The Art of Memoir

WRIT315.101/PBDS 752.185

MW 5:30-8

NOTE: This is representative of the syllabi for this course. It is not necessarily the syllabus being used in any one semester.

The memoirist need not necessarily know what she thinks about her subject but she must be trying to find out; she may never arrive at a definitive verdict, but she must be willing to share her intellectual and emotional quest for answers.

—Judith Barrington

Description: This course will provide you with an opportunity to write memoir. We will read and study memoirs written by contemporary authors in order to become familiar with the many possibilities that are available to you as a memoirist. We will also deal with issues involving memoir-significance. By the end of the semester you will understand the particular challenges that face the memoirist and will have acquired some of the skills necessary to write a memoir that will move others.

Texts: Modern American Memoirs, Annie Dillard

Inventmg the Truth, WIllIam Zinsser

Living to Tell the Tale, Jane Taylor McDonnell

Firebird, Mark Doty

Requirements: This class is writing intensive. You will be required to complete weekly writing and reading assignments and will turn in two finished memoirs for a grade. Half of our time will be devoted to a writing workshop; when bringing in copies of your writing, use standard size type (11 or 12 point) and double space your work. I would suggestion you keep a good working notebook, which will consist of writing exercises, lists, notes, quotes, notes from the readings, questions, and anything else that is useful to you in writing memoir. And please bring a set of colored pencils and a highlighter with you to class.

Grade based on: two 5-7 page memoirs (@40%); class participation, including writing and reading assignments (20%); for grad students: add an analysis of a full length memoir. Regular attendance is important. After two absences I will lower your grade; repeated lateness can also affect your grade.

The Art of Memoir

List of Assignments

Week 1 May 30 Finding Your Subject(s)

Wednesday: Course Introduction: What is memoir?

In-Class Writing: Getting Warmed Up

Week 2 June 4-6 Sensory Detail

Monday: Sensory Detail Workshop

Readings: LIT: intro-chap 2

IT: Henry Louis Gates, "Lifting the Veil," p. 101

MAM. Eleanor Munro, p. 19; Kate Simon, p. 40

Wednesday: Antimuse writing due. (see LTT chap I~ exercise I)

Readings: LIT: chap 3

MAM. Vivian Gornick, p. 91; Maureen Howard, p. 68; Frank Conroy, p. 132 **this is colored pencil night!

Week 3 June 11-13 Scene and Summary

Monday: Scene/Summary Workshop

Wednesday: IT: Russell Baker's "Life with Mother," p. 23

LTT: chap. 5

MAM. Russell Baker, p. 49

Week 4 June 18-20 Writing Character

Monday: Character Description Exercises

Wednesday: Childhood Memoir Due (6 pages)

I T: Frank McCourt's "Learning to Chill Out," p. 61 Annie Dillard's "To Fashion a Text," p. 141

MAM. Richard Wright, p. 178; Maxine Hong Kingston, p. 231; Ralph Ellison, p. 280

Week 5 June 25-June 27 Taboos and Truth

Monday: Taboo Workshop

Wednesday: Firebird, Discussion of technique you have studied so far:

scene/summary, character, memory and imagination, senses, lack of memory,

LIT chaps 6, 7

Week 6 July 2-4 Finding Your Voice

Monday: Voice Imitation Workshop

Wednesday: NO CLASS HAPPY 4TH OF JULY

Week 7 July 9-11 Editing and Revision

Monday: 5 Page Draft of Final Memoir Due

After you write your draft, cut it up in paragraphs and bring in your stack of paragraphs for your partner to assemble in a compelling order. Don't worry about the order as you write it. Also bring in a copy of your draft in the uncut version.

Wednesday: Choose a memoir in MAM and analyze the passage of time and structure.

IT: Eileen Simpson, "Poets in My Youth," p. 83; Jill Ker Conway, "Points of Departure," p.41

Week 8 July 16-18 To Tell or Not to Tell

Monday: LIT chap 7

Final Memoir Due

Wednesday: Last Class

Reflection, Revelation, and Where To Go from Here...

** Additional readings will be assigned, so if you miss an assignment, do not rely on the syllabus. Call or e-mail me or someone in class.




			The Art of Memoir WRIT315.101/PBDS 752.185 MW 5:30-8 NOTE: This is representative of the syllabi for this course. It is not necessarily the syllabus being used in any one semester. The memoirist need not necessarily know what she thinks about her subject but she must be trying to find out; she may never arrive at a definitive verdict, but she must be willing to share her intellectual and emotional quest for answers. —Judith Barrington Description: This course will provide you with an opportunity to write memoir. We will read and study memoirs written by contemporary authors in order to become familiar with the many possibilities that are available to you as a memoirist. We will also deal with issues involving memoir-significance. By the end of the semester you will understand the particular challenges that face the memoirist and will have acquired some of the skills necessary to write a memoir that will move others. Texts: Modern American Memoirs, Annie Dillard Inventmg the Truth, WIllIam Zinsser Living to Tell the Tale, Jane Taylor McDonnell Firebird, Mark Doty Requirements: This class is writing intensive. You will be required to complete weekly writing and reading assignments and will turn in two finished memoirs for a grade. Half of our time will be devoted to a writing workshop; when bringing in copies of your writing, use standard size type (11 or 12 point) and double space your work. I would suggestion you keep a good working notebook, which will consist of writing exercises, lists, notes, quotes, notes from the readings, questions, and anything else that is useful to you in writing memoir. And please bring a set of colored pencils and a highlighter with you to class. Grade based on: two 5-7 page memoirs (@40%); class participation, including writing and reading assignments (20%); for grad students: add an analysis of a full length memoir. Regular attendance is important. After two absences I will lower your grade; repeated lateness can also affect your grade. The Art of Memoir List of Assignments Week 1 May 30 Finding Your Subject(s) Wednesday: Course Introduction: What is memoir? In-Class Writing: Getting Warmed Up Week 2 June 4-6 Sensory Detail Monday: Sensory Detail Workshop Readings: LIT: intro-chap 2 IT: Henry Louis Gates, "Lifting the Veil," p. 101 MAM. Eleanor Munro, p. 19; Kate Simon, p. 40 Wednesday: Antimuse writing due. (see LTT chap I~ exercise I) Readings: LIT: chap 3 MAM. Vivian Gornick, p. 91; Maureen Howard, p. 68; Frank Conroy, p. 132 *this is colored pencil night! Week 3 June 11-13 Scene and Summary Monday: Scene/Summary Workshop Wednesday: IT:* Russell Baker's "Life with Mother," p. 23 LTT: chap. 5 MAM. Russell Baker, p. 49 Week 4 June 18-20 Writing Character Monday: Character Description Exercises Wednesday: Childhood Memoir Due (6 pages) I T: Frank McCourt's "Learning to Chill Out," p. 61 Annie Dillard's "To Fashion a Text," p. 141 MAM. Richard Wright, p. 178; Maxine Hong Kingston, p. 231; Ralph Ellison, p. 280 Week 5 June 25-June 27 Taboos and Truth Monday: Taboo Workshop Wednesday: Firebird, Discussion of technique you have studied so far: scene/summary, character, memory and imagination, senses, lack of memory, LIT chaps 6, 7 Week 6 July 2-4 Finding Your Voice Monday: Voice Imitation Workshop Wednesday: NO CLASS HAPPY 4TH OF JULY Week 7 July 9-11 Editing and Revision Monday: 5 Page Draft of Final Memoir Due After you write your draft, cut it up in paragraphs and bring in your stack of paragraphs for your partner to assemble in a compelling order. Don't worry about the order as you write it. Also bring in a copy of your draft in the uncut version. Wednesday: Choose a memoir in MAM and analyze the passage of time and structure. IT: Eileen Simpson, "Poets in My Youth," p. 83; Jill Ker Conway, "Points of Departure," p.41 Week 8 July 16-18 To Tell or Not to Tell Monday: LIT chap 7 Final Memoir Due Wednesday: Last Class Reflection, Revelation, and Where To Go from Here... ** Additional readings will be assigned, so if you miss an assignment, do not rely on the syllabus. Call or e-mail me or someone in class. home \| bs, corporate communication \| ba, english \| ma, publications design \| mfa, integrated design \| mfa, creative writing & publishing arts \| people \| portfolio \| facilities \| classes \| undergraduate applications \| graduate applications \| contact \| site index \| university of baltimore