The Memory Bank Graphic Organizer – Due on May 9, 2013
Now that you have some good information from your subject, you need to
organize it in a logical order. You will be writing the story of your subject’s life in
the order it happened. However, you may not have received all the interview
information in that order. Take time now to fill in whatever information you have
on the outline.
The outline is meant to be in note form so you may not want to recreate
many details you already have written up in your interview. Instead, you could
refer to the main event and record where it is on your interview. For example:
“Christmas tree story – (Page 3 of interview)”. This will help you be sure to tell
the story in correct place, but save you from rewriting something you have already
created. It is similar to when you add things to your writing, but do not have space
on the page so you have to make a note of where to find it.
It is NOT necessary for you to fill out every section. Your subject may not
remember some things, or some things may not apply such as pets. That is all
right. Everything is included just in case. If you find that there is A LOT missing,
such as a whole section, you may want to contact your subject again.
It is also NOT necessary to limit yourself to the sections on the outline.
Perhaps there is only space for 3 things, but you have 4. Go ahead and add another
number. Maybe you have some information that doesn’t really fit under any of the
topics listed. Find the most appropriate place (childhood, young adulthood, etc.)
and just add it in.
Now is your chance to use what you know about outlining in something you
are creating yourself. It is a good tool to organize information so that you can
begin writing in earnest. Once it is finished, you can really get going!
1
Memory Bank Outline
I.
Early Years (Childhood):
A. Birth (date, place, name origin, doctor, birth order, hospital, etc.)
1.
2.
B. Family History
1.
Mother (maiden name, influences, jobs, achievements,
memories)
a.
b.
2. Father (influences, jobs, achievements, memories)
a.
b.
3. Grandparents (names, memories)
a.
b.
c.
d.
2
4. Siblings (names, memories)
a.
b.
c.
d.
5. Pets
a.
b.
6. Favorite Relatives
a.
b.
C. Family Traditions (holidays, gatherings, rules, special times, etc.)
1.
2.
3.
D. Elementary School (experiences, teachers, plays, etc.)
1.
2.
3.
3
E. Best Friends (names, activities)
1.
2.
F. Favorite Activities, Sports, and/or Games
1.
2.
G. Religion (any details, events, traditions, or experiences)
1.
2.
H. Hobbies (collections, prize possessions)
1.
2.
I. Childhood Illnesses
1.
2.
J. Chores/Responsibilities
1.
2.
4
K. Middle/Junior and/or High School
1. Teachers/Subjects
a.
b.
2. School Life (clubs, sports, proms, hangouts, etc.)
a.
b.
L. Fads (clothing, cars, gadgets, hair styles, jargon)
1.
2.
M. Jobs (babysitting, paper route)
1.
2.
N. Important Events/Memories
1.
2.
3.
O. People Most Admired (movie stars, U.S. President, musician, etc.)
1.
2.
5
II.
Middle (Family) Years:
A. Education (college, post-secondary, adult ed.)
1.
2.
B. Marriage(s)
1. Wedding (“how you met” story, date and place of wedding, etc.)
a.
b.
c.
2. Type of Wedding (particular memories)
a.
b.
C. Children (descriptions, memories, achievements, etc.)
1.
2.
D. Places Lived
1.
2.
6
E. Family Activities (traditions, trips, important events)
1.
2.
3.
F. World Events
1.
2.
G. Career/Jobs
1.
2.
H. Activities
1.
2.
7
III.
Later Years/Present:
A. Activities
1.
2.
3.
B. Travel/Vacations
1.
2.
C. Jobs/Career
1.
2.
D. Volunteer Work
1.
2.
E. Family (activities, changes, etc.)
1.
2.
3.
8
IV.
Reflecting on the Past
A. Influential People
1.
2.
B. Most Important Changes in the World.
1.
2.
C. Most Impressive Inventions
1.
2.
D. Regrets
1.
2.
E. Most Enjoyable Things About Life.
1.
2.
F. Most Difficult Part About Life
1.
2.
9
E. Memorable Funny or Exciting Events
1.
2.
F. Advice to Others
1.
2.
10