Creative Nonfiction

Week 1-2
CONTENT STANDARD:
The learner understands the literary conventions that govern the
different genres. (e.g., narrative convention of fiction, etc.)

PERFORMANCE STANDARD:
a. The learner clearly and coherently uses a chosen element
conventionally identified with a genre for a written output.
LEARNING COMPETENCIES:

Upon completion of this module, the student will be able to . . .

a. analyze the theme and techniques used in a particular text
b. create samples of the different literary elements based on one’s
experience (e.g. metaphor to describe an emotion)
(HUMSS_CNF11/12-Ib-d-4)
c. Analyze factual/nonfictional elements (Plot, Characters,
Characterization, Point of View, Angle, Setting and Atmosphere,
Symbols and Symbolisms, Irony, Figures ofspeech, Dialogue, Scene,
Other elements and Devices) in the texts (HUMSS_CNF11/12-Ib-d-
4.1)
ANALYSI
S

1. What thoughts are circling in your head right

now?

2. What do you worry about?

LESSON 1: ELEMENTS OF
CREATIVE NONFICTION

Creative nonfiction is true

stories, well told.
 CREATIVE NONFICTION
NONFICTION
immersive
less emphasis upon and space
tells a true story in an artistic or for creativity
literary way
depict real-
life events, If regular nonfiction were a
person, it might say “just the
If creative nonfiction were a places, facts, ma’am.”
person, it might might ask “and
what color were her eyes as the
people, and
moonlight reflected off the ocean experiences
into them, and what childhood
memories did that moment
dredge up?”
LESSON 1: ELEMENTS OF
CREATIVE NONFICTION

It is possible to be honest and

straightforward and brilliant and
creative at the same time.
LESSON 1: ELEMENTS OF CREATIVE NONFICTION

Plot
-refers to the actual events that
take place within the bounds of
your narrative

-the primary subject of a

descriptive personal narrative
Three related elements to consider
are scope, sequence, and pacing.
 PLOT
1. Scope 2. Sequence
-refers to the boundaries of plot - the order of the events
Where and when does the story begin and end? -will determine the reader’s experience
What is its focus?
What background information and details does the a) Freytag’sPyramid: Chronological.
story require?
b) In medias res
-means “in the middle of things,”
3. Pacing - the story starts right in the middle of the action.
-refers to the speed and fluidity with which a reader c) Non-linear narrative
moves through your story
-may be told in a series of flashbacks or vignettes or it
-the “flow” (narration) of an event can be fast or slow might jump back and forth in time
 Elements of Creative Nonfiction
B.Characters
- bring life to the story
-while human characters are most
frequently featured in stories, sometimes
there are non-human characters in a story
such as animals or even the environment
itself
C. Characterization
- refers to the development of characters through
actions, descriptions, and dialogue
1) Directly, through specific description of the character
What kind of clothes do they wear? What do they look,
smell, sound like?
2) Indirectly, through the behaviors, speech, and
thoughts of the character
What kind of language, dialect, or register do they use? What
is the tone, inflection, and timbre of their voice? How does
their manner of speaking reflect their attitude toward the
listener? How do their actions reflect their traits? What’s on
their mind that they won’t share with the world?
 Elements of Creative Nonfiction
D. Point of View
-the perspective from which a narrative is First person
told -employs the I or we pronouns

-indicates who is telling the story Second person

and how the information is being filtered
to the audience -is told through the pronoun, you

Third Person
-uses he, she, and they
 LESSON 1: ELEMENTS OF CREATIVE NONFICTION

1. First Person Point of View

A first person narrative is an extension of the way
that we tell stories every day. Often, the first-
person narrator will be the protagonist — for
example, the titular character in Life of Pi. But
they might also be a secondary character, like
Ishmael in Moby Dick (to continue the nautical
theme).

Examples of first-person writing include:

I poured my mother a glass of ice-cold milk.
“Bring me the prisoner,” I told my chief of
police.
That turkey sandwich was mine!
 LESSON 1: ELEMENTS OF CREATIVE NONFICTION

2. Second Person Point of View

- endows the reader with the narrative view
point, asking them to place themselves directly
in the headspace of a particular character:
either the protagonist or a secondary
personality
-pronouns associated with second person
include you, your, and yours, as in:

Example:
You instruct the chief of police to bring the prisoner
to your office.
That turkey sandwich was yours!
LESSON 1: ELEMENTS OF CREATIVE NONFICTION

3. Third Person Limited Point of

View
-the narrator can only reveal the thoughts,
feelings, and understanding of a single
character at any given time — hence, the
reader is “limited” to that perspective
character’s mind

Example:
Karen couldn't tell if her boss was lying.
Aziz started to panic. How am I going to get
out of this mess?
 LESSON 1: ELEMENTS OF CREATIVE NONFICTION

4. Third Person Omniscient Point of

View
-omniscient narrators are all-knowing — meaning that
they’re able to reveal anything that is happening, has
happened, or will happen in the world of the story.
-readers have access to all of the details that this God-like
narrator is willing to share

Example:
He thought that Sarah was fantastic, but she didn't think
the same of him.
As Leslie and Andi kissed under the Eiffel Tower, a
burglary was taking place four miles east, in the 11th
Arrondissement.
 Elements of Creative Nonfiction
E. Tone
-the emotional register of the story’s language. What
emotional state does the narrator of the story (not the
author, but the speaker) seem to be in?
What emotions are you trying to imbue in your writing?
F. Mood
-refers to the emotional register a reader experiences.
What emotions do you want your reader to experience?
Are they the same feelings you experienced at the time?
G. Moral
The call towards having a good behavior; this could be in
the form of a maxim, or a saying.
H. Theme
-the main message of a story or a generalization about
life.
“Perseverance gets you to your goal.”
I. Angle
-refers to the specific or particular standpoint from which
the narrative is told
Visualize yourself writing about a chair. You were standing right
in front so you can describe how it looks from the front. But of
course, you might stand to one side and see another aspect
which you might not see from the front. You can even move
back and take a look from the back, or even from the top. From
these different standpoints, you might be able to write different
things about the chair.
 Elements of Creative Nonfiction
J. Setting and Atmosphere
-the place where the story takes place. Usually, an
effective story establishes its setting early in the story:
otherwise readers will have a difficult time visualizing
the action of the story.
L. Irony.
-things seem to be is in fact very different from how they
actually are
-a broad term that encompasses three different types of
irony, each with their own specific definition: verbal
irony, dramatic irony, and situational irony
K. Symbols and Symbolisms
-give meaning to objects, or events that are outside
of the literal
-provides a way for a writer to explore depth,
frequently though double meaning
For example
Red roses are symbols of love, and doves are
symbols of peace.
If a character crosses a river, the writer is usually
employing symbolism to signify rebirth, like
baptism.
Let’s Try!
1. I’ve told you a million times.
2. "I am busy doing nothing."
3. The sizzle of bacons frying makes my mouth water.
4. The factory needs 100 hands to finish the work on
schedule.
5. Is life worth living?— It depends upon the liver.