An anecdote is the combination of a poem and a personal story. It focuses on a particular moment, feeling, aspect, character or object. By writing an anecdote you will show a specific moment that can be helpful to others or can help yourself in business or personal matters; it can also be useful for exploring one's character. Similar to a micro-story, which is a highlight described with a lot of emphasis in a few pages, an anecdote doesn't need too much drama - it's an honest and personal reflection on whatever comes to your mind or what you've experienced. Newspaper articles, blogs, and poems are good examples of anecdotes.
Steps
Step 1. Start by creating a diagram made up of various associations
This is a challenging exercise to help you choose what to write about in your anecdote.
- Start with a single word that interests you, for example "spring". Write it in the center of the paper and circle it.
- Think of words related to the main word. For "spring", for example, you could write "flowers", "rain" or "holidays". Circle all the words you write and connect them with lines to the main word.
Step 2. Choose an idea to write about
It can be a single word or a group of words related to an idea in your diagram.
Step 3. Choose an image that relates to the idea you want to analyze
You could write about the most generous and unselfish person you know if you decide to write about philanthropy. Try to visualize this image, finding a quiet, comfortable place where you can close your eyes for 10 minutes. You can set the alarm to avoid falling asleep.
Step 4. Choose the style you want to write in
It can resemble an article, description, monologue or poem.
Step 5. Write the first draft without thinking too much about quality and structure
This step will help you shape your anecdote - it needs to be a snapshot of what's on your mind.
Advice
- Remember that an anecdote reflects a momentary mood: it doesn't have to convince anyone.
- You have to write it as if it were "a snapshot": it has to be short and concise and at the same time really convey your idea.