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How to Write a Memoir

Ages 15-18

Self-Paced Class

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.

Sarah Leamy, MFA

7 pre-recorded lessons

1 week of teacher support

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1 year of access to the content

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Go at your own pace

Your learner can start learning when they want and progress at the speed that works best for them.

Enroll Now, Start Anytime

Start when you want.

Learn at your own pace

Access course material for a full year.

Get hands-on support from teacher.

About Learning Overview Schedule Teacher Reviews

What's included

7 pre-recorded lessons

1 week

of teacher support

1 year access

to the content

Assignments

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 Week

Unit 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:

TedTalks

Sources

We will listen to short clips of videos (Ted Talks Youth), reading from my own work, and audio clips of other memoir writers.

Meet the teacher

Sarah Leamy, MFA

Joined April, 2024

Profile

Teacher expertise and credentials

Master's Degree in English from Vermont College of Fine Arts

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.