CREATIVE

NONFICTION

By: Cathelyn Data Matias

 Objectives

• Define creative nonfiction and identify its

principles and fictional elements
• Do a close reading of creative nonfictional
texts.
• Analyze and interpret factual/npfactual
aspects in texts.
Initializing
Confucius contended that education
is a way to cultivate oneself. Plato on the
other hand postulated that education
makes a man good. And some would say
that education is one’s ticket to success.
But in this ultimate goal of studying? Is it
worth the years students spend in school?
 Unzip

Sir Francis Bacon (1561-1662) is

considered as the Father of the English Essay
and is famous for his wit and aphoristic style.
He discusses politics, philosophy, and science
in most of his works.
 Boost
SLOTH Laziness, inactivity
CONTEMN Treat, regard
CONFUTE Refute, argue
SUBTILE Elusive, vague
WROUGHT Shaped, created
 Boost
ABEUNT Practices zealously pursued pass into
STUDIA IN habits.
MORES

CYMINI “hairsplitters” (literally, “dividers of

SECTORS cumin seed”)
OF STUDIES
By: FRANCIS BACON
 CONTENT
1. According to Bacon, what are the purposes of
studying? What does he mean with each
purpose?
2. Although he emphasizes the significance of
studies, what warning/s did he offer? Why?
3. What are the effects of reading, writing, and
conversation to people?
 FORM AND STYLE
1. What disposition/mood is evoked in the opening
paragraphs of the essay?
2. Is the language of the essay effective in delivering
the author’s messages to the audience? How?
3. Brevity is the use of concise or succinct words
without sacrificing meaning in writing. How did
Francis Bacon exemplify the “quality of brevity
“ in his essay? Cite examples.
 UPGRADING

Creative nonfiction includes types of writing like

essay, memoirs, profiles, reports, journalistic writing,
biographies, autobiographies, narratives, travelogue,
blogs, testimonials, among others.
 UPGRADING
LEE GUTKIND was dubbed as the
“grandfather of creative nonfiction” by the
Vanity Fair Magazine in 1997 because he
pioneered, activated and advocated the
popularity of the genre in the 1970s. He
also founded the first and largest literary
magazine entitled Creative Nonfiction
which featured narrative and creative
nonfiction works.
 UPGRADING
In Philippines, the work of NICK JOAQUIN, his oral history
accounts of people in the Philippines Free Press and his books like
“The Aquinos of Tarlac” and “Quartet of the Tiger Moon,” are
considered pioneering masterpieces of creative nonfiction. Today,
Joaquin is considered the best writer of his generation. His works are
classic representations of creative nonfiction in the Philippines where
he showcased his boundless versatility and creativity. They include
human-interest features and crime stories, articles and reportage on
local icons of pop culture (Nora Aunor an other Profiles, Ronnie Poe,
and other Silhouettes.)
 ELEMENTS AND STYLES

• Literary styles of creative nonfiction present a unique challenge in

presenting the content through language, scenes, details, and point
of view.
• A creative nonfictionist is someone who possesses skills of a
narrator or storyteller and the mind of critical thinker.
• Creative nonfiction doesn’t only include facts but also elaborates,
interprets, and presents the work to the reader in an interesting
fashion. It is a compelling work of literature that combines facts
with facets of traditional genres.
 ELEMENTS AND STYLES

• Molding real-life experiences into essays where language reflects

content.
• Writers use scenes and details to create immediacy in their
stories– the ability to bring subject matter to life.

• The author’s presence, either directly or indirectly narrating the

story, creates a distinctive voice that reveals his/her personality,
attitude, beliefs, and interests.
 ELEMENTS AND STYLES

For example:

In Bacon’s “Of Studies,” it is evident that the author

reveals his thoughts and attitudes toward learning. He
offers purposes, gives warnings, and cites effects of
studying. (Personal touch through POINT OF VIEW.)
 ELEMENTS AND STYLES

• Language is critical in creative nonfiction.

• The language of author conveys visual imagery.
The words used encourage memory sights, sounds,
and smells. (Language makes the meaning sensible)
 ELEMENTS AND STYLES

• The SCENES dramatize the facts and details of

creative nonfiction.

• Dialogues, actions verbs, and descriptions are used

in order to make the scenes interesting.
 GENERATING
MY GOALS

After reading and discussing Bacon’s “Of

Studies,” identify three influential people who inspire
your studies. Explain in two to three sentences why
each person influences/inspires you, with facts,
descriptions, and details.
 GENERATING
DRAW AND EXPLAIN

With a partner, think and draw an object or

thing that represents the idea of “studying” for you.
Write your explanation in a paper using facts,
descriptions, and details, and read it before the class.
 GENERATING
MY DREAM SCHOOL AND COURSE

Interact with a peer and talk about your dream

course and ideal school for college. Afterwards, write
two to three sentences that summarize your partner’s
ideas. Observe the use of facts, descriptions, and
details in your output. Share your discussion with
other pairs.
 #HASHTAG

Make a short but catchy hashtag about

the lesson. Consider personal relfections,
reactions, and learning. You may want to
explain your hashtag in one or two sentences
with facts, descriptions, and details.
 #HASHTAG
Make a short but catchy hashtag
about the lesson. Consider your personal
reflections, reactions, and learning. You
may want to explain your hashtag in one
or two sentences through metaphors to
express emotions.