0 évaluation0% ont trouvé ce document utile (0 vote)
28 vues16 pages
The document provides an overview of creative nonfiction writing. It discusses finding stories by researching true events and characters in detail rather than inventing elements. The key aspects are:
1) Creative nonfiction brings literary techniques like narrative arcs, drama/conflict, and complex characters to tell true stories from a particular perspective.
2) Research is important, using primary sources like interviews and memoirs over secondary sources. Steps include making source lists and getting archive access.
3) Finding stories requires gathering rich character details from true interactions rather than inventing elements, and shaping narrative perspective and order of events.
The document provides an overview of creative nonfiction writing. It discusses finding stories by researching true events and characters in detail rather than inventing elements. The key aspects are:
1) Creative nonfiction brings literary techniques like narrative arcs, drama/conflict, and complex characters to tell true stories from a particular perspective.
2) Research is important, using primary sources like interviews and memoirs over secondary sources. Steps include making source lists and getting archive access.
3) Finding stories requires gathering rich character details from true interactions rather than inventing elements, and shaping narrative perspective and order of events.
The document provides an overview of creative nonfiction writing. It discusses finding stories by researching true events and characters in detail rather than inventing elements. The key aspects are:
1) Creative nonfiction brings literary techniques like narrative arcs, drama/conflict, and complex characters to tell true stories from a particular perspective.
2) Research is important, using primary sources like interviews and memoirs over secondary sources. Steps include making source lists and getting archive access.
3) Finding stories requires gathering rich character details from true interactions rather than inventing elements, and shaping narrative perspective and order of events.
Researching ENG: 3217 Creative Nonfiction What is nonfiction anyway • Creative nonfiction: the art of brining all the strategies of storytelling to the narration of factual events. • Telling true stories from a particular perspective using literary techniques • Writing creative nonfiction is about finding your voice and perspective. Types + Elements • Types: memoirs, memos, e-mails, reports, biographies, lit journalism, news… • The Contract: we are not allowed to make things up! • But…that doesn’t mean we can’t tell the story using literary elements like point of view, description, or dialogue. • Set a vivid scene + tell the story (that happens to be true) in great detail Finding the Story • Every story must have momentum • Choose your characters carefully • Make the reader think about your narrative arc How might you write this story? 12:05 p.m., Café Dufrain. Present: girl, wearing heels, red lipstick, cute; guy, out of breath, foreign accent. Introductions. Girl orders double vodka. Guy orders espresso. Guy: “Sorry to be late, I was just….” Finding the Story • If fiction, rewriting this story would be simple • But in nonfiction, we cannot invent anything. • So why nonfiction: the power of true human experience. • To find the story, you have to gather as many details bc characters are in the details. Finding the Story • If fiction, rewriting this story would be simple • But in nonfiction, we cannot invent anything. • So why nonfiction: the power of true human experience. • To find the story, you have to gather as many details bc character is in the details. Focus the Lens • When characters meet, something has to happen to create dramatic tension • You can’t create dramatic moments, but you can decide which order to present them • Where you shift the “camera” is the POV and that’s what makes a story your story. • E.g. focusing on lipstick says what about the character? Three Elements of a Good Story • Narrative Arc: series of events filled with dramatic tension • Drama/Conflict: opposition and struggle is interesting • Character: one who is capable of transformation; characters who struggle against each other with different goals/aims. – Characters must be complex to be interesting. Researching • The most challenging/most important aspect of writing CNF • Think: where might you find materials? What kind of information can you get access to? How is what you have groundbreaking? • CNF = new material, new perspective, new research. Primary v Secondary Sources • Primary: the person him/herself • Interviews, memoirs, letters, oral histories, direct exp or testimony • Secondary: books/resources written by someone about someone/thing. Where to find info • Bibliographies in books • Bibliographies of bibliographies • Digital databases • Historical archives (some digital others not) • Genealogy sites (ancestry.com) • Library of Congress Steps to Researching • Make a list of primary sources + track them down + seek permission from the archivist • Know before you go: what you’re going to see, who can give you access, how much time you’ll have, and how you’ll track, copy, and annotate archival information. Evaluating Sources • Does it have a bibliography? • Is is an academic source? A government source? A business? • What biases are apparent? • Anonymous or identifying/contact information? Homework Wiki Discussion Boards Reading In-Class Exercise