Thursday, February 4, 2010

Six-word Memoirs

I was again listening to NPR on the way home yesterday and this is what I heard.

...challenged Hemingway to write a 6-word novel. Not one to turn from a challenge, he came back with:
For Sale: baby shoes, never worn.

Well, they had my attention. I think Terri Gross was the interviewer and she had collected similar memoirs from listeners. Here are a few.

Four pregnancies, three miscarriages, baby girl.
Gave in, gave up, gave out.
Bachelor party, YouTube video, wedding cancelled.

Then there are the memoirs that take on a whole new meaning once you know to whom they belong (context clues).

Well I thought it was funny. (Stephen Colbert)
I've done it all except hear. (Marlee Matlin)

I could go on, but you will have more fun if you Google six-word memoirs or go to smithmag.net/sixwords/.

Try it yourself! It's harder than you think.

1 comment:

  1. I LOVE six word memoirs! I have done it with a group of fifth grade boys-- here are theirs...http://www.stixy.com/guest/53686 Their female classmates did them too and they were quite profound and amazing. Fun assignment! Let us know if you share it with your students.

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