CREATIVE NONFICTION

COMPILATION OF TOPICS PRESENTED ON SECOND QUARTER

BY MRS. RACQUEL R. DECENA

Explain the relationship of elements and ideas found in the various forms and types of creative nonfictional
texts through a close reading HUMSS_CNF11/12-IIa-15

Elements of Creative Nonfiction

1. Plot is a literary term used to describe the events that make up a story, or the main part of a story. 
2. A character can be any person, a figure, an inanimate object, or animal.
3. Characterization is a literary device that is used step-by-step in literature to highlight and explain the details
about a character in a story.
4. Point of view is the mode of narration that an author employs to let the readers “hear” and “see” what takes
place in a story, poem, or essay.
5. Setting and Atmosphere
Setting is an environment or surrounding in which an event or story takes place.
Atmosphere is a type of feeling that readers get from a narrative, based on details such as setting, background,
objects, and foreshadowing
6. Symbols and Symbolisms
• Symbolism is the use of symbols to signify ideas and qualities, by giving them symbolic meanings that are
different from their literal sense.
• Symbols do shift their meanings depending on the context they are used in. “A chain,” for example, may
stand for “union” as well as “imprisonment”.
7. Irony is a difference between appearance and reality
8. A figure of speech is a phrase or word having different meanings than its literal meanings.
9. Scene A dramatic presentation of events which involves good description, character, and dialogue
10.Others

Compare and contrast the different forms and types of creative nonfictional texts. HUMSS_CNF11/12-IIa-16
Different Forms and Types of Creative Nonfictional
Autobiography/ Biography An autobiography (from the Greek, αὐτός-autos self + βίος-bios life + γράφειν-graphein
to write) is a self-written account of the life of oneself.
Literary terms refer to the technique, style, and formatting used by writers and speakers to masterfully emphasize,
embellish, or strengthen their compositions. Literary terms can refer to playful techniques employed by comedians
to make us laugh or witty tricks wordsmiths use to coin new words or phrases.Journalism/Reportage
Personal narrative (PN) is a prose narrative relating personal experience usually told in first person; its content is
nontraditional. "Personal" refers to a story from one's life or experiences. "Nontraditional" refers to literature that
does not fit the typical criteria of a narrative.
Travelogue A travelogue is a person's account of a journey to another country or place. It can either be a written
report with many factual details or a narrative story about personal impressions and experiences supported by
images.
Reflection essay What Is a Reflective Essay? Reflective essays describe an event or experience, then analyze the
meaning of that experience and what can be learned from it. What makes an essay reflective is that the writer is
analyzing a past event from the present.
True narratives - A true narrative essay, remember is a story, based on actual events. You are required to compose
a true narrative essay about an incident that you experienced or observed. The form of the true narrative is
undefined; the purpose in telling the story is to express a point or observation.

BLOGS started out as a mix of what was happening in a person’s life and what was h\appening on the Web, a kind
of hybrid diary/news site.
Testimonio literature is an autobiographical narrative where the author was present during or experienced first
hand human rights abuses, violence, war, or lived under conditions of social oppression.
Deliver an artistic presentation summarizing, analyzing, and commenting on a chosen creative nonfictional text
representing a particular type or form. HUMSS_CNF11/12-IIb-c-17
Recall Important Facts on the Sample CNF discussed and presented (by group)
Autobiography – Memory’s Fiction: a Personal History by Bienvenido N. Santos
Diary – Cecilia’s Diary (1962 -1969) by Cecilia M. Brainard
Travelogue – Hongkong in the Sixties by Cristina P. Hidalgo
Food Writing – a direct offshoot of travel writing that has evolved into a literary subgenre of its own. – Food for
Though by Rajendra S. Khadka
Write a mini critique of a peer’s work based on coherence and organization of paragraphs, development of
literary elements use of factual information, and other qualities concerning form and content.
HUMSS_CNF11/12-IId-e-18
Analyze and interpret a well-written creative nonfictional text based on the peer critique HUMSS_CNF11/12-IIf-
19
Guidelines for Nonfiction Critiques
https://thewritingplace.wordpress.com/2009/09/28/guidelines-for-nonfiction-critiques/

Here are the steps to follow when doing a thorough critique of nonfiction:
1. Overall Impressions: Evaluate the work as a reader.
a. Content: Does it open with something that captures your attention and makes you want to keep reading? Does
the pace seem appropriate for the type of information being covered? Can you clearly identify the subject or main
idea? Is the main idea supported by evidence, anecdotes, interviews, viewpoints, or some other method?
b. Audience: Is it clear who the target audience is for the book, article, or essay? Is the tone, language, and reading
level appropriate for that audience?
c. Format: Is it following standard submission guidelines for that type of work, or is it tailored towards guidelines of
a specific market? Is it organized logically, so the reader can follow the development of the topic or progression of
the events?
2. The Mechanics: Evaluate the work for structural strengths and weaknesses.
a. Structure: Were paragraphs and sentences appropriate in length for the type of information presented? Would
varying their length add interest or adjust the pace more effectively? Does the choice of words feel appropriate? Is
the information presented in a way that the target audience will find easy to understand? Does the conclusion
summarize the main points effectively, or bring the work to a satisfying end?
b. Grammar: Are there obvious mistakes in grammar and spelling? Are there too many clichés in the narrative or
dialog?
c. Extras: If there are sidebars, charts, graphs, pictures, or other supporting documents, do they support the
premise, theme, arguments, or hypothesis? Are they formatted properly and annotated in the body of the work?

http://www.ahml.info/attend/nonfiction-critique-guidelines
NONFICTION CRITIQUE GUIDELINES
What is the main idea the writer is trying to get across?
Is the writer trying to be humorous, serious, straightforward, etc? Does this emotion/tone work for the piece?
Who does the piece seem to be written for? Who is the audience?
Does the writer give enough details and examples to illustrate what he/she is trying to get across? Where are there
good details? Where could more be given? Are there any places where the details slowed your reading or bogged
you down?
Does the piece follow a logical order? Are there any places where you got lost? Are there details that should be
given earlier or later in the piece?
What type of piece does the writing seem to be - an article, an essay, a column, a book or book chapter?
Overall, what did you like or not like about the piece?
Keep in mind that nonfiction writers write for a variety of publications including magazines for articles, online
columns, newspaper editorials, etc. Try to put yourself into the mind of the audience to make the best critiques.

Write a draft of creative nonfiction piece based on the learner’s memorable real-life experience.
HUMSS_CNF11/12-IIg-j-20
Peer-edit and revise each other’s draft based on desirable qualities of well written creative nonfiction.
HUMSS_CNF11/12-IIg-j-21
Write the final version of one’s own creative nonfiction in a composition of five paragraphs or more.
HUMSS_CNF11/12-IIg-j-22

For the last 3 competencies:

(REFER TO “THE MODULE TO CREATIVE NONFICTION” A Manual for Filipino Writers; by Cristina Hidalgo;
Compiled by Kristal Faith R. Pagaduan (PDF FORMAT sent to GC 12 Frost CNF)