A memoir is a true story about something from your life. It will be written in
first person with you as the narrator.
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1. Prewriting: brainstorming, mapping,
outlining
2. Drafting: writing the first entire essay
3. Revising: look for ways to develop the
content
4. Editing/proofreading: fixing spelling,
grammar, and mechanics
5. Publishing/presenting: submitting the
assignment for a grade, reading it aloud in
class, etc.
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When drafting a narrative/memoir, you need
to select a memory or story to tell that
interests you.
Your story needs to have a beginning, middle,
and an end, and you will need to sketch out
these ideas in your planning stage.
Your story will also need a setting, conflict
and solution, characters, and dialogue.
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Setting is WHERE the story took place.
It can be set in your past or present.
Where a story takes place may also affect
what happens. A writer may set the story at a
lake, summer camp, school, your home, etc.
It is important to use description and
SENSORY words (smells, sounds, sights,
textures, etc.) to describe the setting.
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The plot of most good stories involves a
character who faces a problem that needs
solving.
Ask yourself:
1. What is the problem?
2. What characters were involved?
3. What happened before?
4. What will happen next?
5. What is the solution to the problem?
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In a memoir, you will be writing in first person
with yourself as the protagonist.
There might be other characters in the essay.
You need to develop the characters with
some dialogue and a specific physical
description.
Dialogue consists of the exact words of a
character.
 Be sure to use words that reflect the character’s
personality.
 Be sure the dialogue sounds realistic and like
something the character would say.
 Put the character’s exact words in quotation
marks.
 Start a new paragraph when you move from one
speaker to another.
 Use descriptive words to tell how the character
said something.
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“Another piece of bread?” she asked.
“No, thank you very much. I’m full. But it was
delicious.”
“You are too skinny; you don’t eat right, I bet.”
Mrs. Suarez shook her head. “Come
tomorrow and have Sunday supper with us.”
“I really couldn’t.”
“Sure you could. I always make a big supper.”
from “Mr. Mendelsohn” by Nicholas Mohr
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Plan some of the story elements before you
begin the draft.
Identify the setting, which characters to use,
and what the conflict will be.
Find a descriptive way to open the first
paragraph in order to engage the reader.
Know how the story will end.
You should:
1. Capture your audience’s attention
2. include engaging details and/or suspense
3. Delete unnecessary words
4. Vary sentences
5. Use a lot of description
If the introduction is dull, the reader may not
continue reading!!
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“When I stepped out into the bright sunlight
from the darkness of the movie house, I had
only two things on my mind: Paul Newman
and a ride home. I was wishing I looked like
Paul Newman – he looks tough and I don’t –
but I guess my own looks aren’t so bad. I have
light-brown , almost-red hair and greenishgray eyes. I wish they were more gray,
because I hate guys that have green eyes, but
I have to be content with what I have.”
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Start writing and keep writing.
Let your story tell itself.
Try to SEE and HEAR your story as you are
writing it.
Read your essay out loud to see if you need to
make changes.
Worry about punctuation, grammar, and
spelling later.
Take a break if you get stuck.
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Revision includes
revising CONTENT and
TONE in order to meet
the assignment.
You will consider if
sentences are varied and
descriptive.
You can change around
the order of events.
You can add more detail.
You can make sure the
action moves along and
is clearly developed.
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Proofreading is focused
on the grammar and
mechanics of your draft.
After you are done with
revision, you can check
for spelling, punctuation,
and mechanics.
Use a partner to read
your paper and help you
edit for mistakes.
Take advantage of a
computer spell check
and grammar check
when you type the paper.
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Look at your sentence length in your rough
draft. Too many short sentences make writing
sound choppy.
Too many long sentences make your
thoughts difficult to follow.
Try to vary the order of words and phrases to
add clarity and description.
You can also combine shorter sentences that
express similar ideas.
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“Another way that neighborhood people can
help is by volunteering. They can volunteer
their time to work in the neighborhood. They
can pick up trash. They can clear out weeds.
They can also plant grass, trees, and flowers.
This can happen once the work gets started.”
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Mix long and short sentences
Vary the way that sentences begin
Combine sentences when it makes sense to
do so
Use end punctuation correctly
Avoid using the same word or phrase multiple
times in close proximity
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Wednesday, Sept. 28: brainstorming/ bubble
diagram with topic due
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Thursday, Sep. 28: ROUGH DRAFT (typed)
due for peer editing
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Friday, Oct. 5: FINAL DRAFT and all portfolio
materials due for 100 points