Creative Writing: Intro to Memoirs (Telling Our Stories)
In this intro class, we will have examples of different ways other teens have shared their own lives. Telling Our Stories encourages reflection, creativity and helps others understand different lifestyles.
What's included
7 pre-recorded lessons
1 week
of teacher support1 year access
to the contentAssignments
1 hour per week. There will be assignments and writing prompts for each student to practice new concepts for each module/section within the class.Grading
Editorial feedback and suggestions from the class's assignments.Class Experience
US Grade 5 - 8
An introduction to writing non-fiction, that is writing about your life and experiences in ways to build upon your strengths as a writer and human, and how to engage your readers to want more. We will cover structure, scope, forms, gathering ideas, formatting, language etc. I will be offering ideas and suggestions in the video as well as giving you prompts to play with on your own time.
Learning Goals
Lesson Objectives: To write 3 flash pieces of memoir.
To review the options of different genres. Structuring short prose, focused on personal narratives, including a few key writing tips and a smattering of prompts and examples.
Syllabus
2 Units
7 Lessons
over 1 WeekUnit 1: Introductions and Overviews
Lesson 1:
Intro to Memoirs, the how and why
Introduction, why write about our lives? Validation, representation, and permission. The skills developed by the process of self reflection, communication, and others. We'll look at a couple of video clips/audio clips and write with them in mind. Lesson 2:
Styles and Genres
What is the difference between journaling, memoirs and autobiography? We'll look at scope, length, linear/circular, forms, and check out some hybrid examples of each style. Followed by writing prompts and an assignment. 10 mins of video lessons
Lesson 3:
Generating New Material
How do we know what to write? Continuing from the previous prompts, we'll add references to more ways others have told their stories. We'll collect prompts from graphic novels, headlines, music, films, images and more. Time to create a Look Book. Followed by more writing prompts and an assignment. 8 mins of video lessons
Unit 2: Notes on Writing and Presentation
Lesson 4:
What is your story?
We'll see another example of what engages, how to start strong, how to linger at the end with an image or thought that your reader will remember. 7 mins of video lessons
Other Details
Parental Guidance
The focus is on the benefits of writing our stories matters, representation, expression, validation, connection etc. I will talk about how this will help them in life going ahead, whether a writer or not …
Pre-Requisites
PRE CLASS: Find texts, clips of memoirs you love/hate and think about what you would do differently.
Be ready with laptop or note taking paper and pen for writing with prompts.
Supply List
Bring your favorite books or examples of other teenagers writing about their lives.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Sources
We will listen to short clips of videos (Ted Talks Youth), reading from my own work, and audio clips of other memoir writers.
Joined April, 2024
Teacher expertise and credentials
Sarah Leamy, MFA, is a well published author of memoirs, novels, and more. She works as a writing coach, editor, and presenter at Wanderlust-Journal.com and Wild Dog Press, a micro publisher. Reviews
Self-Paced Class
$15
for all content7 pre-recorded lessons
1 week of teacher support
Choose your start date
1 year of access to the content
Choose your start date
Ages: 13-18
