Creative

Nonfiction
(Quarter I- Module V/Week V)

Department of Education
SDO- City of San Fernando (LU)
Region 1

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 12
English
(Quarter I- Module V/Week V)

ROAD TO CRAFTSMANSHIP

MOST ESSENTIAL LEARNING COMPETENCY

Write a draft of a short piece (Fiction, Poetry,
Drama, etc.)
using any of the literary conventions of genre
following these
pointers:
1. Choosing a topic
2. Formulating a thesis statement
3. Organizing and developing ideas
(HUMSS_CNF11/12-Ib-d-5)

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WEEK

5 CONTENT STANDARD
The learner understands the delineation between
creative and the nonfictional elements of creative
nonfiction.

PERFORMANCE STANDARD
The learner clearly and coherently uses multiple
elements conventionally identified with a genre for a
written output.

MOST ESSENTIAL LEARNING COMPETENCY

Write a draft of a short piece using any of the literary
conventions of genre following these pointers:
1. Choosing a topic
2. Formulating a thesis statement
3. Organizing and developing ideas

ROAD TO CRAFTSMANSHIP (Part 1)

We all arrive to a certain destination.

It is up to us on what kind of
destination we wish to go.

LET’S DIG IN
https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-complete-guide-to-writing-creative-nonfiction

Creative nonfiction is a genre of nonfiction writing that incorporates

different creative writing techniques and literary styles to convey truthful, non-
fictional narratives. Creative nonfiction writing tends to emphasize story and tone
over more traditional subgenres of nonfiction. Creative nonfiction writers often
approach their subject matter through a more emotional lens than other nonfiction
writers like journalists or academic writers.
When trying to translate a true story into a creative nonfiction personal
essay or longer book-length piece, it’s important to follow some general guidelines.
One of the exciting parts about creative nonfiction is the leeway it gives writers to
explore emotional truths, but this should never come at the expense of facts.

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 The 4 Golden Rules of Writing Creative Nonfiction
(https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-complete-guide-to-writing-creative-nonfiction)

1. Make sure everything is factually accurate. Even though writing creative

nonfiction shares certain characteristics with writing fiction, writers should make
sure that everything they write is factually accurate. Obviously, if this complicates
things or proves too hard for you, you can always consider writing a piece of
fiction.
2. Play with person. Oftentimes the point of view of narrative nonfiction is dictated
by the type of piece you are writing but sometimes you have some wiggle room to
experiment with different techniques. Consider shifting from first person to third
person or vice versa, especially when writing about your own personal life
experiences. This can give you some new perspective on real world events.
3. Follow emotion. One of the major differences between different subsets of the
nonfiction genre is the way that emotion can play in a piece. Reporters try to avoid
speaking about their own life or injecting their own editorial opinions into a piece.
Creative nonfiction writers often listen to their emotions and allow their feelings to
affect the shape and tone of their writing.
4. Incorporate literary techniques. One of the things that separates creative
nonfiction and literary journalism from other forms of nonfiction is the use of
techniques more often seen in the world of fiction. Elements of fiction that you
might find in creative nonfiction include: extended metaphor, allegory,
imagery, synecdoche, and many more.

Starting in this section of Module 5 until Module 8, we will

gradually formulate your final output for Quarter 1.

CHOOSING A TOPIC

Topics are commonly found embedded in the title of an article in creative nonfiction.
When a reader sees your title, he/she will have a hint on what he/she is about to read in your
output. One of the first things people see when browsing for something to read is the title,
and it may entice them to take a closer look at the book, story, or article. But what makes a
good title/subject? Consider the following:

1. What is your favorite time of the year? What do you like about it? Write a descriptive
essay about it.
2. What do you think the world of technology will look like in ten years? Twenty? What
kind of computers, phones, and other devices will we use? Will technology improve
travel? Health care? What do you expect will happen and what would you like to
happen?

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 3. Have you ever fixed something that was broken? Ever solved a computer problem on
your own? Write an article about how to fix something or solve some problem.
4. Have you ever had an adrenaline-rushing experience? What happened?
5. Have you ever traveled alone? Tell your story. Where did you go? Why? What
happened?
6. Let’s say you write a weekly advice column. Choose the topic you’d offer advice on,
and then write one week’s column.
7. Think of a major worldwide problem: for example, hunger, climate change, or
political corruption. Write an article outlining a solution (or steps toward a solution).
8. Choose a cause that you feel is worthy and write an article persuading others to join
that cause.
9. Someone you barely know asks you to recommend a book. What do you recommend
and why?
10. Hard skills are abilities you have acquired, such as using software, analyzing
numbers, and cooking. Choose a hard skill you’ve mastered and write an article about
how this skill is beneficial using your own life experiences as examples.

Creative Nonfiction Ideas

Writers who are on a quest for inspiration can find a wealth of creative nonfiction
writing ideas:

1. An autobiography is your life story.

You get to share your experiences, successes, and failures. The trouble with
autobiographies is that readers are rarely interested in reading biographical information about
total strangers. Unless you’re a public figure, there will be little interest in your project.
However, you can always do some research and investigative reporting and write
a biography about someone else, or you can narrow your focus and write a memoir.

2. What is a memoir?
A memoir is not a life story; it’s a personal account of a particular experience. For
example, if you’ve survived an illness, disaster, or trauma, that experience might provide the
foundation for a memoir. Writing of this nature is appealing to readers because it speaks to a
specific audience. Young parents whose children are struggling with autism, for example,
will be highly interested in reading a memoir by a parent who has raised a child with autism.
What makes memoirs so popular is the promise that through personal experience, the writer
has obtained expertise and is now sharing it with the world.
A memoir doesn’t have to be about your past experiences. You can set yourself up for
writing a memoir. Elizabeth Gilbert set out on a year of adventure and then wrote about it and
became a best-selling author. A.J. Jacobs has built a life and a career around experimental
adventures. He read all thirty-two volumes of the Encyclopedia Britannica and then wrote

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about it. He spent a year living biblically and then wrote about it. He also experimented with
outsourcing his entire life, and then wrote about it. If you’ve ever wanted to embark on a
grand adventure or found yourself concocting experimental lifestyles, you may find that they
fuel some interesting creative nonfiction ideas.

3. If a memoir is too daunting, try a personal essay instead.

Personal essays can be short-form memoirs, in which you share a specific personal
experience, but instead of writing an entire book, you can write a handful of pages. You can
also use personal essays to express your ideas or opinions on any subject imaginable.

4. Are you an expert? If you’re an expert on any subject, you can share your expertise
by writing creative nonfiction in the form of articles and topical essays.
Write about the subject you studied in school, the work you’ve done throughout your
career, or a hobby that you’ve enjoyed and mastered. Many writers avoid this type of writing,
assuming that there is already enough information out there. But new works are being
published every day on a wide range of topics. What makes them successful is not necessarily
the information that is imparted, but the manner in which it is presented. A unique voice, a
new take on the subject, and a fresh way to organize the information are all viable strategies
for success in these types of creative nonfiction writing.

5. What’s your passion?

You can take your personal experience and acquired expertise on anything in the
world and turn it into a writing project. These days, writers share their thoughts and insights
on everything from their favorite TV shows and video games to the meals they eat and the
books they read. You can write about the philosophy of Star Trek. You could share tips and
strategies for playing (and winning) popular video games. If you love coffee and have a
penchant for taking pictures, set out to make a coffee table book about coffee. If you spend
your mornings gardening and your evenings creating delicious home-cooked meals, you can
launch a blog packed with tips and ideas for gardening, cooking, or healthy eating. You don’t
have to be an expert or a professional to talk about your passion.
https://www.writingforward.com/creative-writing/creative-nonfiction-ideas

STOP! IT’S YOUR TURN.

At this point, you are now requested to think of your

TOPIC/subject on your output. Write it on your bond paper.

FORMULATING THE THESIS STATEMENT

What is a thesis statement?

A thesis statement:

• tells the reader how you will interpret the significance of the subject matter under
discussion.

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 • is a road map for the paper; in other words, it tells the reader what to expect from the
rest of the paper.
• directly answers the question asked of you. A thesis is an interpretation of a question
or subject, not the subject itself. The subject, or topic, of an essay might be World
War II or Moby Dick; a thesis must then offer a way to understand the war or the
novel.
• makes a claim that others might dispute.
• is usually a single sentence near the beginning of your paper (most often, at the end
of the first paragraph) that presents your argument to the reader. The rest of the
paper, the body of the essay, gathers and organizes evidence that will persuade the
reader of the logic of your interpretation.

How do I create a thesis?

A thesis is the result of a lengthy thinking process. Formulating a thesis is not the first
thing you do after reading an essay assignment. Before you develop an argument on any
topic, you have to collect and organize evidence, look for possible relationships between
known facts (such as surprising contrasts or similarities), and think about the significance of
these relationships. Once you do this thinking, you will probably have a “working thesis” that
presents a basic or main idea and an argument that you think you can support with evidence.
Both the argument and your thesis are likely to need adjustment along the way.

Writers use all kinds of techniques to stimulate their thinking and to help them clarify
relationships or comprehend the broader significance of a topic and arrive at a thesis
statement. For more ideas on how to get started, see our handout on brainstorming.

(https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/thesis-statements)

If you are doubtful of what to do, consider the following questions:

Where is your thesis statement?

You should provide a thesis early in your essay -- in the introduction, or in longer essays in
the second paragraph -- in order to establish your position and give your reader a sense of
direction.

Tip: In order to write a successful thesis statement:

• Avoid burying a great thesis statement in the middle of a paragraph or late in the
paper.
• Be as clear and as specific as possible; avoid vague words.
• Indicate the point of your paper but avoid sentence structures like, “The point of my
paper is…”

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Is your thesis statement specific?

Your thesis statement should be as clear and specific as possible. Normally you will continue
to refine your thesis as you revise your argument(s), so your thesis will evolve and gain
definition as you obtain a better sense of where your argument is taking you.

Tip: Check your thesis:

• Are there two large statements connected loosely by a coordinating conjunction (i.e.
"and," "but," "or," "for," "nor," "so," "yet")?
• Would a subordinating conjunction help (i.e. "through," "although," "because,"
"since") to signal a relationship between the two sentences?
• Or do the two statements imply a fuzzy unfocused thesis?
• If so, settle on one single focus and then proceed with further development.

Is your thesis statement too general?

Your thesis should be limited to what can be accomplished in the specified number of
pages. Shape your topic so that you can get straight to the "meat" of it. Being specific in your
paper will be much more successful than writing about general things that do not say much.
Don't settle for three pages of just skimming the surface.

The opposite of a focused, narrow, crisp thesis is a broad, sprawling, superficial thesis.
Compare this original thesis (too general) with three possible revisions (more focused, each
presenting a different approach to the same topic):

• Original thesis:
• There are serious objections to today's horror movies.
• Revised theses:
• Because modern cinematic techniques have allowed filmmakers to get
more graphic, horror flicks have desensitized young viewers to violence.
• The pornographic violence in "bloodbath" slasher movies degrades both
men and women.
• Today's slasher movies fail to deliver the emotional catharsis that 1930s
horror films did.

Is your thesis statement clear?

Your thesis statement is no exception to your writing: it needs to be as clear as possible. By

being as clear as possible in your thesis statement, you will make sure that your reader
understands exactly what you mean.

Tip: In order to be as clear as possible in your writing:

• Unless you're writing a technical report, avoid technical language. Always avoid
jargon, unless you are confident your audience will be familiar with it.

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 • Avoid vague words such as "interesting,” "negative," "exciting,” "unusual," and
"difficult."
• Avoid abstract words such as "society," “values,” or “culture.”

These words tell the reader next to nothing if you do not carefully explain what you mean
by them. Never assume that the meaning of a sentence is obvious. Check to see if you need to
define your terms (”socialism," "conventional," "commercialism," "society"), and then decide
on the most appropriate place to do so. Do not assume, for example, that you have the same
understanding of what “society” means as your reader. To avoid misunderstandings, be as
specific as possible.

Compare the original thesis (not specific and clear enough) with the revised version (much
more specific and clear):

• Original thesis: Although the timber wolf is a timid and gentle animal, it is
being systematically exterminated. [if it's so timid and gentle -- why is it being
exterminated?]
• Revised thesis: Although the timber wolf is actually a timid and gentle animal,
it is being systematically exterminated because people wrongfully believe it to
be a fierce and cold-blooded killer.

Does your thesis include a comment about your position on the issue at hand?

The thesis statement should do more than merely announce the topic; it must reveal
what position you will take in relation to that topic, how you plan to analyze/evaluate the
subject or the issue. In short, instead of merely stating a general fact or resorting to a
simplistic pro/con statement, you must decide what it is you have to say.

Tips:
• Avoid merely announcing the topic; your original and specific "angle" should be
clear. In this way you will tell your reader why your take on the issue matters.
• Original thesis: In this paper, I will discuss the relationship between
fairy tales and early childhood.
• Revised thesis: Not just empty stories for kids, fairy tales shed light on
the psychology of young children.
• Avoid making universal or pro/con judgments that oversimplify complex issues.
• Original thesis: We must save the whales.
• Revised thesis: Because our planet's health may depend upon biological
diversity, we should save the whales.
• When you make a (subjective) judgment call, specify and justify your reasoning. “Just
because” is not a good reason for an argument.
• Original thesis: Socialism is the best form of government for Kenya.
• Revised thesis: If the government takes over industry in Kenya, the
industry will become more efficient.
• Avoid merely reporting a fact. Say more than what is already proven fact. Go further
with your ideas. Otherwise… why would your point matter?

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 • Original thesis: Hoover's administration was rocked by scandal.
• Revised thesis: The many scandals of Hoover's administration revealed
basic problems with the Republican Party's nominating process.

Do not expect to come up with a fully formulated thesis statement before you have
finished writing the paper. The thesis will inevitably change as you revise and develop your
ideas—and that is ok! Start with a tentative thesis and revise as your paper develops.

Is your thesis statement original?

Avoid, avoid, avoid generic arguments and formula statements. They work well to get a
rough draft started, but will easily bore a reader. Keep revising until the thesis reflects your
real ideas.

Tip: The point you make in the paper should matter:

• Be prepared to answer “So what?” about your thesis statement.
• Be prepared to explain why the point you are making is worthy of a paper. Why
should the reader read it?

Compare the following:

• Original thesis:
• There are advantages and disadvantages to using statistics. (a fill-in-the-
blank formula)
• Revised theses:
• Careful manipulation of data allows a researcher to use statistics to
support any claim she desires.
• In order to ensure accurate reporting, journalists must understand the real
significance of the statistics they report.
• Because advertisers consciously and unconsciously manipulate data,
every consumer should learn how to evaluate statistical claims.

Avoid formula and generic words. Search for concrete subjects and active verbs,
revising as many "to be" verbs as possible. A few suggestions below show how specific word
choice sharpens and clarifies your meaning.

• Original: “Society is...” [who is this "society" and what exactly is it doing?]
• Revised: "Men and women will learn how to...," "writers can generate...,"
"television addicts may chip away at...," "American educators must decide...,"
"taxpayers and legislators alike can help fix..."
• Original: "the media"
• Revised: "the new breed of television reporters," "advertisers," "hard-hitting
print journalists," "horror flicks," "TV movies of the week," "sitcoms," "national
public radio," "Top 40 bop-til-you-drop..."
• Original: "is, are, was, to be" or "to do, to make"
• Revised: any great action verb you can concoct: "to generate," "to demolish,"
"to batter," "to revolt," "to discover," "to flip," "to signify," "to endure..."
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 Use your own words in thesis statements; avoid quoting. Crafting an original, insightful,
and memorable thesis makes a distinct impression on a reader. You will lose credibility as a
writer if you become only a mouthpiece or a copyist; you will gain credibility by grabbing the
reader with your own ideas and words.

A well-crafted thesis statement reflects well-crafted ideas. It signals a writer who has
intelligence, commitment, and enthusiasm.

http://www.cws.illinois.edu/workshop/writers/tips/thesis

STOP! IT’S YOUR TURN.

Having chosen your title/subject previously, construct and

introduction of your article with write your thesis statement at
the last part of the paragraph. Write your first paragraph
below your title on your bond paper.

ORGANIZING AND DEVELOPING IDEAS

HERE ARE FIVE WAYS YOU CAN ORGANIZE IDEAS IN

YOUR WRITING AND BE CERTAIN THAT YOUR
READERS WILL GET IT:

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.

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.

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 • 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!
• 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).
https://www.withakwriting.com/organize-ideas

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 You can easily organize the things you are going to write by making an outline first. This
way, you will have a smooth flow of supporting ideas coming out of your mind. This is a
rough idea of the format an outline can have:
I. Introduction with Thesis Statement
II. Main idea
A. Secondary or supporting idea to main idea I
B. Secondary or supporting idea to main idea I
1. Secondary idea to B
2. Secondary idea to B
a. Secondary idea to 2
b. Secondary idea to 2
III. Main idea
A. Secondary or supporting idea to main idea II
B. Secondary or supporting idea to main idea II
C. Secondary or supporting idea to main idea II
IV. Conclusion (Re-statement of your Thesis)

STOP! IT’S YOUR TURN.

Having chosen your title/subject and constructed your

introductory paragraph, you may now start making an outline
of your article. Just below the paragraph you have written on
your bond paper, make an outline of your article with the
format shown above. After doing so, put it on your envelope
ready for retrieval, and checking of your teacher. Keep a copy
of your outline to be your basis for the next module.

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 WRITER’S PROFILE

RAY ALVIN E. CALUB

He is a Grade 11 and 12 English Teacher and currently the
Strand/Subject Group Coordinator of both the General Academic Strand
(GAS) and Accountancy, Business, and Management (ABM) Strand OF La
Union National High School - Senior High School. A graduate of Bachelor
in Secondary Education, Major in English at Saint Louis College (2005), he
is currently undertaking his Master’s in Education, Major in Educational
Leadership at Colegio de Dagupan.

He was a former English teacher at La Union National High School-

Sacyud Annex, Saint Louis College High School, Sacred Heart School
(Bauang, La Union), and Saint Anthony Montessori Educational Network,
Inc. (Bauang, La Union).

Writer : Ray Alvin E. Calub

Evaluators/ Editors : Sheila Marie N. Bugayong, Ed.D., EPS
Perlita F. Abat, EPS
Brenda A. Sabado, Principal IV, LUNHS
Thea Zonette S. Medrano, Assistant Principal, LUNHS-SHS

____________________________________________________________________

REFERENCES

https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-complete-guide-to-writing-creative-nonfiction
https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/thesis-statements
http://www.cws.illinois.edu/workshop/writers/tips/thesis
https://www.withakwriting.com/organize-ideas
https://www.writingforward.com/creative-writing/creative-nonfiction-ideas

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