Six Word Memoirs Bellringer 815 Take a seat

Six Word Memoirs

Bellringer 8/15: • Take a seat at any desk • On the paper you’ve been given, make a list of some things that are important to you (i. e. , they matter to you).

Definition • mem· oir • [mem-wahr, -wawr] noun 1. a record of events written by a person having intimate knowledge of them and based on personal observation. 2. Usually, memoirs. – a. an account of one's personal life and experiences; an autobiography. – b. the published record of the proceedings of a group or organization, as of a learned society. • 3. a biography or biographical sketch.

So… • Memoirs are a literary nonfiction genre much like an autobiography. However, unlike an autobiography, which tells a complete life story, a memoir tells a story from a life, such as one event or memory that helped shape them as a person

Six – Word Memoir A memoir in only six words.

History • It all started with a challenge to Hemingway. • In November of 2006, Smith Magazine challenged its readers to do the same. • Now, at least 8 books have been published, along with the creation of a page-a-day calendar, a game, and countless videos. (Check Smith Mag’s website and You. Tube. ) http: //www. smithmag. net/sixwords/ FOR SALE: baby shoes, never worn. ~ Ernest Hemingway

Example: • You are beautiful, inside and out!

Watch some examples from one high school class: • https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=USz. LQx. EEUw

Here are some other examples: • Many years learning, many years thinking • by Josh in Josh Beale’s class Creative writing, at Holly springs high school in North Carolina • Life is like running, it's tiring. on February 2, 2015 • by Aidan in Mrs. Johnsen's Class’s class English, at Great Lakes Academy in NA on January 30, 2015 • The Sun ALWAYS Rises: Scatters Darkness • by Mrs. Johnsen in Mrs. Johnsen's Class’s class English, at Great Lakes Academy in NA on January 30, 2015 • The good wins- the evil fail. • by Grant in Mrs. Johnsen's Class’s class English, at Great Lakes Academy in NA on January 30, 2015

Create a personal 6 WM ASSIGNMENT: Write a personal six-word memoir that: • Describes you, • Explains your life, • Encapsulates a pivotal point in your life • Summarizes your life’s motto or mantra, or • Inspires you (These are just ideas to get you started. )

THE ANSWER TO THE MOST POPULAR QUESTION: NO! SIX-WORD MEMOIRS CANNOT BE FIVE WORDS, THEY CANNOT BE SEVEN WORDS … THEY MUST BE SIX WORDS LONG! (YOU CAN DO IT. )

HOW TO WRITE YOURS: 1. Brainstorm some ideas and make a list of things that matter to you. (already done in Bellringer 2. Condense one of your brainstorm ideas into six words. (This may take a few drafts. ) 3. Write more than one version … play with it! 4. Contractions can help you. (are not aren’t) 5. Adjectives and adverbs: add or remove to help create the 6 -word format.

PUBLISH & SHARE! Present your 6 WMs to the class on Thursday

They need to include an illustration Illustration can be hand-drawn, cut and pasted pictures from magazines, downloaded from computer or your camera.

But you must produce and turn in a hard copy. Part of the grade is presenting and explaining it to the class.

YOUR TURN: Write a personal six-word memoir.

6 Tips for Writing Six Word Memoirs • 1. Make your six-word memoir personal and honest. • 2. Use the Six Word limitation to inspire creativity. • 3. Think about the emotion/tone you wish to express through your writing. • 4. Put the six best words in the best order to express exactly what you want to communicate. • 5. Consider where you will place capital letters and punctuation marks. • 6. Get inspired from reading other six-word memoirs. • When you present you will say, “This means…. ” and “I chose this because…. ” (and tell how it relates to you personally).

My 6 WM: Always a mother, now a friend.

SUPPLIES OFFERED • • • Paper Markers/crayons/colored pencils Scissors Glue Magazines

Examples • I will show you more examples of six word memoirs that capture each stage of my life.

Always a mother, now a friend.