Creative Non- fictions Creative Writing III

Creative Essay O Any short, non-fiction text written with specific attention to its aesthetic qualities and presentation that is written from the point of view of the author. It focuses on a personal experience that is a turning point, a change in direction, an event that has significant meaning, and also shares a universal truth with readers.

Why nonfiction? O A part of life for an informed citizenry O Every day, individuals read biographies, political and personal essays, and character sketches in magazines, newspapers, books, and on-line sources. O A part of college and career readiness O Encountered in history, social science, the humanities, education

What is a Personal Narrative? O based on memory of an event or experience or moment in time that had significant meaning to you O tell a true story about a turning point in your life O the event or experience actually happened to you O look back into your memory, to an earlier time in your life, and unearth true stories that had significant meaning to you

Other Ideas O Journey, quest, pilgrimage O Mysteries and investigations O Rituals, games, performances, events O Dig up memories about a myriad of topics– from toys to technology, to milestones to accomplishments, things that have significantly affected you.

Inspiration O Memory. Mining your memory for turning points in your life. Turning points, such as a job loss, illness, disease, death, first encounters. O Family life. Reflecting on family-What family events had significant meaning? What do you remember about family life? O Spiritual journey. Write about your spiritual journey. O Place. Write about home. What is home? Travel experiences. The natural world, such as hiking, biking, camping, exploring the wilderness. O Popular culture. Write about film, music, fiction, poetry, photography, art—and how it has impacted you. What memories do you have? O The global village. Write about the world in which you live, such as the environment.

Structure O Problem (exposition)- Your goal is to describe a problem in vivid details. What is the significant event that lead to a problem? O Struggle (rising action)-This problem creates conflict, which can be external (the outside world) and internal (within your mind or psyche) obstacles or setbacks. O Epiphany (climax)- Your problem and struggle results in an epiphany or flood of new understanding. The epiphany transforms your story from merely an anecdote to a personal narrative that has significant meaning to you, and shared meaning with others. O Resolution- What you have done differently since you had the epiphany. (Does not necessarily have to be in this order—be creative)

O Creative essays are written to express, render, and entertain O frequently do not follow a standard structure O designed to move the emotions O should be rich with imagery, modifiers, and fresh language, and should vary their syntax O Usually told from the first-person voice O make sure that it tells a story O the writer should structure and present his essay in the way that best reflects the emotional timbre of the essay O should attempt to accurately and honestly relate these personal ideas

Readers Expect You to Share O Your thoughts O Your feelings O Your opinions O Personal Reflections