Lesson 8: Defining

Creative
Nonfiction
Prepared by:
Valerie D. Abella
Jenny Rose C. Probetcho
Benjie Aerol R. Baynosa
Jared Dyle Ortega
Nonfiction versus Creative
Nonfiction
• Nonfiction- comprises written works based on real events.
Most common nonfiction genres;
Autobiography
Essays
Memoir

• Creative Nonfiction- uses the techniques of literature

such as narrative, plot, characterization, etc. Involves writing from
personal experience or reporting on other people’s experience. Facts
are used to it.
Types of Creative Nonfiction texts
• Biography- a usually written history of a person’s life or a thing in
an entertaining but informative manner.
a) Select a person you are interested and find out the basic facts about
him/her.
b) Do additional research about the person.
• Autobiography- tells a story of the writer’s own life. Often want to make sense
of events in their lives and to communicate important personal statement about
life.
a. Create a time line of your life events.
b. Identify the people who made an impact in your life.
c. Select the best stories of your lie.
d. Write it in your own voice.
• Memoir- focuses on an event or series of events that evoke a change of
view or feelings in an entertaining way. It helps the audience to
understand the author.
a. Choose a topic you care about, a “snapshot” of your life.
b. Seek a deeper theme within the simple description of an event a reader can
connect to.
c. Use your own unique voice in writing.
• Travel Writing- records the experiences of travelers in some interesting
places and circumstances. Including vivid descriptions, illustrations,
historical background, and possibly maps and diagrams.
a. Go on an adventure.
b. Start with a clear story line.
c. Describe the place in great detail and use imagery.
d. Get the facts about the place, people, events, culture etc.
• Food Writing- focuses on communicating information about food.
a. Use your five senses in describing.
b. Research the background or history of the topic.
c. Include the recipes to follow.
d. Use your own style of writing.
• Profile- takes us behind the scenes of familiar places and gives a
glimpse of the inner working of a person.
a. Know the subject- their personality and interests.
b. Research the information about the person.
c. Choose a theme that suits your subject.
d. Interview the person and the people surrounding him or her.
• Personal Essays- focuses on the topic through the lens of the
personal experience of the narrator.
a. Focus on one specific topic.
b. Organize your ideas.
c. Use language in expressing what you really mean to say; show
rather than tell by using imagery.
• Literary Journalism- uses the techniques of journalism in order
to look outside straightforward, objective world that journalism
creates.
a. Get the facts straight by researching.
b. Conduct interviews when necessary.
c. Outline the story.
d. Use literary devices in writing.
e. Write dramatic scenes- dialogues, detail, action.
• Movie Review- provides a short description of a film and includes
the reviewer’s about it.
a. Select a film and watch the film at least twice.
b. Read the story about the film. Including interesting and peculiar
facts about the production process, the basis of the story, the cast
and the crew, the budget, and location.
c. Take note of the critical scenes of the characters.
d. The introduction should include the basic information about the
film.
e. The main body includes the analysis of the story as a whole. Scene
from your notes.
f. State the audience’s and the critic’s perception .
TIPS FOR WRITING CREATIVE NONFICTION
TO GOD BE THE GLORY!