Creative Nonfiction
Module 1
Introduction to
Creative Nonfiction
to your module!
DEE HWA LIONG ACADEMY
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
This module is a combination of
face-to-face and online learning
and will last for one week.
Okay, Let’s Begin!
Ms. Lyka Mariz Gonzales
Mr. Eliezer John Juntado
Sta. Maria Compound Ph4, Marcos Highway,
Santolan, Pasig City
[email protected]Contact No.: 0932-795-2094,
Registrar Office: 0945-753-3151
Guidance Office: 0905-260-0667 January, 2025
Cashier’s office: 0956-079-1710, 0915-821-0457
Module Overview
At your age, you may have already encountered hundreds of
stories, both real and imagined. Apart from the language arts
textbooks and the books from the libraries, one is now given the
privilege of access to countless stories through a number of
platforms. All thanks to technology and the people behind them,
one can now watch videos on content communities, listen to podcasts, read e-books
and blogs, and access narratives from an entire array of avenues. However, reading is
one skill but writing is another. Since the very goal of this course is to make a writer
out of you, specifically of creative nonfiction, it is necessary that the fundamentals of
this genre are laid and set for you to understand.
In this module, you will learn and understand the foundational features and essential
elements of nonfiction as well as how they are used in the field of storytelling.
Module 1: Introduction to Creative Nonfiction
Module 9:
SCRIPT WRITING
Objectives
Going through this module, the students will be able to:
understand the Creative Nonfiction;
differentiate between fiction such as autobiography,
travel writing, etc;
identify the functions of creative nonfiction; and
create samples of literary elements based on one's
experience.
Creative Writing
Module 1: Introduction to Creative Nonfiction
Starter
Crossword Puzzle
Guess the words across and down through the hints below.
Creative Writing
Module 1: Introduction to Creative Nonfiction
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What is a story? Why do we write stories? These are questions that we
commonly ask ourselves, isn’t it? A story is a narration of how something happened. It
tells us who, what, when, where and how a particular event took place. A story could
be real or imaginary. What makes a good story? What are the elements of different
Genres? These are the things that we will discuss in this lesson.
A Literary Genre is a writing style in making or writing a piece. The genre
is a category used to classify the work of an author. A Literary Genre can either be
Fiction or Nonfiction. When we say Fiction, these are writings or stories created from
the mind or imagination of the author while, Nonfiction are writings that are factual,
realistic and existing. They are not imaginary.
Creative nonfiction contrasts with other nonfiction, such as technical
writing or journalism, which is likewise established in exact certainty however is
not essentially written in support of its specialty. As a classification, imaginative
true to life is still moderately youthful, and is just starting to be investigated with
the equivalent basic examination given to fiction and verse.
Creative nonfiction is a narrative or account of lived experiences of real
individuals. It focuses on the story and understandably manifests basic elements of
fiction. The only distinguishing factor is that it works only if the accounts are true and
not made.
Today, personal essays, travel writing, meditation on ideas, nature writing,
autobiography, biography, literary journalism, cultural commentary, letters and
journals, memoirs, and other hybridized prose forms are often grouped under this
umbrella term, creative nonfiction.
Creative Writing
Module 1: Introduction to Creative Nonfiction
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CHARACTERISTICS OF
CREATIVE NONFICTION
◦Fact. The core of nonfiction is fact. Factual information shall be included in the piece
and not a made up information.
◦Extensive research. Conducting and gathering information through research provide
accurate and reliable information that you may use in writing your nonfiction write-up.
◦ Reportage/reporting. Documenting the gathered information like interview and
reports helps you keep records and files for future usages.
◦Personal experience and personal opinion. Since the main source of contents are based
from the personal experiences and personal insights of the writer, it makes an easy way
to write a piece.
◦Explanation/Exposition. Explaining the story to the reader is expected to attain the
objectives of the piece.
◦Essay format. The outputs in creative nonfiction are often in essay format.
Examples: Procedural Essay, Personal Essay, Literary essays, descriptive essay
The basic elements in creative nonfiction are setting, descriptive imagery, figurative
language, plot and characterization.
1. Setting. It is the time and place where the narrator’s story takes place. For the
setting to be effective, it has to be established early on in the story for better
visualization of audience.
Ex: My breath escaped in ragged bursts, my quadriceps burning as I crested the
summit. The lake stretched before me, aquamarine, glistening in the hot August
afternoon sun. Ponderosa pines lined its shores, dropping their spicy-scented needles
into the clear water. Despite the heat, the Montana mountain air tasted crisp.
Creative Writing
Module 1: Introduction to Creative Nonfiction
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2. Descriptive imagery. It appeals to the five senses: seeing, hearing, listening, touching
and tasting in creative nonfiction through words. It is the manner by which the writer-
storyteller pictures out the scenes in the audience’s mind.
Ex: The lemon is yellow, sour-smelling and tasting, and with a smooth, bumpy skin.
They might describe the sound of the lemon as a thump on the table if it is dropped,
or squelching if it is squished underfoot. By painting a picture in the reader's mind,
it immerses them in the story so that they feel they are actually there.
3. Figurative language. It is when you use a word or phrase that does
not have its normal every day, literal meaning. It is using words in
ways that describe a literary moment. There are five basic figurative
languages, namely: simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole and
symbolism.
Ex: She is as happy as a clam. (simile)
My father will kill me when he comes home! (hyperbole)
4. Plot. It is what happens in the story basically addressing the sequence, scope and
pacing of the narrative.
Freytag's Pyramid: Chronological
A. Exposition: Here, you’re setting the scene, introducing characters, and
preparing the reader for the journey.
B. Rising action: In this part, things start to happen. You (or your characters)
encounter conflict, set out on a journey, meet people, etc.
C. Climax: This is the peak of the action, the main showdown, the central event
toward which your story has been building.
D. Falling action: Now things start to wind down. You (or your characters)
come away from the climactic experience changed—at the very least, you are
wiser for having had that experience.
E. Resolution: Also known as dénouement, this is where all the loose ends get
tied up. The central conflict has been resolved, and everything is back to
normal, but perhaps a bit different.
Creative Writing
Module 1: Introduction to Creative Nonfiction
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5. Characterization. Characterization means creating a hologram of a person in your
reader’s mind. In nonfiction, your ‘characters’ are real people. It helps the reader
experience and respond to each and every person you meet. This helps bring the reader
into the story, because they experience their own response to the character/individual.
Ex: Characterizing a rich man: He chortled heartily before deeply puffing on his
Cuban cigar, briefly glancing at his Rolex. He announced his driver would arrive
any moment, then tossed back the rest of his whiskey.
6. Point of View
The story from which the story is told.
Most of the time nonfiction adheres with the use of First-Person Point of
View since the experiences are being told.
First-person point of view (using "I" and "me") provides an intimate look into
the narrator's thoughts and feelings, creating a strong sense of personal
connection.
Second-person (using "you") directly involves the reader, making them feel
like they are a part of the narrative.
6.Third-person
Point of Viewpoint of view (using "he," "she," or "they") offers a broader
perspective, allowing readers to see the story unfold from an external
viewpoint.
7. Theme
The central idea, topic, or point of a story, essay, or narrative.
One of the first questions to ask upon hearing someone has written a story is,
“What’s it about?” or “What’s the point?” Short answers may range from
love to betrayal or from the coming of age to the haziness of memory.
The most common literary themes are: judgment, survival, peace and war,
love, heroism, good and evil, circle of life, suffering, deception and coming of
age.
Creative Writing
Module 1: Introduction to Creative Nonfiction
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a. Judgment. In this theme, a character is judged for being different or doing wrong,
whether the infraction is real or just perceived as wrongdoing by others.
b. Survival. There is something captivating about a good survival story, one in which
the main characters must overcome countless odds just to live another day.
c. Peace and war. Quite often, the characters are gripped in the turmoil of conflict while
hoping for days of peace to come or reminiscing about the good life before the war.
d. Love. One of the most popular topics covered not only in books, but in movies and
music as well, love is a universal, multi-faceted theme that’s been explored in a number
of ways throughout the history of literature.
e. Heroism. Whether it is false heroism or true heroic acts, you will often find
conflicting values in literature with this theme.
f. Good and evil. The coexistence of good and evil is another popular theme. It is often
found alongside many of these other themes such as war, judgment, and even love.
Books such as the "Harry Potter" and "Lord of the Rings" series use this as the central
theme.
g. Circle of life. The notion that life begins with birth and ends with death is nothing
new to writers. Many incorporate this into the themes of their writings.
h. Suffering. There is physical suffering and internal suffering, and both are popular
themes, often intertwined with others. This theme puts into question the ethical
possibilities of events both in action and thought.
i. Deception. Deception can be physical or social and it's all about keeping secrets from
others. For instance, we see many lies in "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," and
many of William Shakespeare's plays are centered on deception at some level.
j. Coming of age. Growing up is not easy, which is why so many books rely on a
"coming of age" theme. This is one in which children or young adults mature through
various events and learn valuable life lessons in the process.
Creative Writing
Module 1: Introduction to Creative Nonfiction
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Employing basic techniques in writing creative nonfiction
Literary techniques are specific, deliberate constructions of language which an
author uses to convey meaning. An author’s use of a literary technique usually occurs
with a single word or phrase, or a particular group of words or phrases, at one single
point in a text. Unlike literary elements, literary techniques are not necessarily present
in every text.
These are some of the literary techniques which we can use in writing creative
nonfiction:
Dialogue. Where characters speak to one another; may often be used to substitute for
exposition. Since there is so little stage direction in Shakespeare, many of the
characters’ thoughts and actions are revealed through dialogue.
Symbolism. The use of specific objects or images to represent abstract ideas. This term
is commonly misused, describing any and all representational relationships, which in
fact are more often metaphorical than symbolic. A symbol must be something tangible
or visible, while the idea it symbolizes must be something abstract or
universal.
Juxtaposition. Places two or more dissimilar characters, themes, concepts, etc. side by
side, and the profound contrast highlights their differences. Why is juxtaposition such
an effective literary device? Well, because sometimes the best way for us to understand
something is by understanding what it’s not.
Tragic hero/tragic figure. A protagonist who comes to a bad end as a result of his own
behavior, usually caused by a specific personality disorder or character flaw.
Flashbacks. To previous events split up present-day scenes in a story, usually to build
suspense toward a big reveal. Flashbacks are also an interesting way to present
exposition for your story, gradually revealing to the reader what happened in the past.
An example of this is, every other chapter in the first part of Gone Girl is a flashback,
with Amy’s old diary entries describing her relationship with her husband
before she disappeared.
Creative Writing
Module 1: Introduction to Creative Nonfiction
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Moreover, in writing creative nonfiction the following are suggested:
• Narrative Arc. Is term that describes a story's full progression. It visually evokes the
idea that every story has a relatively calm beginning, a middle where tension, character
conflict, and narrative momentum builds to a peak, and an end where the conflict is
resolved.
Ex: boy meets girl, boy fails girl, boy gets girl again
• Character Development- Developing character through action, dialogue, description
Ex: Taken from Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Darcy is described as not being
characteristic of a potential husband. The dialogue grounds how we look at
Mr. Darcy as can be read below:
'…he was looked at with great admiration for about half the evening, till
his manners gave a disgust which turned the tide of his popularity; for
he was discovered to be proud, to be above his company, and above
being pleased…’
• Vivid Description-descriptions that are concrete and specific
Ex: She took a breath and the freezing air went into her lungs and she felt them
going into spasm. She gasped and more cold air went into her lungs and it was as if she
were drowning.
• Effective use of imagery-literal imagery through description; figurative imagery with
simile or metaphor
Example:
Taste: The familiar tang of his grandmother’s cranberry sauce reminded
him of his youth.
Sound: The concert was so loud that her ears rang for days afterward.
Sight: The sunset was the most gorgeous they’d ever seen; the clouds were
edged with pink and gold.
Smell: After eating the curry, his breath reeked of garlic.
Touch: The tree bark was rough against her skin.
Creative Writing
Module 1: Introduction to Creative Nonfiction
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• Personal Reflection. In most types of creative nonfiction, you’ll share personal
reflection with the reader. These can include:
✓ Personal thoughts and feelings
✓ Opinions
✓ Ruminations
✓ Personal perspective
✓ stream of consciousness
✓ Mediations
Personal refection is required to write a memoir. It is also used to write a
personal narrative, opinion, meditative, and lyrical essay. Personal reflection can also
be incorporated into literary journalism.
• Lyrical Language. Sometimes, a writer will use a lyrical style to express emotion and
evoke emotion in the reader. This is often the case when writing a lyrical essay. The
writing style is based on the following:
✓ repetition of words, phrases, clauses;
✓ parallel structure;
✓ rhyme, both rhyme and internal rhyme;
✓ alliteration and assonance; and
✓ sensory imagery.
Creative Writing
Module 1: Introduction to Creative Nonfiction
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Types of Creative Nonfiction
Creative nonfiction always deals on reality. Reality can be about using the
topics like the use of individual encounter, occasion, or issue in the open eye. There are
different classes or categories to consider in creative nonfiction such as the individual
article, journal, and life account.
✓ Personal Essay. The writer uses information that is based on personal experience
or a single event, which leads in significant personal meaning or a lesson learned that he
encountered. The writer uses the first person “I.”
✓ Memoir. The writer creates a real story within a time or period of life, one that
contributed a significant personal meaning and truth. The writer uses the first person
“I” in the story.
✓ Literary journalism essay. The writer creates an output on an issue or topic
using the understood literary devices, such as the elements of fiction and
figurative languages.
✓ Autobiography. The writer writes his/her own life story, from birth to the present,
using the first person “I.”
✓ Travel Writing. The writer creates article narration about travel using literary
devices and figurative languages.
✓ Food writing. The writer crafts stories about food and cuisine using literary
techniques that mat lead to a review and recommendation.
✓ Profiles. The writer constructs life stories of people using literary devices.
✓ Biography. It provides details regarding the life of a person or a thing in an
entertaining but informative manner.
Creative Writing
Module 1: Introduction to Creative Nonfiction
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Functions of Creative Nonfiction
Informative Function Cultural and Social Function
Education Cultural preservation
Historical documentation Social justice
Social commentary Community building
Informative Function Other Functions
Storytelling Memoir and biography
Reflective and introspective Journalism and reportage
Stylistic innovation Travel and adventure writing
Personal & Therapeutic Function
Catharsis
Self-discovery
Empowerment
Informative Function
Education - Provides knowledge and understanding about real people, events, and
experiences.
Historical documentation - Records and preserves historical events, cultural
traditions, and personal histories.
Social commentary - Offers insights into social issues, critique of societal norms, and
analysis of cultural phenomena.
Creative Writing
Module 1: Introduction to Creative Nonfiction
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Functions of Creative Nonfiction
Literary Function
Storytelling - Employs narrative techniques to engage readers and convey real-life
experiences.
Reflective and introspective - Explores the author's thoughts, feelings, and
experiences, fostering empathy and connection.
Stylistic innovation - Experiments with language, structure, and form to convey
complex ideas and emotions.
Personal & Therapeutic Function
Catharsis - Allows authors to process and heal from traumatic experiences.
Self-discovery - Enables authors to explore their identities, values, and beliefs.
Empowerment - Provides a platform for marginalized voices to share their stories
and experiences.
Cultural and Social Function
Cultural preservation - Protects and promotes cultural heritage, traditions, and
values.
Social justice - Raises awareness about social injustices, advocates for change,
and inspires activism.
Community building - Fosters empathy, understanding, and connection among
readers from diverse backgrounds.
Other Functions
Memoir and biography - Preserves individual and family histories.
Journalism and reportage - Provides in-depth coverage of current events and
issues.
Travel and adventure writing - Explores new places, cultures, and experiences.
Creative Writing
Module 1: Introduction to Creative Nonfiction
Activity #1
THINK LIKE A WRITER!
Everybody is grappling with the effects of your experience. Right now, I want you to
narrate your unique coping experiences with at least 2 paragraphs. For each
paragraph, it should be at least 5 sentences. Just choose a very memorable and
extremely emotional experience. You can choose from one of the experiences listed
below.
• The hardest challenge I’ve ever had to overcome
• The time when it almost felt like the world was against me
• The biggest struggle I went through in my teens.
• My greatest success story
• My most vivid childhood memory and how it has affected me as an adult.
Rubrics for this activity
Exceptional Good Fair Needs improvement
Exceptional depth, relevance, and
Strong and relevant content
insight in narrating the experience. Content is somewhat The response lacks
with adequate emotional
Content The chosen topic is highly relevant but lacks sufficient relevance or depth and is
depth. Some details could be
memorable and emotional, with depth and detail. unclear.
expanded.
clear details.
Free of grammatical, spelling, or Few errors that do not affect Several errors that slightly Frequent errors that
Mechanics
punctuation errors. readability. hinder understanding. significantly affect clarity.
Exceptionally creative and original Limited creativity, with Minimal effort to create
Creative narration with some
Creativity narration that captivates the predictable or generic an engaging or original
originality.
reader. content. narrative.
Clear and logical flow, with well- Logical organization with Lacks organization;
Somewhat organized, but
Organizations structured paragraphs. Ideas minor inconsistencies in paragraphs are unclear or
ideas may be disjointed.
connect smoothly. flow. disconnected.
Effective use of imagery, Little to no use of imagery,
Vivid and evocative imagery Limited or inconsistent use
Use of Imagery though some details could be making the narrative less
enhances the narrative. of imagery.
more vivid. engaging.
Creative Writing
Module 1: Introduction to Creative Nonfiction
Creative Writing
