6.7 PROJECT: Writing a Hero's Memoir

Task: 

For your memoir, you have the following choices to write about, and you can even combine them into one story if it works. 

a)  You can write about a personal story that humanizes and breaks stereotypes about a person from a marginalized group (race, class, gender, mental health, disabilities, etc.) from your life. You can write about how you learned to check your thinking--how you had an "aha" moment that led to growth and to lessen the hold of stereotypes on you. You can write about understanding the challenges people from marginalized groups have faced and how they have overcome them or how you have done that together. 

b)  You can write a fictional memoir based on a modern hero that you have researched. The memoir will be written from your chosen hero's point of view. The memoir should be based on fact, but you will be required at times to imagine the hero's inner thoughts and character traits that helped make a successful journey. 

Here are some examples which you may decide to use.  Write from the point of view of...

  1. Malala Yousafzai receiving the Nobel Peace Prize as she reflects on her journey.
  2. Ghandi starting off his campaign of passive resistance.
  3. Kerry Brodie hearing a story about her grandparents' experience in the war that prompted her to start a foundation.

c)  You can write about an everyday hero that supported you in your life or how you were able to do a small act (or big) that made a difference in someone's life. Did someone smile at you when you had a bad day, and it made all the difference? Did you speak up for a stranger when someone made a homophobic comment against them? Did you speak up for yourself or witness someone else do the same in a difficult or unjust moment?

To get ideas and be inspired about how we are the heroes in our own lives--just by being brave and speaking up or taking action--watch the following videos.

Write about ONE event in the hero's journey, rather than writing an entire biographical story. Consider the hero's journey discussed in earlier in this unit and focus on one stage. The memoir, directly or indirectly, should reveal what traits you believe led to this particular journey and what you think the hero learned from the experience. Remember that this is fictional but should be based on real events. Although the memoir is about one event there may be background information provided leading up to the event and/or after. 

Step 1 – Explore these sites to choose to help choose the person on which to base your memoir. Once you have made a selection you may need to do some further research to find details about one important event in their journey. Remember it can be from any of the three stages:  Departure, Initiation and Return.

1. Time 100

2.  My Hero

3.Conduct your own search to find several articles from news sites that have ranked certain Canadians as the "top" heroes. Keep in mind this is only an opinion. You decide who you think is worthy!

Step 2  - Complete the research and planning outline that you will use to help draft your memoir. Hand this in with your memoir.

Step 3 – Write a draft of the memoir. Then revise, review, polish, and publish.  Don't forget to write from the point of view of your hero.  Use first-person.  Use the information you have just read about writing a memoir including its length and style (around 750-1000 words). 

For this project you will have the option to choose to what level the assignment is completed.  This assignment gives options according to the proficiency scale.  Each option allows you to display your understanding at different levels. Students should strive to reach "Proficient and Extending" in all topics.  However, students should be able to display their knowledge at whatever level they can achieve.  Make sure you are showing your highest level of understanding.  Be aware that displaying a Developing Understanding will result in a maximum of 3 out of 6, and a Proficient Understanding will result in a maximum of 4 or 5 out of 6.  For the opportunity to achieve a 6 out of 6 students need to follow the requirements of the Extending Understanding option.  Please choose the option that allows you to best display your understanding of the content.

Proficiency Scale Information:

Max Grade/6

0-2

3

4-5

6

Understanding

Emerging

Developing

Proficient

Extending

Proficiency Scale

The student demonstrates an initial understanding of the concepts and competencies relevant to the expected learning.

The student demonstrates a partial understanding of the concepts and competencies relevant to the expected learning.

The student demonstrates a complete understanding of the concepts and competencies relevant to the expected learning.

The student demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the concepts and competencies relevant to the expected learning.

 

  • To show Developing Understanding (max 3 out of 6 marks) - Complete the assignment only up to step 2. Be thorough in your notes and planning to show a good understanding of what should be included.
  • To show Proficient Understanding (max 4-5 out of 6 marks) - Complete all three steps of the assignment. The third step (the final draft of the memoir) will be a minimum of one page while still including all requirements of the final step of the assignment.
  • To show Extending Understanding (max 6 out of 6 marks) -Complete all three steps of the assignment. The third step (the final draft of the memoir) will be a minimum of two pages and will include all requirements of the final step of the assignment.

Assessment:  Below you will find the exemplary criteria used to assess the assignment.  

Learning Target: Exemplary (6/6):  Exemplary comprehension of the task and clear accomplishment of the objective. Student demonstrates exemplary communication and understanding of memoir format. 

Ideas and Content: Exemplary (6/6):  Writing processes clearly communicate a memorable incident in the hero's journey and illustrates heroic traits of that person that are based on facts gathered through research.

Conventions and Sentence Fluency:  Exemplary (6/6):  Sentence structure and vocabulary are varied, skillfully written, and carefully chosen.  Work has been proofread and there are few or no errors in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and grammar.

Organization and Word Choice: Exemplary (6/6) The memoir uses effective description that shows character traits and creates an emotional impact. The narrative structure is fluent with an engaging hook and a conclusion that emphasizes the stage of journey that is being narrated.

Estimated Allotted Time:   2-4 hours

Submission:  "6.7 PROJECT:  Writing a Hero's Memoir"

This is where you will upload your assignment to your teacher for marking.
You will upload the file (.docx, .pdf, .png, .ppt, etc..) containing your assignment.  

Name the file with your name and the title.  eg. Sally Brown Memoir Project

    • Click Add submission.
    • Upload the file containing your assignment under File submission.
    • Click Save changes.

OR provide the shareable link from your Google drive in the online text box.