Autobiographical Poem & Memoir Snapshot

Name______

Date/Class______

Autobiographical Poem & Memoir Snapshot

(25 Project Points)

Objective: This assignment will require you to write clearly and effectively about a particular memory that has had a large impact upon you as a person. You will write a list poem and then use it as a springboard to help you write a page long memoir using the “Show, Don’t Tell.” method.

Part 1: Where I’m From Poem: Take notes from our class discussion on this sheet about the poem “Where I’m From,” by George Ella Lyon. Using Lyon’s poem as your inspiration, compile a list of specifics that reveal your roots. Specificity is the key – exact things and images, places, traditions, sayings…Let where and what and who you are from reveal how you have become who you are now.

Part 2: Observe the types of details you have revealed about yourself in this poem. Use the details from your poem as a creative springboard to write a memoir (1.5 page minimum) based upon one of the writing prompts below. Please check the writing prompt that you would prefer to write about.

____Focus your memoir on a memory about one of the specific places listed in your poem. Where is this place? What imagery can you use to help your reader imagine this place? What are some important events that have taken place here that have helped shape you as a person?

____Consider the people you have listed in this poem. Think about specific conversations, gestures, and experiences you have had with these people. What memory can you write about involving these people that would reveal what type of impact they have had upon you as a person?

____Did you write about food or any specific family traditions? If so you may choose to write about a specific memory involving a family tradition and how it reveals something about your identity. Food for instance, could open into a scene at the table with family members having a conversation. You might then end the conversation and explain how the memory of the conversation reveals something about unique about yourself.

____Did you write about an object? A significant object could open into a sensory exploration of the object-what it felt, sounded, smelled, looked, and tasted like. You could discuss where it came from, what happened to it, or another connection you have with it. Is there a secret or a longing connected with this object? A message? If you could go back to yourself when this object was important to you, what would you ask, tell, or give yourself?

____ Focus on a saying or an important belief you have. Something someone said to you, for example could open into a memoir which captures that moment and involve what you wanted to say back but never did.

Grading Rubric:

Category / 5 Superb / 4 Satisfactory / 3 Needs Work / 2 Unsatisfactory
Content: / Student writing effectively focusses on one of the writing prompts. Writing demonstrates an extensive use of “Show, Don’t Tell.” / Student writing focusses on one of the writing prompts. Writing contains some use of “Show, Don’t Tell.” / Student writing lacks focus. Writing shows one example of “Show, Don’t Tell.” / Student writing lacks focus and does not display an understanding of “Show, Don’t Tell.”
Organization: / Memoir is well written and is sequenced chronologically. / Memoir is well written with 1-2 errors in sequence. / Memoir contains some sequence errors making it slightly difficult to understand, / Memoir contains some sequence errors making it slightly difficult to understand,
Grammar &
Spelling / No grammar, spelling or punctuation errors. / A few punctuation, spelling, and or grammar errors. / Contains more than 4 but less than 6 punctuation, spelling and grammar mistakes. / Contains a great deal of punctuation, spelling and grammar errors.
Length Requirement: / “Where I’m From” poem is completed and has met the 1.5 page minimum. / “Where I’m From” poem is complete, but falls a little short of the page and a half minimum. / “Where I’m From” poem is complete, but the memoir is less than a page. / “Where I’m From” poem is incomplete and the memoir is less than a page.

Student poem example:

1. I Am From This
   By: Mai Sheng Vang

1.  I am from the jump ropes and hop scotch
Of this small elementary school across from house
In this somewhat peaceful neighborhood
With wide streets and chirping birds
I am from the laughters after every TAG you’re IT Games
From knowing nothing but only FUN FUN FUN

I am from the crowded faces of Luther Burbank High School
From being in long lunch lines that stretches like the sea
From eating in the same classroom everyday
With the same clique High School have selected me in
From knowing no one other than my own classmates

I am from the cries of Happy and Sad moments
From getting the best job yet to failing to succeed
I am from the drops of sweat
From thinking and working to my limits in the cold offices
I am from the screams of stress of perfection
From thinking only of WORK, WORK, WORK

1.  Patrick Vue (Ice)Says:
May 18th, 2011 at 3:07 pm

Where I’m From:
I am from the Ocean,
The bottom of the deep lone sea,
I am darkness from within the ocean,
Confuse, lost, like sharks,
I am the rebirth of Loneliness, Pain and Love,
I am from the depth of Devil’s Angels,
I am with my Soul, Life, and Tradition,
I am from ROTC,
From big rooms to louds ones,
From the Pain and Shame,
I’m from Alecka and Ashley,
The two Soul that brings Life to my Soul,
They are the Verse to my Song,
I am From Mai’s Heart,
Peaceful, Calmness, and Sympathy,
From Her Tears to Mines,
The Confessions she gives to my Goodbyes,
The Mains and Generation, there for Protection,
Spilling Goodbyes, Waterfalls of Tears,
I am Lost Within Her,
Snapped Before my Tears shed,
The Mains, Generations, and Mai’s smiles,
The tree has grew Branches as I Confess,
And Shed my Tears for her
From the Pain and Joy of Love for Her
I am From Mai