Lesson in Focus: Memoir

INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION

“In order to write about life, first you must live it.”

-Ernest Hemingway-

How then, do we call this type of immortalizing a “very specific event/story” of a

person’s life about any topic, that only awaits translation no matter how small or

inconsequential? Yes, that’s right! We call it “Memoir Writing” which refers to writing

that relies heavily on memory or recollection.

You don’t have to be a world-famous athlete, politician or actor to write a memoir.

It doesn’t require some super unique or out-of-this-world story to be valuable. A memoir

is about your memories, your story, and if you dig deep enough, you’ll find that you
have

a lot of things to say to the world.

Memoir is from the French word, “memoire” which means “memory” or

“reminisce”. It is a subgenre of creative nonfiction that recounts the experiences of

someone’s life. It involves a public portion of the writer’s life as it relates to a historic

event. Memoirs fall under the same broad category that includes biographies,

autobiographies, and diaries. Some types of memoirs that can be written are, Personal,

Portrait, Coming of Age, Spiritual Quest, Travel, Confessional, Political, and Public

Celebrity. There are, however, some differences between a memoir

and these other kinds of reminiscent writing.

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  Biographies are an account of one’s life written by another person. They are
heavily based on research, whereas memories rely mostly on memory and
recollection.

 A Memoir concerns a very specific life event.

 It is written sometime after the significant period of one’s life, which allows
for profound reflection and introspection on the part of the writer.

 It can be a powerful means of chronicling a historical episode through one

person’s firsthand experience of that event.

 It preserves a moment of history, not just through a documentation of

dates and occurrences, but through the eyes of a person who has lived it.

 It allows one to feel what another person felt as he/she went through an
extraordinary life experience through vivid imagery.

 Memoirs can also be great opportunities to focus on issues that may not
otherwise be given much notice.

Memoir is similar to sharing a part of your life to someone and telling the other

person, “Hey listen, this is who I am, this is what I went through, and perhaps you can

learn something from this shared experience.”

If you can do it as honestly, and as creatively with supporting details of course,

and as effectively, then someone will definitely acquire wisdom and benefit from your

experience without having to live it.

So, in relation to the introductory notes on Memoir, the Performance Task that

follow will guide you on how to do a simple Personal Memoir, and write down important

details about yourself.

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PERFORMANCE TASK: PERSONAL MEMOIR

In celebration of its Silver Anniversary, The Kapit-Bisig Stay Alert, Stay Positive
Organization has chosen MEMOIR as the genre for this year’s, “write for a cause
drive”
which aims to help young people discover and enhance their innate talents. All young
writers will receive certificates of recognition and a cash prize for the winner, plus a
consideration for the publication of the winning piece. Your school in this connection,
decided to send five SHS Grade 11 representatives and you are one them. Competing
participants are encouraged to write from their personal experiences using the following
writing prompt: “The Daily Voice of Pandemic: How has this time changed you during
Lockdown, for better or worse, and what part of your life are you planning to change? ”
All submitted entries will be evaluated by the organization committee, and youth
representatives from the different parts of the country on the criteria found in the rubric
for scoring guide.

Output: Personal Memoir

Guidelines:
1. Preparation of the Manuscript
1.1. The written manuscript must observe originality and must avoid plagiarism,
and it must be written in English.

2. Theme and Organization

2.1. The author must focus on the given theme, must use an appropriate
organizational structure for a memoir, must use effective transitions, and must
demonstrate a clear purpose for writing.

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3. Font

3.1. Entries must be submitted in Word Format in 12 pt. Arial font with 1.5-line
spacing.

4. Length

4.1. Manuscripts submitted must be approximately 200 words.

5. Highlighting

5.1. No highlighting (bold, italics, underlined) should be used within the text body,
except for italics for some foreign language terms.

6. Headings and sub-headings

6.1. Do not use more than 3 different levels of headings and sub-headings.

7. References and Sources

7.1. Use the APA Format (6th Edition) on referencing style where your reference
list should be ordered alphabetically by author and then chronologically by
year of publication.

8. Editorial Basics (Punctuation/Numerals)

8.1. Rules on punctuations marks must be strictly observed

8.2. Use Arabic numbers, numerals below 100 should be spelled out, except for
ages, which should always be given in digits.

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 Scoring Rubric for Memoir Winning Piece

Features Proficient (5) Developing (4) Emerging (3)

Purpose The piece has a The piece has a The piece has a
clear purpose clear purpose purpose
statement and statement and statement.
sticks to it sticks to it
throughout the throughout most of
entire piece. the entire piece
Introduction The piece has a The piece has a The piece has an
strong introduction strong introduction introduction.
that pulls me into that pulls me into
the piece using the piece.
strong words.
Sensory Details The piece The piece contains The piece contains
contains 3 or more 2 sensory details one sensory detail
sensory details and figurative in every
and figurative language in every paragraph.
language in every paragraph.
paragraph.
Memories/Experiences The piece The piece contains The piece contains
contains at least 3 2 memories with one memory that
or more memories the subject that supports the
with the subject supports the purpose
that supports the purpose statement.
purpose statement.
statement.
Exploded Moment The piece The piece contains The piece contains
contains exploded one exploded one exploded
moments that moment that moment.
contain thought contains thought
shots and shots and
snapshots with snapshots.
strong words.
Conclusion The piece The piece contains The piece contains
contains a a conclusion that a conclusion that
conclusion that summarizes the summarizes the
summarizes the memoir and memoir.
memoir and explains what it
explains the has taught the

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 significance in the author.
writer’s life and
what it has taught
him/her.
Organization The piece has a The piece contains The piece has a
clear organization. significant lapses poor and hard-to-
Details are in in organization. follow
logical order and Some details are organization, and
states the point of not in logical ordershows total
the paper. or expected order. disregard for
progression of
ideas.
Grammar Usage and The piece is well- The piece is well- The piece is well-
Mechanics written with written with written with
organization, organization, organization and
transitions, strong transitions and few with several
words and no grammar grammar
grammar mistakes. mistakes.
mistakes.
Punctuality in The piece is The piece is The piece is
Submission submitted on or submitted a day submitted 2-3
before due date. after due date. days after due
date.

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 Caught in the Storm
(Shining a Positive Light amidst the Darkness that the Pandemic brought)

Purpose: My memoir is about the mental health problem that I have experienced in this
time of the pandemic, especially during the lockdown. The purpose of this memoir is to
give significant and adequate awareness of the different mental health problems that
every individual may undergo. This memoir may serve as a reminder that after every
storm comes a rainbow. With substantial hope and faith in our Almighty God, together
with our family, friends, and classmates’ support, we can surpass every obstacle that
challenges us. With our journey, we will receive myriad lessons and knowledge in life.!

Vivian Greene once quoted: “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It is
about learning how to dance in the rain.” Life was ceaseless not until this COVID-19
pandemic brought a menace to the nation. In just a blink of an eye, the world turned
upside down. Many lives have ended as the virus gets us infected. Everything just
seems to vanish, and I always ask myself, “when will everything go back to normal?”

As a student, I’ve witnessed and experienced the traumatic events that this
pandemic has brought. I lost some of my family members, I’ve been feeling the
pressure in my studies, especially now that schools have transitioned from traditional to
new learning modalities, and I developed anxiety. Anxiety is a mental health condition
that involves excessive amounts of fear, nervousness, worry, or dread (Lyness,2014).
During the lockdowns, many negative thoughts invaded my mind and caused me to
break down. I felt like I am trapped, confined, and caught in the storm. Around me is
deafening and painstaking darkness. But then again, I remember that I have God who is
stronger and greater than any of my problems. I have my family and friends who are
there to guide and support me along the way. There I found hope and strength to
overcome my own battles.

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 Amidst this pandemic, we tend to sight things in a negative perspective, not
minding the positive light that shines within. This pandemic taught us to value life, that
health is wealth, and it matters the most today. Healing takes time, we just have to take
everything easy, keep praying, and surrender everything to God, for I believe that
“Where there is despair, there is hope. Where there is sadness, there is joy. And where
there is darkness, there is light.”

References and Sources

Lyness, D. (2014, March 24). Anxiety Disorders (for teens). Retrieved December 16,
2021, from https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/anxiety.html

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