Memoir

By: Vincent Xie, Yanjiao Wang, Jumanah Alsaif, Krishnaraj

What is a Memoir?

Definition
A type of autobiographical nonfiction where a writer takes a reflective
stance in looking back on a particular time in his or her life.

OR
A short text focused on a single incident that is meaningful to the author.

Why do we write a memoir?

Gives you a better understanding of who you are through your memories
Writing a narrative makes past takes shape
Provides a clearer vision of who you are today
Learning to organize & communicate your thoughts more clearly
Forming connections with those who read your words

Why do we write a memoir? (Cont. )

lets you share ideas and lessons with others
Your knowledge can help others grow with you
It helps dissolve the hard knots
You can change from someone who never writes to someone who does

Elements of writing a
memoir

1.Narrow your focus

Focuses on one particular moment or series of moments around
a theme.
Example: A memoir written by Frank McCourt memoir. This memoir focuses on Franks
life and Angela is his mother, and much of the storyline focuses on her and how Frank saw
her, as well as the role she played in trying to hold the entire family together.

2. Include more than just your story

Dont just talk about yourself
Example: if Hillary Clinton wrote a memoir about raising a child in the White House, she
would talk about how she handled the media, who she let visit her daughter during
sleepovers, and how she navigated the politics of parenting during her time in the White
House.

3. Tell the truth

Memoirs explore the concept of truth as seen through your eyes
You should simply share your experience
Dont exaggerate or bend the truth in your memoir

4. Put your readers in your shoes

Vivid language
make them feel like they were with you
Example: Perhaps you want to explain that your aunt was a raging alcoholic. If you
say this directly, your description will likely come across as judgmental and critical.
Instead, paint a picture for your audience so they come to this conclusion on their own

5. Use elements of fiction to bring your

story to life

A great memoir pulls you into their lives

What they struggle with
What they are successful at
What they wonder about

focus on a few key characteristics of the characters, allowing the reader to get to know each one in depth

Your readers must be able to love your characters or hate them

Show your readers the locations you describe and evoke emotions within them.

They need to experience your story, as if is was their own

6. Create an emotional journey

Provoke them to read the next chapter
wonders by connecting your emotions.
Take them on an emotional journey to make them read the next chapter
Connect your emotions
Create enough tension to shape your overall story

Audi
o

Audio
What is this audio?
When did you first hear it?
Does it mean anything to you?
does it remind you of any specific memory?

Different Types of Memoir

Dream

Emotional

Documentary

Diary

Mathematics
Survivors

Childhood

Scientific
Political

Food

Travel

Emotional Voice
Style and energy
unique, interesting, and readable manner
Engagement and excitement
Events taking place

Documentary Voice
I never allowed concerns to stand in the way of writing. Ive always felt that as a writer of
memoir, I own my truth and I am free to write about it (Silverman).

Salvador Dali

Memoir VS.
Autobiography

Hemingway
A Moveable Feast
If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then
wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a
moveable feast.

Memoirs
less formal and encompassing
Written by subject
Incidents or events that left a lasting memory
Less factual events

Autobiography
Written by the main character
Detailed chronology, events, places, reactions, movements
Facts!

Lets write a memoir!

A memoir about a trip to a wildlife national park

Works Cited
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Works Cited (cont.)

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Works Cited (cont.)

"The Fundamental Differences between Memoir and Autobiography." Differences between Memoir and Autobiography. N.p., n.d.
Web. 23 Feb. 2016.
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