Reviewer-in-Creative-NonFiction.docx

**Reviewer in Creative Non-Fiction** **Theme-** Refers to the central idea or the fundamental meaning of a literary work. It may be indicated directly or indirectly. In a literary piece, themes could be presented through thoughts and conversations of different characters. Also, the actions and eve...

**Reviewer in Creative Non-Fiction** **Theme-** Refers to the central idea or the fundamental meaning of a literary work. It may be indicated directly or indirectly. In a literary piece, themes could be presented through thoughts and conversations of different characters. Also, the actions and events happening in a narrative are substantial in determining the story's theme. **Literary Elements in a Text** *Literary elements*, also known as literary techniques and literary devices, are writing strategies used to produce creative effects that attract and immerse the reader in the story or text. Literary elements are words in definite patterns used by writers in telling stories. They are considered the spices in the writer's recipe. 1. **Alliteration** -- This refers to words with the similar sound or letter that appear in a text. 2. **Hyperbole** -- This literary element is used for extreme exaggeration of a true event or situation. It gives **humorous effect** to emphasize meaning. 3. **Metaphor** -- This is an implicit comparison between two or more things. Unlike simile, it does *not* include the words '*like'* or '*as'*. 4. **Simile** -- This creates a direct comparison between two or more different things to show similarities. It includes words '*like*' and '*as*' to illustrate resemblance. 5. **Personification** -- This is a literary element where inanimate objects or in human beings like an idea or an animal are given human characteristics or attributes. 6. **Oxymoron** -- This refers to two contrasting words or ideas which are combined to produce an effect. It adds **dramatic** **effect** in the text. 7. **Synecdoche**- use of a part to imply the whole 8. **Metonymy**- a word is replaced by something very close to the original meaning 9. **Paradox**- making a statement that seems self-contradictory or impossible but actually makes sense. **The factual/nonfictional elements used in crafting creative nonfiction** 1. **Characters** -- Characters used in nonfictional stories are real-life characters. Their actions arise out of their personalities and circumstances, and these actions drive the plot. **KINDS OF CHARACTER ACCORDING TO ROLE PLAYED** **MAJOR CHARACTERSa. protagonist**-main or central character heroes/heroine**b. antagonist-**villain **MINOR CHARACTERSa. Confidant character**- to whom the main character reveals his/her sentiments, hopes and aspirations**b. foil character**-who portrays a contrasting quality to another character**c. Stock type**-who portrays national/social identity**ACCORDING TO FULLNESS OF DEVELOPMENTa. flat-**portrays just one or two traits**b. round**-who is complicated or has many sides **ACCORDING TO CHANGES UNDERGONE IN THE STORYa. static**- character who does not change from beginning up to end**b. developing/dynamic character**- who goes through changes in her/her personality **2. Characterization** -- It is the process by which a writer builds characters and can be accomplished *directly* (through definite descriptions of the character) or *indirectly* (through character's attitude, speech or thoughts). **3. Setting** -- This is the specific place, weather and time of the day in which the story takes place. **4. Atmosphere** -- It is an element of literature that concerns the tone, emotion or mood created by a literary text based on the details of the description and narration. It is the surrounding mood commonly established through setting. **5. Plot** -- This refers to the arrangement of events which happened within the scope of a story. **PARTS OF THE PLOT** **a. EXPOSITION/INTRODUCTION**- introduces the major characters in the story and introduces the setting of the story**b. COMPLICATION/RISING ACTION-**Occurring events which occur that may lead to a problem **c. CLIMAX**-Turning point "the peak"**d. RESOLUTION**- So called as the falling action where the problem or conflict resolved**e. CONCLUSION-** Or the end determines whether it is a success or a failure on the part of the major characters. **6. Scenes** -- These are small-scale version of a larger plot. **7. Point of View** -- It is the perspective from which a story is told which uses both grammar (pronouns) and perspective (speaker's awareness of events, thoughts, and circumstances) **a**. **1^st^ Person POV-** Narrator uses 1st person pronouns (I/me/mine or us/we/ours) **b.** **2^nd^ Person POV**-Narrator uses 2nd person pronouns (you/you/your) **c.** **3^rd^ Person POV-** Narrator uses 3rd person pronouns (he/him/his, she/her/hers, they/they/theirs) **d. Stream of consciousness-** Narrator uses inconsistent pronouns, or no pronouns at all **8. Angle** -- It involves the scope and focus in writing about real events. It tells you exactly what to write. It is the controlling idea. **9. Symbol** -- It is something which stands for or represents something. A symbol can contain more than one meaning. 10. **Symbolism** -- It takes something that is usually tangible and associates it to 11. **Figures of Speech** -- It is also called figurative language. It pertains to a word or phrase that has a separate meaning from its literal definition. Some of these are metaphor, simile, alliteration, hyperbole, personification, etc. 12. **Irony** -- It is the opposite of its literal meaning. It is also a device used in storytelling. It is used when a specific outcome is exposed, but is not what the readers expect or hope for. a. **Situational Irony**-Something about the situation is completely unexpected. b. **Dramatic Irony**- When the reader understand more about the events of a story than a character. c. **Verbal irony-** A character says one thing but means the opposite. 13. **Dialogue --** It refers to a communication between two or more characters in the story. 14. **Description** -- It is a rhetorical method that highlights striking, definite, and clear picture of a subject. Using imagery in description is like painting a scene for the readers 15. **Imagery** -- It is also called sensory language. It could be literal or figurative language that appeals to an audience's imagined sense of sight, sound, smell, touch, or taste. a. **Auditory-** Describes what we hear b. **Tactile**- Describes what we touch or feel c. **Gustatory-** Describes what we taste d. **Visual-** Describes what we see e. **Olfactory-** Describes what we smell **KINDS OF CONFLICTa. External conflict-** Characters' clash with the forces outside him like natural occurrences such as calamities and social occurrence. Ex. Man vs. Nature, Man vs. Society **b. Internal Conflict**- Character's clash between himself/herself. Ex. Man vs. Himself **Different Types of Literary Conventions** 1. **Fiction --** This is a story which is not real. The characters and events in this type are created using the writer's creative imagination. The elements of fiction are character, conflict, setting, point of view and plot. Some examples of fiction are mystery, fantasy, and science fiction. 2. **Nonfiction --** This is a story based on truth. The people and events in the story are real. The elements of nonfiction include real people, events or idea; uses author's perspective; and presents facts. Biography and autobiography are some examples of nonfiction. 3. **Drama** -- This is a story which includes action, or stories about human life told using real illustration of persons by persons, with simulation of language, voice, gesture, dress, and other elements which are anchored to truth or possibility. The elements of drama are plot, setting, character, dialogue, theme, and scenery. Some examples of drama are tragedy, plays and comedy. 4. **Folktale** -- This is a story usually about the life of common people which is passed down through oral tradition. The elements of folktale are character, plot, setting, theme, events, style, tone, and point of view (often third person narrative). Fable, myth, and legend are some examples of folktale. 5. **Poetry --** This is a prose which is similar to a poem. The elements of poetry bare imagery, rhythm, sound and density. Some examples of poetry include sonnet, free verse, and haiku. ''I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.'' -Philippians 4:13