Memoir Writing Unit. Week 3 May 7 th May 11 th

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Lesley Rose
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1 Memoir Writing Unit Week 3 May 7 th May 11 th

2 Monday, May 7th

3 Today s Target/Goal I can write an introduction that sets the tone, engages readers, and establishes context to pull my readers in and want to keep reading.

4 Inviting Introductions As you draft, it is important to think about how you will introduce your memoir to your readers How will you craft your lead? Your lead, or beginning, has the potential to set the tone for your writing Inviting introductions engage readers and establish context that makes the story enjoyable and easy to understand Options to start a memoir Action Dialogue Set the scene Pose a question Share a reflection or flashback Other ideas?

5 Inviting Introductions Examples Action I dove headfirst into home plate. The mouthful of dirt made my tongue feel coarse and dry as I stood straight up and wiped it away from my face. From the corner of my eye, a waving motion caught my attention as I looked over to the dugout. Coach called me over after the half-mile relay. Head between my legs, heart still on fire, trying hard to catch even a tiny breath. I took that a tiny breath. Just a little airflow back into my lungs. Just enough to stop the burning. Maybe a little bit more would make its way down to my legs, keep them from trembling. What would be the benefits of starting with action? Drawbacks? Dialogue It is the most spectacular day EVER for a baseball game!" I exclaimed as I lathered sunblock all over my face and arms. Derek Jeter must die, I announced. Sets the tone What would be the benefits of starting with dialogue? Drawbacks?

6 Inviting Introductions Examples Reflection (a thought, question, or feeling) What was it about the bay that everyone found so appealing? Is it the calm of the water or the rush you feel when anticipating its quiet exit? What would be the benefits of starting with reflection? Drawbacks? Describe the Setting Splash! The spraying sensation of the ocean was refreshing as it washed over me, greeting me with a hearty "hello" on this beautiful, sunny day. What would be the benefits of starting with setting? Drawbacks? Combine Strategies Question and Description How did I get here? That s a question most of us have asked ourselves at one time or another. But not about the situation in which I now find myself: standing across the ring from someone who looks twice my width despite us both having weighed in at 165 pounds on the button. Not only that, but as the referee has us touch our gloves at the center of the ring, Tipper Sodaman leans forward with a grin as friendly as a mako shark s.

7 Inviting Introductions Think about the best type of introduction for your memoir Try practicing a few different options to see which one fits best with your tone and invites readers into your story Options to start a memoir Action Doesn t have to be a big action Can be a small thing (breathing) Dialogue Great way to set the tone and introduce characters Set the scene Describe the setting Great way to introduce setting Pose a question Makes readers want to keep reading to find the answer Share a reflection or flashback Gives readers context early in the writing Combine strategies Rough draft due Tuesday, May 15 th MUST BE TYPED AND PRINTED BEFORE YOU GET TO CLASS

8 Thursday, May 10th

9 Today s Target/Goal I can use sensory language and relevant details to enhance readers experience.

10 Relevant Details and Sensory Language Adding Details Specific, vivid details Person details Details that will show who this person is, or what his or her personality is like What would the person say? What does the person look like? What are some examples of things the person would do? Place details Conveys sounds, feelings/touch, tastes, smells, and the sights of the setting What does the place look like? Does the place have a smell or a feel? What happens at this place? Object details Relevant details about important objects to highlight their meaning What does the object look like and feel like? What is the history of the object? Why is it important? How does it make you feel? Experience details Add precise language about actions and feeling during the experience/event What were you thinking during the experience? What were people doing, saying, and/or feeling during the experience? Grace Notes Single, interesting words Analogy Give readers something to compare details to

11 Relevant Details and Sensory Language The Bat Boy and His Violin Grace Notes Sashay Rickety (Conveys sound and look) Specific, vivid details Conveys sound Metal cleats stomp onto the kitchen floor. Conveys feel The sun is high, and there was little shade to hide under. Analogy It s a wonder that boy don t sprout mushrooms. TED Ed: How to Write Fiction that Comes Alive Homework Due Tuesday, May 15 th Typed and printed memoir rough draft

Interviewer: Tell us about the workshops you taught on Self-Determination.

Interviewer: Tell us about the workshops you taught on Self-Determination. INTERVIEW WITH JAMIE POPE This is an edited translation of an interview by Jelica Nuccio on August 26, 2011. Jelica began by explaining the project (a curriculum for SSPs, and for Deaf-Blind people regarding