Memoirs concern a person who has had an influence on you; someone who taught you something; helped you decide on a different course of action; changed you in someway; affected your outlook, opinions, taste, or prejudices; saved you from some negative influence; or saved you from yourself. A memoir may recreate for readers an incident(s) you shared with that person and explain what the person and the event(s) meant for you.
Characteristics of a Memoir
| focuses on a person which had a particular significance in the writer's life |
| has a particular focus, one element which receives the most emphasis |
| recreates for the reader incidents shared with the person |
| reveals the writer's knowledge of feelings about the person |
| shares new insights gained in recalling the significance of the person |
| makes the person come alive for the reader |