Strategies of Writing Creative Nonfiction

1. Approach
It has something to do with how the writer handles his subject. It
may also be the angle on how the story is viewed.
• Objective (fact) Approach- there is no narrator present in the text.
Meant to be completely unbiased. There is a feeling of the writer or
speaker being outside of the information, and when they present it they
do so without taking a stance or expressing their feelings in relation to
the information.
• Subjective (opinion) Approach- the writer himself is the narrator and his
personal emotions towards the subject would reflect on the text. Also
considered to be a single person’s opinion. It has viewpoint, or possibly a
bias, regardless of the information it provides.
Whether which of the two- objective or subjective approach- is
appropriate in a text will be dependent upon the writer’s circumstances.
 Strategies of Writing Creative Nonfiction
2. Point of View
It has something to do with perspective- whether who
owns the story or who can best tell the story. The narrator may
act as either a participant or an observer.
Note that point-of-view greatly differs from the
grammatical person. Consequently, even the first person is used,
the point-of-view may still be that of an observer; and even the
point-of-view is that of the principal character, the third person
may be used.
Occasionally, the writer uses second person into draw the
reader into the story, creating the impression that he is a part of
the story, thus he is witnessing the events described in the text.
Creative nonfiction however, generally use the first and
third persons or they use the indefinite pronoun “one”.
Strategies of Writing Creative Nonfiction
3. Tone
Tone is the writers attitude towards his
subject. A subject may be presented in a sarcastic
tone, reverent tone, or apologetic tone, depending
on the distinction of the writer.
Tone may be evident in a text through the
writer’s choice of words.
NOTE: Approach, tone, and point-of-view are very
important strategies in writing your essay. Handling
these three correctly and wisely on your text will
effectively convey your meaning.
Strategies of Writing Creative Nonfiction

4. Voice
Voice is related to tone and style . It refers to
the choice of word, length of sentences, use of
certain images, metaphors, allusions, etc.- which
reveal a particular personality, and a particular
attitude.
Strategies of Writing Creative Nonfiction
5. Structure
Your topic will itself suggest the structure of your
text. Structure is the arrangement or organization of
the text.
a. Chronological structure- an arrangement of events
in a linear fashion as they occurred in time.
b. Flashback structure- beginning in a certain point of
the story then moving back in the past.
c. Parallel structure- a type of structure that has
several stories, running side by side with occasional
cross-cutting or convergence.
d. Collage or Mosaic structure- it involves pasting
together of small fragments, which all together
build up the total picture of what happened.
e. Question and Answer structure- it allows the
reader to hear the subject’s voice without
awkwardness of having to repeat “he said” or “she
said” before or after every direct quotation.
f. Frame or The story-within-a-story- it is a good
structure to use when you want to say two stories-
say, a travel narrative, where the actual physical
journey is paralleled by an inner journey.
Strategies of Writing Creative Nonfiction
6. A strong, Dramatic Beginning
a. Title- it is not necessarily written before the
piece is written, but it is good to have a working
title to help you focus.
• Catchy and clever tiles have an advantage
• Titles which are too long are at disadvantage
• Titles should not be misleading
• It should give the reader an idea of what to
expect
b. The first paragraph
First paragraphs lead the reader to reading the whole text.
Thus, it must catch attention, give the reader a hint of what the
subject is, set the tone, and guide the reader to what comes next.
The key to good creative nonfiction is dramatic writing and
the key to good dramatic writing is action.
Ways of beginning:
– Passage of vivid description
– Quotation
– Dialogue
– Question
– Striking statement
– Reference to current event
– In medias res- plunge right into the middle of the action
Strategies of Writing Creative Nonfiction
6. Rhetorical Techniques
a. Definition- bit is particularly important on essay
writing or expository writing where the major concern
is explaining the concept or idea or issue.
b. Comparison-and-contrast- it is easier for the
readers to understand an idea or concept when
compared to something they are familiar with.
• When using this method, remember not to compare
and contrast more than two items at the same time,
otherwise, you may confuse your readers instead of
enlightening them.
• It is also important to compare only those that
belong to the same class.
c. Illustrations and examples- this technique makes
abstract or general ideas more concrete, it clarifies. It may
be in the form of anecdotes and quotations or in simple
enumeration.
• Make sure that the relation between your example
and the idea you wish to clarify is immediately
apparent to the reader.
d. Classification- it is a good device for organizing complex
materials provided that there is a principle governing the
classification and that principle must be meaningful
enough.
e. Analogy or extended metaphor-
Strategies of Writing Creative Nonfiction c
7. Character
The ability to reveal characters is the an important
skill for writing.
Types of Characters:
a. Character in Action- describes what the main
character does
b. Description of physical appearance- shows the
audience how the character in the text looks like-
through the way he dresses, the way he moves, his
height, age, etc. c. Presenting through the eyes of
the people
d. Dialogue or monologue- presenting the
character based on what he says or how he says it.
e. Idiosyncratic behavior- gives a view on the
character’s unique behavior.
f. Reconstruction of the subject’s special setting
or ambiance- the place where the character stays
is described.
Strategies of Writing Creative Nonfiction c

8. Concrete and Evocative Details

The most successful pieces of creative nonfiction
are rich in details. Bare facts are never enough.
They need to be fleshed out; they need to be
humanized.
a. Details should be accurate and informative
b. Details must be suggestive or evocative
Strategies of Writing Creative Nonfiction c
9. Scene
The chief distinction between traditional
reporting and creative nonfiction is the use of
scenes and dramatic writing. It heightens the
feeling of being “right here” in the thick of what
happened. This is done by presenting the news not
through summary and exposition but through
scenes.
Strategies of Writing Creative Nonfiction c
10. A convincing ending
It must be the logical conclusion of the flow of your text
or of the development of your ideas. The reader must be
left with the impression that the subject was adequately
discussed or presented.
Ways of ending:
a. Dramatic denouement
b. Note of quiet lyricism
c. Moral lesson
d. Anecdote
e. point made at the beginning of the essay
Application
Choose one topic from the following and write an essay
incorporating the strategies you learned from this module.
Write a catchy title for your text.
1. My unforgettable travel
2. My best friend
3. My favorite pet
4. My greatest learning
5. My college life
6. Environmental issues
7. Animals or insects