1. Even I Can Write Six Words:
Using Authentic Personal Writing
via the Six-Word Memoir

2. MeMoir—A “reAl-ish” life
story
• “A memoir is how one remembers one’s
own life.” –Gore Vidal
• “Unlike autobiography…memoir narrows
the lens, focusing on a time in the writer’s
life that was unusually vivid.” –William
Zinsser

3. exAMples of six-
Word MeMoirs
Born worried. Grew old. Stopped. Happy.
I don’t know. Please stop asking.
Time is something I never have.
Soul cleansed at corner fire hydrant.
He’s the best in the world.
*Borrowed from Smith Magazine’s Compilation, Not Quite What I was Planning
Web site

4. Writing the story Behind the
MeMoir
• Take notes while we watch the videos of
the different memoirs that interest you.
• In groups of 3, Choose the one that your
group thinks is most interesting.
• Now, as a group, write the story behind
that memoir.

5. Writing your oWn six-Word
MeMoir
• There are many different types of possible
memoirs.
• They can be:
• Descriptive
• Reflective
• Mantras
• Relationships
• Other…

6. 6 Word Memoirs..
• 6 Tips for Writing
• Memoirs from Teens
• 6 word memoirs the video story
• 2008 6 word memoir film

7. noW, it’s your turn!
• Take ten minutes to create as many of
your own Six-Word Memoirs as possible.
• Types are given to help guide you, but
don’t worry too much about where your
memoir fits.
– Use the words you already wrote for homework
for inspiration.

8. 6 Word Memoirs..
• Take a few minutes to tell the story behind your
Six-Word Memoir.
• Your goal is to fill in the gaps left by the fact that
you only had six words at your disposal.
– We’ll take about ten minutes to do this.

9. the story Behind yours…
– After creating your memoir you will be creating
ONE powerpoint slide to go along with it.
– Use pictures/graphics that represent/go along
with your memoir. BUT! You only get one slide-
so be creative. Pictures can be “found” or
personal.
– Save your ppt slide in the “12 merit” folder found
in: student drive > Ms. Cafarelli