UOFM Personal Experiences Memoir Writing Life Is Like a Puzzle Essay

Memoir Writing #2

Senior English

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In conjunction with our reading of Tara Westover’s memoir Educated, you will write a second short memoir essay, more commonly called a personal narrative. This assignment is worth 100 points.

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Your essay should be 2-3 pages in length, double line spaced, and size 12 font. Your memoir essay must be submitted to the assignment in Google Classroom BEFORE our class on the date it is due.

Due:

Before class on Monday, March 22, for MAROON 2 and MAROON 4

Before class on Tuesday, March 23, for GOLD 1 and GOLD 3

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Memoir #2 List Prompts:

1. What have you done that you never thought you would do?
2. How were your belief systems formed? (Religion, politics, family, etc.)
3. How is your family unique?
4. What is one moment you were afraid to do something but did it anyway?
5. Who was the biggest influence (positive or negative) on your life?

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Remember to incorporate vivid sensory details (“show, don’t tell”) and dialogue where appropriate. It is absolutely appropriate to write this in first-person, so you can use “I,” “we,” and “us” in your narrative. Also, consider narrative technique and figurative language as you write.

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Criteria for grading:

Narrative Technique–engages the reader, details set the scene, consistent point of view, conclusion states why the experience is meaningful.

Organization–events are organized in a way that makes sense, transitional words connect events.

Style– details elaborate on events, people and places seem real, precise words, appropriate diction.

Writing Conventions–Standard English spelling, punctuation, capitalization are used; grammar and sentence structure.