Thursday, May 4, 2017

Class Work

First, the war essays will be returned. READ my remarks and follow the instructions. Let me know if you have questions.

Today we will be peer editing the memoir drafts. CANVAS has assigned you two essays to edit.

Reminders about memoirs:

“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” —p. 15 of Inventing the Truth: The Art and Craft of Memoir by William Zinsser (Mariner Books, 1998)



http://www.dummies.com/education/language-arts/getting-published/memoir-writing-for-dummies-cheat-sheet/

See below:

• A sympathetic main character: A reader’s sympathy and interest doesn’t come for free. You have to earn it. Make this a priority for your main character to come across as sympathetic, and readers will appreciate it.
• Vividly depicted scenes: A vividly depicted scene has strong imagery that creates a movie in the mind of readers. Strong scenes like these are memorable and lasting.
• Emotional tension: An emotionally involved reader will keep reading. Find a way to create and heighten the emotional impact of your story. Every story has emotional tension. Make sure you have the distance or outside guidance to find it and fully explore it.
• Increasing sense of drama/conflict: A story that builds increasingly toward the climax comes across as purposeful. How do you build? Ratchet up the conflict. Show how the stakes are raised. Make readers know what might be lost.
• A satisfying ending: Note that this is a satisfying ending versus a good or bad ending. No matter how the main story of your memoir ends, it should wrap up the main story tensions and bring a sense of closure.

As you read each memoir, check the following:

Did the author:

___ write about him or her self? 

___ Provide a clear setting of time and place?

___ tell a story?

___ provide dialogue?

___ have a point or message or lesson learned? This is a key point in memoir writing. What was it? 

___ have a great ending? 

What was the most interesting part of the story? 

What suggestions for revision do you offer? 

Also check for proper grammar/usage/and mechanics. 

You should be able to respond to these points on the essay in the editing mode. 

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Exam notes: 

Once your memoir has be edited by two readers, you are ready to revise, print, and bring a paper copy to the exam. You will also be required to submit an electronic version on CANVAS during the exam time. Also plan on reading part of your memoir to the class in a readers' circle format. (Two minute limit.)

EMCC guidelines require your physical presence on the day of the exam in order to pass the class.  Plan accordingly. If you car dies, call a friend or call a taxi.

If you are ill, you will need to have a medical note and make arrangements to meet with me. 

If there is a family emergency, contact me. DO NOT miss the exam!