Memoir

A memoir is similar to an autobiographical writing. It is shorter and stands for a different meaning. It tries to capture certain highlights or meaningful moments in a person's past. It also includes a contemplation of the meaning of that event at the time of the writing of the memoir.

A memoir does not go into every detail of a person's life, it simply just highlights important key events.

There are many characteristics of a memoir such as:

...Narrative structure, setting, plot development, imagery, conflict, characterization, foreshadowing, flashback, irony and symbolism
... The writer's contemplation of the meaning of these events in retrospect
... A fictional quality even though the story is true
... Higher emotional level
... More personal veiw of the events and their impact
... Therapeutic experience for the author of the memoir, especially when the memoir is of the crisis or survival type of memoir

All of these listed can pertain to a memoir. Even though memoirs are not as commonly used, the memories of a certain event or time in your life willl always live on.