CREATIVE NONFICTION

Creative-pertains to the utilization of various techniques, strategies, and styles in literary writing.
Nonfiction-denotes that he content or subject of this genra does not consider imagined or contrived
events or experiences thu, presents authentic or real events, stories and experiences.

Rees Cheney(1991)-expressed the idea that Creative Nonfiction requires the skill that a storyteller
manifests and the reporter’s research abilities.
Fumar(2010)-noted that this genre combines the authority of both literature and fact.

IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER AS REGARDS CREATIVE NONFICTION:

a. It requires both spontaneity and imaginative approach while ensuring the accuracy and veracity
of the information that the work presents
b. It provides information that is entirely accurate, valid and factual
c. “Basically about the author’s wisdom”-(Bly,2001)
d. Bly, (2001) expressed that Creative Nonfiction is the “most democratic most natural form of
writing”
e. Gutkind, (1997)-it differs from the traditional reportage; balance is unnecessary, and subjectivity
is permitted and encouraged
-its goal is to make nonfiction stories read like fiction so that readers are enthralled by
fact as they are by fantasy.
f. It presents the world or focuses on a slice of it based on the writer’s prism od personality (hidalgo,
2003)

CHARACTERISTICS OF CF
a. It considers a big story and tells or present it in a small way (focuses on a small event to show
how it reflects something larger)
b. Based on truthfulness
c. Textured to describe events, places and people wth eloquence attributed to the quality of the
language
d. Authorial reflection is evidently encouraged
e. Detailed and engaging (but doesn’t need to be funny, or sad or congtroversial)
f. Highlights voice, personality and world view of the writer
g. Allows readers to gain insights as to the complexities of contemporary life

QUALITIES OF CF

A. According to Michael Steinberg and Robert L. Root

a. Personal Presence- the subject of the work is presented based on the perspective, mind and
personality of the writer
b. Self Discovery/Elf Exploration- CF allows writers to be more reflective and inquisitive.
c. Flexibility of form-CF offers a diversity of options about how the work will be crafted;
freedom to choose writing techniques
d. Veracity-the genre promotes the consideration of real experiences felt, witnessed or
observed by the writer himself/herself
e. Literary approaches to language-the genre uses a language that is similarly embellished to
that of other literary works; the unpredictable structure adds to its dynamic feature
 B. Phillip Gerard listed 5 characteristics of the genre :
a. An apparent subject or the “teaching” element and a deeper subject or the mind of the
writer, process of thought
b. Does not need to be necessary “timely” though it could be; yhe urgency of the event versus
the timelessness of its meaning
c. Emphasis on the narrative frame in which scents, action-oriented, character, dialogue are
the relevant aspects
d. Permeates reflection or finished thought
e. Attention to the craft of writing, thinking out loud

The Cardinal Rule in Nonfiction writing is the consideration of Facts, authentic information, or real
events or experiences. It delivers and carries such quality of information but is mainly crafted and
developed in an imaginative and creative manner through the utilization of literary techniques found in
both poetic and fictional writings. Mainly, writings for academic, professional and academic purposes
like reports, researches, thesis and dissertations, as well as traditional reportage adhere to objectivity
and fairness.the purpose of these can just be for the provision of information and intensify and widen
man’s knowledge. On the other hand, CF as it is used to recount real encounters, events and
information, is more subjective since the personality of the writer is mainly encourage to be established
in the entirety of the work. Topics may be indeed personal, intelligible and relatable to the general
readers.

ELEMENTS OF CF

1. The writer- CF mostly emphasize the writer’s self or his/her authentic experiences or objective
observations.
2. Focus-pertains to the subject(real experience,events, observation)that the writer attempts to
communicate meaningfully
3. Frame- the structure, pattern used by the writer in presenting any chose subject; usually
narrative for the case of this genre
4. Scene- CF is action-oriented; real actions, circumstances and events as well as other details that
are told and narrated to creat cinematic-like effect.
5. Voice- the writer as the creator must be heard in which his/her psyche will be revealed to the
readers, the voice is also significant to establish connections and linkages between the writer
and the reader.
6. Didactic value- CF works do not only amuse readers as its ultimate use but, they are also crafted
to serve a vital purpose of offering the readers a genuine learning experience drawn from the
ideas, facts, experiences and observations imbued with sound insights, reflections and
interpretations.

LITERARY ELEMENTS THAT ARE ALSO PRESENT IN CF

a. Conflict
b. Non-chronological orderof events
c. Writing in scenes
d. Resonance- a repeated key image that creates unity or that might be used as a transition
instead of literal transitions(next, then, etc.)
e. Dialogue
f. Figures of speech
 g. Writers voice/tone
h. Character development
i. Open ending that permits for multiple interpretations

5 R’s of CF WRITING ACCORDING TO GUTKIND:

1. Real Life
2. Reflection
3. Research
4. Reading
5. (w)Riting