Understanding Memoirs..a Quick Intro!

What is a memoir?

• A diary

• A type of novel

• A book of memories

• A biography

What makes a memoir different from a diary?

• It's written daily

• It's a work of literary nonfiction

• It's fictional

• It's longer

In a memoir, who gets to be the main character?

• The reader

• The writer

• The writer's best friend

• A fictional character

What can memoir writers do with minor facts?

• Ignore them

• Play fast-and-loose with them

• Fact-check them

• Exclude them entirely

What must the writer of a memoir decide?

• The number of chapters

• Which memories to include

• The ending of the story

• The names of characters

What is essential for readers to be able to do in a memoir?

• Learn a new language

• Imagine the setting and action

• Guess the next event

• Understand scientific theories

How is dialogue presented in memoirs?

• In formal language

• In the way real people talk

• In a foreign language

• In rhymes

What might a well-written memoir teach readers?

• About the writer's life only

• Something about life in general

• How to write a memoir

• Historical dates

What could you say that memoirs are made of?

• Random thoughts

• Paper and words only

• Emotions, good times, bad times and other important ideas and details in between

• Fictional elements

What does the writer have to stir into the story of a memoir?

• Every minor event

• Enough background information to give the reader context

• Only future plans

• Irrelevant details