Experimenting Structure in Personal Essays
This guide is for a Creative Composition class, prepared by Ms. Trisha Coleen G.
Asotigue.
Expressing Ourselves with Words
We use words and sentences to express our experiences and voice, much like in
writing. Reflect on your current feelings.
Memoir vs. Personal Essay
This section differentiates between memoirs and personal essays.
Memoir
A memoir is a nonfiction narrative that covers a large portion of a person's
life, focusing on significant experiences over time. Its aim is to tell what
happened.
A memoir is about a life story.
Example: Anne Frank's "The Diary of a Young Girl."
o Excerpt Analysis: Anne's words reveal her character, her ability to
find beauty amidst misery, her enduring ideals despite their perceived
absurdity, and how writing allows her to process sorrows and find
courage
o Her situation (hiding during the Holocaust) profoundly shapes her
thinking and perspective
What is a Memoir?
A memoir is defined by the following characteristics:
Covers a significant portion of a person's life.
Focuses on key experiences across a span of time.
Aims to narrate events.
Essentially, it tells a life story.
Personal Essay
A personal essay is a nonfiction piece that focuses on one specific
experience, moment, or idea.
It centers on reflection, insight, and the meaning derived from the
experience.
It does not necessarily follow chronological order.
Its aim is to explain what the experience means.
A personal essay is about understanding an experience.
Example: Wesley Morris's "My Mustache, My Self"
Distinguishing Memoir and Personal Essay
Consider these questions to differentiate between the two forms:
1. Which text focuses on a whole story? Memoir
2. Which text focuses on a single event or idea? Personal Essay
3. Which text feels more reflective? Personal Essay
4. Which text is more narrative (telling what happened)? Memoir
Different Structures of a Personal Essay
Personal essays can employ various structures to convey meaning effectively:
Chronological Structure (With Reflection Breaks):
o Structure: Beginning → Middle → End + Reflection
o Description: Follows a timeline of events but incorporates moments of
reflection to deepen understanding.
Reflection-Driven Structure:
o Structure: Present + Past + Present
o Description: Starts in the present, delves into past experiences, and
returns to the present with new insight.
Flashback Structure:
o Structure: Experience → Reflection → Deeper Insight
o Description: An experience is presented, followed by deep reflection
that leads to a more profound understanding.
Circular Structure:
o Structure: Idea / Image → Experience → Same Idea / Image
o Description: Begins with an idea or image, explores an experience
related to it, and concludes by returning to the initial idea or image,
often with a new perspective.
Performing Personal Narratives – TED Talk
What is a TED Talk?
A TED Talk is defined as:
A structured oral presentation that shares ideas, insights, or experiences
with a wide audience.
Similar to a personal essay, it draws from the speaker's reflections and
personal perspectives.
Key characteristics include:
o Being delivered orally.
o Being enhanced through voice, body language, and visuals.
o Involving direct audience engagement to communicate ideas
clearly, persuasively, and effectively.
Four Key Narrative Techniques
The module introduces four essential techniques for creative composition in
storytelling:
1. Sensory Detail: Uses descriptive language that appeals to the senses (sight,
sound, smell, taste, touch) to make the story vivid and realistic.
2. Dialogue: Includes spoken words to bring characters and moments to life.
3. Pacing: Controls the speed of the story to emphasize important or emotional
moments.
4. Reflection: Shares personal insights or lessons learned, giving the story
meaning and depth.
The Importance of the Title
A discussion prompt encourages students to consider the significance of a talk's
title:
Prompt: "Why do you think the talk is called '3 Things I Learned While My
Plane Crashed'?" This prompts reflection on how a title can frame the
narrative and capture audience interest.