Creative
Nonfiction
An
Introduction
Jecevil C. Enso, LPT
Dẻlicat mais fort
Objectives
Identify dominant literary conventions of fiction
and drama, namely, character, plot, setting, and
theme
Compare and contrast how the conventions of
fiction and drama are used and utilized
Analyse and interpret the themes and techniques
used in particular texts
What is Creative Nonfiction?
– It is the story of a very high order through
the revelation of character and the
suspense of plot, the subtle braiding of
themes and resonance, memory and
imaginative research, precise and original
language”. - Carolyn Forche and
Philip Gerard
– For a text to be categorized as creative nonfiction,
the writer must “communicate information just like
a reporter, but shape it in a way that reads like
fiction”. –Lee Gutkind
– Creative Nonfiction is a distinct form of prose, a
work of nonfiction that uses some of the
techniques of fiction and poetry, and/ or that
concerns itself primarily with providing an
emotional (rather than merely intellectual)
experience.- Scott Edelstein
CREATIVE NONFICTION
– Combines the validity of facts and the
imaginative stance of storytelling.
– The word “creative” in creative nonfiction refers
to the use of literary craft in the writing of
nonfiction- to produce factually accurate essays
or narratives about actual events and people in
a compelling and interesting way.
Lesson 1
Understanding the Genres of
Fiction and Drama
EXPLAINING KEY CONCEPTS
FICTION- is defined as “ a series of
imagined facts which illustrates truths about
human life”. It is commonly called “stories”,
and can either be short (short story) or rather
long (novella or novel).
Short story- a brief artistic prose form that
centers single main incident
Novel- an extensive prose narrative that
contains chapters and interludes.
DRAMA - also uses the traditional
conventions of fiction but has an
additional distinctive characteristic
of being performed and mounted
on stage.
ELEMENTS OF
FICTION & DRAMA
PLOT- the sequence of events happening in a story
SETTING - the place and time where and when an
event happens
CHARACTERES - the persons who inhabit a story
THEME - the central idea, or thesis, or overall
message that the story conveys
Comparison & Contrast of the Conventions
and Devices between Fiction & Drama
FICTION
DRAMA
• Short story • Performed
/novel & mounted
• Prose • Dialogue
Point of view
The angle from which the readers can
see how the story unfolds.
It can be told from the perspective of a
narrator, a main or supporting
character, or an observer.
Dialogue
Is what the viewers see and hear in a
performance and these are the words
uttered by the characters in a dramatic
play.
Freytag’s pyramid of plot
climax
rising action falling action
exposition denouement
Elements of Plot in Fiction & Drama
Exposition- introduces the characters and
dramatic situation of the story or play
Rising action- introduces the conflict of the
story or play
Climax- introduces the central moment of
crisis that defines the conflict
Falling action- introduces the aftermath of
conflict (whether it is resolved or not)
Resolution/denouement- introduces the
moment of insight, discovery, or revelation of
the character after the falling action. The end
of the central conflict.
Exposition:
Cinderella’s mother passes away and her
father remarries a woman with two
daughters. Eventually, the father also passes
away and Cinderella is left to live with her
cruel stepmother and her two equally cruel
stepsisters.
Rising action:
There is a ball and everyone is invited to
attend. Cinderella is forbidden to go so she
stays in the house to clean. Her stepmother and
stepsisters attend the ball. The fairy godmother
appears and gives Cinderella a dress to wear
and a carriage to bring her to the ball.
Climax:
Cinderella leaves the castle in a hurry and
leaves her shoe on the stairs when the clock
strikes at 12 midnight.
Falling Actions:
The prince hands the shoe to Cinderella to
wear and it fits.
Resolution/denouement:
Cinderella and the prince live in the
castle happily ever after.
NARRATIVE DEVICES
1. Foreshadowing is used in fiction and drama as a
guide or hint at what is to happen next in the story.
2. Irony is also used when words that are uttered, either
by the author or the characters in the story, are the
opposites of what they actually mean.
3. Flashback is employed by an author or a playwright
through the use of a past event that will help the
readers understand the present.
4. A conflict is It provides and showcases the
opposing objectives of the protagonist & antagonist,
or inside the protagonist.
5. Deus ex machina –It refers to an unexpected,
artificial or improbable character, device or event
introduced suddenly in a work of fiction to resolve a
situation or untangle a plot.
Exploratory Activity 1 whole sheet of
Paper
A MOVIE OR STORY IN MY MIND
Try to remember a book, a story, a play, or a film
that you have read or seen that has had the most
impact on you. It may be something that you have
recently read or seen, or something that you have
read or seen in a long time but you simply could
not forget. Fill in the blanks with the necessary
details.
1. Title of the book/story/play/film:
_____________________________________________________
2. What is the story about?
(Use the Freytag’s Pyramid)
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
3. Who are the important characters in the story? Give a brief
description of each character.
a. Character 1:_________________________________________
Description:
____________________________________________________
b. Character2:________________________________________
Description:___________________________________________
c. Character 3:_______________________________________
Description:___________________________________________
d. Character 4:___________________________________
Description:______________________________________
4. Where did the story takes
place?________________________________
