Memoir Revision Exercises
1. Analogy. Think of a strong feeling or quality or value or experience to do with your memoir. Now think of something to compare it to - examples include grief and waves, rage and a hurricane, kindness and karma. Then explain / describe how these two phenomena / experience are similar. (M. Sauve & Y. Nicholson)
2. Verisimilitude in terms of the description of reality versus expectations - think of a time in your memoir in which you can use imagery to realistically describe a situation, and how the reality fell short of the expectation. (Moonceph M. & Justin A.)
3. Dialogue (having a conversation): Find a place in your memoir where you can incorporate a conversation - you may not remember exactly what was said, but go for the right tone. (Kelly W. & Lucas S.)
4. Characterization using a symbolic word: Choose a word that embodies you, your journey, a word that holds meaning - such as determination, courage, joy, peace, patience etc. Then write about this word and how it represents you, your journey, your old or new self... (Avery H., Sandrine & Melanie)
5. Allusion: Think of a major news event, fad, something everyone knows about and which can place the reader in your shoes - eg 9/11, the 80s, a plane crash, terrorist bombing, trial such as Jian Gomeshi or Bill Cosby, etc. Then write about a part of your memoir in which the feeling of that time is similar to what you're feeling in your memoir at this time. (Katie & Gab)
6. Symbolism: Think of something that isn't what it seems, or something that you work toward but cannot achieve, or a fantasy that keeps you going in life - like the father did designing The Glass Castle and having the plans and dreaming of it, even though it would never happen. Think of this duality and how it plays out in you in your memoir and then think of a symbol you could use, such as glass castle, to represent your duality and then write about it. (Charlie & Alexis)
7. Description of a meaningful thing, person, place, and think of truly looking at it in detail as though for the first time (or actually for the first time). Write out that description. (Daniel & Vincent)
8. Description of a setting: think of a significant place in your memoir, especially something that maybe isn't as it seems, or representing in a symbolic way what you cannot have / be. What do you look at everyday? What does it mean? (Kaila & Aynslie)
9. Quote: Think of your memoir. Think of a famous quote - from the internet, a song, a movie, a book - which could represent you, what you're going through, and use it to either begin, end or weave through that part of your memoir. (Justin C. & Chloe)
10. Set the scene: Think about a time in your memoir where you need to describe your or another person's state of mind. Use description of what is going on. Maybe you're trying to say something important and the other person gets distracted - by what? Describe the scene. (Garrett)
11. Analogy & Allusion: Think of an obstacle or lesson from your memoir, try to compare it from your personal experience to something going on in the world, a global event, or a larger feeling, big picture. Write about how these are similar. (Gab, Jacob D. & Brittany)
12. Anti-thesis: think of a time in your memoir in which you second guessed yourself, were surprised by something, like the reality didn't live up to your expectation - or the opposite happened than what you thought. Discuss these opposites and often the positive that can come out of situation.(Sabrina & Connor)
13. Anti-hero: think of yourself, the hero of your own memoir, but think of a time in your memoir when you were not so heroic - describe this time this person, and then how are you different now? Alternately, think of yourself as Batman or House MD - who are you really deep down, or what might others say about you, and how is the 'real' you different? (Allyson, Amy, & Ryan)
14. Journal / diary style: choose a date and time - it does not have to be accurate, think more figurative. Then the event that either changed your life or the day that you realized you'd changed. Then write about that day. (Dario & Shaylee)
15. Allusion: an allusion is a deliberate reference to a person, place, event, etc. so think of a movie, song, artist, news event - anything that can help the reader relate and identify with you and the experience you are describing from your memoir.(Riley & Thornton)
16. Dreamscape: Think of a time in your memoir in which something seemed surreal - like a dream, Describe this dream-like-ness.(Owen & Amber )
17. Imagery with a funny simile thrown in there: choose a part of your memoir to write in which you can use a lot of description. Try in that paragraph to throw in some humour with a simile, even if the humour is dark. (Noah & Philip)
18. Simile: Use a simile to describe a feeling, a person, or a behaviour - as Choy does to describe his father's breath when he's drunk and angry. Or Sherry did in her example I was like a clock without a battery. Then describe how these are alike.(Martin & Sherry )
19. Metaphor: Characterize a person in your memoir (could be you) by using a metaphor such as Tyler C's example "mom was an Mp3 player" and then use diction as a motif to bring in words that go with music such as jukebox, replay, rewind etc... throughout the vignette.(Tyler & Tyler)
20. Flashback: Find a place in your memoir where you can flashback to a time/event/feeling past and then describe that plus talk about how you overcame it and how it affected you.(Harrison & Sonya)
21. Foreshadowing: think of something that happened now-ish at the end of your memoir, or how you feel now today - then think back to something you have described earlier in your memoir - add a hint or clue earlier in the memoir that would lead to how you are now. Write about that past situation and drop the hint.(Jacob N)
22. Appreciation: think of a time you were vulnerable, angry, or felt powerful even - compare this time or event to something drastic, make the reader see the appreciation you have for life now, say what you learned from that experience. (Jesse & Dylan)
23. Childhood myth: think about a story, photo, event something from your childhood that you used to have faith in, that everyone believed in, then write about that and also talk about how you don't feel that way anymore after growing up. (Maxine & Oliver)
24. Characterization: Either yourself or another person who figures in your memoir - describe their personality in detail.(M. Corbeil)
25. Simile: "Like cattle to the slaughterhouse" - think about two things you can compare - kind of violently like this in your own memoir in order to create a vivid image of how powerful you felt. Then extend this comparison through description.(Olivia)
26. Symbolism: Choose a thing or natural element that is significant to you. Describe this thing and what it means - could be an animal, a talisman, a piece of jewelery, a leaf, a tree etc...(Rosie & Nathan)
27. Inner dialogue: Imagine a time in your life when you weren’t sure about what to do and how to react. For example, a lie you might have been told and you tried to convince yourself it was the right thing to do; or a regret you have held and tried to see the good or bad side or making an important decision such as drunk driving and having the mental battle with yourself of whether it’s worth it or not. Choose a topic or feeling. Find both the positive and negative effects. Choose a side. Write it out using short sentences. Have the argument with yourself, call yourself names etc. (Sarah and Meagan L.)
28. Flashback: Write a flashback about setting a scene for your memoir - so choose a past scene that directly impacts the current memoir and then end with a sentence that foreshadows or sets up your current story. (Tristan)
29. Imagery & description based on quote "Jesus shot power down to daddy" from Heaven is for Real. Create a saying using a powerful verb like this one and then use the 5 senses to describe that action. (Shanya & Mya)
30. Irony: Think about a part in your memoir in which things didn't turn out as expected / intended. Write about this situation building up the intended or anticipated part so that when the opposite happens we're as surprised as you. (Keana & Sean)
31. magery: based on comparison of a dead fetus to jelly from A Girl's Guide to Homelessness. Think about an image you can create that is as jarring, shocking, or unforgettable as this one - then spend some time describing it - use a circular construction - ie start with this idea and end with it - but by the time we get to the end, it has a different meaning. (Eve-Lynn)
32. Flashback: think of an event that changed your life in your memoir. Write that flashback, write about how it changed you, write about why it was important to your journey so far.(Justin)
33. Irony: think about a time you were unsuccessful and then became successful or the opposite. What did you realize? How did it affect you? (Cody, Emily, Jeremy)
34. Self-doubt (man vs self conflict): Have a battle with yourself about a time or situation or feeling in your memoir in which you doubt yourself, regret something, or are trying to decide to do something.(Tom & Liam)
35. Foreshadowing: think of something that happened now-ish at the end of your memoir, or how you feel now today - then think back to something you have described earlier in your memoir - add a hint or clue earlier in the memoir that would lead to how you are now. Write about that past situation and drop the hint. (Chad & Mark)
2. Verisimilitude in terms of the description of reality versus expectations - think of a time in your memoir in which you can use imagery to realistically describe a situation, and how the reality fell short of the expectation. (Moonceph M. & Justin A.)
3. Dialogue (having a conversation): Find a place in your memoir where you can incorporate a conversation - you may not remember exactly what was said, but go for the right tone. (Kelly W. & Lucas S.)
4. Characterization using a symbolic word: Choose a word that embodies you, your journey, a word that holds meaning - such as determination, courage, joy, peace, patience etc. Then write about this word and how it represents you, your journey, your old or new self... (Avery H., Sandrine & Melanie)
5. Allusion: Think of a major news event, fad, something everyone knows about and which can place the reader in your shoes - eg 9/11, the 80s, a plane crash, terrorist bombing, trial such as Jian Gomeshi or Bill Cosby, etc. Then write about a part of your memoir in which the feeling of that time is similar to what you're feeling in your memoir at this time. (Katie & Gab)
6. Symbolism: Think of something that isn't what it seems, or something that you work toward but cannot achieve, or a fantasy that keeps you going in life - like the father did designing The Glass Castle and having the plans and dreaming of it, even though it would never happen. Think of this duality and how it plays out in you in your memoir and then think of a symbol you could use, such as glass castle, to represent your duality and then write about it. (Charlie & Alexis)
7. Description of a meaningful thing, person, place, and think of truly looking at it in detail as though for the first time (or actually for the first time). Write out that description. (Daniel & Vincent)
8. Description of a setting: think of a significant place in your memoir, especially something that maybe isn't as it seems, or representing in a symbolic way what you cannot have / be. What do you look at everyday? What does it mean? (Kaila & Aynslie)
9. Quote: Think of your memoir. Think of a famous quote - from the internet, a song, a movie, a book - which could represent you, what you're going through, and use it to either begin, end or weave through that part of your memoir. (Justin C. & Chloe)
10. Set the scene: Think about a time in your memoir where you need to describe your or another person's state of mind. Use description of what is going on. Maybe you're trying to say something important and the other person gets distracted - by what? Describe the scene. (Garrett)
11. Analogy & Allusion: Think of an obstacle or lesson from your memoir, try to compare it from your personal experience to something going on in the world, a global event, or a larger feeling, big picture. Write about how these are similar. (Gab, Jacob D. & Brittany)
12. Anti-thesis: think of a time in your memoir in which you second guessed yourself, were surprised by something, like the reality didn't live up to your expectation - or the opposite happened than what you thought. Discuss these opposites and often the positive that can come out of situation.(Sabrina & Connor)
13. Anti-hero: think of yourself, the hero of your own memoir, but think of a time in your memoir when you were not so heroic - describe this time this person, and then how are you different now? Alternately, think of yourself as Batman or House MD - who are you really deep down, or what might others say about you, and how is the 'real' you different? (Allyson, Amy, & Ryan)
14. Journal / diary style: choose a date and time - it does not have to be accurate, think more figurative. Then the event that either changed your life or the day that you realized you'd changed. Then write about that day. (Dario & Shaylee)
15. Allusion: an allusion is a deliberate reference to a person, place, event, etc. so think of a movie, song, artist, news event - anything that can help the reader relate and identify with you and the experience you are describing from your memoir.(Riley & Thornton)
16. Dreamscape: Think of a time in your memoir in which something seemed surreal - like a dream, Describe this dream-like-ness.(Owen & Amber )
17. Imagery with a funny simile thrown in there: choose a part of your memoir to write in which you can use a lot of description. Try in that paragraph to throw in some humour with a simile, even if the humour is dark. (Noah & Philip)
18. Simile: Use a simile to describe a feeling, a person, or a behaviour - as Choy does to describe his father's breath when he's drunk and angry. Or Sherry did in her example I was like a clock without a battery. Then describe how these are alike.(Martin & Sherry )
19. Metaphor: Characterize a person in your memoir (could be you) by using a metaphor such as Tyler C's example "mom was an Mp3 player" and then use diction as a motif to bring in words that go with music such as jukebox, replay, rewind etc... throughout the vignette.(Tyler & Tyler)
20. Flashback: Find a place in your memoir where you can flashback to a time/event/feeling past and then describe that plus talk about how you overcame it and how it affected you.(Harrison & Sonya)
21. Foreshadowing: think of something that happened now-ish at the end of your memoir, or how you feel now today - then think back to something you have described earlier in your memoir - add a hint or clue earlier in the memoir that would lead to how you are now. Write about that past situation and drop the hint.(Jacob N)
22. Appreciation: think of a time you were vulnerable, angry, or felt powerful even - compare this time or event to something drastic, make the reader see the appreciation you have for life now, say what you learned from that experience. (Jesse & Dylan)
23. Childhood myth: think about a story, photo, event something from your childhood that you used to have faith in, that everyone believed in, then write about that and also talk about how you don't feel that way anymore after growing up. (Maxine & Oliver)
24. Characterization: Either yourself or another person who figures in your memoir - describe their personality in detail.(M. Corbeil)
25. Simile: "Like cattle to the slaughterhouse" - think about two things you can compare - kind of violently like this in your own memoir in order to create a vivid image of how powerful you felt. Then extend this comparison through description.(Olivia)
26. Symbolism: Choose a thing or natural element that is significant to you. Describe this thing and what it means - could be an animal, a talisman, a piece of jewelery, a leaf, a tree etc...(Rosie & Nathan)
27. Inner dialogue: Imagine a time in your life when you weren’t sure about what to do and how to react. For example, a lie you might have been told and you tried to convince yourself it was the right thing to do; or a regret you have held and tried to see the good or bad side or making an important decision such as drunk driving and having the mental battle with yourself of whether it’s worth it or not. Choose a topic or feeling. Find both the positive and negative effects. Choose a side. Write it out using short sentences. Have the argument with yourself, call yourself names etc. (Sarah and Meagan L.)
28. Flashback: Write a flashback about setting a scene for your memoir - so choose a past scene that directly impacts the current memoir and then end with a sentence that foreshadows or sets up your current story. (Tristan)
29. Imagery & description based on quote "Jesus shot power down to daddy" from Heaven is for Real. Create a saying using a powerful verb like this one and then use the 5 senses to describe that action. (Shanya & Mya)
30. Irony: Think about a part in your memoir in which things didn't turn out as expected / intended. Write about this situation building up the intended or anticipated part so that when the opposite happens we're as surprised as you. (Keana & Sean)
31. magery: based on comparison of a dead fetus to jelly from A Girl's Guide to Homelessness. Think about an image you can create that is as jarring, shocking, or unforgettable as this one - then spend some time describing it - use a circular construction - ie start with this idea and end with it - but by the time we get to the end, it has a different meaning. (Eve-Lynn)
32. Flashback: think of an event that changed your life in your memoir. Write that flashback, write about how it changed you, write about why it was important to your journey so far.(Justin)
33. Irony: think about a time you were unsuccessful and then became successful or the opposite. What did you realize? How did it affect you? (Cody, Emily, Jeremy)
34. Self-doubt (man vs self conflict): Have a battle with yourself about a time or situation or feeling in your memoir in which you doubt yourself, regret something, or are trying to decide to do something.(Tom & Liam)
35. Foreshadowing: think of something that happened now-ish at the end of your memoir, or how you feel now today - then think back to something you have described earlier in your memoir - add a hint or clue earlier in the memoir that would lead to how you are now. Write about that past situation and drop the hint. (Chad & Mark)