Unit 1 - Memoir
A memoir is a personal reflection on a specific memory. Like an autobiography, it is written from your point of view, but unlike an autobiography it focuses on a specific memory or time period rather than a lifetime.
Here are some examples of memoirs:
"How to Eat a Guava" by Esmerelda Santiago
"Tickits" by Paul Milinski
"The Lesson" by Toni Cade Bambara
"My First Conk" by Malcolm X
"Monkey Garden" by Sandra Cisneros
"Girl" by Jamaica Kincaid
"Black men in public spaces" by Brent Staples
You can see the elements of a memoir within all of these examples. You should also notice that even though this is personal writing the author manages to use the elements of fiction as well. Each memoir has a strong plot, creates characters, uses setting, is written around a controlling theme and uses a specific point of view. The other thing to notice about memoirs is that they manage to balance the personal story with privacy.
Here are some pieces of advice to consider before you write a memoir:
Punctuating dialogue rules
"Make me Worry" by Susan Shapiro
Peer Editing Worksheet for Memoir
I also suggest you visit the memoir section of Writer's Digest website for some helpful tips.
Once you have done all of these steps you are ready to write your memoir. Here is the task:
Memoir Task
Here are some examples of memoirs:
"How to Eat a Guava" by Esmerelda Santiago
"Tickits" by Paul Milinski
"The Lesson" by Toni Cade Bambara
"My First Conk" by Malcolm X
"Monkey Garden" by Sandra Cisneros
"Girl" by Jamaica Kincaid
"Black men in public spaces" by Brent Staples
You can see the elements of a memoir within all of these examples. You should also notice that even though this is personal writing the author manages to use the elements of fiction as well. Each memoir has a strong plot, creates characters, uses setting, is written around a controlling theme and uses a specific point of view. The other thing to notice about memoirs is that they manage to balance the personal story with privacy.
Here are some pieces of advice to consider before you write a memoir:
Punctuating dialogue rules
"Make me Worry" by Susan Shapiro
Peer Editing Worksheet for Memoir
I also suggest you visit the memoir section of Writer's Digest website for some helpful tips.
Once you have done all of these steps you are ready to write your memoir. Here is the task:
Memoir Task
Unit 2 - Poetry
The first step for this unit is to read through the chapter on poetry in your textbook. You should also read and complete the following worksheets which are taken from or supplement the textbook:
Figurative Devices
Line Breaks
Rhythm Exercises
Sound devices
Common poetry forms
Catalogue poems
You should also read the following poems as examples of good writing:
"Annabel Lee" by Edgar Allen Poe
"Beat! Beat! Drums!" by Walt Whitman
"God's Grandeur" by Gerard Manley Hopkins
"Let Evening Come" by Jane Kenyon
"Love is Not All" by Edna St. Vincent Millay
"Ode to Autumn" by John Keats
You should also consider this article written by e e cummings about writing poetry:
A Poet's Advice by e e cummings
I suggest you visit my blog section of this website and practice writing the various poetry prompts I have provided.
You have two assignments for this unit which are both attached below:
Writer's Project - this involves researching and studying a poet and their work while also trying to emulate their style
Poetry Anthology - this will be a collection of poems written by others and well as yourself including analysis.
Figurative Devices
Line Breaks
Rhythm Exercises
Sound devices
Common poetry forms
Catalogue poems
You should also read the following poems as examples of good writing:
"Annabel Lee" by Edgar Allen Poe
"Beat! Beat! Drums!" by Walt Whitman
"God's Grandeur" by Gerard Manley Hopkins
"Let Evening Come" by Jane Kenyon
"Love is Not All" by Edna St. Vincent Millay
"Ode to Autumn" by John Keats
You should also consider this article written by e e cummings about writing poetry:
A Poet's Advice by e e cummings
I suggest you visit my blog section of this website and practice writing the various poetry prompts I have provided.
You have two assignments for this unit which are both attached below:
Writer's Project - this involves researching and studying a poet and their work while also trying to emulate their style
Poetry Anthology - this will be a collection of poems written by others and well as yourself including analysis.