Warm Up: Questions (7 minutes) 1. What is a memoir? Hint: Look inside the word for a root word and think about the kind of stories we have been reading as a class. 2. Explain what it means to read as a writer? How is this different than reading for just comprehension (understanding)?

Answers Add to your warm up as we discuss. 1. The root word of “memoir” is…… memory So, a “memoir” is a piece of writing in which the author reflects on a memory. What memories did the authors that we read reflect on? Raise your hand to answer.

Answers Add to your warm up as we discuss. House on Mango Street? Memories of her homes (including her new house) and how none of them were what her father had promised The Follower? Memories of his unapproved friendship with the Pagoda brothers and the crazy stunts they pulled The Bike? Memories of disobeying his mother by riding his bike on Sarah Street and the consequences that followed Eleven? Memories of being humiliated by her teacher and how this ruined her eleventh birthday

Answers Add to your warm up as we discuss. 2. To read as a writer means….. …..reading something in order to use it as an example for your own writing. It means taking the next step as a reader and a writer  moving from comprehending the story to analyzing the story. To do this, you have to analyze parts of the story, such as: how the author begins and ends the story what images and similes the author uses: “It (my arm) hung limply by my side like an elephant’s trunk.” how the author uses dialogue That’s why you filled out the analysis chart, to get you thinking like a WRITER. What memory might you write about?

Memoir Prewriting Make a list of 5 possible memories that you could write a memoir about. Write these in your notebook. (3 minutes) Share your list with a partner. You’ll have to explain what each one means. (10 minutes) Now, think hard about which memory to write about. Ask yourself: Which memory has the most details and imagery? Which memory has a lesson that I learned (or didn’t learn)? Which memory is the most entertaining and original? Finally, put a star * next to the memory that you want to write about.

Memoir Prewriting Now that you know what you’re going to write about, you need to plan your story. Sitting down and just writing isn’t an option. On your planning chart, answer the following questions: IDEAS: What is the main idea of your story? What do you want people to learn after reading your story (the lesson)? What characters will speak in your story (external dialogue)?

Memoir Prewriting ORGANIZATION: How do you want to begin your story? You could use a flashback (like “House on Mango Street”); you could jump right in with the action (like “The Follower” and “The Bike”); or you could start by describing your feelings (like “Eleven”). What details do you want to make sure you use in the middle of the story? How do you want your story to end? (Do you learn a lesson? Do you reflect on your feelings?)

Memoir Prewriting VOICE What tone do you want to use in the beginning, middle, and end of your story? (pessimistic, disappointed, excited, defiant, desperate, etc.) What words can you use to express the tone or tones that you will use? Write at least 5 good tone words. Example: An angry tone may use words such as: hurled (a book), growled (at my sister), furrowed (my eyebrows), clenched (my teeth), stomped (out of the room)

Memoir Prewriting WORD CHOICE (diction) How will you describe the characters and setting in your story? What similes could you use to do this? Now, share your planning chart with a partner. Give each other ideas and help each other clarify and add to what you have.