How to Write Your Memoir

Creative Non-Fiction
YOUR ASSIGNMENT
Compose a Snapshot Memoir
All snapshots should relate to one Universal Truth
you’ve learned in your life so far
Aim for three “snapshots” in your memoir
One snapshot may be in poem format (it must be
YOUR poem—not someone else’s)
The others must be narrative
Snapshots should be written in present tense
By the conclusion, the reader should be aware of the
Universal Truth that you wish to share
Pre-Writing
Step
Use the Memoir
Organizer to
help you
organize and
test your ideas
before you begin
your rough
draft.
SNAPSHOTS
A picture presents one moment in time
Your snapshots should describe one moment in
time
Snapshots should be very focused!
Tell just what the reader needs to know to
understand the snapshot (they may infer!)
Include some dialogue
Include descriptive passages
Let the snapshot event tell why the experience was
memorable
Drafting Step
Use only one side of the paper!
Remember to write in present tense (as if it were
happening right now)
Paragraph as you draft—don’t wait for your final
Include sensory imagery
Start on a new page for each snapshot
Go back and read over your words periodically as you
write
Revise as needed as you write
REVISION STEP
Revise each snapshot separately
Look for~
Does the snapshot story make sense?
Is it told in present tense (as if it were
happening now)?
Is it told in first person point of view (I, me, my,
we)?
Is there purposeful dialogue?
Does the snapshot story tie into the universal
truth?
EDITING STEP
Read the paper with a careful eye
Mark any conventions errors you find with a red pen
Look for~
 Capitalization
 Punctuation
 Spelling (esp. homophones)
 Verb Tense
 Dialogue Punctuation
PUBLISHING STEP
Type your paper using proper MLA format (get a sample
from the teacher)
Double space
Indent new paragraphs—don’t leave extra space between
paragraphs
Use a size 12 font, Arial or Times New Roman
Title centered, same size and font as the rest of the paper
Capitalize main words in the title
Include your name, teacher’s name, date, and name of
assignment as shown in proper MLA format
TURN IN BY OCTOBER 5th
Staple together, in this order:
1. Rubric
2. Final Copy
3. Rough Draft
4. Memoir Organizer
5. Daily Progress Sheet