CREATIVE NONFICTION - Theme and Techniques (Lesson 1)

Summary

This creative non-fiction class introduces the concept of analyzing female techniques in texts. It defines non-fiction as compositions based on factual information, distinct from fictional narratives. The class covers various types of creative non-fiction, including personal essays, literary journalism, biographies, travel writing, and food writing. It emphasizes the importance of the five R's: real life, reflection, research, reading, and writing. The lesson also explores literary devices such as storytelling, character development, and theme, highlighting the significance of central ideas and constructing paragraphs to support the broader message of the text.

Takeaways

• 📚 Non-fiction is a broad category of compositions that are not based on fictional stories, including history, biography, instructional, humor, and philosophical texts.
• 🔍 Creative non-fiction involves incorporating factual information and personal experiences into writing, often using essay formats such as procedural, personal, literary, and descriptive essays.
• 📝 The five R's of creative non-fiction are real life, reflection, research, reading, and writing, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and thorough preparation.
• 🎨 Common literary devices used in non-fiction writing include storytelling, character development, setting, plot structure, and figurative language.
• 👤 Personal essays are written from the first-person perspective, focusing on personal experiences and lessons learned.
• 🗞️ Literary journalism essays explore issues or topics using literary devices similar to those used in fiction.
• 📖 Biographies tell the story of a person's life from birth to the present, also from the first-person perspective.
• 🌍 Travel writing involves narrating travel experiences using literary techniques and figurative language.
• 🍽️ Food writing crafts stories about food and cuisine, potentially leading to reviews and recommendations.
• 🏛️ Profiles construct life stories of people using literary devices to explore themes and provide insights.
• 🧵 Theme in non-fiction is the overarching message or idea that ties together the narrative, often supported by central ideas and key points throughout the text.
• 📐 Techniques of fiction used in non-fiction include setting, narrative arc, point of view, character development, vivid description, and the use of imagery and theme.
• 🌟 Personal reflection involves the writer's thoughts, feelings, opinions, and personal perspective, adding depth and authenticity to the narrative.
• 📝 Word choice or diction is crucial in non-fiction writing, with an emphasis on originality, connotation, and avoiding clichés and jargon.
• 🎼 Lyrical language techniques such as repetition, parallel structure, rhyme, alliteration, and assonance can enhance the sensory imagery in non-fiction writing.

Q & A

What is the main focus of today's creative non-fiction class?

The main focus of today's class is to analyze the techniques used in a particular text, specifically focusing on the portrayal of female characters in non-fiction writing.

What is the definition of non-fiction according to the class?

Non-fiction is a broad category of compositions that includes all books not established in a fictional account, incorporating factual information and not fictional stories.

How can creative non-fiction be classified?

Creative non-fiction can be classified into various forms such as history, biography, instructional writing, humor, and philosophical essays.

What is the core element of non-fiction writing?

The core element of non-fiction writing is fact, which means factual information must be included in the piece rather than made-up information.

Why is research important in non-fiction writing?

Research is important in non-fiction writing to provide accurate and reliable information that can be used in the non-fiction piece.

What are the common literary devices used in non-fiction writing?

Common literary devices in non-fiction writing include storytelling or narration, character or characterization, setting, plot and plot structure, figurative language, imagery, angle or point of view, dialogue, and theme.

What are the five R's of creative non-fiction?

The five R's of creative non-fiction are real life, reflection, research, reading, and writing.

What is a personal essay in the context of creative non-fiction?

A personal essay in creative non-fiction is a piece where the writer uses information based on personal experience or a single event that leads to significant personal meaning or a lesson learned, using the first person narrative.

What is the role of theme in non-fiction writing?

In non-fiction writing, theme serves as the broader message of the story, running throughout the text and providing a central idea that all details support.

How can the main idea of a paragraph support the central idea of the whole text in non-fiction?

In non-fiction, each paragraph has its own main idea that is used to support the central idea of the whole text. The main idea of a paragraph must be associated with supporting information and evidences to strengthen the overall central idea.

What are some of the techniques of fiction that can be used in non-fiction writing?

Some techniques of fiction used in non-fiction writing include setting, narrative arc, point of view, character development, vivid description, use of imagery, theme, and poetic devices such as figurative language, simile, metaphor, symbolism, personification, and sensory imagery.

Why is personal reflection important in non-fiction writing?

Personal reflection is important in non-fiction writing as it allows the writer to express personal thoughts, feelings, opinions, and ruminations, adding a personal perspective and depth to the narrative.

What is the significance of word choice or diction in non-fiction writing?

Word choice or diction is significant in non-fiction writing to ensure the use of language is fresh and original, making notes of connotation and selecting words with the best meaning, while avoiding cliches and jargon.