An anecdote can of course be rather short—a quick illustration of your point

taken from some experience you (or someone else) have had. It can also be an extended

anecdote, or a series of personal experiences and memories put on paper. The most difficult

thing about writing good and convincing or humorous anecdotes is finding just the right

blend of fact and fiction; this includes knowing when hyperbole is necessary and when it will

kill your credibility, knowing when to be ironic and when it would be inappropriate or

wrongheaded