English 11 Memoir writing unit

Memoirs and the Writer’s Voice

Emphasis on college application and scholarship essays

Learning goal

 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.

*Introduce a topic; organize complex ideas, concepts, and information so that each new element builds on that which precedes it to create a unified whole.

*Develop the topic thoroughly by selecting the most significant and relevant facts, extended definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples appropriate to the audience’s knowledge of the topic.

*Use precise language, domain-specific vocabulary, and techniques such as metaphor, simile, and analogy to manage the complexity of the topic.

*Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the information or explanation presented (e.g., articulating implications or the significance of the topic

Memoir excerpts

James Earl Jones Voices and Silences                  Randy Pausch The Last Lecture

Jeanette Walls Glass Castles                                    Malcolm X The Autobiography

Mary Karr The Liar’s Club                                    Demetria Martinez Breathing Between the Lines Paisley Redkal The Night my Mother met Bruce Lee

Bill Bryson Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid

Sara Grumwell Freedom Writers

Part One: Quantity

Journal writing about 14 entries about those experiences that shaped them as a person. Entries should be 150-250 words in length.

Topics include:

A place you visit every day – describe it with great detail. What makes this place important? What kind of importance is it?

Possession you own that you would bequeath (will) to your child or grandchild. Why?

                 

Create a national holiday. What would be the date and what would it be about?

                 

Family heritage – how does it affect who you are and how you see the world?

                 

Describe one bad habit you have. Why is it bad? Why do you do it?

                 

6 word memoir – write it and explain it.

Write about something you collect – how and why do you collect it? How do you store it? What does it say about you?

                 

Identify a time in your life of transition, change, times of ending or beginnings.

Write about someone who influenced your life in some important way. Show this person in action.

                 

What would be the theme song for your life? Why?

                 

Choose a color – list memories connected with that color.

                 

Write about two people or places or things that pull you in different directions.

                 

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

                 

Write about a time you slept outside.

                 

Write about a funny or odd thing that happened in or around your car.

                 

Part Two: Quality

Select an entry to develop and focus according to winning scholarship essays:

As you are explaining why you deserve to win, it is important that you also reveal something about yourself. . .This is why one of the most effective techniques is to share a "slice of your life." In other words, don't try to explain everything. . . if you focus on just one aspect of an experience, you could spend some time going below the surface and share something about who you are, which would be far more memorable. In other words, you would be sharing a slice of your life. (www.supercollege.com/guide)