions Reference the Hook page to see how these can be used. Dialogue Internal monologue (italics) Sounds Flashback Reflection or humorous statement Character Snapshot Assignment Circle the type of revisit on the left you will try in memoir 1. Write your conclusion below. Have this approved. Name:

17. Editor Request Form Author: Editor: Paragraph 1 Paragraph 2 Paragraph 3 Paragraph 4 Paragraph 5 Other (specify) FOR Pick 2 Hook Conclusion Flow Sequencing Transitions Organization Sensory details Characterization Answers to prompt Dialogue Setting Edit this part of my paper, pick 2 This is Draft_______ I noticed these places where you glow (are awesome): This is a place you can grow (need additional help):

18. Dialogue Dialogue is the way that a character speaks to someone else. Dialogue should be used to move the plot ahead and shouldn’t just be a filler. A tag is something that gives the reader information about who is saying the quote. Examples: 1.Tag at the end “Creating dialogue is difficult,” said Lindsey. 2.Tag at the beginning Lindsey said, “Creating dialogue is difficult.” 3. Tag in the middle “Creating dialogue is difficult,” Lindsey explained, “but if I look at examples, it is easier.” 4. No tag “Creating dialogue is difficult, but I shall overcome. “ tag

19. Dialogue Directions: Find an example of each of the following types of dialogue. Include the book and page number where you found each example. 1.Find an example of dialogue in which the quotation is before the tag. Book: Page # 2. Find an example of dialogue in which the tag is after the quotation. Book: Page # 3. Find an example of dialogue in which the tag is in the middle of the sentence. Book:Page # 4. Find an example of dialogue in which there is no tag. Book:Page # 5. Write an example of dialogue in which the quotation is before the tag. 6. Write an example of dialogue in which the quotation is after the tag. 7. Write an example of dialogue in which the tag is in the middle of the sentence. 8. Write an example of dialogue in which there is no tag.

20. Dialogue Quiz Directions: Use all four types of dialogue, including correct capitalization and punctuation, indicate which is which using the directions below. 1. quotation before the tag ---underline 2. tag in the middle of the sentence– dashes 3. quotation after the tag---squiggly underline 4. quotation with no tag-- circle Also, include 2 different descriptive tags. Ex. She shouted! Or She said nervously. Your story must make sense, and start with the following sentence as part of dialogue; I thought you left for good

21. Mistake 1

22. Mistake 2

23. Mistake w/Positive OutcomeMistake w/Negative Outcome