Personal Essay

After contemplating the purpose of a memoir several things came to mind. I believe it can serve to be cathartic for the writer as they can be set free by working through certain events in their life. Furthermore, and perhaps more importantly, I think a memoir can serve as a way to for the writer to tell their story in a vivid way that allows the readers to feel like they are living the experience and perhaps to learn a valuable lesson from their story. Therefore, I chose to analyze two memoirs they were Superman and Me by Sherman Alexie and “Salvation” by Langston Hughes. I concentrated on trying to determine the purpose of each piece in order to indicate what pivotal aspects were employed that either helped or hindered them in achieving that purpose.

In the article titled “The Problem with Memoirs” by Neil Genzlinger, the author begins with a clear and brief introduction about his view and definition of personal memoirs and why today this specific set of writing is problematic for the audience reading this style of writing. Some key points that he addresses in the article are the idea that not every personal should be written and publish a memoir. Many personal memoirs contain a variety of stories in which authors explain and emphasize their life experiences. Often times many write about a favorite childhood memory, surviving cancer or other personal situations. For the author of the article, these types of personal memoirs should not be published in writing because it does not attract

In the reading, “Writing About Yourself: The Memoir” by William Zinsser, the author uses organization, examples, and direct advice to develop the purpose and message of the selection. The message of this piece is that writing about oneself and delving into what has made the author who they are gives the writing individuality and distinction. Like the message, the purpose is to encourage writers to write about themselves and what has shaped them without hesitation. To begin with, the author uses a pattern of organization where he introduces an excerpt of a memoir by stating a quality that makes this memoir exemplary. After the excerpt, he will further comment on what makes this memoir memorable for him. For example, the author states, “One secret of the art [the memoir] is detail… a sound or smell—as long as it played a

Depending on the time period and context, memoirs can have several purposes: to tell a story, to make meaning of an experience, and to reflect or teach. For example, in Engle Margarita’s memoir entitled “Enchanted Air: Two Cultures, Two Win”, the author’s purpose is to tell an interesting story about she is a person who grows up of two different cultures -- Cuba and California. She also makes a meaning of her experience -- how important influence is the two countries had brought to her growth. He/she achieves this purpose by using the following elements: memories & meanings and self-reflection.

I chose my memoir for AP English Language and Composition as my best piece because it’s received a ninety percent and is the written work I’m most proud of. The reader should expect to find information about me that one wouldn’t know by simply looking at me. One will find how overcoming my own challenges and one that was thrown at me made the person I am today. One would discover my passion and determination to pursue a career in family law. The impressions I hope the reader gains about myself after viewing this piece is that I am a methodical writer as well as a psychological person who tends to hide it.

I have wrote many different kind of essay and paper. From a point of view of three person, first person, what you think this person is telling you, to writing how you feel, what changed your life to where do you see yourself in the next 10 years. I enjoyed this writing class and I know my teacher has enjoy my present. The only bad thing I can say is I HATE writing annotated bibliography and anything that have something to do with it,

What makes a good story intresting is, being able to connect it to a person’s self in a way that might inspire other people. Jerry Waxler had 8 reasons to read a memoir. Inspirations based on life experiences and loss is one of the many good reasons to read memoirs. This means that, taking past or current experiences a person may have encountered and use that as inspiration for anybody. In memoirs like The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, American Born Chinese, and The Color Purple, there are many examples in which readers can encounter many inspirations in the stories and relate back to many of their own life experiences as well as losses.

I only had fifteen minutes left. It was then that I understood that this essay would not be perfect. In fact, it would most likely be disorganized and flawed, but, regardless of the outcome, I would have to write. With this realization, the weight of perfection lifted off my shoulders and it was strangely liberating to know that I would not be able to meet the impracticable standard I had set for myself. The unmarked page seemed less of an adversary and more of a companion as I began to write. At first, my words came slowly and laboriously. Then, they came all at once. One sentence led into another until sentences formed paragraphs and paragraphs formed an essay. When the proctor rose, considered us with practiced sympathy, and told us to put our pencils down, I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. I was simultaneously filled with relief and self-doubt. I had completed the essay, but, in the process, I had compromised an aspect of my identity that placed faultlessness above all else. In the past, I had seen that part of me as an asset, but on that day, it seemed unpleasantly clear that it was my greatest weakness. As I slowly unfurled my stiff fingers, I considered the now empty desk in front of me. Perhaps perfectionism is as much of a hurdle as it is a

I have learned a great many things from playing soccer. It has changed my entire outlook on and attitude toward life. Before my freshman year at Cool high school, I was shy, had low self-esteem and turned away from seemingly impossible challenges. Soccer has altered all of these qualities. On the first day of freshman practice, the team warmed up with a game of soccer. The players were split up and the game began. However, during the game, I noticed that I didn't' t run as hard as I could, nor did I try to evade my defender and get open. The fact of the matter is that I really did not want to receive the ball. I didn't' t want to be the one at fault if the play didn't' t succeed. I did not want the responsibility of helping the team

In my narrative writing, my focus is not entirely there. I repeat a lot of details, and the essay as a whole is not engaging throughout. But in my memoir essay, I never repeat details and stay focused on what is happening the entire time. Another important growth between the two essays is my characterization. In my narrative essay, the only other character I mention, besides myself, is Miss Flower, even though there were multiple people there. Even though she is mentioned, I do not go into much detail about who she is and how she is as a person. However, in my memoir essay, I go into full detail describing all the characters in the story. I mention everyone involved, my grandmother’s parents, brother, and the tour guide. I describe all of these characters and use dialogue throughout to give the reader a great understanding of everyone in the

The Memoir is different compared to the other essays we did over the course of the first semester. This essay required us to write about our ourselves, while the other essays focused on a single story. In this memoir, we used more personification to describe objects. We used metaphors, similes, and figurative language to advance the plot. Speaking about plot, we had to use a n incident in our life as a plot for our story. On the other essays, there was no plot. We write about what is the theme of the story and provide facts to back it up. The memoir on the other hand is more complexed. We had to use plot development. We had to create our exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and finally resolution. The memoir was more of a story,

Personal writing is usually told from a first person point of view, unless you are telling a story about another person. The tone and structure tend to be a bit more informal and more narrative. There are no headings to break up the flow of your words and they also tend to contain dialogue.

Does the task of memoir writing puzzle you? It’s alright. This autobiography example for students is here to show you that memoir writing can be easy and even exciting. All you need to do is to scroll this page down and enjoy this amazing sample and the related, practical hints.

My aspiration toward a better education starts all the way back to when I started school in Russia. Out of the short educational experience that I had in Russia, I remember that almost everybody wanted to be the straight-A student (or straight-"5" by Russian grading). That, combined with the constant pressure from my family helped me get excited about school and made me want to learn. My education in Russia was cut short, however, when we moved to the United States.

The Self Every situation that an individual is exposed to throughout life, helps mold our “self.” As humans we have the ability to see ourselves from the outside, and all through life we try to see what others see and our “self” revolves around the generalized other. We observe how others perceive us and we make conclusions depending on our observations. How we act around others depends on the image we feel they have towards us.