1. A memoir is a true story about something from your life. It will be written in first person with you as the narrator.

2.  1. Prewriting: brainstorming, mapping, outlining  2. Drafting: writing the first entire essay  3. Revising: look for ways to develop the content  4. Editing/proofreading: fixing spelling, grammar, and mechanics  5. Publishing/presenting: submitting the assignment for a grade, reading it aloud in class, etc.

4.  When drafting a narrative/memoir, you need to select a memory or story to tell that interests you.  Your story needs to have a beginning, middle, and an end, and you will need to sketch out these ideas in your planning stage.  Your story will also need a setting, conflict and solution, characters, and dialogue.

5.  Setting is WHERE the story took place.  It can be set in your past or present.  Where a story takes place may also affect what happens. A writer may set the story at a lake, summer camp, school, your home, etc.  It is important to use description and SENSORY words (smells, sounds, sights, textures, etc.) to describe the setting.

6.  The plot of most good stories involves a character who faces a problem that needs solving.  Ask yourself:  1. What is the problem?  2. What characters were involved?  3. What happened before?  4. What will happen next?  5. What is the solution to the problem?

7.  In a memoir, you will be writing in first person with yourself as the protagonist.  There might be other characters in the essay.  You need to develop the characters with some dialogue and a specific physical description.

8.  Dialogue consists of the exact words of a character.  Be sure to use words that reflect the character’s personality.  Be sure the dialogue sounds realistic and like something the character would say.  Put the character’s exact words in quotation marks.  Start a new paragraph when you move from one speaker to another.  Use descriptive words to tell how the character said something.

9. “Another piece of bread?” she asked. “No, thank you very much. I’m full. But it was delicious.” “You are too skinny; you don’t eat right, I bet.” Mrs. Suarez shook her head. “Come tomorrow and have Sunday supper with us.” “I really couldn’t.” “Sure you could. I always make a big supper.” from “Mr. Mendelsohn” by Nicholas Mohr

11.  Plan some of the story elements before you begin the draft.  Identify the setting, which characters to use, and what the conflict will be.  Find a descriptive way to open the first paragraph in order to engage the reader.  Know how the story will end.

12. You should: 1. Capture your audience’s attention 2. include engaging details and/or suspense 3. Delete unnecessary words 4. Vary sentences 5. Use a lot of description If the introduction is dull, the reader may not continue reading!!

13.  “When I stepped out into the bright sunlight from the darkness of the movie house, I had only two things on my mind: Paul Newman and a ride home. I was wishing I looked like Paul Newman – he looks tough and I don’t – but I guess my own looks aren’t so bad. I have light-brown, almost-red hair and greenish- gray eyes. I wish they were more gray, because I hate guys that have green eyes, but I have to be content with what I have.”

14.  Start writing and keep writing.  Let your story tell itself.  Try to SEE and HEAR your story as you are writing it.  Read your essay out loud to see if you need to make changes.  Worry about punctuation, grammar, and spelling later.  Take a break if you get stuck.

16.  Revision includes revising CONTENT and TONE in order to meet the assignment.  You will consider if sentences are varied and descriptive.  You can change around the order of events.  You can add more detail.  You can make sure the action moves along and is clearly developed.  Proofreading is focused on the grammar and mechanics of your draft.  After you are done with revision, you can check for spelling, punctuation, and mechanics.  Use a partner to read your paper and help you edit for mistakes.  Take advantage of a computer spell check and grammar check when you type the paper.

17.  Look at your sentence length in your rough draft. Too many short sentences make writing sound choppy.  Too many long sentences make your thoughts difficult to follow.  Try to vary the order of words and phrases to add clarity and description.  You can also combine shorter sentences that express similar ideas.

18.  “Another way that neighborhood people can help is by volunteering. They can volunteer their time to work in the neighborhood. They can pick up trash. They can clear out weeds. They can also plant grass, trees, and flowers. This can happen once the work gets started.”

19.  Mix long and short sentences  Vary the way that sentences begin  Combine sentences when it makes sense to do so  Use end punctuation correctly  Avoid using the same word or phrase multiple times in close proximity

21.  Wednesday, Sept. 28: brainstorming/ bubble diagram with topic due  Thursday, Sep. 28: ROUGH DRAFT (typed) due for peer editing  Friday, Oct. 5: FINAL DRAFT and all portfolio materials due for 100 points