BINALONAN, PANGASINAN

COLLEGE OF TEACHER EDUCATION

BACHELOR OF SECONDARY EDUCATION MAJOR IN ENGLISH
First Semester, A.Y. 2024-2025
COGNATE 1: CREATIVE WRITING

TERM FINALS
MODULE NO. 8
MODULE TITLE NON-FICTION

INTRODUCTION
This module focuses on the review of the definition, features, and forms/types of non-fictions. It
also includes the different elements of non-fiction that the students shall consider and include in
their original non-fictional texts.

I. OBJECTIVES
At the end of the end of this module, students should be able to:
a. discuss non-fiction, its types, and its elements;
b. share how non-fiction represents certain realities of life; and
c. produce original non-fictional texts creatively.

II. DATE AND TIME ALLOTMENT

November 18, 2024 (1.5 hours)

III. LECTURES

NON-FICTION - comprises of the written works based on real events; prose writing that is based
on facts, real events, and real people.

CHARACTERISTICS OF NON-FICTION
1. Non-fiction writing must involve real people, places, and events. The stories told
in non-fiction works must be true. If something in the story is made-up, then it falls
under fiction.
2. Non-fiction must also contain facts, which are information that can be proved to be
true. With this in mind, a writer can select and organize the facts in a number of
ways in order to accomplish his purpose. Some facts can be omitted, and others
can be shown in a specific light, but overall, facts must be present in the written
work.
3. Most nonfiction works also have a similar author's purpose, which is the reason
the author writes. Most nonfiction is written to express or to inform. If the author's
purpose is to express, the concepts expressed are always based on true, real-life
situations. Because of this, one could argue all nonfiction serves to inform the
reader, as well.

WHAT IS CREATIVE NONFICTION?

It involves writing about personal experience, real people, or events. It is writing about
fact, rather than fiction. The writer can write about anything, such as a personal
experience, current events, or issues in the public eye. The writer can also inject personal
thoughts, feelings, or opinions into the writing. Often, the writer uses the first person “I.”
Popular types of creative nonfiction include the personal essay, memoir, autobiography,
literary journalistic essay, travel writing, and food writing. Creative nonfiction is also known
as “Literary Journalism.”
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This article identifies the techniques of creative nonfiction, defines the various types of
creative nonfiction, provides some guidelines, and lists several popular books and several
resources to help the aspiring writing learn the art and craft of writing creative nonfiction.

HOW TO WRITE CREATIVE NONFICTION

The creative nonfiction writer produces a personal essay, memoir, travel piece, and so
forth, with a variety of techniques, writing tools, and methods. He/she is required to use
the elements of nonfiction, literary devices of fiction, and what Lee Gutkind called “the 5
Rs of Creative nonfiction.” The following is a brief explanation of each:

Elements of Creative Nonfiction

The creative nonfiction writer often incorporates several elements of nonfiction
when writing a memoir, personal essay, travel writing, and so on. The following is
a brief explanation of the most common elements of nonfiction:

1. FACT. The writing must be based on fact, rather than fiction. It cannot be made
up.
2. EXTENSIVE RESEARCH. The piece of writing is based on primary research,
such as an interview or personal experience, and often secondary research,
such as gathering information from books, magazines, and newspapers.
3. REPORTAGE/REPORTING. The writer must be able to document events or
personal experiences.
4. PERSONAL EXPERIENCE AND PERSONAL OPINION. Often, the writer
includes personal experience, feelings, thoughts, and opinions. For instance,
when writing a personal essay or memoir.
5. EXPLANATION/EXPOSITION. The writer is required to explain the personal
experience or topic to the reader.
6. ESSAY FORMAT. Creative nonfiction is often written in essay format. Example:
Personal Essay, Literary Journalistic essay, brief essay.

LITERARY ELEMENTS

Creative nonfiction is the literature of fact. Yet, the creative nonfiction writer utilizes many
of the literary devices of fiction writing. The following is a list of the most common literary
devices that writers incorporate into their nonfiction writing:

1. Storytelling/narration. The writer needs to be able to tell his/her story. A good

story includes an inciting incident, a goal, challenges and obstacles, a turning
point, and resolution of the story.
2. Character. The nonfiction piece often requires a main character. Example: If a
writer is creating his/her memoir, then the writer is the central character.
3. Setting and scene. The writer creates scenes that are action-oriented; include
dialogue; and contain vivid descriptions.
4. Plot and plot structure. These are the main events that make up the story. In a
personal essay, there might be only one event. In a memoir, there are often
several significant events.
5. Figurative language. The writer often uses simile and metaphor to create an
interesting piece of creative nonfiction.
6. Imagery. The writer constructs “word pictures” using sensory language.
Imagery can be figurative or literal.
7. Point of view. Often the writer uses the first person “I.”
8. Dialogue. These are the conversations spoken between people. It is an
important component of creative nonfiction.
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9. Theme. There is a central idea that is weaved through the essay or work. Often,
the theme reveals a universal truth.

THE 5’RS OF CREATIVE NONFICTION

Lee Gutkind, who is a writer, professor, and expert on creative nonfiction, wrote an essay
called “The Five R’s of Creative Nonfiction.” In this essay, he identified five essential
elements of creative nonfiction. These include:

1. Creative nonfiction has a “real life” aspect. The writer constructs a personal essay,
memoir, and so forth, that is based on personal experience. He also writes about real
people and true events.

2. Creative nonfiction is based on the writer engaging in personal “reflection” about what
he/she is writing about. After gathering information, the writer needs to analyze and
assess what he/she has collected. He then must evaluate it and expression his
thoughts, views, opinions. Personal opinion is permissible and encouraged.

3. Creative nonfiction requires that the writer complete research. The writer needs to
conduct research to learn about the topic. The writer also needs to complete research
to discover what has been written about the topic. Even if a writer is crafting a personal
essay, he will need to complete secondary research, such as reviewing a personal
journal, or primary research, such as interviewing a friend or family member, to ensure
that the information is truthful and factual.

4. Reading. Reading while conducting research is not sufficient. The writer must read
the work of the masters of his profession.

5. Writing. Writing creative nonfiction is both an art and craft. The art of creative
nonfiction requires that the writer uses his talents, instincts, creative abilities, and
imagination to write memorable creative nonfiction. The craft of creative nonfiction
requires that the writer learn and deploy the style and techniques of creative nonfiction
in his/her work.

TYPES OF CREATIVE NONFICTION

Creative nonfiction is about fact and truth. The truth can be about a personal experience,
event, or issue in the public eye. There are many categories or genres to choose from,
such as the personal essay, memoir, and autobiography. The following is a list of the
most popular types of creative nonfiction:

1. Personal Essay. The writer crafts and essay that is based on personal experience or
a single event, which results in significant personal meaning or a lesson learned. The
writer uses the first person “I.”
2. Memoir. The writer constructs a true story about a time or period in his/life, one that
had significant personal meaning and a universal truth. The writer composes the story
using the first person “I.”
3. Literary journalism essay. The writer crafts an essay about an issue or topic using
literary devices, such as the elements of fiction and figurative language.
4. Autobiography. The writer composes his/her life story, from birth to the present, using
the first person “I.”
6. Travel Writing. The writer crafts articles or essays about travel using literary devices.
7. Food writing. The writer crafts stories about food and cuisine using literary devices.
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8. Profiles. The writer constructs biographies or essays on real people using literary
devices.

GUIDELINES FOR WRITING CREATIVE NONFICTION

Not only must the aspiring writer of creative nonfiction learn the techniques, but he/she
also requires a good understanding of the guidelines. The following are 12 guidelines for
writing any type of creative nonfiction:

1. Research the topic. Both primary (interview, personal experience, or participant

observation) and secondary research (books, magazines, newspaper, Web).
2. Never invent or change facts. An invented story is fiction.
3. Provide accurate information. Write honestly and truthfully. Information should be
verifiable.
4. Provide concrete evidence. Use facts, examples, and quotations.
5. Use humor to make an important point.
6. Show the reader what happened, don’t tell them what happened. To do this, dramatize
the story.
7. Narrate the story. A story has an inciting incident, goal, conflict, challenges, obstacles,
climax, and resolution.
8. Write about the interesting and extraordinary. Write about personal experiences,
interesting people, extraordinary events, or provide a unique perspective on everyday
life.
9. Organize the information. Two common techniques are chronological or logical order.
10. Use literary devices to tell the story. Choose language that stimulates and entertains
the reader, such as simile, metaphor, imagery.
11. Introduce the essay or other work with a hook. Its purpose is to grab the readers’
attention and compel them to reader further. Popular hooks include a quotation,
question, or thought-provoking fact.
12. End the creative nonfiction piece with a final, important point. Otherwise, the reader
will think, “So what!” “What was the point? It was an interesting story, but how does it
apply to me or my life?”

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IV. REFERENCE

Hood, D. (2013, October 12). Writing Creative Nonfiction. Find Your Creative Muse.

https://davehood59.wordpress.com/2010/02/17/writing-creative-nonfiction/

Prepared:

JAN KARLO THOMAS V. RANCHEZ, LPT

Instructor, College of Teacher Education

Checked:

RAYMOND N. CLARO, PHD

Dean, College of Teacher Education