Name: ______________________ ELA 12 Date: ___________________________

Writing Assignment 1: Memoir

“The next thing most like living one’s life over again seems to be a recollection of that life, and to make
that recollection as durable as possible by putting it down in writing.”
— Benjamin Franklin

Due date: Tuesday, October 10, 2023

For this assignment, you will write a memoir of 800-1000 words (approximately 2 pages).
Format:
 Typed, double-spaced, size 12 font
 800-1000 words (approximately 2 pages)
 Have a creative, original title
Features:
 Written in first person
 Includes dialogue
 Universal theme or relatable experience
 Storytelling basics (like setting and plot)
 Explain the memory in detail and in order
 Vivid language and imagery
 Internal thoughts
 Action and reflection
Of course, you will not remember every detail or conversation exactly as it happened. As a
memoirist, you are allowed to recreate the scene as best as you can remember, filling in the
smaller details. Try to capture the feeling of that moment. Don’t worry about having everything
historically correct.
**NOTE: You MUST submit your planning page, draft and editing page with the final copy of
your memoir. The draft of your memoir must be written in class. I will not accept a memoir
without evidence that you wrote it yourself.

Planning Page
Use this planning page to help shape your memoir:
Name: ______________________ ELA 12 Date: ___________________________

So What?
Why does your memoir matter? What is the universal theme or relatable experience?

Who?
Who is in your memoir? List each person and some traits to describe them.

Setting
When and where does your memoir take place? List some words to describe the place. How is
the place important to your story?

Mood
What feelings are connected to your memoir? What do you want the reader to feel?