Elements of a Memoir

Question 1

Persona

Answer 1

• image or personality a person presents to the world through behavior & speech.
• someone who writes a memoir creates himself as a character in his own book along with a set of traits, conflicts, motivations
• the dedication

Question 2

Epigraphs

Answer 2

-phrase, quotation or poem that is set at the beginning of a book

Question 3

Scene

Answer 3

-captures a moment in real-time (like a scene or movie); shows not tells; often uses dialogue, establishes a setting; emphasizes character action

Question 4

Summary

Answer 4

-moves the readers along; summarizes important events; tells rather than shows; emphasizes scope; gives the panoramic view

Question 5

Reflection

Answer 5

-a summary/exposition that thinks about the meaning of the events, thinks about the feelings, might consider larger ideas (themes) these events reveal