Radical Revision of Memoirs

Take the first 1-3 paragraphs (or first 1/2 of page one) and radically revise it. Think about how we wrote scenes from different POVs in Finding Nemo and CSI (even the gun's POV!). What can you do so drastically different that would make your piece read completely new? It will feel uncomfortable and you may hate it. The point isn't necessarily to find a new way to tell your story but to experience how revising radically feels. You want to know what your students are going to feel, because many will write only first person through their own eyes. When you get them to step out of their comfort zone, you need to know how they will be feeling. And perhaps along the way, you might find a different way to tell your story. What if you keep your POV but insert another between sections? These are ways to revise radically. Change the narrator, change the tone, but do something completely different. Post your radical revision to our blog by class time tomorrow. We are not meeting for class (I'm at DESE), but you can use that time (or any time) to respond to at least 3 people's memoirs you had read before. Make constructive comments (PQP)!

Blog #7: Ch. 6 in Gallagher

•       What did you learn in this chapter that would improve your writing (about purpose or audience)? What is something you learned in the chapter that will help you become a better teacher? Address both concepts in your post; be sure to respond to at least 4 classmates. Post by Tuesday Oct. 21, reply by Sunday, Oct. 26^th

Blog #6: The Memoir Process Part II

Editing or Revising...which do you like better and why? Share as a writer first, but then if you want to add more as a future teacher, think about how you would package/sell this to your future students! :-)

The Memoir Process Blog #5

As you work on Draft #1 of your memoir, address both parts of this:

1. How is it going? What is easiest for you? Hardest for you?

2. What part of this process/assignment will you use with your future students? Or if you're in a content area, how could you adapt this for your classroom?

As always, be sure to respond to at least 4 classmates' blog posts.