The White Room Name__________________________
Reader's Choice #1: Memoir
“A memoir is how one
remembers one’s own life, while an autobiography is history, requiring
research, dates, facts double-check” – Gore Vidal (1996)
“Unlike autobiography,
which moves in a dutiful line from birth to fame, memoir narrows the lens,
focusing on a time in the writer’s life that was unusually vivid, such as
childhood or adolescence, or that was framed by war or travel or public service
or some other special circumstance” – William Zinsser (1998)
As you read
your memoir, please keep in mind that your final project will be to persuade
others to read this memoir through a presentation (PowerPoint, movie trailer,
soundtrack, talk show, poster, song and dance)…use the power of persuasion
through language and visual means! You might want to use post-its on certain pivotal scenes, or those parts that are
powerful and memorable to you (you will have to refer to at least four). You will also be discussing at
least three characteristics of a memoir
and show how they relate to yours. Consider the author’s purpose, and be ready to justify it with certain text. There will
be certain times in class where we will be looking at Voice Elements in your
memoirs, so please bring that packet of info with your books to class when
asked. Thanks.
Please complete the following with regard to the book that you chose to read for class. (Feel free to use the back for more room.) Be ready to share and discuss the information and the book at any time over the next couple of weeks. (I will let you know when this info and/or your memoir choice will be needed in class.) This work will be handed in for a classwork grade out of 30 pts.
Book Title:__________________________ Year Published: ________
Author:_________________________
If the author is writing about someone else’s life, give a quick bio of the author here:
1. How have you enjoyed your reading experience thus far? Offer support from the book. Have you read the entire book, or part of it?
2. Who is the perfect audience for this? Offer reasons.
3. Offer a brief summary of what you have read so far.
4. What has been the best part so far? Explain, with specific textual examples. (Use Post-its to mark) – write page numbers here…
5. Have there been any boring parts, or anything bothersome or frustrating to you? Explain. Offer textual examples (use Post-its).
6. Pretend that you are attending a book club meeting - list three discussion questions. Be specific to the reading.
7. Locate 3 - 5 (or more!!) special sections to read aloud. Think about diction, detail, imagery, syntax, tone, etc...Use Post-its... (Comment on this here )
8. Review the list of characteristics of a memoir - choose two that you feel are most expressed in this book. Explain.
9. Go to the board and sign your name with the book title either under "YAY" - (awesome read!) or "NAY" - (um, not really my thing :( )
10. An author can have many purposes – other than the telling of this person’s life, list as many as you think your author has. Out of all of them, which is the one that stands out the most? Explain.
11. What is one question that you would have for your author?
12. Vocabulary - Enrich us with some vocabulary from your reading...use Post-its...define...(list a few here)…
13. The Greek philosopher Aristotle labeled three persuasive appeals as logos, pathos, and ethos – logic, emotion, and ethics. If you were to persuade me to read this book, which appeal might you use? Why?
14. Illustrate/Song Connection - Create some type of visual that represents any one part, any character, a scene, an overall impression, idea, theme, etc...you can use this space here, or another piece of paper…OR you can search for a song that relates in theme/character/plot, etc…attach the lyrics and explain. Enjoy!
