Aim: Brainstorming

Questions to write a Memoir

Do Now: Finish writing your memory story from yesterday

The memoir is a form of creative nonfiction in

which an author recounts experiences from his or her life.

- Richard Nordquist

A memoir is not what happens, but the person to whom things happen. - Virginia Woolf

Memoir is a window into a life. - William Zinsser

What is a Memoir?

MEMOIR

mem·oir (mmwär, -wôr)

n. 1. An account of the personal experiences of an author

Formula for a Memoir

Memory + Autobiography (self+life+writing) Imagination-------------------------------------- Memoir

It focuses and reflects on the relationship

between the writer and a particular person, place, animal, or object.

It explains the significance of the relationship. It makes the subject of the memoir come

alive. It maintains a first person point of view.

Characteristics of the Memoir

BRAINSTORMING QUESTIONS

If the subject is a PERSON:

How long have you known this person? When did you first meet this person? How did

you meet? What do you like about this person? How do you feel about this person? What’s the first thing you notice when you see

this person?

What the reader will need or want to

know…

How did you get this object? How long have you had it? How do you feel when you’re with it? Where is it right now? Has it changed since you first received it? What’s your favorite thing about it? Does everyone feel like you do about this object? How has it helped you? Is there a time when you really need it? What if you lost it?

…if the subject is an OBJECT

What are your feelings when you think about this

place? When was the first time you went to this place? What’s your favorite thing to do in this place? Who else comes to this place? If you could change one thing about this place, what

would it be? How often do you go there? Does everyone feel like you do about this place? Is this place the same today as it was in the past? What’s the most important object in this place? Why?

…if the subject is a PLACE

What do you like the best about your pet? What is your pets name? What’s the first thing you notice about this animal

when you see him/her? What is this animal’s favorite thing to do? When and how did you get it? How do you feel when you are with it? Does everyone feel the way you do about this

animal? What’s one funny thing that it does? How does this animal help you or how do you help it?

…if the subject is an ANIMAL (PET)