2Nd Marking Period Independent Reading

Genre Study: Memoir

What is a memoir? A memoir goes deeper than simple nonfiction. It is more than an autobiography. It is a piece of writing that focuses on a relationship between the author and an important time, place, person, or thing in his or her life.

Outside of class, you will be reading a memoir of your choice. This book will serve as a touchstone text—a text that you will study as a model for your own writing craft. As a class, we will also read various mentor texts—pieces that we as a class will examine for the qualities of a memoir—that will help us to explore the genre.

------SUGGESTIONS------

A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls Angela’s Ashes, Tis or Teacher Man by Frank McCourt Waking by Matthew Sanford This Boy’s Life by Tobias Wolfe Night by Elie Weisel Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim or other works by David Sedaris Marley and Me by John Grogan Dreams of our Fathers by Barack Obama Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs Conversations with Myself by Nelson Mandela

**Please check the eBoard for links to lists of suggested or must-read memoirs. Also, see the media specialists and use the library catalogue for more suggestions and further options.

------IMPORTANT DATES------

Book selection due: Wednesday, February 23 In-class Reading Day: Friday, February 25 Reading goals:  50% & Literary Letter by Monday, March 7  Finish book by Monday, March 14 Media Center: Thursday & Friday, March 17 & 18 Memoir Peer Edit: Wednesday, March 30 Final Memoirs Due: Monday, April 11

Genre Study: Memoir Defining Memoir: Memoirs explore relationships—actually, a particular relationship that is or was essential to the writer’s creation of self. These relationships exist between the writer and any significant subject in his or her life. These subjects may be important or memorable for various reasons.

People Places Objects Animals/Pets Experiences

As a form of narrative, memoirs often follow a structure similar to other stories. In other words, memoirs often contain a conflict, turning point, and resolution, though this is not always the case.

Creating Memoir: Memoirs, being grounded in one person’s truth, need to create a need for the reader to be invested in the story. Simple description and straight-forward recollection aren’t going to be enough to engage a reader. Because of this, writers of memoir—like the writers of fiction—need to embrace the power of language. Literary devices and other narrative techniques will aide the writer in crafting a piece that is engaging while facilitating the reader’s enjoyment and understanding of the story. The relationship being discussed needs to matter not only to the writer but to the reader. Imagery can make this happen.

Imagery & definition: Example 1 Example 2 Visual Auditory Tactile Olfactory Gustatory Kinesthetic Organic