Principles of Creative Nonfiction

Principles, Elements, and Techniques of CNF

• CNF (creative nonfiction) encompasses various forms, including literary journalism, focusing on real-life events and people.
• Point of view (POV) is crucial to conveying a story's perspective, influencing the narrative approach. First-person POV, in which the narrator uses I, me, my, and we, is used for personal accounts. Second-person POV (using you) addresses the reader directly, creating an immersive experience. Third-person POV (using he, she, or they) focuses on characters separate from the narrator.
• Setting and atmosphere are fundamental in CNF. Real settings can be used, reflecting real emotions and actions. Mood is crucial; it's conveyed through description and evoked by chosen words, impacting how the reader feels.
• Literary journalism is a hybrid genre, combining in-depth research, interviewing, and vivid descriptions, offering a more literary approach to news.
• Important considerations in writing CNF:
  • Using dialogue effectively
  • Employing descriptive language
  • Ensuring accuracy and truthfulness

Point of View (POV)

• Point of view (POV) refers to the perspective from which a story is told.
• First-Person POV
  • Uses pronouns like "I," "me," "my," and "we."
  • Presents a personal account.
• Second-Person POV
  • Uses the pronoun "you."
  • directly addresses the reader, promoting immersion.
• Third-Person POV
  • Uses pronouns like "he," "she," or "they."
  • Relates events from an external perspective.

Examples of POV

• First-Person POV example: The elevator experience detailed by a person.
  • Focuses on personalized feelings and observations.
• Second-Person POV example: A situation where the reader is placed in a story.
  • Reader's direct involvement and feelings are emphasized.
• Third-Person POV example: The story about Bran and King Robb.
  • Focuses on the objective description of these characters.

Setting & Atmosphere

• Setting refers to the time and place where the story unfolds.
• Atmosphere or mood is the feeling created by the setting. It's crucial for evoking emotional responses.
• CNF stories use real locations and situations as context.
• Different settings evoke different moods, changing the reader's emotion towards the story or situation.

Literary Journalism

• Literary journalism is a type of creative nonfiction.
• It combines research and creative writing techniques.
• Writers focus on sociocultural realities. They use effective narrative techniques in the style of storytelling.
• The goal of this type of writing to effectively convey information and emotions to the reader via creative techniques.

Quick Tips

• Use dialogue as applicable.
• Give descriptive details to depict the story, emotions, and atmosphere.
• Develop your distinctive writing voice, style
• Focus on accuracy because it's a nonfiction genre.
• Follow the fundamental principles and rules of good writing through thorough research and well-developed storytelling components.