Assignment Description and Purpose
The how-to memoir is a popular genre that comes in all different forms, lengths, and styles. Maybe youve seen one before, or maybe its a whole new genre to you. We will read several examples that will serve as models and that will help us consider what this genre attempts to do, how it incorporates personal experience, and how it is adapted to meet audience expectations. Basically, in a how-to memoir, writers reflect on their own experience or areas of expertise to help other people accomplish some task.
As is true of many How-to memoirs, in this project, you will be writing for an audience of your choice that very likely wont be an academic audience. The purpose of this first assignment will be for you to practice genre analysis as you use your personal experience and expertise alongside research to help your readers learn something or to share something you have lived through or experienced.
Audience
I, as your instructor, am your primary audience for this essay, but you will craft your memoir to meet the expectations of an audience of your choosing. Ask yourself: Who would be most interested in your instructions/guidance? How can you best meet the needs/expectations of that audience? What writing style would best reach them?
Instructions
The length of your memoir will vary based on the topic, but shoot for 2-3 typed, double-spaced pages. Your memoir will need to have a clear focus and purpose; a
strategy, including effective transitions between your ideas; and to illustrate your experiences and instructions.
The examples of how-to memoirs we read for class will vary significantly in their style and approach, but you can model your memoir after one of them or just take pointers from their strategies. Consider the following questions:
clear organizational
specific details
- How is the memoir written to appeal to its intended audience? Is the writing style formal or more conversational?
- Does the author weave their own experiences in with the instructions they give, or do they have an introductory section in which they give background information about their experiences?
- Does the author number their instructions, or do they simply present them?
- Are the instructions easy to follow?
- How does the author wrap up/conclude their memoir?Drafting and RevisingAfter completing a draft, we will have a collaborative peer review session in which a few volunteers share their memoirs with the class. We will talk about possible revision strategies and Prof. Hermansen will take a look at your draft and make suggestions.Format, Length, & GradeYour essay should be 2-3 typed, double-spaced pages. Use 12-point Times New Roman font with a proper heading. If you use sources, please cite them.
- How-To Memoir Rubric
Criteria Excellent Competent Slightly Below Expectations Significant ly Below Expectatio ns Incomplete Focus The memoir is focused on a specific topic and gives clear instructions or guidance for a specific task or activity. The memoir is mostly focused and centers around a clear topic. The memoir could benefit from being more focused or centered around a specific topic. The memoir somewhat lacks focus or contains unclear instruction s. The memoir completely lacks focus or does not contain clear instructions. Content & Organiz- ation The memoir has a clear organizational strategy that makes it easy to follow and read. It tells a story in an organized fashion and communicate s the so what of a big idea for your audience. The memoir is clearly organized and easy to follow. The writer maintains a consistent organizational strategy. The memoir clearly shows how an experience changed/impa cted/was important to the writer. The memoir is almost entirely well- organized and easy to follow, though some areas might lack organization. The memoir is somewhat disorganize d and diCicult to follow in some places. Several areas might lack organizatio n. The memoir is largely disorganized and diCicult to follow in many places. It includes irrelevant events and details that confuse the reader. No attempt to clearly arrange ideas. Style The writer uses clear, compelling, and eCective language, engaging the audience well. There are minimal instances of unclear language. Mistakes do not interfere with understanding. There are numerous instances of unclear language. Mistakes often interfere with understandin g. There are many instances of unclear language. Errors interfere with clarity and understand ing. Little attempt to follow the assignment prompt.
