SHS

Creative Nonfiction
Module 9
HUMMS - Creative Non-Fiction
Module 9
First Edition, 2020

Copyright © 2020
La Union Schools Division
Region I

All rights reserved. No part of this module may be reproduced in any form without
written permission from the copyright owners.

Development Team of the Module

Author: Gina N. Tabling

Editor: SDO La Union, Learning Resource Quality Assurance Team
Illustrator: Ernesto F. Ramos Jr., P II

Management Team:

ATTY. Donato D. Balderas, Jr.

Schools Division Superintendent
Vivian Luz S. Pagatpatan, Ph.D
Assistant Schools Division Superintendent
German E. Flora, Ph.D, CID Chief
Virgilio C. Boado, Ph.D, EPS in Charge of LRMS
Belen C. Aquino, Ph.D, EPS in Charge of English
Michael Jason D. Morales, PDO II
Claire P. Toluyen, Librarian II
Creative Non-Fiction
Module 9
 Target

To write a great creative nonfiction, a writer must tell a fact-based story in

an imaginative way—and yes, it is not as easy task as it sounds! Nonfiction writers

must be dedicated to preserving the truth of their stories—the who, what, why,

where, when, and how. The creativity enters through the use of perspective, which,

like a camera lens, allows the writer to focus the reader’s attention and engage his

or her imagination.

In the previous module, you have learned how to write a mini critique of a

peer’s work based on coherence and organization.

This module will provide you with essential guides and techniques on how

to write a draft of creative nonfiction piece based on memorable real-life experience.

After completing this module, you are expected to:

1. demonstrate prior knowledge on drafting,

2. evaluate your paper to improve content and organization, style, and conventions,

3. revise the draft of creative nonfiction piece to produce a finished work; and

4. use a rubric in evaluating your finished work.

Before going on, check how much you know about this topic. Answer

the pretest on the next page in a separate sheet of paper.

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 Module
9 Writing a Draft
The peculiar qualities and appeal of creative nonfiction texts truly inspire

and energize human mind and spirit. Such genre provides useful information and

insights in relation to real human experiences. Thus, reading and writing creative

nonfiction can also be liberating and amusing.

Jumpstart

Activity 1: Read Me! Understand Me!

Directions: Read the following passage. Answer the questions that follow in a

separate sheet of paper. Write the letter of your answer. Use capital letters.

How do you start a memoir?

Like starting any book, you have to understand why you’re doing it and what

you wish to portray with the final product. Starting a memoir includes an outline,

key chapters with specific messages, and working on developing a writing habit in

order to stick to writing.

A memoir is a historical account written with personal knowledge and

experience covering the lifetime of an individual, usually with a greater purpose or

message within it. How is this different from an autobiography? Aren’t they the

same thing?

With so many genres and writing terminology out there, knowing the

differences between a memoir versus autobiography, can be confusing. They’re

both

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about someone’s life written by themselves, right? Right. But they do differ in a

single way that really makes a memoir and an autobiography completely different

in terms of their end results.

A memoir typically covers one aspect of a writer’s life (or a continuous theme

through memories), while an autobiography is a chronological account of the

writer’s life. It has to be written with strong description and details, and possibly

with dialogue to arouse the interest of the readers.

So if you want to write a play-by-play of your entire life from the moment

you popped into this world to the very second you started writing, you’d write an

autobiography. But if you’re looking to share a profound message with the world

through your own real-life experiences, you’ll write a memoir.

( Source: Mazzeo, T.J. ( 2012) Writing Creative Nonfiction: Course Guidebook.

Retrieved July 23, 2020 from
https://www.fcusd.org/cms/lib/CA01001934/Centricity/Domain/3762/
Writing%20Creative%20Non%20Fiction.pdf)

________1. The definition of autobiography is

A. a life story made into film by the person him/herself.

B. a life story that tells the life of another person.

C. a life story written by another person.

D. a self-written life story.

_________2. Autobiographies are important because

A. they are a good way to inspire other people.

B. they are a way for the person to continue healing.

C. they are a way to show others they are not alone in their problems.

D. All of the foregoing.

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__________3. A memoir is a type of autobiography, but

A. they feature the whole life of the person.

B. they focus on one event or time period of the person’s life.

C. they focus on other people instead of the author.

D. None of the above.

__________4. When writing an autobiography, the author should remember to

A. use academic language and keep the ideas simple.

B. use flowery descriptions and a lot of figurative language.

C. use other people’s thoughts and feelings to describe him or herself.

D. use strong description, provide details, and possibly add dialogue.

__________5. In order to arouse the interest of the readers, a good creative

nonfiction must use

A. strong description

B. vivid details

C. dialogue

D. All of the foregoing.

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 Discover

Creative nonfiction is the fastest-growing part of the creative writing world

because it tries to bring together the imaginative strategies of fiction storytelling

and new ways of narrating real-life events. Learning the secrets and techniques of

creative nonfiction offers you so much more than just insights into this exciting

style of writing. Mastering the art and craft of creative nonfiction can

 help you write more effectively in a variety of academic and personal situations,

 provide dynamic new ways for you to preserve life experiences as how they

truly occurred or as you felt them,

 allow you to share your stories in ways that other people are sure to find

compelling, and

 open up new windows on how you think about your own personal history and

that of others.

Before putting pen to paper, a writer has many decisions to make. One of

the most important of these is identifying the kind of work he or she would like to

create. While fiction writers choose to rely solely on their imagination and ability to

distort reality, nonfiction writers assume the hefty load of research, reportage and

accuracy.

The 5 R’s of creative nonfiction is a short checklist to refer to when writing a

nonfiction work that will ensure your bases are covered.

The 5 R's of Creative Nonfiction

1. Write about real life.

Remember that you are writing about real people, real places and real

events. Visiting the people and the places you are going to write about will give you

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the tools necessary to tell an accurate story with vivid scenery, well-described

artifacts and true-to-life personages. Nothing should be fictional or made up.

Everything that makes it into your work of creative nonfiction must have happened

at some time or another in real life. Never embellish or alter reality.

2. Conduct extensive research.

Use every resource available to gather information on your subject. Of

course, where you look for information will depend on the subject matter, but some

great starting places are:

 The library

 Newspaper archives

 The Internet

 Interviews

 Public records

 Books and magazines

 Photographs

 Immersion (visiting the place you are writing about)

It is also apparent to ensure your sources are accurate and reputable. If not,

your integrity is at stake. Even worse, a creative nonfiction writer who doesn't

conduct sufficient research is liable to have their name scourged by readers.

3. Write a narrative.

Use the storytelling elements of fiction to create a compelling story with the

factual information you’ve gathered. You could craft your story this way using the

standard pattern:

 Inciting incident

 Conflict (internal or external)

 Climax or turning point

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  Resolution

 End of story

4. Include personal touch.

The “creative” in “creative nonfiction” comes with the author’s unique voice

and opinion on the matters being related on the page. You, the author, are the

human connection between the subject matter and the reader. In this sense,

creative nonfiction relies much more on the personality of the author than fiction.

You must befriend your reader, make them trust you, and proceed with your

storytelling.

5. Learn by reading.

The creative nonfiction writer should read autobiographies, newspapers,

magazines, articles and other nonfiction books to get a taste for how theirs should

be formatted and written.

With these tips, you are more than halfway to creating a great work of

creative nonfiction. Once you’ve collected your information, plotted your story and

taken a unique angle on the subject, you are ready to begin the hardest part of the

process: writing the story. Happy writing!

Familiarizing Autobiographical Writing

One of the forms of creative nonfiction that you could create based on a

memorable real life experience is writing autobiography. This is a written account

of the life of a person written by that person himself or herself.

Here under are some important things that you need to understand about

autobiographical writing, or the writing of events in the life of a person written by

that person himself or herself.

1. Recounts the story focusing on a person or event in the life of the writer

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2. Shares writer’s life

3. Involves a definite sequence of events experienced or witnessed by the writer

4. Vivifies details for portraying people and places

5. Highlights a problem, conflict, or contrast between viewpoints of past and

present

Forms of Autobiographical Writing

Below are some forms of autobiographical writing:

 Autobiography --- Etymologically, the word autobiography is

composed of the Greek words auto meaning “self”, bio, bios meaning

“life”, and gráphō, graphien meaning “write.” Thus, autobiography is

a written account of the life of a person written by that person himself

or herself.

 Memoirs --- This covers your life’s events in a more story-like

structure with an overarching theme or messaged written in. These

are also real stories of the writer’s relationship with a person, place,

or even animals. It also includes the writer’s insights and feelings

towards the relationship.

 Personal narrative--- This is also known as autobiographical

incidents. Texts of this form focus on and highlight a specific event in

the life of the writer.

 Autobiographical sketches/ narratives --- The purpose of this is to

describe a time or a series of events in the writer’s life including

insights about them.

 Reflective Essay--- This recalls and recounts an experience. Insights

on an experience are also expressed.

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Steps in Autobiographical Writing

To create an autobiographical piece, there are several steps and strategies

that can be considered as definite guides:

1. Prewriting

 Selecting a topic

In this phase, the writer explores and chooses a possible topic or subject

for writing. It is important that the writer select an interesting topic based on

his/her experience like in solving an encountered problem or conflict that

captured realizations and insights.

There are strategies for generating a topic. The freewriting strategy allows

the writer to note down a variety of ideas that come to his/her mind. In this

way, the writer has options as to what topic to highlight. It is also necessary to

select or to zero in the most interesting idea. Furthermore, the events

connected to such idea must be used as an inspiration for the topic.

Aside from this, the blueprinting strategy allows the writer to think of

places that are perceived to be important to him/her. The writer draws a map

and marks different areas. In each location, connected memories are listed.

Then, the writer selects a memory from the created list and takes it as the topic

from writing.

 Narrowing the topic

After choosing a possible topic, the writer needs to narrow and to set the

focus by uncovering what is hidden within the story. Include details and

points that enrich the story.

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  Thinking about the audience and purpose for writing

The writer’s awareness of his/her intended readers or audience the level

of language that the writer will utilize. It can be either formal or casual, on the

other hand, setting the purpose for writing is also important. An

autobiographical text may amuse, inspire or celebrate a person’s one’s life.

Purpose Organization Details to Include

to recount an building the climax suspense, sympathy, humor

amusing, exciting or
moving story
to share an insight highlight the the contrast between past
realizations and and present points-of-view
lessons
celebrate a person in show the person’s characteristics of the person
one’s life character and relevant
details

 Obtaining Details

Details give shape to and enrich the writing piece. Obtaining details can

be done through listing and itemizing. After making a list, select and highlight the

ones that are relevant , valuable and interesting.

2. Drafting

 Giving shape to the writing piece

Conflicts and tensions make stories interesting. These are found in incidents

taken from life. Conflict is the opposition of forces that causes a struggle. In the

presence of a conflict, a character is prevented from getting anything he/she

wants.

 Elaborating Details

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 Characteristics by providing relevant details can help readers to visualize

and imagine scenes clearly. It is necessary for the writer to help readers to see

what the writer sees and to feel what the writer feels. Thus, in that way, the writer

connects himself/herself to his/her audience

What Qualifies as a Memoir?

A memoir is unique in the fact that it covers your life’s events in a more

story-like structure with an overarching theme or message written in. Memoirs are

very specific in the sense that it accounts for the events of your life with an

emphasis on stories and impactful moments that lead to a great purpose.

Anyone has the ability and can experience to write a memoir. If you have a

story, then you are on your way to writing one.

How to Write a Memoir with Meaning and Influence

Writing a memoir can not only be a valuable experience for you, but the

impact it may have on other people is astounding too. The following tips were put

together to help you learn how to start a memoir that’s captivating and intriguing.

1. A strong introduction is everything.

Without the ability to hook readers, convincing someone read your work will

be a bit harder than anticipated. Let’s draw those readers in!

2. Be relatable.

One major mistake many make when writing a memoir is not starting it off in a

way that makes the readers connect with them. This is one of the most important

aspects of your memoir. Do you really think people will want to read about a

person’s life if they can’t relate to them? Did you understand their pain and

triumph and hardships? When others relate to you and see themselves in your

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journey, they’ll want to stick around to see how it plays out. And that means they’ll

read your whole work and any others you write.

3. Use emotion by showing, not telling.

If you want to give a play-by-play of your life with nothing more than a list of

experiences you’ve gone through, that’s fine. Just know that doing it that way won’t

hook your readers and it certainly won’t keep them. A memoir can be a powerful

tool for educating others through your life journeys, but if they’re not intrigued

enough to keep reading, it’ll render your memoir pointless. In showing and not

telling, you’ll put more emotion into your writing.

4. Make the message clear right away.

What is it you’re trying to say through your memoir? Why did you want to

start writing one in the first place? Everybody has an interesting life if you look

deep enough. What you have to determine is how your life experiences can aid and

shape the lives of others. Think about how that will manifest from what you’ve lived

through before and make sure your readers know what it is from the start.

5. Write from the heart.

Christopher Moss, author of “Hope Over Anxiety” says the best way to write

your memoir is to be open about your experiences. He emphasizes to “Write from

the heart. Show people your experience. Be as vulnerable and honest as you can. If it

scares you a little, what you are writing that’s good. The reader has to feel what you

are going through.”

6. Narrow your focus .

Your memoir should be written as if the entire piece is a snapshot of one theme

of your life. Your memoir is not an autobiography. The difference is that an

autobiography spans your entire life, and a memoir focuses on one particular

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moment or series of moments around a theme. You want your readers to walk away

knowing you, and that one experience, on a much deeper level.

7. Tell the truth.

One of the best tips for how to write a memoir that’s powerful is to be honest

and genuine. It’s important that you tell the truth — even if it makes your journey

as an author more difficult. One more note on honesty: Memoirs explore the

concept of truth as seen through your eyes. Don’t write in a snarky manner or with

a bitter tone. The motivation for writing a memoir shouldn’t be to exact revenge or

whine or seek forgiveness; it should simply be to share your experience. Don’t

exaggerate or bend the truth in your memoir. Your story, the unique one that you

hold and cherish, is enough. There is no need to fabricate or embellish.

8. Employ elements of fiction to bring your story to life.

Think of the people in memoirs as characters. A great memoir pulls you into

their lives: what they struggle with, what they are successful at and what they

wonder about. Many of the best memoir writers focus on a few key characteristics

of their characters, allowing the reader to get to know each one in depth. Introduce

intriguing setting details and develop a captivating plot from your story. Show your

readers the locations you describe and evoke emotions within them. They need to

experience your story, almost as if it was their own. While your memoir is a true

story, employing these elements of fiction will make it far more powerful and

enjoyable for your readers.

9. Create an emotional journey.

Take your readers on an emotional journey that motivates them to read the

next chapter, wonder about you well after they finish the last page, and tell their

friends and colleagues about your book. The best way to evoke these feelings in

your readers is to connect your emotions with your writing.

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 Explore

Here are some enrichment activities for you to work on to master and strengthen

the basic concepts you have learned from this lesson.

Enrichment Activity 1: My concept, my understanding

Answer the following questions. Use separate paper for your answers.

1. How does an autobiography differ from a biography?

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

2. What is a memoir? Can we use the terms autobiography and memoir

interchangeably? Elaborate.

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

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Assessment Activity 1: Focusing the Lens

1. Reliving Memories through Photographs

Task 1: Look for any printed picture that you have. Recall the events or memories

behind the scene in the picture. Apply the steps and guidelines in autobiographical

writing. Answer on a separate sheet of paper.

2. Recalling a Dream (adapted from Susan Hubbard)

Task 2: Try to recall a dream that is recurring one. Tell something about providing

details as clearly as possible. Answer on a separate sheet of paper.

Enrichment Activity 2: Going Down Memory Lane

What to do: Recall and name three (3) events in your life. Decide which one could

be an interesting topic for memoir. Give relevant explanations to support your

choice. Use separate paper for your answers.

1 2 3

Explanation Explanation Explanation

Assessment Activity 2: Count Thy Blessings

Develop a timeline of significant events in your life from your childhood to present and make
an assumption as to how you see your life in the future. Answer using a separate paper.

Year Age Significant Life Events ( from childhood to Future Life

present)

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Enrichment Activity 3 : My Six Word Memoir

What does it mean to leave a legacy? It could mean transferring knowledge,

passing on values and life lessons, or simply leaving a lasting impression for

stories to be told and memories to be shared about you. What legacy will you leave

at school or in life? You could answer these through writing your memoir.

A memoir is a written collection of memories about moments or events,

public or private, that took place in your life. A memoir is a story about your life,

important moments that you want to share with others that tell about what’s

important to you, what you value, and what you want others to know.

Once asked to write a full story in six words, legend has it that novelist

Ernest Hemingway responded: "For Sale: baby shoes, never worn."

Below are some other examples of 6 word memoirs from famous people:

"Life is one big editorial meeting" - Activist Gloria Steinem

"The miserable childhood leads to royalties" - Author Frank McCourt

"Acting is not all I am" - Actress Molly Ringwald

Let’s see if you can tell a story of your life in 6 words! Whether it’s

humorous, or profound, or somewhere in between, this exercise will give you an

idea of events or memories or emotions that have some type of meaning in your

life. Have fun!

What you have to do

Write a 6-word memoir. Try the following techniques to help you out. Use separate

paper for your answers.

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1) Create a “you” list – fill the page: List as many words as you can about yourself –

things you like, feelings you have. Don’t cross out, change, or rewrite anything.

Don’t worry about spelling – just write. You are going for quantity, so write as

much as you can for at least 3 minutes.

2) Circle 3 items that inspire you to say more: Pick words from your list that, if

heard aloud, would make you think about something that happened in your life, a

story or an idea, or something that was important to you.

3) From those items you circled, select one: “Free write” about it for at least 2

minutes. “Free write” means you just start writing about that idea, object, role or

event. The only rule is: don’t stop writing for at least two minutes. Whatever comes

to mind is fair game. Then, synthesize. Develop a 6-word phrase/ sentence that

captures the essence of what your topic means to you.

Assessment 3: Pull It All Together

Directions: Read the questions below. Answer on a separate sheet of paper.
1. What are the important guidelines to consider in selecting a topic for

memoir writing?

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

2. If you will write your memoir, what will you consider as your purpose in

writing such? Is it to amuse, inspire , or to celebrate life? Explain.

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

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Great job! You have understood the lesson.
Are you now ready to summarize?
 Deepen

How to Start Off a Memoir: Everyone’s Story Is Different

At this point, there isn’t one right way to write a memoir because everyone’s

life story and creative process are unique. Read the following memoir to give you a

hint how.

Driving Lessons

By N.G. Ayeng

My father is smiling now. I have just shifted to fifth gear and our car is

cruising at 80 kph along suburban highway. His smile radiates silent pride as he

watches me behind the wheel, confident and totally in control of the machine at

last.

He had waited long enough for this moment. For several years, he exhibited

endless patience in teaching me how to drive. I was a lousy student driver. I would

recklessly overtake even when there were four cars coming from the back of the car

in front of us. I would even choke the car’s engine with gasoline by abruptly

stopping when a gorgeous guy crossed the street. I was simply a total headache the

moment I turned on the ignition.

Through it all my father stayed with me. From his front seat, he would point

out my mistakes and reprimand me for them but he never left my side. For a while

I even thought the only thing he ever taught me was how to drive. He is too stiff to

talk about love and too dry to talk about life. It took several years of driving lessons

under him to make me realize that I was wrong, completely wrong.

Now it’s my turn to smile. Pressing harder on the gas pedal, I remember how

my father’s driving instructions would keep coming back in some difficult times

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during my undergraduate years. It was easy for a girl from the province to get

intimidated by the near-death experience of entering the University of the

Philippines. However, without knowing it at first, I had a survival weapon with me.

In every desperate situation I got myself into, my father’s voice would come back to

save me. And always it was framed as driving instructions.

During my first year in college, I was forever tormented by homesickness. It

came to a point when I seriously considered throwing a lasso at every plane that

was flying by so that I could get a ride home. Amid this terrible aloneness, I heard

my father’s voice saying. “Never let the machine control you. You must control the

machine.” Immediately, I’d stop sulking. And in time I resolved to be ready to take

on life as it comes, I had to be in control.

Wrestling with my academics was my next problem. When full-blown

research papers, long examinations, and teachers of the terrorist kind threatened

to drive me crazy, I looked for reasons to justify giving the whole thing up. But then

my father’s instructions again came back to strengthen me. When I felt overloaded

with academic requirements, I would remember him saying, “The trick is in the

approach. When you see bumps, be ready to move sideways.”

When I thought of rebelling against some teachers who were blissfully

power-tripping, I would hear him say, “Just be extra cautious at night and during

rain. Your vision is limited and the roads are slippery.”

When I feel like crawling under the chair because my classmates were so

naturally brilliant and my insecurities were eating me up, I would hear him say,

“It’s a matter of shifting your gears at the right time.”

As I tried to survive an oppressive atmosphere, I got to meet all kinds of

people with all kinds of attitude. My father’s instructions was: “Don’t be a

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headache to other drivers. Always stick to your lane. Follow every one-way sign.

Don’t box in other cars when you park.”

I did exactly as he told me, and most of the persons I met thanked me for

the respect and consideration I gave them. I made a lot of good friends along the

way.

In my last year as an undergraduate as I was working on my thesis, I heard my

father’s voice again, “Check everything before you start the engine,” he was saying.

I did, and I was able to answer all the questions my adviser threw at me.

Soon, the dark and dreary thesis nights started to deprive me of good times

in dreamland. I was staring at the computer screen 24 hours a day. I was close to

a nervous breakdown when I heard my father say, “It is very important for you to

know where the brakes are.” Well, I found them, I went to see a movie for the first

time in so many months since I started working on my thesis. Afterwards, I never

felt so relaxed in my whole life.

Time flew swiftly and I graduated from the university. When I look back at

those trying times, I fondly remember the special instruction my father gave me

when he let me drive alone for the first time. It never failed to lift up my spirit no

matter how confused or downhearted I felt. “If worst comes to worst,” he said.

“Leave the car and find your way home.” He told me I was more important than

any machine ever will be.

In my last year as an undergraduate as I was working on my thesis, I heard

my father’s voice again, “Check everything before you start the engine,” he was

saying. I did, and I was able to answer all the questions my adviser threw at me.

I know now why this instruction is a very special one. The unfathomable

parental love that comes with it has made the driving lessons he gave me unique.

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 His instructions I will always recall to mind. His love, I will forever hold in my

heart.

My father’s smile and mine have become full. Our car is still breezing along

at 80 KPH and we are enjoying the ride. It’s like his final instruction: “Relax while

driving.” Indeed, the only thing my father taught me was how to drive. But the

lessons that came with it were innumerable.

Billows of dust rail our car as I glance at the rearview mirror to check on the

distance I have traveled. I have gone quite a long way.

I step on the gas pedal a little bit harder, and the car hit 90 kph. How did that

song go again? “Magda-drive ako hanggang sa buwan….” (I will drive until I get to

the moon) With all my father taught me, I can drive much farther!

Source: Ayeng, N. G. (1996). Young Blood, Philippine Daily Inquirer.

What to do

Write your own memoir. Your memoir should focus on the aspects of your

life that is meaningful to you. The following topics and ideas may help you get

started.

1. The Most Interesting Thing that Ever Happened to You

We all have some event or events in our lives that have stayed in our memory.

It could be that these events are those that define us, or changed our

understanding of ourselves. Maybe it was a road trip you took, the time you saved

someone's life, or someone saved yours. Look at what you consider the most

interesting or influential experience in your life. Did you learn something from it?

Do you have regrets about it? How did this event define you? How did it impact

your view of yourself or others?

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2. Major Life Events

Think about the milestones in your life you have crossed. Explore the ways that

these major events have shaped your life. Have they changed your perspectives? If

so, how? If not, why?

3. What Makes You, You

Another angle to take to formulate ideas for your memoir is to think about the way

you define yourself. Imagine you were going to write a character sketch of yourself.

Think not just of your physical appearance, but the aspects of your personality.

When you try to define yourself, what comes to mind? Your family? Your friends?

What, if anything, do they tell you about yourself?

4. In Your Dreams

Have you ever found yourself revisiting some place from your past in your dreams?

Maybe you remember the sights, the smells, and the people you associated with

that time. Is this a time in your life that is still relevant to your present, or is it a

time you never thought about until you dreamt it? Use vivid descriptive language to

recount this time and what you take from it.

Requirements:

 A well-written 3-6 paragraph memoir with a strong lead and a strong conclusion.

 Typed in 12 point Arial or Tahoma font, double-spaced.

 A creative and reflective title centered at the top of your paper with your name,

grade level and section centered under the title.

 Imagery and figurative language throughout your memoir should be present.

Show your story, don’t tell it.

 Review the requirements listed on your rubric.

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 4- Excellent 3- Very Good 2-Satisfactory 1-Needs
Improvement
Organization *Well-focused *Generally *Somewhat *Not focused
on the topic focused on the focused on the on the topic
*Logical topic topic *No clear
organization *Some lapses *Poor organization
*Excellent in organization *No transitions
transitions organization *Few *Difficult to
*Easy to follow *Some transitions impossible to
transitions *Difficult to follow
*Usually easy follow
to follow
Introduction Introductory Introductory Introductory No attempt is
paragraph paragraph paragraph made to state
clearly states states subject attempts to the subject of
subject of essay of essay but is state subject of the essay in an
and captures not essay but does introductory
reader's particularly not capture paragraph.
attention. inviting to the reader's
reader. attention.
Word Choice *Precise, vivid *Fairly *Vague, *Very limited
and interesting precise, mundane word choices
word choices interesting word choices *Wording is
*Wide variety of and somewhat *Wording is bland and not
word choices varied word sometimes descriptive
choices repetitive
*Wording *More
could be more descriptive
specific words are
needed
Sensory Essay includes Includes Includes Includes no
Detail details that details that details that details that
appeal to at appeal to appeal to only appeal to one
least three of fewer than one of the five of the five
the five senses three of the senses. senses.
(taste, touch, five senses.
sound, sight,
smell).
Figurative Writer Writer uses Writer may try Writer does not
Language effectively uses one example to use simile, include simile,
simile, of simile, metaphor, and metaphor, or
metaphor, and metaphor, or personification personification
personification personification but does so in essay.
to describe the to describe the incorrectly.
subject. subject.
Sentence *Uses complete *Uses *Occasional *Frequent use
Fluency sentences complete sentence of sentence
*Varying sentences fragment or fragments or
sentence *Generally run-on run-on
structure and simple sentences sentences
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 lengths sentence *Simple *Sentences are
structures sentence difficult to
structure is understand
used
repeatedly
Conventions *Proper *Few errors of *Errors in *Frequent
grammar, grammar and grammar, errors in
usage usage usage and grammar,
*Correct *Mostly spelling usage, spelling,
spelling correct sometimes capitalization
Correct spelling, make and
punctuation punctuation understanding punctuation
*Correct and difficult make
capitalization capitalization *Some errors understanding
in punctuation difficult or
and impossible
capitalization
Voice *Voice is fitting *Voice is fairly *Voice rarely *Voice is weak
for the topic clear and comes through or
and engaging seems to fit *Not always inappropriate
*Well-suited for the topic suited for *No sense of
audience and *Suited for audience and audience and
purpose audience and purpose purpose
purpose

Very well done! You are now ready to take your posttest.

You may again go over the lessons and activities to review

for the final assessment. Good luck!

24
 Gauge
I. Directions: Read each item carefully. Write only the letter of the best

answer for each test item. Use a separate sheet for your answers.

_____1. The purpose of this is to describe a time or a series of events in the writer’s

life including the writer’s insights.

A. testimony B. memoirs C. journal account D. diary

______2. In this genre, the information to be used in writing can just be invented or

contrived.

A. drama B. fiction C. nonfiction D. poetry

______3. These are real stories of the writer’s relationship with a person, place or

events that also includes the writer’s insights and feelings toward the

relationship.

A. autobiography B. biography C. memoirs D. testimony

______4. This is any work that is drawn from the imaginative reconstruction and

creative recreation of life by the writer.

A. drama B. fiction C. nonfiction D. poetry

_____5. Memoirs are often told in the what point of view?

A. First person point of view B. Second person point of view

C. Third person point of view D. No point of view

_____6. This is a work classified as creative nonfiction.

A. fables B. memoirs C. poetry D. short story

______7. Which of the following is NOT TRUE about Creative Nonfiction?

A. It could but not strictly present authentic or real events, stories and experiences

B. It is used to recount real encounters, events, and information.

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C. It is a written work that is classified to be products of authentic experiences and

events

D. It may or may not be detailed and engaging ( but does need to be funny, or sad,

or controversial).

_____8. Which of the following is TRUE about Creative Nonfiction?

A. Creative nonfiction texts are written for a singular reason--- to inform.

B. Creative nonfiction writing avoids the application of literary writing methods.

C. In creative nonfiction, the information to be used in writing can be just be

created

D. Nonfiction heavily deals with the truth.

_____9. This is the imaginative recreation and reconstruction of life.

A. drama B. fiction C. nonfiction D. poetry

_____10. This include the writer’s contemplation or realization on his/her

experience.

A. Autobiography B. Memoirs C .Personal essays D. Reflective essays

II. Directions: Read and evaluate the following excerpts/statements carefully.

Write C if the item provides accurate description for Creative Nonfiction

and D if the statement contains irrelevant description.

_____1. Considers “true stories” as its subject

_____2. Employs the technique in literary writing

_____3. Contains fictitious or contrived ideas

_____4. Creative in “Creative Nonfiction” means the invention of information and

details which did not transpire.

_____5. It is just similar to academic and technical writing.

_____6. It can add conversation between characters in a literary work.

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_____7. It includes research reports like theses and dissertations.

_____8. One of the goal of creative nonfiction is to provide and to present authentic

information.

_____9. Creative Nonfiction is as old as the traditional genres of poetry and fiction.

_____10. This genre employs the writing aesthetics found in literary prose and

poetic forms.

Great job! You are almost done with this module.

27
References

Printed Materials:

Ayeng, N. G. (1996). Young Blood, Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Baronda, A.J.C. (2017). Creative Non-fiction, (pp 103-107) JFS Publishing Services,
Pasay City, Philippines.

Website:

Dupuls, L. (2018). The Five R’s of Creative of Nonfiction. Retrieved July 24, 2020
from https://owlcation.com/humanities/The-Five-Rs-of-Creative-Non-
Fiction

Mazzeo, T.J. ( 2012) Writing Creative Nonfiction: Course Guidebook. Retrieved July
23, 2020 from
https://www.fcusd.org/cms/lib/CA01001934/Centricity/Domain/3762/
Writing%20Creative%20Non%20Fiction.pdf

"Memoir Writing Prompts." Study.com, 27 October 2015, Retrieved July 25, 2020
from study.com/academy/popular/memoir-writing-prompts.html

Pope, B.R. (2020) How to Write a Memoir: The Complete Guide to Getting Started,
Retrieved July 22, 2020 from https://self-publishingschool.com/how-to-
write-a-memoir/

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