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Harry Keaten

Ms. Reed

English 9

13 February

Memoir Reflection

What advice would you offer to someone writing a memoir and why?
I would say it can be hard to think of a memory but you’ll get one eventually. It can be
hard sometimes to think of one. I had a hard time thinking of one but just remember it has to
have a lesson or something you can reflect on. The minimum is two pages which might seem
menacing but really is not at all. Make sure your story is going to be long enough to write about
and you can always add on backstory at the beginning if you need more paragraphs.
What changes did you make from the first draft to the final product? How did you decide
on changes and what impact did it have on the product?
I made some better word choices and some more factual evidence in my paper. I worked
on making it better with more commas and checking with friends to see what they saw. The peer
ediors helped a lot with word choices and repetition in my writing to help me see my mistakes
and make it better.
What was your favorite/most meaningful part of the memoir writing process?
Looking back on the moment I wrote about. Since this moment is important to me
because my friend was there for me and helping me out with an embarrassing time. I acted stupid
but my friend helped me through the situation. Also laughing at myself was nice, and I think I
learned from my mistakes. Also reflecting on the situation made me realize some things about
my friends.
What risk did you take in the project? Why was it a risk? What was the result?
A risk I took was asking my group for help on a title. I was afraid they would laugh at me
for not having a title yet, but they really helped me find a really good title which was a really
good thing for my memoir. Without them I would not have come up with a title.
This project makes me want to know more about/makes me wonder about... because..
This project makes me wonder about what I would do if Jackson was not my friend
because he has helped through a bunch of situations and without him; I don’t know what I would
have done. I am very grateful to have Jackson as a friend and hang out with him and try spicy
wings with him. I feel very happy to call Jackson my friend.
What does this project illustrate about you as a writer?
This project illustrates how I have grown as a writer. I have become more diverse in my
word choices. I am very grateful for that. I have begun using new words and new sentences types
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as I have progressed and integrated into my writing. I feel as though I will continue to grow as a
writer for years to come.