SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

Creative Nonfiction
Quarter 1 – Module 3
Literary Conventions that Govern the
Different Genre

Department of Education ● Republic of the Philippines

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 LESSON 4

DRAFTING A SHORT PIECE USING ANY OF THE LITERARY CONVENTION OF

GENRE

Learning Competency 1:
Write a draft of a short piece on Nonfiction from various disciplines
Learning Objectives: at the end of this lesson, the learners are expected to:
1. Discuss what is non-fiction
2. Identify the essential genres of Nonfiction; and
3. Write a creative nonfiction piece about your everyday hero (someone in your
life who you consider a hero).

Let’s Answer This!

Instructions: Read and analyze the items below before each number. Write the letter
that corresponds to the best answer.

1. Which of the following is an example of a work classified as Creative Nonfiction?

a. Autobiography b. Memoir c. Personal Narrative d. all of the foregoing

2. Which of the following is NOT TRUE about biography?

a. A written history of a person’s life
b. An account of the story of a real person’s life that is written by another
person
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 c. It is about the life of a person narrated by himself or herself
d. None of the above
3. It is any work drawn from the imagination of the writer.
a. Essay b. fiction c. novel d. short story

4. It is the most popular form of literature which is classified as a prose composition

which attempts to explain or clear up an idea, perception, or Point of view.
a. Editorial b. essay c. fiction d. research report
b.
5. In the line, the child is the father of the man, what figure of speech employed?
a. Anaphora b. litotes c. paradox d. simile
b.
6. Which group of words exemplifies onomatopoeia as a sound device?
a. Hold, told, mold, gold c. Hiss, buzz, swoosh, boom
c. Wicked and wan d. die, sky, fly, pie

7. The line glowing color appear, appeals to the sense of .

a. Sight b. smell c. taste d. touch

8. This element makes the essay literary.

a. Theme and content c. language and style
b. Form and structure d. coherence and unity

9. This is also known as “character essay”.

a. Informal essay c. critical essay
b. Didactic essay d. biographical essay

10. Which is true about a short story and a novel?

a. These literary works are both classified as fictional works
b. Both are imaginative prose works
c. They differ from each other in length and complexity
d. All of the preceding

Let’s Move On!

Test I. put a check (/) mark that best answer the questions.
1. A story written about another person’s life, is what type of nonfiction?
a. Autobiography
b. Exposition
c. Informational Article
d. Biography
e. Essay

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2. A story that just explains information on a topic is what kind of non-fiction?
a. Exposition
b. Informational Article
c. Biography
d. Essay
e. Autobiography
3. A story that explains someone’s opinion on a topic is what kind of non-fiction?
a. Autobiography
b. Exposition
c. Informational Article
d. Biography
e. Essay
4. A story that someone wrote about their life is what kind of non-fiction?
a. Autobiography
b. Exposition
c. Informational Article
d. Biography
e. Essay
5. A story about a person named John Jackson and what his life is about would be
what kind of non-fiction?
a. Autobiography
b. Exposition
c. Informational Article
d. Biography
e. Essay

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6. What kind of non-fiction do most people read daily in the newspaper?
a. Autobiography
b. Exposition
c. Informational Article
d. Biography
e. Essay
7. Before you write non-fiction what do you need to do?
a. Read a good book
b. Eat a good lunch
c. Research your topic
d. Take a test
8. True or false: Informational articles contain opinion
a. True
b. False
9. What type of non-fiction would be describing a historic event?
a. Autobiography
b. Exposition
c. Informational Article
d. Biography
e. Essay
10. A diary is what type of non-fiction?
a. Autobiography
b. Exposition
c. Informational Article
d. Biography
e. Essay

What is Fiction and Creative Nonfiction?

A work of fiction is created in the imagination of its author. The author invents
the story and makes up the characters, the plot or storyline, the dialogue and
sometimes even the setting. A fictional work does not claim to tell a true story. Instead,
it immerses us in experiences that we may never have in real life, introduces us to
types of people we may never otherwise meet and takes us to places we may never
visit in any other way. Fiction can inspire us, intrigue us, scare us and engage us in

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new ideas. It can help us see ourselves and our world in new and interesting ways.
What's more, it's often just plain fun!
Creative nonfiction weaves the marginal boundary of literary art such as
fiction and nonfiction (covering and writing journalism, statistical, the essay, and many
others). Creative nonfiction then is the emphasis of truthful writing using the character,
setting, plot, conflict, and theme of the literary devices making it creatively challenging.
In writing creative nonfiction, it should include precise and well-researched
information, should stir the interest of the reader to continue evaluating the storyline,
and provides artistry in the storytelling of truthful events. Types of creative nonfiction
include autobiography/biography, literary journalism or reportage, a blog may
feature travelogue, reflection essays, personal narratives or memoir, flash essay,
and testimonia.
Understanding Various Forms and Types of Creative Nonfiction
Creative Nonfiction (CN) includes different types of writing such as food, travel,
memoir, personal, reflective essays, and other hybridized types. It employs the literary
techniques to achieve elegance in the language, character, and make the story
heartwarming and nearer to the readers. It seeks closer to the truth as it continues to
provide the human aspects of triumphs and tragedies. Although creative nonfiction
may look poetic or crafted, it still illustrates creativity in weaving all the details together.
Writing for creative nonfiction makes you uncovered as you continue to reveal all what
you have in life.
Autobiography is a story of a person’s life in a specific moment in time that is told
by the person himself or herself. Thus, it is always told in the first-person point of view
since it is a story reshaped by reminiscing memories. Autobiography can be subjected
to truthfulness because of misleading or incorrect information provided. Biographies
are written in the third person about someone other than the author. It may profile
subjects both living and dead. There are four shorter types of autobiography.
(1) Journals are daily written personal accounts, observations, experiences but
not emotional.
(2) Diaries are emotional accounts and personal experiences of the writer.
(3) Letters are written messages addressed to a particular person, organization,
or institution.
(4) Memoirs are narrower in focus, carrying memories, feelings, and emotions of
the writer.

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Sample of Biography:

JOSE GARCIA VILLA

Poet, critic, short story writer, and painter, Jose
Garcia Villa was a consummate artist in poetry and in
person as well. At parties given him by friends and
admirers whenever he came home for a brief visit, things
memorable usually happened. Take that scene many
years ago at the home of the late Federico Mangahas, a
close friend of Villa's. The poet, resplendent in his shiny
attire, his belt an ordinary knotted cow's rope, stood at a
corner talking with a young
woman. Someone in the crowd remarked: "What's the idea wearing a belt like that?"
No answer. Only the faint laughter of a woman was heard. Or was it a giggle perhaps?
Then there was one evening, with few people around, when he sat down Buddha-like
on a semi-marble bench under Dalupan Hall at UE waiting for somebody. That was
the year he came home from America to receive a doctor's degree, honoris causa,
from FEU. Somebody asked: "What are you doing?" He looked up slowly and
answered bemused: "I am just catching up trying to be immoral." Sounded something
like that. There was only murmuring among the crowd. They were not sure whether
the man was joking or serious. They were awed to learn that he was the famed Jose
Garcia Villa. What did the people remember? The Buddha-like posture? Or what he
said? That was Villa the artist. There's something about his person or what he does or
says that makes people gravitate toward him. Stare at him or listen to him.
Villa is the undisputed Filipino supremo of the practitioners of the "artsakists."
His followers have diminished in number but are still considerable.
Villa was born in Singalong, Manila, on 05 August 1908. His parents were
Simeon Villa, personal physician of revolutionary general Emilio Aguinaldo, and Guia
Garcia. He graduated from the UP High School in 1925 and enrolled in the pre-med
course. He didn't enjoy working on cadavers and so he switched to pre-law, which he
didn't like either. A short biography prepared by the Foreign Service Institute said Villa
was first interested in painting but turned to writing after reading Sherwood Anderson's
"Winesburg, Ohio."

Meanwhile, he devoted a good part of his time writing short stories and poems.
Soon he started exerting his leadership among the UP writers. His ideas on literature
were provocative. He stirred strong feelings. He was thought too individualistic. He
published his series of erotic poems, "Man Songs" in 1929. It was too bold for the staid
UP administrators, who summarily suspended Villa from the university. He was even
fined P70 for "obscenity" by the Manila Court of First Instance.

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 With the P1,000 he won as a prize from the Philippines Free Press for his "Mir-
i-Nisa," adjudged the best short story that year (1929), he migrated to the United
States. He enrolled at the University of New Mexico where he edited and published a
mimeographed literary magazine he founded: Clay. Several young American writers
who eventually became famous contributed. Villa wrote several short stories published
in prestigious American magazines and anthologies.
Here is a partial list of his published books:
Philippine Short Stories, best 25 stories of 1928 (1929)
Footnote to Youth, short stories (1933)
Poems (1941)
Have Come Am Here, poems ((1941)
Selected Poems and New (1942)
A Doveglion Book of Philippine Poetry (1962)
Through the sponsorship of Conrad Aiken, noted American poet and critic, Villa was
granted the Guggenheim Fellowship in creative writing. He was also awarded $1,000
for "outstanding work in American literature." He won first prize in poetry at the UP
Golden Jubilee Literary Contests (1958) and was conferred the degree Doctor of
Literature, honoris causa, by FEU (1959); the Pro Patria Award for literature (1961);
Heritage Awards for literature, for poetry and short stories (1962); and National Artist
Award for Literature (1973).

On 07 February 1997, Jose Garcia Villa died at a New York hospital, two days after
he was found unconscious in his apartment. He was 88.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said Villa, popularly known as the "comma poet,"
died at 12:37 a.m. (New York time) of "cerebral stroke and multilobar pneumonia" at
the St. Vincent Hospital in Greenwich.
He is survived by his two sons, Randy and Lance, and three grandchildren.

Interment was scheduled on Feb. 10 in New York, the DFA said. It added that Villa
had expressed the wish to be buried wearing a barong. Though he lived in New York
for 67 years, he remained happily a Filipino citizen.

Sample of Autobiography
My name is Amanda L. Winter. I was born on 17 March, 1983 in Lexington,
Kentucky, where I lived until the time I went to college in another state. I’m the fourth
child and the only girl in a family of five. My father, Mr. Paul Winter is a retired physician
and he currently runs a drug store within the city.
My mother, Mrs. Beverly Winter was a registered nurse working for various
medical institutions across the state, until she decided to retire in 2010. Nowadays,
she helps dad run the drug store. I went to school in Dixie School and Paul Laurence,

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where I completed my elementary and high school education respectively. Then, I
went to Kansas University, where I did my under graduate degree in Journalism.
Growing up around four brothers was not easy, considering the fact that I am a
girl. With all the masculinity in the house, there was a lot of competition and rivalry. I
had to be tough as my brothers or I would have been toppled by their naturally
aggressive nature. Not that we were a dysfunctional family, it was just normal sibling
rivalry and it turned to be of benefit to me.
Since I was the youngest and a girl, I was bound to be at the bottom of the
totem pole in everything. So, I had to be equally tough to fight for whatever was
rightfully mine. As a result, I turned out to be a tomboy and also built a reputation as a
no nonsense girl. Furthermore, I had older brothers to protect me in case of a dispute.

I believe I adopted both my parents’ brilliant brains, because I was always the
best students academically. However, my abilities were not limited to the classroom
alone. I also excelled in sports. In high school, I was arguably the best female
sportsperson in outdoor games, especially in athletics and volleyball.
I have many accolades to my name, however the one that stands out was in
my second year in high school. Representing our school in short races, I went to the
state competition where I emerged third overall. I was not fortunate enough to win it,
but it was an eye opener for me to strive for greatness in life. Fortunate for me, I won
the best sportsperson award that year at our school’s award giving ceremony.
While I was forging a name for myself in the academic and sports circles, my
social life was in a really bad state. My tomboy look was making it hard for me to
coexist well with either of the sexes. The girls were scared of my tough persona, while
the boys felt intimidated by my confidence and competitive nature.
My wardrobe was full of my brothers’ clothes that they had outgrown. All the
girlish clothes my mother bought for me, I had them piled in the closet and completely
forgot about them. When we went to the stores to buy clothes, I would be with my
brothers at the boys’ section. This disheartened my mother and she tried to advise me
out of it, but I was just too adamant. Eventually, she accepted the way I was.
However, something happened in my life that sent me reeling back to the
foundations of my femininity. It happened during my senior year in high school. It was
the prom week and everyone was geared towards the most important night of their
high school life. Love was in the air. Young men were gathering courage to approach
girls they liked, while girls were torn apart whether to accept or reject their proposals.
All the girls had prom dates, except me. No one approached me or even
mastered the courage to look my way. It was one of the worst days of my life. I spent
the night with my mother watching my favorite movie to raise my spirits up. As a result,
I decided to embrace my feminine side. I got rid of all the male clothes, started wearing
dresses and released my hair. My mum really came to my aid at this point in my life
and although it was hard at first, I got used to the idea of wearing dresses ad heels.

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 So, I began my college studies with a new form of rejuvenation in life. I decided
to pursue my college education far away from my hometown, because of the
misconceptions that I had been associated with for so long. I wanted to pursue
journalism as a career, because I understood the challenges and opportunities it would
expose me to and I love challenges.

I have always wanted to travel the world and I knew a career in journalism would
offer me that. With a 3.5 GPA, I secured a spot at Kansas University. During the first
year of study, I met the love of my life Ken Rodgers (not the singer, although he has
the same deep baritone voice) and everything as they say is history.
After graduation in 2006, I interned with the Kansas City Star for six months. I
then worked as a correspondent journalist with the Kansas City Globe Newspaper for
a year. We moved to Atlanta with my husband, after I secured a writing job with the
Daily Report for a year. At the time, he had a fitness vlog, where he gave daily workout
routines and healthy recipes to his clients. Therefore, moving from state to state did
not interfere with his line of work.

All he needed was a camera and an internet connection. My biggest break

came when I was hired by the LA Times. The pay was good, I travelled around the
world and each day was exciting in its own unique way and offered new opportunities.
Unfortunately, the job was too demanding and more times than not I was away from
my husband. I quite in 2011, after two years with the newspaper giants.
I had not quite decided what I wanted to do with my life, so I worked as a
freelance journalist for a Canadian media firm. My job was basically to capture hot
showbiz news in Hollywood. It was an exciting job checking into the fabulous lives of
celebrities. I had no alternative, but to quit this job also when my first pregnancy was
due. It marked the last job of my professional career.
I decided to be a fulltime mum to my three lovely kids, Mathew, Sally and Luke. To
put my writing abilities into use, I became a permanent freelancer for various blogs
and websites. I have always thought of writing a book and I believe this is the right
time. The kids spend all the day at school and I have all the day by myself. I have not
decided which way to go with the book, however I’m thinking in the lines of romance
and a bit of suspense and action.
Literary Journalism or Reportage is a precise, well-researched report of which a
reporter follows a topic, subject, or theme for a long period of time and then provides
a personal angle on it.

Sample of Literary Article:

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GHOST BOAT BY E R IC RE ID Y FOR MEDIUM

This is an open investigation about the mysterious disappearance of 243 refugees

in the Mediterranean ocean. The article is written in ten parts with no definitive answer.
It’s incredibly heartbreaking, but an amazing piece of journalism as so many people –
experts, students, amateurs – came together to find answers. It also shows that, when
it comes to refugees, people just don’t care and seem to value one life over another.

Personal Narratives are taken from real life situations where the writer depicts
vividly the event, incident, or experience. It creates a dramatic effect to the readers by
making readers’ laugh, be frightened, or make them feel at the edge of their seats.
Sample of Personal Narratives:
Swimming Distance
“Jenny, do I really have to swim this? The distance is so long, and I don’t want
to do two laps of butterfly! In the first event when I did butterfly, I choked on water!” I
complained on a sun-drenched day.
I was at Petaluma High School, standing next to my coach, Jenny. It was my
first swim meet, and I was having a pleasant time. Something was bothering me,
though. You could blame it all on the next event coming up. I was not looking forward
to it one bit. I had done fairly well in my previous events; however, I was edgy and

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nervous for this one. This was a 200-yard Independent Medley. It was a long distance
because it included eight laps of four different strokes.
“Next event, 200 I.M. Girls, ages 11 to 12s,” Coach Patrick called through the
speakers. He was the announcer for today, and his voice sounded different through
the intercom speakers.
“Come on; you can do it! Go! Go! Go!” Jenny urged as I ran over to get ready.
“I just know you can!” I heard her say.
This was it, the last event of today’s swim meet.
“Swimmers, step up,” called Patrick. He waited until the six swimmers walked
up to their diving blocks. Quiver, wobble, shake, went my legs. Oh dear, I thought in
my head as I waited.
It was only about five seconds before my head would touch the cool water, but
five seconds felt long. The swimmers bent down and held the edge of the diving blocks.
I guess I looked so ready and professional-like on the diving block, but inside my
stomach was on the world’s biggest rollercoaster and my heart was the one who
wanted to jump out into the pool. The water smiled gleefully at me. Come on, come
on, it seemed to muse.
Beep! The buzzer went off, and everybody plunged into the shallow, still water,
sending it into a million ripples and crinkles. It felt good, and I relaxed for a split second,
but then remembered that this was a 200-yard medley. I started kicking and soon
emerged out of the silky water.
Start with the butterfly stroke, I told myself going through the order again in my
head as I swam. I pulled my arms back and did a stroke. Again, again, and again. I
hoped not to choke on water this time. Soon the wall was in front of me. I turned and
kicked off, starting my next lap of this stroke.
Next up, backstroke, I thought. On my backstroke start, I got water up my nose,
probably gallons of it. Gagging, I resurfaced. At the flags, I counted five strokes, and
then did a flip turn. More water ran up my nose. It felt like a hundred needles touching
it.
When I pushed off the wall for the breaststroke laps, my legs were stones,
wanting to sink lower and lower. I needed to catch my breath. But I can’t stop. Keep
going! I thought about what Jenny had said. I know you can, I know you can.
Before long, I was approaching the wall for my finish. I heard a swimmer coming
up behind me, but I wanted to get there first.
Kick, stroke, kick, stroke. We swimmers were all like sharks of the same species
who wanted the prey first. I could hear everybody speeding up.
I touched the wall, mouth full of water. I looked up and climbed out of the pool.
People cheered. I never thought I’d be able to do it. Sure I was trying to catch my

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breath and my legs were Jell-O, but I swam it. I swam 200 yards! I did it and got second
place. Now I felt strong and confident. Thank you Jenny, my mind said, wishing Jenny
would get the message.

Memoir is a record of facts and events concerning a particular subject or period

usually written from the writer’s personal knowledge, experience, and observations.
Sample of a Memoir:

Tarlac Dike

by Kerima Polotan

The Tarlac Dike that is reported to have cracked and sent was the dike of my
childhood. Many years ago I lived in Tarlac, in a house off Tañedo Street whose
kitchen over-looked that dike. It stretched from one end of town, from the railroad
station all the way to Agana Bridge, and the dike was what I took to Tarlac High. People
lived in crude little huts huddled close to the wall, on the land side, and from the dike
as I walked by; I could look into their lives.

The dike curves ever so slightly in my memory, as though describing the arc of
a slow ball. It was made of cement and had steps on either side, ever so often along
the way. You could walk up to the ledge and walk into the river if you wished, but the
river was not the fearsome one reported today but a friendly, familiar one in which the
debris of living floated – old chairs, dead pigs, empty sardine cans.

It never flooded in the years I lived there but the waters rose to the ledge when
it rained, lapping against the wall. In summer the river behind my house disappeared,
and it as the unending puzzle of my young life where it went because then in summer
the riverbed dried up so completely that we could cross it, my friend and I, balancing
ourselves on huge stones that the June rains hid, on our way to the barrios across,
where the fruit trees waited our plunder. And such plunder it was! Guavas, unripe
mangoes, chicos, the fruits of childhood haunt the periphery of the tongue no matter
how far one has gone and what diverse tables one has sat at.

I had a good friend then who would later become one of the richest women in
the province (or so I’m told): but I done suppose she cares to remember the nipa hut
she used to live in the horse that pulled the rig which was the source of their livelihood.
I remember helping her walk their horse occasionally – a privilege, I thought because
it was a handsome animal. A “calesa” ride was five centavos was all I had to live on
every day, I took the dike instead, saving money for a slice of cake at recess.

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 It was a cool damp walk in the morning on the dike if all one thought was getting
in school, you could reach the back of the trade school building in ten minutes, walk
down the steps, cross Romulo Boulevard, and be in time for the flag ceremony. But
there were diversions to see- life stirring in the dark interiors of the dike houses,
breakfast being set, children hushed, a wife nagging, a husband scratching himself in
the window, clothes hung out dry, flower pots watered, detours of the imagination that
help the passerby and delayed him.

But the walk in the afternoon was the best part of all. We dragged our wooden
clogs and our school bags, taking our time, my friends and I, thinking of home and
supper. Along the dike the mothers called to their children; the houses sprang alive
with kerosene lamps. The smell of the rivers would come up to us and we would look
across it to the bank, talking of approaching summer, planning forays to melon
patches.

On clear nights the river would glisten, one huge sheet of dark glass from our
kitchen window. My friends has gone on to wealth and status, not too easily accessible
to people these days but I do enough remembering for the two of us I suppose we
weather everything – I have survived her success without envy and my reminiscences
must leave her untouched. Only the wall two high school girls had thought would last
a hundred years has crumbled a casualty of government neglect of shortsightedness.

But my mind never let go. The dike the papers say has given way, stands
stubbornly in my memory, a sweep of cement and sand and the paucity my children’s
lives includes the absence of such memory of their lives.

Travelogue embraces the personal accounts of a writer on travel as he or she

evaluates the food, hotels, restaurants, and best sites to visit. A travelogue can be
shown through a magazine, website, television or film. It also highlights affordable
rates as well as expensive hangouts for tourists.

Sample of a Travelogue:
Lyon: The City of Two Rivers

Although Lyon has a population estimated at 484,000, you would never call it
crowded. Lyon is considered to be the most comfortable city in France and, in my
opinion, one of the best cities on the planet.

It is situated at the confluence of Rhône and Saône rivers. Somehow, the city
reflects the spirit of rivers ― calm and fascinating. There is no rush of modern life like
in Paris, no salty sea air of Marseille, and no golden sand of the French Riviera. And,

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still, there is something magnificent in Lyon’s little streets, fancy houses, and green
hills. The magic of the city’s soothing life rhythm attracts tourists from all over the world.

I remember Lyon as a city of bridges and bikes. By the way, a bike is a great
alternative to walking around. You can better sense the atmosphere of the winding
streets and visit more interesting places while riding a bike.

Cycling transport is very popular in Western Europe. Locals prefer riding bikes
to driving cars. There are cycle tracks everywhere, and you can easily find bicycle
parking. Moreover, the self-service bike rental Velo’V has more than 300 stations in
Lyon, where you can rent a bike and not say a word in French! All you need is your
credit card and 150 euros as a deposit.

Don’t forget to walk along the Rhône river bank. It is an amazing location and
a favorite place in Lyon both for tourists and locals. The river crosses the whole city,
so you don’t have to spend much time searching. The river bank serves as a place for
picnics and jogging. At night, you can enjoy a beautiful view: the banks of Rhône shine
with the multicolored lights, and their shine reflects on the water surface. During the
daytime, you can simply sit on one of the numerous benches and meditate. Although
the stone benches are not very comfortable in winter, their cool surface is utterly
attractive in summer. During the warm season, a boat tour is also highly
recommended. In such manner, you will be able to see another side of Lyon.

In general, I recommend you to visit Lyon in the summer. As for me, green hills
and flowing water look much better than ice and white snow. Moreover, a cold won’t
let you have long promenades, and Lyon is the most appropriate city for wandering
around aimlessly.

The next point in your to-do-in-Lyon list should be “to try French pastry.” Let
yourself be prodigal when it comes to French cuisine. All these palmiers, tarts,
madeleines, and éclairs are worth their weight in gold. If you have no idea about the
desserts that I’ve named above, don’t worry. The French love talking about food (and
not only about food). Locals will be glad to explain to you the difference between
profiterole and éclair and show the best local “patisserie” (bakery that specializes in
sweets and pastries). You should trust their choice, and don’t forget about croissants!

One more exciting and magnificent thing about Lyon is the graceful
architecture. Of course, the whole city is an architectural masterpiece, especially the
part called “Old Lyon.” You will find no outside advertisement or neon signs here: the
citizens respect their cultural heritage and try to preserve everything in its original form.

A genuine gem of the city is the Lyon Cathedral. This beautiful building perfectly
represents the Gothic architecture style: high towers, ribbed vaults, and pointed
arches. It is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The internal decoration is

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even more impressive than the façade. Giant stained-glass windows and columns take
the breath away!

In my opinion, Lyon is a perfect place not only for a one-day visit but also for a long
stay. If you need a break from the crowded subway or filthy city air, Lyon should be
number one in your travel list!

Reflection Essay examines a writer’s perspectives in life by allowing the author to

introspect and ponder back if such situation created an impact on his/her life. It
challenges the writer to think critically by exploring personal thoughts, feelings, and
opinions on specific topic and subject.

Sample of a Reflective Essay

My Little Brother

In my short life, there are many experiences that could qualify as life-changing.
Every new experience was, at one time or another, the first experience. For good or
bad, each instance changed the course that my life has taken. But, the most
transformative experience was the birth of my youngest brother.
Joel is someone my parents often call a happy accident. At the time that my
mother became pregnant, I was 13, and my other brother, Jake, was 10. We were
what you would call a well-rounded, perfect family of four. We neatly fit into the perfect
classification in nearly every way. We didn’t realize what we were missing until the
moment that my youngest brother first opened his striking blue eyes.
In truth, I resented the fact that I would be having another sibling. Nothing needed
to be added to our family, and my mother, already 38 at the time, was considered high
risk because of her age. The pregnancy itself was full of complications that sent the
straight course of my life into rollercoaster-like loops that my 13-year-old mind had a
hard time comprehending. But now, I can see how forging through those loops helped
me to roll with the punches that life inevitably brings.
The day Joel was born, my mother took me with her to the hospital rather than my
father. It wasn’t a planned move, but Jake and my father were both feverish; I was the
next best alternative. Sitting with her through every contraction, I gained a new respect
for just how powerful and strong a woman could be in what might be considered their
weakest moment. Holding her hand and feeding her ice chips, I gained a connection
with my mother that I didn’t realize we were lacking.
The moment my new baby brother came into this world, I realized two things nearly
simultaneously. First, you don’t realize how much you need something until it’s sitting
in your lap. Second, my life after this moment would never be the same. The moment
he curled his chubby little finger around mine, I understood the words “happy accident”
completely. There are many different experiences in life that have changed a part of
me as a person. But, nothing so profoundly changed my views and outlook on life like

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the birth of my youngest brother. Joel’s arrival was a life-altering event that caused me
to see the world through new eyes.
Flash Essay also known as flash literature, is brief creative writing, generally on
the order of between 500 and 1500 words. It's also an umbrella term that
encompasses various short format works such as prose poetry, short essays and
other works of creative fiction and nonfiction. The term flash implies fast, impromptu,
and short format. The term flash prose is generally used in the context of writing
competitions or other public exhibitions of creativity or skill with language such
as weblogs or non-journalistic writing in, for example, a daily, a journal or another type
of periodical.

Sample of a Flash Essay:

The “Wild Messenger” by Jennifer Holland
(Take “Wild Messengers” by Jennifer Holland, a post that appeared in the New
York Times “Opinionator” blog last November. “About a decade
ago,” Holland begins, “a brain tumor came to steal my mother away.)”

She recounts leaving the sickroom briefly for a drive on a wintry

Minnesota morning, when she saw “nine bald eagles along that stretch of
road” on “the ninth of February.” Then, almost as soon as Holland returned
to the house, her mother died. “I’m not a religious person, not even a
particularly spiritual one,” she writes, adding:
That night, though, I couldn’t help but think that those birds were nature’s
messenger…. I can certainly imagine my mom, a true animal lover, choosing
majestic birds, their number matching the date (a little nudge to see if I was
paying attention), to prepare me and say her goodbye. When I suspended
my disbelief, it made perfect sense.
It’s a first-person story, including a vivid anecdote about the eagles. But
she goes on to weave in references to religious traditions that have
venerated animals as spirit messengers, touching on St. Francis, Native
American totems, even Wild by Cheryl Strayed. From her opening line,
Holland signals she’s looking back, pondering what it all means. She
questions, then whittles away.

Blog belongs to social networking service where it portrays an online

discussion among writers as they engage in an informal diary-method of presenting
their stories. Usually the posts are shown in reverse order so that the recent writings
appear first. Many blogs cover sports, music, art, videos, lifestyle, politics, online
diaries, advertising, photography, cooking and among a multitude of topics. Readers
or followers may also comment and a lively interaction goes on.
Sample of a Blog:

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 A very well designed and slick blog that’s all about being your own boss and
creating your own wealth. It’s a blog with a very active podcast feed. Their podcasts
are insanely popular on iTunes, and no doubt they make a fair bit of money from selling
ad space on those podcasts. Podcasts is something to think about when creating your
blog as it could be a great monetization tool.

Testimonio Essays consist of a person’s written or spoken statement on a product

or experience. It can also be seen as a historical biography.
Different types of testimonials
You know that testimonials are powerful tools, but which type will work best for
sharing your customers’ success? There are so many ways to tell a customer’s
compelling story – deciding which one works best will be based on the collateral you
have to work with, as well as the unique way you want to share the success. Here are
some of the common types of testimonials to consider.

1. Quote testimonials

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 Perhaps the most beloved and common type, quote testimonials are direct words
from a customer who was satisfied with the products or services they received.

2. Peer testimonials
People tend to gravitate toward others who resemble themselves. This is
referred to as implicit egotism, and it’s why testimonials work peer. Basically, the
person giving the testimony is of similar status to the audience. This type usually
includes a visual in the form of a portrait.

• Drill down on your customer persona. Who are you specifically trying to
reach? Make sure it's crystal clear so you know whom to ask for testimonials.

• Ask for testimonials from people within your target market. These people
make up the peers of your customer persona (or maybe they even fit the bill
of your customer persona) and will attract more people like them because of
Implicit Egotism.

• Use customer details. Have the client or customer include personal details
about themselves that will allow the reader of the testimonial to identify with
them.

4 Types of social testimonials

A social testimonial can take various forms:

• Tweets about your products and services.

• Screenshots of your work posted on Instagram.

• Videos published on YouTube.

• Facebook posts on your page, the client’s page or within a group backing
your business.

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 The greatest testimonials are the ones you don’t ask for. This is where social
media testimonials come into play. It’s when customers volunteer to write about their
experience with your company via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or another social
media outlet. This type is ultra-organic and can add another layer of authenticity to
your reputation as a brand, as its social proof of your successes.

3. Video testimonials

Letting your clients speak their truth in a video is one of the most authentic
opportunities for a testimonial. This is something that’s very difficult to fake. Plus, this
type is visually stimulating, attention grabbing and can keep potential customers on
your page for a set amount of time.

Video testimonials are one of the most trustworthy forms of testimonial

because it’s difficult to fake one that looks authentic.

5. Interview testimonials
An interview with your client is another authentic route. It’s almost as if it’s a
hidden testimonial – if everything goes smoothly, nothing will be forced and the
interview will speak for itself. A text interview is an option, but a Q&A via video or audio
is more engaging and credible.

“Oberlo posted interviews on their blog with users who have been successful
while using the service. In the example below, they did a series of interviews with some
of their users about how they started out and how Oberlo paid a part in their success.

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6. Influencer testimonial
Having a celebrity or social media influencer vouch for your brand is an
influencer testimonial, and it works because these individuals have a trusted name
and can help encourage other people to make decisions, thus leveraging them to
consider your products and services. Although, The Federal Trade Commission
requires all formal, paid influencer marketing campaigns to be disclosed.

Sample of a Testimonial Essay:

Testimonials from influencers are so effective because their names are highly
trusted and recognized. When you have a great review from an influencer, it shows
your audience that you too are trustworthy. After all, somebody that they recognize
and admire is endorsing your product, service, or work.

Content in Writing Creative Nonfiction

Writers can craft stories of their own or of others as long as they can provide
evidence of what really happened. This is important in case especially if the work will
be considered for publication. In the case of a personal account, the writer can start
from the beginning to the end of a particular situation or may write random of events
to create suspense at the end of the story.

For stories that are written by another writer, an interview is necessary. Writers
have a keen eye for details and the moments that have been extracted from memory

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must be written down immediately. Conversations and poetry can be included in the
storytelling. Creative nonfiction also depicts showing the plot of the story rather than
telling it through a dramatic, literary context of daily work, making it delightful and
meaningful.

Purpose for Writing Creative Nonfiction

The purpose of good writing is to express your feelings and not to impress,
bring the readers in a word adventure, and make your target audience agree what
you are talking about.

Writer-Based Purposes

Writing helps you shape ideas calve from real life experiences from merely
observing the surrounding events. The best writing exercise is to go outdoor (bus stop,
shopping mall, school, church, farm, airport lobby, and many other busy places) and
observe what is happening. You start to write down in an hour of the things that
transpired. This technique will surely help you to find your writing voice and theme.
Thus, writing is the highest among the other competencies such as listening, speaking,
and reading.

Choosing the Topic

If you have not been assigned a topic, then the whole world lies before you.
Sometimes that seems to make the task of starting even more intimidating. Actually,
this means that you are free to choose a topic of interest to you, which will often make
your essay a stronger one.

Define Your Purpose

The first thing you must do is to think about the purpose of the essay you must
write. Is your purpose to persuade people to believe as you do, to explain to people
how to complete a particular task, to educate people about some person, place, thing
or idea, or something else entirely? Whatever topic you choose must fit that purpose.

Brainstorm Subjects of Interest

Once you have determined the purpose of your essay, write down some
subjects that interest you. No matter what the purpose of your essay is, an endless
number of topics will be suitable.

If you have trouble thinking of subjects, start by looking around you. Is there
anything in your surroundings that interests you? Think about your life. What occupies

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most of your time? That might make for a good topic. Don't evaluate the subjects yet;
just write down anything that springs to mind.

Evaluate Each Potential Topic

If you can think of at least a few topics that would be appropriate, you must
simply consider each one individually. Think about how you feel about that topic. If you
must educate, be sure it is a subject about which you are particularly well informed. If
you must persuade, be sure it is a subject about which you are at least moderately
passionate. Of course, the most important factor in choosing a topic is the number of
ideas you have about that topic.

Even if none of the subjects you thought of seem particularly appealing, try just
choosing one to work with. It may turn out to be a better topic than you at first thought.

Here are a few guidelines to help you through the process:

1. Pick a topic that you are interested in. You will express yourself with more clarity
and insight if you are interested in the topic that you are writing about.
2. You should pick a topic based on the assigned texts that you understood. While
writing your essay, the majority of your energy will be focused on explaining
and supporting your individual perspective and thesis, so it is important that you
understand and feel comfortable talking about the primary (and possibly
secondary) material that will form the basis of your essay.

Select a topic that is challenging and thought provoking. You want to write about a
topic that is interesting to you. Your essay should reflect your own individual

3. and unique perspective on your chosen topic. It should not be a mere

restatement of the already existing academic ideas on the topic. So, you should
choose a topic that challenges you and allows you room to express yourself in
relation to the primary source text, and the secondary sources (if they are
applicable to your assignment).
4. Your topic should be specific enough that you can form an opinion about it, but
general enough that you can find enough information to support your
perspective and write a comprehensive and substantial essay.

What is a thesis statement?

A thesis statement is the central idea of an essay, around which all other ideas
revolve. It is not just the most important idea; it also controls the essay by determining
what you should or should not include in your work. In one sentence, it reveals and
summarizes the arguments you intend to develop and defend.

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 The thesis statement reflects your purpose for writing. It is a constant reminder
of your main point and your stand, directing the entire flow of your writing.

It should be clear that the thesis statement is not the subject or topic itself, but
an interpretation of the topic. For example, if you were asked, to write an essay on
Noli Me tangere or Martial Law during President Marcos’ time, your thesis statement
would inform the reader of how you understand such a topic and what you deem to be
important or debatable about it.

Formulating a Thesis Statement

The thesis statement comes as a result of pre-writing. It is the product of

thinking about your ideas, seeking evidence, and looking for relationships between
these. At times, a potential thesis statement may become clear to you, especially if an
interesting angle on an issue catches your attention. Other times, you may ask the
following questions to help you find out a thesis statement:

• What main idea does most of my pre-writing support?

• What are the relationships that exist among my ideas?
• Which aspect of the topic seems to be given the most detail?
• Where does my stand seem to be the most consistent?
• What is the focus of the most interesting and significant points of my pre-
writing?

HERE ARE FIVE WAYS YOU CAN ORGANIZE IDEAS IN

YOUR WRITING AND BE CERTAIN THAT Y O UR
READERSWILLGETIT:

1. Chronological Order

• What it is: This is a very common way to organize ideas as a writer or storyteller
that basically involves dishing out ideas or details in order of time, first to last.
• When to use it: It is often used in expository writing (narrative that informs or
explains) – particularly when describing an event or series of events.
• Example: Think about when you were a kid and trying to explain to the principal
why you shouldn’t be left in detention until the end of time. Yup! You described
the events carefully and in order, because that’s how you make sure your
listener/reader understands the context and details of a narrative.
• Transition words are important with every framework you use, to help your
readers navigate the process smoothly. In the chronological framework, some
commonly used transitional word and phrases are: first, then, next, last, finally,
etc.

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2. Logical Order

• What it is: exactly what it sounds like. This framework is used to avoid
confusion in the reader.
• When to use it: You should organize ideas in this framework if your reader
needs to understand one point before being capable of understanding the next.
• Example: Before talking to my students about Robert Frost’s famous poem
about decisions – The Road Not Taken – I told them a story about the biggest
decision I had made thus far in my life. They were able to take the logical leap
to understanding the true nature of the poem after hearing about my process of
decision making.

• Transition words and phrases: first you should understand, keep that in mind
while I explain, remember when I said.

3. Climactic Order

• What it is: In this framework, you generally keep the most important or exciting
point until the last of the piece.
• When to use it: Use this framework when you want to build excitement in a
piece or really emphasize one point as the pinnacle of the piece. It is often used
in persuasive essays (argument-winners, as my high school students would
have said), rankings or lists of things or illustration of a major problem or usable
solution.
• Example: When you are proving that your landlords need to fix the plumbing in
the bathroom, you may start with the incessant dripping tap, to the waste of hot
water in the leaking shower, and then landing on the punchline of the toilet
being blocked up (because we all know that is the WORST). Leaving that final
– and awful – point to resonate with your reader or listener will add more weight
to the other points, and keep the most important one at the forefront of their
mind.
• Transition Words: first of all, more importantly, just as importantly, finally.

4. Random Order

• What it is: Just as it seems, this un-framework allows you to order your ideas
based on whim and whimsy more than any specific or logical progression.
• When to use it: Organize ideas in this way when your points all have equal
value or importance and can sit independently of one another in understanding.
• Example: This one doesn’t happen often, but I’m using it today. All of these
ways to organize ideas have the same value and need no chronological or
logical order to make them clear, so TA DA! Random!

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 • Transition Words: Use association of ideas between points to transition from
one to the next, rather than stock transition terms.

5. Spatial Order

• What it is: Describing a scene as things are arranged in a physical space –

either by moving from one detail to the next, or as viewed from one stationary
vantage point.
• When to use it: This one is so cool! You can use it whenever you want your
readers to visualize a space, or if you want to evoke a scene using the senses.
• Example: Use this arrangement to organize ideas when you are describing
your workspace, a product use or place description. It’s also a great way to slow
down a story when it’s getting extremely intense and you want to add a little
pacing for suspense: take a page to do a point-of-view description of the setting
in the moment.
• Transition words: just to the left/right, behind, between, across from, rising out
of, to the North/South etc., a little further, a few cm/inches/metres/feet (basically
all prepositions).

Developing the Theme Effectively

A theme in writing is the underlying idea behind an article or story that unifies
its words into a coherent whole. The theme has been called the “muscle” or the
"vehicle" of a story. A theme can be stated in one of two ways. It can be made explicitly,
usually in business correspondence, technical writing, and editorials. It can also be
made implicitly, usually in short stories, novels, and movie scripts. In this case, the
theme often emerges as the moral of the story. A strong, well-defined theme enables
the reader to see the deeper meaning in your story and the intention behind your own
motivation for writing it.

Techniques common to both forms of writing

1. Understand the difference between "subject" and "theme." "Subject" is a

more general term than "theme." In non-fiction, the subject is a general topic of
interest, while in fiction, the subject is some aspect of the human condition
explored within the work. A theme is an explicit or implicit statement about the
subject.

2. Identify the purpose of your writing. The purpose behind your writing will
shape how you develop your theme in the piece. There are numerous purposes
as to why someone writes. Your writing may serve any of these purposes (or
any combination thereof):

3. Identify your audience. Understanding who your audience is lets you

determine which themes are appropriate to your audience. This will also help

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 you identify how best to present those themes to your audience. You can
determine what themes are appropriate to your audience by realistically
assessing how much knowledge and experience the audience has.

4. Consider the length of what you're writing. Longer works, such as novels or
memoirs, permit the inclusion of other themes subordinate to the primary theme
of your work. In contrast, shorter works, such as short stories or editorials,
usually have room to address only a single theme, although they may give
passing reference to supporting ideas.

Let’s Answer This!

Multiple Choice. Choose the letter that best answers the given question. Write the
letter of your answer in your notebook.

1. Autobiography is .
a. writer tells someone else's story c. writing that is not true
b. writer tells his own story d. gives a description of a topic

2. Nonfiction is .
a. reason for which the author writes c. writer tells his own story
b. writing that is true d. writer gives an explanation of ideas

3. When and where a story takes place is the of a story.

a. Characters c. Point of View
b. Setting d. Climax

4. When and where a story takes place is the of a story.

a. Characters c. Point of View
b. Setting d. Climax

5. Autobiography of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is a .

a.Fiction b. Non-Fiction

6. A story that is not true or is made up

a. nonfiction c. fiction
b. biography d. autobiography

7. Which of the following summaries could describe an autobiography?

a. famous writer's life told by another author
b. a famous basketball player's wife sharing memories of her late husband
c. Michael Jackson's mother describing his childhood
d. Helen Keller writing about her difficulties of being blind all her life

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8. To support a main idea, writers often use
a. persuasion to prove their point.
b. facts and details to help prove their point.
c. opinions and details to help prove their point.
d.. summaries of details to help prove their point

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9. Which of the following is NOT a question you should ask to find the main idea?
a. What is the author's purpose?
b. What point is the author trying to make?
c. What is the selection mainly about?
d. When did the write the selection?

10. Who is the narrator of an autobiography?

a. another author
b. unknown admirer
c. a relative
d. the author

LESSON 5

EVALUATING AND REVISING VARIOUS CREATIVE

NONFICTION TEXTS

Learning Objectives: At the end of this lesson, the learners are expected to:
1. Evaluate other’s draft based on:
a. clarity of idea
b. appropriate choice of literary element
c. appropriate use of the element
d. effective combination of the idea and the chosen literary element
2. Revise the draft of a short piece using any of the literary conventions of a
genre

Let’s Answer This!

Instruction: Write T if the statement is true and F if it is false. Write your answer in your
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notebook.
1. What differentiates memoir from autobiography is that it deals with only a
slice, a portion or event in your life, rather than your whole life.
2. Diary follows a 3rd Person Point of View.
3. Memoir follows a 3rd Person Point of View.
4. An autobiography/biography most of the time is logically sequenced and
contains sequence words such as first, later, next, and finally.
5. An anecdote is an important part of a diary.
6. In writing a memoir, collapsing characters or events that are not important to
your stories theme will help you concentrate on the people and events that are
important.
7. Biography follows a 3rd Person Point of View.
8. Autobiography follows a 1st Person Point of View.
9. Diary writing should focus on a specific theme or lesson, and every
compelling story included in a good memoir should support that theme.
10. Memoir should include comparatives and superlatives to make writing
clearer.

After learning how to evaluate a nonfiction text through various literary

conventions or elements, it is just right that you start revising faulty or vague nonfiction
text considering the ways of evaluating a nonfiction text such as clarity of idea,
appropriate choice of literary element, appropriate use of the element and effective
combination of the idea and the chosen literary element.

In evaluating a nonfiction piece, the following are considered: clarity of idea,

appropriate choice of literary element, appropriate use of the element and effective
combination of the idea and the chosen literary element. The following are common
nonfiction texts (autobiography, biography, memoir and diary) and the ways of creating
and evaluating them.
Autobiography/Biography

A. Clarity of Idea
• The autobiography/biography should be logically sequenced and contains
sequence words such as first, later, next, and finally.
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 • It should begin with a strong lead that grabs readers’ attention, such as
something unexpected, a quote, dialogue, or a question.
• Should include comparatives and superlatives to make writing clearer
particularly for biographies.
• It should use descriptive words to tell about people, places, events, and
ideas.
B. Should have strong ending that makes the reader think about the subject’s
life.Appropriate Choice of Literary Element
• Elements of autobiography/biography includes: Characters, Setting, Details,
Chronological Order, Point of View (POV) and Author’s purpose.

C. Appropriate Use of the Element

• Characters should be well developed in detail and are true-to-life.
• Setting should be described vividly/clearly.
• Writers use objective details, subjective details and anecdotes.
o Objective details can be proved.
o Subjective details are based on personal feeling and opinions and
cannot be proved.
o Anecdotes are short, often humorous, stories that enliven writing and
illustrate a point.
• POV should be 1st Person (I, me, my, mine, us, we, our & ours) for
autobiography and 3rd Person (he, him, his, she, her, they, their & them) for
biography.
• Author’s purpose is the author’s reason for writing may it be to credit people
who influenced the subject, to explain or to justify the actions of the subject,
to give sense of the events in the lives of the subject and to communicate
an important personal statement about life.

D. Effective Combination of the Idea and the Chosen Literary Element

• Sequence words should be adhered with the chronology of the
autobiography/biography.
• Characters are given necessary descriptions as to their role on the subject’s
life and not their personal details irrelevant to the autobiography/biography
of the subject.
• Setting is given a thorough description on how it played an important role or
influence to the subject.
• Author’s purpose is well crafted based on the conditions mentioned above.
Memoir

A. Clarity of Idea
• What differentiates memoir from autobiography is that it deals with only a
slice, a portion or event in your life, rather than your whole life. Memoir is a
story within the story of your life. Stay focused on your chosen topic. Avoid
meandering off in another direction.

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 • Collapsing characters or events that are not important to your stories theme
will help you concentrate on the people and events that are important.
• Who are you writing for? If it is family and friends then inside jokes and
vaguer references can be used. But, if you want anyone to be able to read
• your memoir don’t refer to something they have no record of and will not
understand.

B. Appropriate Choice of Literary Element

• Elements of memoir includes: Theme, POV, Emotional beats, Supporting
stories, Personal style & Honesty.

C. Appropriate Use of the Element

• Theme - There must be one overall key point that is being conveyed to the
reader. Memoir writing should focus on a specific theme or lesson, and
every compelling story included in a good memoir should support that
theme.
• POV – Memoirs are in 1st person POV (I, me, my, mine, us, we, our & ours).
• Emotional beats – The best memoirs take the reader on an emotional
journey. Writing in the first-person point of view allows you to not only tell
your story but to relay the emotional impact of each specific memory.
Readers want to experience your emotional arc alongside your narrative
arc.
• Supporting stories - Writing memoirs involves plumbing the depths of your
real-life story and presenting those key events with honesty and
transparency. That’s why one of the essential elements of a memoir is
gathering supporting stories from other sources. If your memoir is a coming
of age story about your youth, it may be helpful to interview your friends or
family members who were around you at the time. You may find that they
remember events differently than you do or have additional stories that can
help flesh out your manuscript.
• Personal style - Writing memoirs is an opportunity to tell a story from your
life, but it’s also a chance to tell that story in a way that nobody else can.
That’s where your personal writing style comes in. Each page should be
filled with your own personality and point of view. Your style might be tonal:
When people read a David Sedaris memoir, they can be sure to expect
some of his signature humor. Your writing style might be more formalistic in
nature. Perhaps you present the events of your memoir out of chronological
order, relying on flashbacks and flash-forwards to destabilize the reader.
Only you know your personal style, and it should be present in every line.
• Honesty - One of the defining characteristics of a memoir is brutal honesty.
Remember, readers pick up a memoir expecting a true story. Readers are
smart. They can tell if something in your memoir feels untrue. If they suspect
that the events in the memoir are false, it can permanently damage the
relationship between author and reader. That’s why you must be willing to
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 tell your story in an unflinching and honest way.
D. Effective Combination of the Idea and the Chosen Literary Element
• Theme should be well founded by providing details that will lead the readers
to what the theme really is.
• A good memoir could cause a contagion of feelings, from writer to reader,
when it is well-written.
• Readers would know when something seems off in a memoir so it’s better
to be honest and be straight to the point from start to finish to avoid your
memoir from being vague.
• Consistency of personal style throughout the entire memoir would leave a
good mark to a reader.

Diary

A. Clarity of Idea
• The entry should be inviting, thoroughly states the main events that have
been encountered by the character and includes several interesting details.
• Details should be effectively placed in a logical order and the way they
should be presented follows 1st person point of view.

B. Appropriate Choice of Literary Element

• Elements/features of a diary includes: Heading, Body, Interference, POV,
Figure of Speech & Signature.

C. Appropriate Use of the Element

• Heading – date on which the diary entry is made.
• Body – should be detailed and comprehensive content.
• Interference – logical guess based on information from the text.
• POV – should be 1st POV, shown by the use of pronouns such as I and me
express the personal thoughts feelings of the writer.
• Figure of Speech – may include simile, ellipse or personification.
• Signature – needed for authenticity.

D. Effective Combination of the Idea and the Chosen Literary Element

• Date (heading) and signature should not be forgotten at all times to verify
the time period and authenticity of your diary.
• Using figure of speech is quite tricky so it should be well-thought of before
using it in a diary.
• A detailed and comprehensive content means free from vague and
irrelevant statements.

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Do this

My name is Maria Angelina Bacarella. I was born on March 7, 1995, in Tawas City, Michigan. My
parents are James and Michelle Bacarella, and I have three younger siblings, Sophia, Alex, and
Samuel. I attended Holy Family Catholic School in East Tawas from kindergarten until sixth grade.
While there I participated in band, choir, Girl Scouts, Council of Catholic Girls, volleyball, softball,
and basketball. I was on honor roll and received an academic achievement award. Attending a
catholic school helped me to grow academically, in my faith, and as a person, giving me high moral
standards. In seventh and eighth grade I attended Tawas Junior High. I was involved in volleyball,
basketball, softball, and Club PRIDE. I was on honor roll every semester, and received the
presidential academic award.

I currently attend Tawas High School. I am involved in Iosco Pride, Spanish club, liturgical dance,
youth group, Student Senate, volleyball, soccer, and National Honor Society. I currently have a 3.88
cumulative G.P.A. and am 8th in my class of 117. Though my school, I go to coop every day for two
hours in the 81st District court. While there I have learned many school that pertain to a future
career in law. I file papers, type bonds, and observe court. This has given me first-hand experience
identifying legal documents and understanding how to proceed in court.

I am very motivated to create the best possible future for myself, and have worked very hard to set
that up. I have been on the honor roll every marking period thus far in my high school career. I
received my academics and athletics varsity letters, an honors pass, the hustle award for volleyball,
and an academic achievement award. Some of my strengths include being a hard worker, dedicated,
self-motivated, and organized. My weaknesses are that sometimes I am overly ambitious and take on
too much at once, and that I tend to expect too much of others.

I have volunteered at local nursing homes, and for local churches. My favorite volunteer experience
has been helping out with vacation bible school through my church. Through this I am able to help
kids grow in their faith. Through Iosco PRIDE I am able to send a positive message in a fun way. I
love these because they allow me to be a positive role model for kids. I currently work at Chick’n
Dots Tiny Tots Boutique. My favorite thing about my job is that I get to work with children. I also
babysit on the weekends and in the summer.

Next year, I plan to attend Michigan State University. I hope to be involved in their college of social
sciences, James Madison College to gain my bachelor’s degree in International relations. During
college I hope to study abroad to assist in my learning other languages. After college I would like to
attend Michigan State University College of law. I hope to become an international lawyer someday,
working for a company like USAID. With this line of work, I would be able to travel and work on
projects to help people in other countries.

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1. Who are the characters?

2. Where is the setting?

Details:
Objective details (at least 2)

Subjective details (at least 2)

Anecdote:

3. Is the autobiography in chronological order? Show a brief chronology of the

subject’s life.

4. What Point of View (POV) was used? Give the pronouns used in the autobiography.

5. Author’s purpose:

Credited people who influenced the subject

Explained or to justify the actions of the subject
Gave sense of the events in the lives of the subject
Communicated an important personal statement about life.
!

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 Let’s Answer This!

ASSESSMENT
Instruction: Write T if the statement is true and F if it is false. Write your answer
in your notebook.
1. What differentiates autobiography from memoir is that it deals with only a slice,
a portion or event in your life, rather than your whole life.
2. Diary follows a 1st Person Point of View.
3. Memoir follows a 1st Person Point of View.
4. A memoir most of the time is logically sequenced and contains sequence words
such as first, later, next, and finally.
5. An anecdote can be a part of an autobiography.
6. In writing a diary, collapsing characters or events that are not important to your
stories theme will help you concentrate on the people and events that are
important.
7. Biography follows a 1st Person Point of View.
8. Autobiography follows a 3rd Person Point of View.
9. Memoir writing should focus on a specific theme or lesson, and every
compelling story included in a good memoir should support that theme.
10. Autobiography should include comparatives and superlatives to make writing
clearer.

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