Memoir Narrative Structure and Descriptive Language Notes
Narrative Structure and Descriptive Language: Memoir Notes
Purpose of today’s session
Quick wrap-up of narrative structure topics from earlier in the week
Reading and annotating micro-memoirs (tiny memoirs) to practice scope and structure
Introduction to descriptive language with a focus on imagery, objective vs. subjective description
Hands-on activity: annotate imagery in a provided memoir and then complete a descriptive-language assignment
Core concept: narrative structure (Prytek’s Pyramid as used in class)
Exposition: background and foundational details readers need to understand the story
Rising action: a buildup of suspense and complications that propel the narrative forward; increases reader investment
Climax: the turning point or “light bulb moment” where the central question is answered or a major realization occurs
Falling action: tying up looser ends and moving toward resolution; often reduces tension after the climax
Resolution: reinforcement of the lesson or theme; final takeaway for the reader
Note: Some memoirs may not follow the exact order or may blend stages; structure is a guide, not a rigid rule
Scope and tiny memoirs
Scope matters: practice narrowing focus to a single moment or experience rather than a long arc
Tiny memoir assignment: 100 words; optional to write about your own moment or someone else’s
Purpose of scope exercise: build skill in selecting a meaningful moment and expressing it with structure
If a memoir is very short, expected distinct parts may be brief or implicit
Case studies (memoirs discussed in class)
Powerful Act of Love
Exposition: key background details about the son (cognitive differences) and his love of music; keyboards used in the past
Rising action: moments where music is shared; two instances where music connects mother and son
Additional rising-action moments: the bathroom moment and the toenail clipping episode; questions and curiosity about what’s happening
Climax: the moment of realization tied to the son’s actions (light-bulb moment about how to engage and be present with him); tying together the role of music and presence
Falling action & resolution: gradual reinforcement of the lesson; the closing reflection emphasizes listening as a powerful act
Notable tangent: Red River Valley lyrics used to reinforce the moment, validating the experience through song lyrics
Under the Knife
Exposition: diagnosis and the medical context; expectations about possible outcomes (partial paralysis, death, infection)
Rising action: IV setup, doctor’s warnings, mounting anxiety, and the procedural prep
Climax: the peak anxiety around the surgery and the sense of whether the outcome will be okay
Falling action & resolution: the piece lacks a strong explicit fall/resolution; instructor notes suggest adding post-surgery perspective or outcome for closure
Omerta
Exposition (non-linear): life in Spain; dad visits with a friend (a nurse) and signals a complicated family dynamic
Rising action: the dad’s reveal of his relationship and the expectation that the narrator will respond with acceptance
Climax: the revelation of the dad’s life situation and the narrator’s own coming-out and family response in the moment
Falling action & resolution: family setup and support; theme statement: “People are complicated”; resolution includes ongoing family dynamics and acceptance
Structural note: Omerta’s opening “life became exponentially more complicated” is later contextualized; non-linear storytelling can be used for emphasis
Under the Black Sun
Exposition and rising action: the lead-up to a wedding; narrator’s sense of anticipation and fear
Climax: the turning point at the altar or the moment of realization about the relationship; the exact climactic moment is linked to the host of emotions around the wedding
Falling action & resolution: explored but often less explicit; used to illustrate how memoirs may emphasize feeling and significance over tidy resolution
Descriptive language: objective vs. subjective and imagery
Objective description
Purpose: present details neutrally without expressing personal feelings
Example: a typical product description (e.g., a sedan) with specs and neutral tone
Subjective description
Purpose: communicate the narrator’s attitude, mood, and personal appraisal
Example: a depiction that uses charged adjectives (e.g., “gaudy,” “boxy,” “overpriced”) to convey dislike or disdain
Imagery and the senses
Imagery uses the five senses to immerse readers: sight, sound, touch, smell, taste
Examples in practice:
Visual imagery: bright fluorescent lights, waxed vinyl flooring, decade-old dull computers, sickly gray room
Tactile imagery: warmth of a blanket, sweaty hands, porcelain toilet seat, heartbeat monitor against skin
Auditory imagery: ticking of a clock, monitor beeping, beeping speeds up as anxiety rises
Subtle auditory cues: the “snitch” of the monitor cutting in as a metaphor for anxiety
Narrative purpose: invite the reader into the experience by describing concrete, sensory details rather than stating feelings alone
Descriptive-language exercise (annotation approach)
Paragraph-focused activity: assign groups to paragraphs (1, 4, 5, 7–10) of a memoir and highlight imagery by color coding senses
Color-coding suggestions:
Sight: blue
Hearing: purple
Taste: green
Smell: yellow
Touch: gray
Aim: teach students to identify and annotate imagery that makes scenes vivid and immersive
Observations from the instructor’s commentary
Imagery is not just decoration; it helps readers “live the experience” with the narrator
A balance of image types (visual, tactile, auditory, etc.) is encouraged; some paragraphs will naturally emphasize certain senses more than others
The descriptive-language assignment (practice)
Soundscape assignment (a structured exercise)
Step 1: Listen to a soundscape and take notes across senses (what you hear, see, smell, taste, touch; or imagined sensations)
Step 2: Save/open the file; type a paragraph that tells a little story about being in the place using sensory details
Step 3: Submit the completed document
The activity emphasizes imaginative engagement and explicit attention to sensory detail, with guidance to specify the exact sensations (e.g., cinnamon vs. plain flavor, hard vs. soft textures, etc.)
Notes on execution
You are asked to identify which soundscape you used and to ensure you complete all three tasks: identify the soundscape, note senses, and write an original paragraph that places the reader in the scene
An example is provided to guide students in what a completed submission looks like
Tiny memoir assignment: how to apply the theory in practice
100-word micro-memoir; scope matters
Options for topic: your own moment or someone else’s; or a micro-memoir of your choosing
Analytical task after you write: identify the memoir’s elements (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution) and assess whether each part appears; note if any part is missing or underdeveloped
Reminder: the goal is to practice capturing a moment with a clear arc, even in a short piece
Practical notes on structure and storytelling
The five-part arc (exposition → rising action → climax → falling action → resolution) is a flexible guide
Writers can begin in the middle (in media res) and circle back to background details if that enhances significance
The climax is the moment when the central questions are answered or the essential insight is revealed; the “light bulb moment” is a common metaphor
Falling action is typically less dramatic than the climax and serves to untie remaining knots; resolution reinforces what was learned or the central message
Some memoirs may merge stages or omit one of the stages entirely; such choices must still provide a coherent emotional arc and clear takeaway
Summary of instructor’s guidance and expectations
Use the structure as a checklist when planning or revising a memoir
If a memoir lacks a traditional resolution or falling action, consider: what is the lasting insight or change the narrator communicates?
For Omerta and similar non-linear pieces, recognize that non-traditional sequences can still deliver a strong emotional arc
When writing about descriptive language, aim to make the reader feel present in the scene through concrete sensory details and precise diction
Always consider how specific imagery supports the theme and emotional impact of the memoir
Quick references to terms and concepts mentioned
Exposition: background details necessary for understanding
Rising action: events that create suspense and build toward the climax
Climax: turning point; the moment of realization or resolution of the central question
Falling action: events that resolve remaining tensions after the climax
Resolution: reiteration or reinforcement of the lesson or theme, often a concluding insight
Omerta: a code of silence about a family matter or crime; used here as a motif for unspoken family truths and the stakes of honesty
In media res: starting in the middle of the action to engage the reader immediately, then filling in backstory
Imagery: language that uses the senses to create vivid, immersive scenes
Final takeaway for exam preparation
Be able to identify and label the five narrative-stage elements in a memoir excerpt
Recognize when a memoir intentionally blends or skips stages and explain how that affects reader experience
Distinguish between objective vs. subjective description and explain how each can serve different narrative purposes
Demonstrate ability to use imagery to place readers inside a scene and to bolster thematic meaning
Apply the tiny-memoir scope exercise to craft a concise but complete moment with a clear arc