Section outline

  • PLAN & DO / WHAKAMAHI

    PLAN & DO / WHAKAMAHI learning intentions:

    • We are PLANNING to adjust their use of spoken, written, and visual language (e.g., conventions, style, vocabulary) so that we can communicate effectively with a variety of audiences and for different purposes.
    • We are PLANNING to use a variety of technological and information resources (e.g., libraries, databases, computer networks, video) so that we can gather and synthesize information and to create and communicate knowledge about our lives - who we are and where we come from.

    Kia ora...

    Success Criteria: I can/have...

    • examine the lyrics to songs and describe how the music and words relate to their life stories.
    • organize their thoughts and express their stories by using PowerPoint / Google slides presentations.
    • improve technical skills by familiarizing themselves with PowerPoint / Google Slides.

    evaluate their own work.



    Activities

    Today we are looking at descriptive writing.


    Make a list of what you can 

    • see
    • hear
    • feel
    • smell
    • possible taste

    In this picture


    Write a paragraph describing this moment in time for this young lady.

    Run through the powerpoint on Google Classroom for today



      Autobiographies

      Everyone has a story. We are a compilation of them, and everyone's story is different. In this lesson, we'll learn about how to tell our stories using numerous strategies and formats, along with some tips and tricks to get our creative juices flowing.

      An autobiography is a story about one's life written by the person. This person could be writing their story to learn more about their life, pass on their experiences, or engage others for entertainment. Whatever the purpose, the writer is attempting to convey their life experiences through the words on the page.




      Formatting

      There are many formats when it comes to writing about one's self. Let's take a look at some of the most common ones that can help you get started on your writing journey, including memoirs, vignettes, dramas, and more.

      The traditional autobiography covers a person's life from birth to the present moment. Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl and Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela are both examples of traditional autobiographies.

      A memoir limits the information presented and, unlike the traditional structure, focuses on certain moments and/or themes in a person's life, such as historical, philosophical, religious, coming-of-age, adversity and many more. Popular works such as Angela's Ashes, Eat, Pray, Love, and Night are examples of memoirs.

      Personal narratives or essays narrow the focus even more than a memoir, looking at one moment in time and expanding the experience through dialogue and imagery. We typically see this type of writing in the classroom and articles published in magazines or online blogs.

      Vignettes are short chapters that cover one specific event at a time. A collection of vignettes can be published as a complete work. However, each chapter doesn't directly connect to the others. Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris is an excellent example of an autobiography in vignette format.

      Graphic novels are unique, as they use drawn or cartoon panels to convey a true story. Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi and Maus by Art Spiegelman are two examples of authors telling their stories through words and pictures.

      Drama or scripts can explore autobiographical topics through dialogue on stage or in film. For example, The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams is a play that explores his rise to fame.

      Steps to Success

      While there isn't one way to write an autobiography, there are many pitfalls where one can get lost in the writing process. Here are some steps to organize your thoughts and writing.

      1. Outline Your Thoughts

      Write down key points that you know you want to cover before you begin writing. Figure out what you want to say before you lock yourself into a format.

      2. Select Your Format

      Before you begin writing, decide on the format you think would work best. If you want to focus on one moment in time, an essay, vignette, or memoir may be the best option. If you want to focus on a larger timeline, a traditional format or memoir may work for you. Give yourself some time to see what feels right. Outlining your thoughts should help you see the length of your piece and how each experience is connected, if at all.

      3. Show, Don't Tell

      Put the reader directly into your experience. Use vivid imagery and figurative language to make the scene feel real. Don't simply tell the reader what happened to you; write the experience in a way in which the reader is there with you in the memory. What did you see? What did you smell? Were there sounds that caught your attention?


      Tips & Tricks

      Remember, there isn't one way to successfully write an autobiography. Here are some tips and tricks to get your story on the pathway to success:

      Know the purpose of writing your autobiography. Keep this in mind as you write. This purpose can help you stay on track, remove unnecessary information, and keep your thoughts organized.

      It's not possible to write every single moment into your story. When writers try to do so, they get lost in unorganized content, and their readers become bored. Focus on the key points and be ready to kill your darlings.

      As writers, we can get lost in the things we know about our experience. Sometimes we don't add enough information for our readers to see the big picture. Other times, we can add too much. Having others read your work can help you see the gaps in understanding and places that simply need work.

      Every writer has encountered a moment of struggling to come up with words he or she wants. Don't fear writer's block! There are ways we can combat this mental block. Pick up a copy of Roald Dahl’s copy of Boy, memoirs of a childhood. While this text can be helpful in regards to writing, it's a series of true vignettes about her life. Stephen King's On Writing is a memoir about his life with regards to how he got into the art of writing. Both can model style and format while offering tips of the trade.

       

      What is a Vignette - watch the video.


       


      Lesson Summary

      Let's review. When thinking about writing an autobiography, a story about your life experience, there are several things to consider. First, what do you want to say? Do you want to write about one experience or more? After creating an outline, decide which format you want to use. A longer story could result in a traditional autobiography or memoir, and a shorter story could result in a compilation of vignettes or even a graphic novel. Whichever you choose, remember to keep your purpose at the forefront of your mind; show, do not tell the experience; and ask for a second opinion when nearing the end of your literary journey.

       

       

       

      It’s My Life Assignment 

      • Select five important events in your life. Use your written summaries of these events to create your PowerPoint audiovisual autobiography. 

      • You may use recordings from the radio or your personal music collections. 

      • Follow guidelines for fair use of copyrighted images and music. Details about these guidelines will be discussed in class. 

      • Present your slideshow in class. Limit the presentation to 5–10 minutes. 

      • After all the autobiographies have been shown in class, respond to your peers’ presentations in writing. 

       

       

       



    Homework:
    Write here...