6 word memoir assignment pdf

Please log in to save materials. Log in

• Resource Library

6 Word Memoir Assignment and Rubric

Examples of six word memoirs--, say it in six words, six word memoirs by teens, types of point of view: the ultimate guide to first person and third person pov, 6 word memoirs.

This unit explores the memoir and writing memoirs using only six words. 

Six Word Memoir Unit

Overview-- Today you will be learning the meaning of the word memoir, exploring other memoirs written by teens, and writing your own memoir,  

There are activities, videos, and reading material to complete along the way, so be sure to check each added resource. 

This Powerpoint introduces you to the concept of what a "memoir" is and I have modeled some of my own to demonstrate that in only 6 words, you learn a lot about a person.  Be prepared to answer the questions together as we get to then on the slides.

As you view the video, "Six Word Memoirs by Teens," think about which one stood out to  you and think about why.  Did it have strong words, did it pull on some emotional strings, did it realate to you?

Reading Material

As you get ready to write your own 6 word memoir, refresh your writing knowledge on the difference between first person and 3rd person.  Remember the memoir you are going to write will need to be in 1st person. 

Examples of 6 Word Memoirs

Check out these examples of six word memoirs.  See which ones stand out to you.    

Six Word Memoir Practice

On this pdf file, you will practice your 6 word memoir writing. 

Version History

• Advertising
• Data Visualization
• Design History
• Design Methods
• Environmental Design
• Exhibit Design
• Experience Design
• Graphic Design
• Information Design
• Interaction Design
• Product Design
• Service Design
• Social Innovation
• Type Design
• User Experience
• User Interface
• Visual Communication

Popular Tags

• Four-year Program
• Brainstorming
• Composition
• Printed Matter
• See All Tags...

Post Project

The Six-Word Memoir

Posted January 22, 2021

Meagan Snee, I'm Still Afraid of the Dark

Conner McCormack, The Things I create Create Me

Jake Lutter, Called Special For The Wrong Reasons

Stephanie Weinberger, I Have Faked My Entire Life

Kayla Rich, Address Unknown I Am My Home

Project Brief

Once asked to write a full story in six words, legend has it that novelist Ernest Hemingway responded: “ For Sale: baby shoes, never worn .” Can you describe your life in six words?

Six-Word Memoirs is a project founded in November 2006 by the online storytelling publication Smith Magazine , which challenged readers to write their memoirs in six words—no more, no less.

A memoir is any nonfiction narrative writing based on the author's personal memories or experiences. For this assignment, you will be asked to “reflect’ on a personal memory or experience articulated in six words. You will then be tasked to design a visual response illustrating the meaning of the ‘memoir’ using typography, a minimal amount of imagery, and color. 

Learning Objectives

• To explore and interpret meaning through typographic form

• To employ the elements and principles of design to create a strong visual message in the form of a poster

Specifications

Size: 24 x 24 inches (square) or 24 x 34 inches (horizontal or vertical). The format should respond to the concept.

Media: any medium that can be reproduced digitally.

Copy: the six words of your memoir.

Step 1   Begin the design process by writing and conceptualizing at least ten six-word memoirs.

Step 2 Choose five of the six-word memoirs and brainstorm many possible visualizations in sketch form.

Step 3 Review the sketch visualizations you created from the five six-word memoirs you chose. Select two sketches to develop into two half-size (12 x 12-inch square or 12 x 18 inch horizontal or vertical) color computer compositions.

Step 4 Review and evaluate the two half-size color compositions once you have received feedback from your instructor and classmates. Choose one direction to further develop into the final six-word memoir poster at full size.

Deliverables

Print out the full-size poster for class review. Collect all the process materials generated during the course of the project and create a PDF. Create a second PDF of the poster file. Turn both PDF files in for grading.

Reflections

For the past decade, The Six-Word Memoir assignment has operated as a pivot point in my Typography 1 course. I structure my curriculum first with an exploration of the letter (as form and counter form), second, with an exploration of the word (as expressive visual language), and third, with an exploration of text and how it is used in a grid structure and page architecture. Once students have mastered an understanding of how to work with one word, The Six-Word Memoir assignment challenges them to work with a unit of 6 words that create form and visual semantics.

Students enjoy working on this project because they are the subject. And, although this assignment does require some understanding of page composition, color, scale grouping, and positioning; most students, with good guidance from their peers and instructor, are capable of producing a strong yet unique result.

Related projects

Design For Social Good

• Todd Barsanti
• Sheridan College

Word and Image: Rebus Poster in-class exercise

• Elizabeth Resnick
• Massachusetts College of Art and Design

A–Z Type Sketchbook and Poster

Do you have a project for the Design Teaching Resource?

• Our Mission

How to Use 6-Word Memoirs in the Classroom

Activities in which students have six words to collect their thoughts can help build community and get classroom discussions started.

I launched the Six-Word Memoir project in 2006 with a question on what was then a strange new platform called Twitter: “Can you describe your life in six words?” While I suspected that the constraint of six words would fuel creativity, it wasn’t until I was invited to my nephew’s third-grade classroom to talk about six-word storytelling that I got my first glimpse of the format’s powerful possibilities in school. That morning, a few dozen elementary students shared stories of identity (“Born to be a spy, unnoticeable”), self-worth (“I live bigger than your labels”), agency (“Brainy, talkative, will never be quiet”), and more.

Since then, Six-Word Memoirs has become a valuable tool in many teachers’ toolboxes because it takes away the pressure of a whole blank page while helping kids focus on what’s important in writing: honest and specific storytelling. And what’s important in any young life: an understanding that no one knows or can tell your story better than you.

The six-word form is simple and adaptable and provides a great entry point for almost any subject, grade level, and topic. Below, I share six steps that apply to any Six-Word Memoirs lesson, followed by three classroom lessons.

Teaching Six-Word Memoirs

1. Introduce the Six-Word Memoir concept as a way students can describe their life using just two rules: one, they must use six words exactly, and two, they should be words that the students believe to be true and are exclusively their own.

2. Pick a topic or prompt. “How would you describe your life in six words?” is a great first prompt for any grade level.

3. Show examples of Six-Word Memoirs so students can see a variety of ways to think about the topic.

4. Give them time—either 10–15 minutes in class or as a homework assignment—to write their six words, and have each student read theirs aloud. Remember to share your own.

5. Leave time for discussion, either in small groups or with the whole class. Ask:

• How are your experiences and perspectives similar to or different from those of your classmates?
• What are you noticing about your favorite Six-Word Memoirs? Are they funny, inspiring, surprising, or something else?
• What common themes do you see in these memoirs?

6. If possible, display student work.

Six-Word Exercises

1. Playing the “how well do you know your classmates?” game: Two key values of Six-Word Memoirs are that anyone can do it and everyone plays by the same rules. Taylor Swift gets six words (“My diary is read by everyone”), Nora Z., an 11-year-old from Indiana, gets six words (“Mom just revoked my creative license”), and the creator of the Six-Word Memoir Project gets six words (“Big hair, big heart, big hurry”).

Have your students write their six words and then read a memoir aloud and ask the class to guess whose it is. It’s fun and a good way for the class to connect. When students hear, “Life is better with headphones on,” there are sure to be a lot of mental “likes” and classmates saying, “Yeah, me too.” Hearing, “Three schools, three years, what next?” is relatable for anyone who’s been the new kid.

2. Engaging more deeply with curriculum: Once the ice is broken, the six-word format offers a chance to go deeper. You may be looking for a reflection activity for the 100th day of school, an innovative way to explore Black History Month, or an entry point to the study of history, literature, or current events.

Almost every grade studies nonfiction, and if your students are learning about historical figures, you can invite them to write a Six-Word Memoir from a historical person’s point of view. Writing only six words helps students get to the essence of the figure they’re studying and helps them identify with someone who otherwise may seem larger than life. After reading The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, for example, students at South Side High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana, put themselves in the shoes of the narrator, writing, “Rain fell hard; Momma never flinched,” “Dad, put down the bottle, please?” and more.

If your classroom explores current events—transitions in our global economy, emerging political movements, debates about climate or technological advancements—ask your students to write six-word predictions about where they see these trends heading. This exercise helps students get started thinking critically about the issue or trend, and can be used to generate conversation or catalyze independent reflection.

3. Introducing difficult conversations: Teachers know that students arrive at the classroom as members of a complicated, ever-changing world and that they need to process this world and their place in it. One way to make these conversations easier is by breaking down big ideas into small, digestible chunks.

Andrea Franks, a fourth-/fifth-grade teacher in New York City, asks her students to reflect on social justice using just six words. Students have written, “Freedom for all, freedom for everyone,” “Small acts can make big differences,” “Dark skin, light skin, all equal,” and “Ready or not, time for change.” Franks then asks her students to think about how these memoirs reflect what they’re learning about civil rights and which historical figures might approve of these messages: Ruby Bridges? Diane Nash? Martin Luther King Jr?  Students then engage in deeper conversations, connecting their own experiences to the experiences of those who fought for all marginalized people.

Many students have struggled during the pandemic, and many educators tell me they have utilized the six-word format to help their students process this shared experience. Hundreds of these were compiled in a book I edited, A Terrible, Horrible, No Good Year: Hundreds of Stories on the Pandemic by Students, Teachers, and Parents . Memoirs like “Graduated fourth grade from my bedroom” (Leo F., fourth grade), “Hey Siri, give me social interaction” (Nate M., sixth grade), and “For sale: prom dress, never worn” (Caroline R., 12th grade) helped students express their emotions and gave the adults in their lives a window into their interior world.

Exploring the Power of Language with Six-Word Memoirs

• Resources & Preparation
• Instructional Plan
• Related Resources

What do the words we write really have to say about us? In this lesson, students examine the power of word choice as they write six-word memoirs of their lives. After manipulating the language of their memoir with an interactive tool, students reflect on synonymous words that they have explored and choose the best one to use to tell the story of their lives.

Featured Resources

From Theory to Practice

In "Register and Charge: Using Synonym Maps to Explore Connotation," Darren Crovitz and Jessica A. Miller argue that students' typical understanding of the word synonym as meaning "'a word that means the same as another word'" is "at best an oversimplification and at worst a way to end thinking about what words actually signify" (49). They advocate for investigations into language and word groups to allow students to discover that "the subtlety of just how and to what extent [words are] similar makes all the difference when it comes to choosing the best word for a given purpose" (49). This lesson encourages students to explore the subtleties of shifting connotation and meaning affected by word choice.

Further Reading

Common Core Standards

This resource has been aligned to the Common Core State Standards for states in which they have been adopted. If a state does not appear in the drop-down, CCSS alignments are forthcoming.

State Standards

This lesson has been aligned to standards in the following states. If a state does not appear in the drop-down, standard alignments are not currently available for that state.

NCTE/IRA National Standards for the English Language Arts

• 1. Students read a wide range of print and nonprint texts to build an understanding of texts, of themselves, and of the cultures of the United States and the world; to acquire new information; to respond to the needs and demands of society and the workplace; and for personal fulfillment. Among these texts are fiction and nonfiction, classic and contemporary works.
• 2. Students read a wide range of literature from many periods in many genres to build an understanding of the many dimensions (e.g., philosophical, ethical, aesthetic) of human experience.
• 3. Students apply a wide range of strategies to comprehend, interpret, evaluate, and appreciate texts. They draw on their prior experience, their interactions with other readers and writers, their knowledge of word meaning and of other texts, their word identification strategies, and their understanding of textual features (e.g., sound-letter correspondence, sentence structure, context, graphics).
• 4. Students adjust their use of spoken, written, and visual language (e.g., conventions, style, vocabulary) to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences and for different purposes.
• 5. Students employ a wide range of strategies as they write and use different writing process elements appropriately to communicate with different audiences for a variety of purposes.
• 8. Students use a variety of technological and information resources (e.g., libraries, databases, computer networks, video) to gather and synthesize information and to create and communicate knowledge.
• 9. Students develop an understanding of and respect for diversity in language use, patterns, and dialects across cultures, ethnic groups, geographic regions, and social roles.
• 11. Students participate as knowledgeable, reflective, creative, and critical members of a variety of literacy communities.
• 12. Students use spoken, written, and visual language to accomplish their own purposes (e.g., for learning, enjoyment, persuasion, and the exchange of information).

Materials and Technology

• Word Matrix student interactive
• Video: Six Word Memoirs by Teens
• Video: Six-Word Memoirs, the book
• Video: “Six Tips for Writing Six-Word Memoirs”
• Computers with Internet access
• Choosing the Best Word: Six-Word Memoirs

This site includes six-word memoirs written by a variety of authors on life stories.  Also included are videos about the memoirs and information about Six-Word Memoir books.

On this site, students can explore memoirs and join thousands of storytellers to have a chance to be in a future book of Six-Word Memoirs.

This wiki includes six-word memoir films created by students, for students.

Preparation

• Locate one or more copies of the Six-Word Memoir books . Familiarize yourself with the content within the book(s). You may wish to choose a few memoirs to share with and/or point out to the students.
• Six Word Memoirs by Teens
• Six-Word Memoirs, the book
• “Six Tips for Writing Six-Word Memoirs”
• Test the Word Matrix student interactive. You will need computers with internet access for each student to use this interactive.  If computer accessibility is a problem, print out paper copies of the interactive and make enough copies for each student.
• Photocopy the Choosing the Best Word: Six-Word Memoirs handout for students.
• Familiarize yourself with the ideas of synonyms, connotation, register, and sound/rhythm. Additional teacher information on synonyms and language can be found in a variety of articles from English Journal , Vol. 97, No. 4, March 2008 , with the issue theme “Teaching Spelling and Vocabulary in High School.”

Student Objectives

Students will:

• define synonym and consider the implications of multiple word meanings for authors attempting to choose the most effective word in a given situation.
• investigate the similarities and differences within word groups on the basis of connotation and register.
• create, reflect on, and revise a memoir, taking into account word choice and message.

Session One

• Begin a class discussion with students about memoirs and their “life stories.”  What do students consider to be their “life story”? Would they need to write a novel to explain everything, or could they tell about one event that helped shape them as a person? Explain to students that they are going to be writing memoirs of their lives, but there’s a catch—they only have six words to portray themselves however they wish and to get a message across.
• Introduce the idea of six-word memoirs by projecting  Six Word Memoirs by Teens or  Six-Word Memoirs, the book . You may also wish to have some Six-Word Memoir books available for students to peruse after the video to see more examples.
• After reading/seeing some six-word memoirs, what surprises you about this form?
• What’s the difference between a story and a memoir?  Why do we tell stories?  Who knows your story best?
• How is it both possible and impossible to distill the essence of who you are into six words?  Which author do you think does the best job of it and why?
• Again, explain the parameters of the assignment: students must write a personal memoir in only six words. To give students a bit more information about what’s required, show students the “Six Tips for Writing Six-Word Memoirs” video. Allow for students’ questions and then ask that students spend some time brainstorming and writing down different possibilities for their own six-word memoir. Eventually, ask students to choose one memoir that they deem their “favorite” and they would like to use for the remainder of this lesson.
• Ask students to write down a definition of the word synonym and provide several examples.
• Arrange students in small groups to share their definitions and examples. As they share, ask them to look for similarities and differences in their definitions and examples. Have groups share their findings with the entire class and create a class definition of the word synonym , to be written on the board or chart paper.
• Facilitate a discussion on how a poet or author might choose the "best word" for their piece of writing when there may be several words in the English language that express the same, or nearly the same, idea or concept.
• Connotation: the emotional or personal associations the word carries, beyond its literal definition.
• Register: the level of formality or informality associated with the word.
• Sound and rhythm: the way words sound and scan contribute to their appropriateness.
• Remind students to keep the memoir that they chose to use for the remainder of this lesson. If they wish, they may continue brainstorming and working on their memoir outside of class, as long as they bring their chosen memoir to the next session.

Session Two

• Note to the Instructor : Synonyms can be any part of speech (e.g. nouns , verbs , adjectives , adverbs or prepositions ), as long as both members of the pair are the same part of speech.
• Give students a few minutes to make their list of synonymous words (they may use a thesaurus if necessary) and think about how they actually differ in regard to connotation and register. Ask students to share examples and explain the differences they see.
• Inform students that they will be using an online tool to explore the ideas of synonyms, connotation, and register further by arranging words that have the same meaning as their focus word but vary according to connotation and/or register.
• Direct students to the Word Matrix tool online and ask them to select the option to organize words by connotation and register. Students will need to create a new concept that includes their focus words and the synonymous words in their list. You may wish to model this process before having students work independently.
• After creating their concepts, each student should arrange their words according to relative charge in connotation and formality of register. Point out that there are not right or wrong answers to this activity. More important than where the students end up putting words is the explanations they write about what the words mean and how they relate to each other. They should indicate their thinking by double-clicking each word and writing a brief justification for its placement.
• Explain to students that they can access online resources and get more information about connotation and register by clicking on the orange question mark within the tool. They should use the back navigation within the tool (not the back arrow in the browser) to get back to their work within the matrix .
• Have students print their completed matrices . Review them before the next session to gauge student understanding of connotation and register.
• Ask students to rewrite their six-word memoir by substituting each synonym in the place of the focus word that they originally chose. Thus, they should have multiple examples of the same six-word memoir with a different synonym replacing the focus word in each example. Students should complete this activity before the next session.

Session Three

• Ask students to take out their list of memoirs within which they substituted different synonyms for their focus word. Have them take a moment to review the different memoirs and how they changed the meaning of the memoir.
• Have students take out their  Choosing the Best Word: Six-Word Memoirs handout, on which they originally wrote their focus word and their synonyms. Ask them to reflect on how their word choice affected the meaning of their different memoirs. They should write about their thoughts and the memoir they prefer (with reasoning) on the handout under the Reflection Question.
• After all students have completed the handout, have students take turns sharing their experience. They should share their original memoir, what their synonyms were, and the final memoir they decided on (along with their reasoning). Allow for other students to ask questions about the students’ word choice if they so choose.
• create a class book of memoirs;
• produce a video of your students’ memoirs, much like the videos they watched at the beginning of the session; or
• have students submit their own six-word memoir at www.SMITHteens.com .
• Allow students time to study their classmates’ memoirs and ask questions to get to know each other better and build a stronger classroom community!
• Make six-word memoirs a part of your classroom routine. Do warm-ups or exit slips that ask students to write six-word memoirs. You’ll be amazed at how much you’ll learn about students based on their memoirs!
• Present other short form writing choices for students to experiment with such as Haiku . Have them follow the same steps of substituting different synonyms into their writing to focus on word choice.
• Expand on the idea of a six-word memoir while still focusing on word choice and story elements. Have students increase the length of their memoir.
• Connect six-word memoirs to a literature activity by having students write literary characters’ six-word memoirs.
• Have students produce a video of their memoirs to post to You Tube or another video site.  Use the video as an electronic scrapbook of the students in each class.

Student Assessment / Reflections

• Provide formative feedback through the completed matrices , synonym lists, and any other student work prior to the project.
• Evaluate students’ understanding of the project and completion of all of the steps during and after their oral presentation of their findings.
• Student Interactives
• Lesson Plans
• Professional Library
• Calendar Activities

Explore the similarities and differences among words typically considered synonyms with this tool that allows middle- and secondary-level students organize groups of words by connotation on one axis and by register on another.

Add new comment

• Print this resource

Explore Resources by Grade

• Kindergarten K

6 Word Memoir

Ai generator.

In the vast world of writing, where formats range from dialogue writing to scriptwriting, and from journal writing to article writing , there exists a unique and intriguing form known as the 6 Word Memoir. This minimalist style of writing, which can be as descriptive as a full-length memoir, has gained popularity for its brevity and the challenge it presents to writers.

1. 6 Word Memoir Creative Writing Example

Size: 237 KB

2. 6 Word Memoir Narrative Example

Size: 24 KB

3. 6 Word Memoir Worksheet Example

Size: 181 KB

4. 6 Word Memoir Activity Example

Size: 158 KB

5. 6 Word Memoir Project Example

Size: 412 KB

6. 6 Word Memoir Checklist Example

Size: 817 KB

7. 6 Word Memoir Example

Size: 29 KB

8. Writing 6 Word Memoir Example

Size: 49 KB

9. 6 Word Memoir for Les Miserables Example

Size: 54 KB

10. 6 Word Memoir Template

Size: 78 KB

11. 6 Word Memoir Objective Example

Size: 41 KB

12. 6 Word Memoir Rubric Example

Size: 81 KB

13. 6 Word Memoir Assignment Example

14. 6 Word Memoir Fillable Example

Size: 244 KB

15. 6 Word Memoir Lesson Plan Example

Size: 90 KB

16. 6 Word Memoir Format

Size: 74 KB

17. Simple 6 Word Memoir Example

Size: 472 KB

18. Sample 6 Word Memoir Example

Size: 60 KB

19. Basic 6 Word Memoir Example

Size: 72 KB

20. Formal 6 Word Memoir Example

21. Standard 6 Word Memoir Example

22. Printable 6 Word Memoir Example

23. Editable 6 Word Memoir Example

Size: 495 KB

What is a 6-Word Memoir?

A 6 Word Memoir is a form of micro-storytelling that encapsulates a significant aspect of one’s life or experiences in just six words. It is a derivative of memo writing but with a twist. The concept was inspired by Ernest Hemingway’s famous six-word story: “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” This form of writing encourages writers to be concise yet impactful, making every word count.

How to Write a 6-Word Memoir

Before we delve into the steps of crafting a 6 Word Memoir, it’s important to understand that this form of writing, while seemingly simple, requires a deep level of introspection and a knack for choosing the right words.

Step 1: Reflect on Your Life

The first step in writing a 6 Word Memoir is to reflect on your life experiences. Think about the moments that have shaped you, the people who have influenced you, and the events that have left a lasting impact.

Step 2: Identify a Central Theme

Once you have reflected on your life, identify a central theme or idea that you want to convey. This could be a life lesson, a personal belief, a significant event, or an aspect of your identity.

Step 3: Write Down Your Thoughts

Start by writing down your thoughts in a free-flowing manner, without worrying about the word limit. This process, similar to journal writing , allows you to explore your thoughts and feelings more deeply.

Step 4: Condense Your Thoughts

Now comes the challenging part: condensing your thoughts into six words. This requires a careful selection of words that can convey your message effectively. Remember, your 6 Word Memoir should be as descriptive as possible within the word limit.

Step 5: Review and Refine

Finally, review your 6 Word Memoir. Does it convey the message you intended? Is it impactful? If not, refine it until you are satisfied. This step is similar to an article review , where you critically evaluate your work and make necessary improvements.

1. How is a 6 Word Memoir different from other writing formats?

Unlike other writing formats such as persuasive writing , college essays , or scriptwriting , a 6 Word Memoir is a form of micro-storytelling that requires you to convey a significant message in just six words. It challenges you to be concise yet impactful.

2. Can a 6 Word Memoir include dialogue?

Yes, a 6 Word Memoir can include dialogue. However, given the word limit, it’s crucial to ensure that the dialogue contributes significantly to the overall message.

3. How can I make my 6 Word Memoir more descriptive?

Making a 6 Word Memoir descriptive involves choosing words that evoke emotions, imagery, or sensory experiences. It’s about making every word count.

Text prompt

• Instructive
• Professional

10 Examples of Public speaking

20 Examples of Gas lighting

We’re fighting to restore access to 500,000+ books in court this week. Join us!

Internet Archive Audio

• This Just In
• Grateful Dead
• Old Time Radio
• 78 RPMs and Cylinder Recordings
• Audio Books & Poetry
• Computers, Technology and Science
• Music, Arts & Culture
• News & Public Affairs
• Spirituality & Religion
• Radio News Archive

• Flickr Commons
• Occupy Wall Street Flickr
• NASA Images
• Solar System Collection
• Ames Research Center

• All Software
• Old School Emulation
• MS-DOS Games
• Historical Software
• Classic PC Games
• Software Library
• Kodi Archive and Support File
• Vintage Software
• CD-ROM Software
• CD-ROM Software Library
• Software Sites
• Tucows Software Library
• Shareware CD-ROMs
• Software Capsules Compilation
• CD-ROM Images
• ZX Spectrum
• DOOM Level CD

• Smithsonian Libraries
• FEDLINK (US)
• Lincoln Collection
• American Libraries
• Canadian Libraries
• Universal Library
• Project Gutenberg
• Children's Library
• Biodiversity Heritage Library
• Books by Language
• Additional Collections

• Prelinger Archives
• Democracy Now!
• Occupy Wall Street
• TV NSA Clip Library
• Animation & Cartoons
• Arts & Music
• Computers & Technology
• Cultural & Academic Films
• Ephemeral Films
• Sports Videos
• Videogame Videos
• Youth Media

Search the history of over 866 billion web pages on the Internet.

Mobile Apps

• Wayback Machine (iOS)
• Wayback Machine (Android)

Browser Extensions

Archive-it subscription.

• Explore the Collections
• Build Collections

Save Page Now

Capture a web page as it appears now for use as a trusted citation in the future.

Please enter a valid web address

• Donate Donate icon An illustration of a heart shape

Six-word memoirs on love and heartbreak

Bookreader item preview, share or embed this item, flag this item for.

• Graphic Violence
• Explicit Sexual Content
• Hate Speech
• Misinformation/Disinformation
• Marketing/Phishing/Advertising
• Misleading/Inaccurate/Missing Metadata

plus-circle Add Review comment Reviews

4 Favorites

Better World Books

DOWNLOAD OPTIONS

No suitable files to display here.

IN COLLECTIONS

Uploaded by station14.cebu on November 5, 2020

SIMILAR ITEMS (based on metadata)

• Special events
• Photo galleries
• Writing projects

Six Word Memoirs

Bababadalgharaghtakamminarronnkonnbronntonnerronntuonnthunntrovarrhounawnskawntoohoohoordenenthurnuk perkodhuskurunbarggruauyagokgorlayorgromgremmitghundhurthrumathunaradidillifaititillibumullunukkunun klikkaklakkaklaskaklopatzklatschabattacreppycrottygraddaghsemmihsammihnouithappluddyappladdypkonpkot bladyughfoulmoecklenburgwhurawhorascortastrumpapornanennykocksapastippatappatupperstrippuckputtanach thingcrooklyexineverypasturesixdixlikencehimaroundhersthemaggerbykinkinkankanwithdownmindlookingated lukkedoerendunandurraskewdylooshoofermoyportertooryzooysphalnabortansporthaokansakroidverjkapakkapuk.

Danny Snelson

Welcome Back Friend!

Forgot password, new user create account, enter your account email.

Reset Password

Create an Account

Six-Word Memoir of the Day - Aug 13, 2024

SEE MORE MEMOIRS >

Daily illustration, lost myself in my own labyrinth..

—Min Ji Kim

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR WORK >

Six-word memoirs contest ends july 31st, put your six to the test..

VIEW CONTEST >

February 20, 2024, your turn. say it in six ™.

Publish Six

All memoirs, editor's picks, your favorites, show more memoirs >, show more messages >, show more activity >, show more favorites >.

Six Gallery

Make your memoir visual., show your story in six >.

Backstories Behind Six

The story behind our favorite sixes., read more backstories >.

Talks & Workshops

Team building, bonding & focus with larry smith.

Need a quick gift? Try Six.

Any of our Six-Word Memoirs collections are bound to be a good fit.

Shop The Six Store >

The press is buzzing about six.

"They may be short, but these six-word memoirs are powerful reflections"

"Like traditional Japanese poetry, the new pop-culture haiku says a lot with few words."

TIME Magazine

“Makes for compulsive reading and prove arguably as insightful as any 300+ page biography."

Publishers Weekly

“The brilliance is in the brevity.”

New York Post

"A fabulously appealing exercise both for writers and for readers."

The Telegraph

“So Romantic. And So Brief.”

"Six-Word Memoirs have been lodged in the literary firmament"

Los Angeles Times

“You could spend a lifetime brainstorming.”

The New Yorker

“Will thrill minimalists and inspire maximalists.”

Vanity Fair

“Larry Smith is on a quest to spark the creativity of aspiring writers.”

Oprah Magazine

Speaking & workshops, find focus. fulfill missions. build camaraderie..

In settings such as in boardrooms, classrooms, staff retreats, and conferences, Six-Word Memoirs® is a simple concept that’s become an effective tool to spark conversation, crystalize goals, and boil anything down to its core. Larry Smith has spoken at conferences across the world and led workshops in companies such as ESPN, Levi’s, Dell, JPMorganChase, and Shutterfly, as well as at schools and nonprofits of all kinds.

Learn More >

Meet the community.

THEY SAY IT IN SIX:

Make an impact. Support Six Words.

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Tiny Memoir Contest for Students: Write a 100-Word Personal Narrative

We invite teenagers to tell a true story about a meaningful life experience in just 100 words. Contest dates: Nov. 6 to Dec. 4, 2024.

By The Learning Network

Illustrations from Modern Love’s Tiny Love Stories , the inspiration for this contest.

Can you tell a meaningful and interesting true story from your life in just 100 words? That’s the challenge we pose to teenagers with our 100-Word Personal Narrative Contest, a storytelling form popularized by Modern Love’s Tiny Love Stories series .

After running this contest for two years, receiving a total of more than 25,000 entries, and honoring dozens of excellent miniature teen-written memoirs, we have discovered the answer is a resounding yes .

So, we challenge you to try it yourself.

We’re not asking you to write to a particular theme or to use a specific structure or style, but we are looking for short, powerful stories about a particular moment or event in your life. We want to hear your story, told in your unique voice, and we hope you’ll experiment with style and form to tell a tale that matters to you, in a way you enjoy telling it.

And, yes, it’s possible to do all that in only 100 words. For proof, just look at last year’s 15 winning entries . We also have a step-by-step guide full of advice that is grounded in 25 excellent 100-word mentor texts, as well as a rehearsal space , published for our first year’s contest, that has over 1,000 student-written mini memoirs. Because that space was so successful, we’re keeping it open for this year’s contest. We hope students will use it to get inspiration, experiment and encourage each other.

Take a look at the full guidelines and related resources below. Please post any questions you have in the comments and we’ll answer you there, or write to us at [email protected]. And, consider hanging this PDF one-page announcement on your class bulletin board.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Resources for Teachers and Students
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Submission Form

We are having trouble retrieving the article content.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and  log into  your Times account, or  subscribe  for all of The Times.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access.

Already a subscriber?  Log in .

Want all of The Times?  Subscribe .