Memoir Autobiography Biography Personal Narrative Understanding Memoir Memoir Autobiography Biography Personal Narrative

Biography History of a lifetime – usually covers entire life Most important facts and events of someone’s life Contains anecdotes, memories, journeys, and cherished moments Is about another person- events and experiences seen through different “lenses”

Autobiography Reveals who you are in life – Based on facts and research Explores what life means to you – Your feelings, both past and present May uncover your outlook on the future Written by same person being revealed

Personal Narrative Focus is on a particular event in a person/writer’s life 1st person Uses diction and sensory details to express emotions that place the reader in the personal experience

Memoir Autobiographical writing Captures certain highlights or meaningful moments in one’s past Contemplation of the meaning of that event at the time of the writing of the memoir Often connects the writer to someone or something that had an impact on their life

Characteristics of the Memoir Form Focus on a brief period of time or series of related events Narrative structure (storytelling elements like setting, plot, imagery, characterization, foreshadowing/flashback, and irony and symbolism) Retrospective Fictional quality—rich description and detail Higher emotional level/more personal reconstruction of the events and their impact

Memoirs – Another perspective Explores an event or series of related events that remain lodged in memory Describes the events and then shows, either directly or indirectly why they are significant WHY do you STILL remember them? Focused in time (not long) Focuses on problem/conflict and its resolution and why the resolution is significant in your life

Good Readers Make connections Question Visualize Infer Synthesize To what they know and have read To what they have experienced Question Visualize Infer Synthesize