Memoir: Definition and Characteristics Memoir: a piece of writing that tells a story from your life. It is a narrative, and provides a specific snapshot of a single time in your life. It includes a reflection at the end of how this experience has influenced or changed you. – Characteristics: Told in first person…uses I, me, we, us, etc. The time in the memoir follows a sequence of events over a short period of time. – When does the memory begin and end? The memory is a ‘slice of life’ focusing on a specific memory. – What is the main memory in the story? The details show strong emotions that give the memory a ‘heartbeat.’ – What is the heartbeat? The memoir includes the lesson that author learned or the impact it had. – How does the author reflect?

Turning in pieces to Ackerman Typed, double spaced MLA heading Spell checked At the end of your piece (either handwritten on the back or typed as a separate piece of paper)— – What you tried (crafting moves that you’ve noticed from memoirs above or from quick writes that we’ve tried and discussed) – What questions or concerns you’d like help/feedback on – What you’re really proud of

Crafting moves you might try Play with punctuation: – Example: “It was the best experience. Of. My. Life” (“Owen” snapshot by Penny Kittle) Use of metaphor or simile: – Example: “There’s a scum clinging to her like a fine layer of dust after sanding: the taunts that she endured in elementary school” (“Whitney” snapshot by Penny Kittle). Onomatopoeia: – Example: “‘Shhhh heee, shhh heee,’” Momma’s unconscious humming creates the music of my childhood” (“Momma” snapshot by Kendra Ackerman). Use of Humor Variety of Sentence Lengths Hyperbole (Exaggeration for humor or effect) – “After the first hill, we were dead” (Rios “Secret Lion” 184). Oxymoron

Crafting Moves from “Secret Lion” Playing with dialogue structure to communicate tone – “GuyGodthis is perfect, thisisthis is perfect, it’s round, it’sit’s the best thing we’veeverseen. Whatisit?”  Variety of sentence structure; short sentences do what? – “We dug up that whole bank, and we never found it again. We tried.” Figurative language: – metaphor of golf course to Heaven— thinking about the place you felt was heavenly as a child? – Extended metaphor of the SECRET LION—making a connection to audience: losing something important as a child=growing up, becoming an adult. Use of humor Importance of concrete details and use of onomatopoeia – “When I wanted a drink, I lifted my neck a little, put out my lips, and tipped my Coke a little with the crook of my elbow. Ah.” Value of being specific and concise—what’s the heartbeat? Focus there. Cut out all the deadwood.

“Barrio Boy” crafting moves Concrete details: “Even in the alleys, where people knew each other, the houses were fenced apart, without central courts to wash clothes, talk, and play with other children” – Lends to his first impression—separation, clinical feel of place, alien Use of Spanish in the text – Italics Add flavor Tone Sensory imagery—sounds, smells, sights – “imitating the calls of the meadowlark, the water ouzel, the oriole, the and the killdeer” – “La Lee-con” Using phonetic spelling Gives us an understanding of his age and his feeling of being outside of a place

“Kaffir Boy” pp – As you read, please notice and respond to in your Writer’s Notebook: Specific things that you notice about how this text is written—what structures or literary devices seem important? Sticky note repeating phrases or repeating ideas or images. Notice where there are details that enhance the bigger message of the piece? How are those details communicated? Where does the writer show us, use imagery or figurative language? Is it effective? Why do you think the author chose to organize the piece this way? What’s the point of view? How does this POV influence us as readers? How does the piece open? Why might he have chosen this way? What do you think the writer left out of this piece—or cut in revision? What did you notice that you might try in your writing? – Try it out.