Unit 1: Memoir:
What is Memoir?
What is a memoir or personal essay? 
A true story, told by you, about something that happened to you, that is meaningful in some way.  Generally focuses on one theme.  You may write your nonfiction piece in first, second, or third person, and in past or present tense (or a successful combination.)  If you did not write a college essay for your last paper, you may write one for this assignment.  (Please include the prompt and your word count.)  If you are proficient with the technology, you may also make a digital essay.   

Here is the article we read in class about "How to Write Your Own Memoir"

Here is the piece about "Why Description Matters"

Our reading samples for this unit are from Stephen King's On Writing & Elias Canetti The Tongue Set Free

Unit 2: First Person Narrative: 
What is first person narrative? 
It is a narrative mode where a story is narrated by one character at a time, speaking for and about themselves. First-person narrative may be singular, plural or multiple as well as being an authoritative, reliable or deceptive "voice" and represents point of view in the writing.

The narrators explicitly refer to themselves using words and phrases involving "I" (referred to as the first-person singular) and/or "we" (the first-person plural). This allows the reader or audience to see the point of view (including opinions, thoughts, and feelings) only of the narrator, and no other characters. In some stories, first-person narrators may refer to information they have heard from the other characters, in order to try to deliver a larger point of view. Other stories may switch from one narrator to another, allowing the reader or audience to experience the thoughts and feelings of more than one character.

Writing prompts:
Freewrite: "Objectified. . . " - 20 minutes
Bring in an object of your choice.  Fill out the object character list and then write an inspiring story about your object.  Here are some examples of fun objects come to life: 

Marcel the Shell with Shoes On and TWO- A sample of a first person narrative from the perspective of the shell.

Freewrite: "Object speed dating"
After several rounds of object speed dating, write a story about two objects going on a date.  

Freewrite:  "An odd marriage of sorts":  Today we watched an inspiring talk by JJ Abrams about "The Mystery Box"  Last week you research hummingbirds.  Today you explored rare phobias.  Now, you will marry the two in a creative freewrite:  Hummingbirds + osbcure phobia of your choice = ?  You will have twenty minutes to inspire us and to tell your tale.  What will be the ? box. . . 

Readings, audio files and what not: 

• Below is the video trailer for The Art of Racing In the Rain OR read the first few pages of the novel. 

• Dave Egger's "After I was Thrown Into the River and Before I Drown."  - A short story told from a dog's perspective.  Notice the pacing and voice.
• Steve Mayle, A Dog's Life - Here are the first few pages--another dog's perspective.
• Steve Martin's "Dear Amanda" : Check out the audio file below - This is told from the boyfriend's perspective; it's a classic. 
• Yann Martel in Life of Pi writes from the perspective of a young boy trapped on a boat with other interesting creatures.