CREATIVE

NONFICTION TYPES
AND FORMS
BIOGRAPHY
An account of
someone’s life written
by someone else

It is synonymous to life
story, memoir, account,
bio, profile
BIOGRAPHY
detailed information
about a person's life,
including their birth,
education, career,
significant events,
relationships,
achievements, and
impact, presented in
chronological order,
often with supporting
evidence from research
BIOGRAPHY
letters, and historical
records; it is written in
the third person
perspective and aims
to provide a factual
account of the subject's
life journey.
AUTOBIOGRAPH
Y
An account of a
persons life written by
him/ her.

written in the first

person perspective,
focusing on the
author's personal life
experiences, including
significant events,
thoughts, feelings, and
AUTOBIOGRAPH
presentedYin
chronological order,
and usually detailing
key moments that
shaped their life
journey; key features
include using pronouns
like "I" and "me" to
narrate personal stories
and reflections on their
life journey.
LITERARY
JOURNALISM
•Literary journalism
has been described
as the 'fusion of
journalism and
literature,' a
hybrid genre if you
like, blending the
narrative style of
fiction writing with
fact-driven
reporting
techniques.
•Characteristics:
•Immersion
•Literary journalists immerse
themselves in the world of their
subject, getting close to the
people involved.
•Intimate voice
•Literary journalists write in a
candid, informal, and human
tone.
•Narrative style
•Literary journalism uses
storytelling techniques to
create a compelling
•narrative that includes
plot, setting, and conflict.
•Literary devices
•Literary journalists use
literary devices like vivid
imagery, metaphors, and
descriptive language to
create a more engaging
story.
•Subjective voice
•Literary journalism often
reflects the author's
perspective, which can be
seen through first-person
narratives.
•Focus on character
•Literary journalism explores the
thoughts, emotions, and
motivations of the people
involved.
•Factual accuracy
•Literary journalism is based on
real events and people, and strives
for factual accuracy and
authenticity.
•No set rules
•Literary journalism has no set
rules, which allows the journalist to
develop their own unique voice.
Literary journalism
can cover a wide
range of topics,
including lifestyle,
popular culture,
crime, and social
issues.
PERSONAL
NARRATIVE
•A personal narrative is
a type of creative
nonfiction that tells a
true story about a
personal experience in
a creative
way. Personal
narratives are often
written in first person
and can be used to
share experiences,
develop writing skills
or learn more about
someone.
•What makes a personal
narrative creative
nonfiction?
•Artistic style: Personal
narratives are written in
a creative way that uses
literary devices like
imagery, metaphors,
and setting.
•True story: Personal
narratives are based on real
events in the writer's life.
•What can a personal
narrative be
about? Memories,
Childhood stories, Favorite
trips, Professional journeys,
and A single moment in
time.
TRUE
NARRATIVE
S
•A true narrative in
creative nonfiction is a
story that is based on
real events and people,
written in a compelling
and accurate
way. Creative nonfiction
is also known as literary
nonfiction or narrative
nonfiction.
•Characteristics
•Factual: Creative
nonfiction is based on
facts and research.
•Storytelling: Creative
nonfiction is written in a
way that tells a story, with
a plot, inciting moment,
rising action, climax, and
denouement.
•Literary
techniques: Creative
nonfiction uses literary
techniques and styles to
create an engaging story.
•Informational: Creative
nonfiction can inform and
entertain readers.
•Descriptive: Crea
tive nonfiction
includes
descriptive details
about people and
events.
•Chronological:
Creative nonfiction
can be structured
chronologically, or
in order of time.
TRAVELOGUE
•A travelogue is a
creative nonfiction
account of a
traveler's
experiences, usually
written in the first
person and past
tense. Travelogues
can be written as
narratives, news,
instructions, or place
descriptions, and may
include images.
•Inform
readers: Travelogues
provide information
about a place, its
culture, and landscape.
•Preserve Memories:
Travelogues can help
preserve memories of a
trip.
•Provide context
Travelogues can
provide historical
context and
explanations of cultural
significance.
Offer Insights:
Travelogues can
provide insights into
different cultures
and societies.
REFLECTION
ESSAY
•A reflection essay in
creative nonfiction is a
piece that explores a
personal experience or
observation and the
meaning it has for the
writer. Reflective
essays are often based
on the writer's own life
and experiences.
•Features of a
reflection essay:
•Subjective: The writer
expresses their own
thoughts and feelings
about the subject
•Personal: The writer
analyzes their own
experiences and how they
have changed them
•Structured: The writer
presents their thoughts in
a coherent and organized
way.
•Combines storytelling,
analysis, and
introspection: The writer
creates a
narrative that
engages the
reader.
BLOGS
•A "blog" in the
context of creative
nonfiction refers to an
online journal or
platform where a
writer shares personal
experiences,
thoughts, and insights
on a specific topic,
often written in a
conversational and
informal style,
essentially using the
format of a blog post
to convey creative
nonfiction elements
like narrative and
reflection; it's a way to
publicly document one's
perspective on a subject
matter with a more
personal touch
compared to traditional
journalistic writing.
•Key points about blogs
in creative nonfiction:
•Personal voice:
•Blog posts often utilize a
first-person narrative,
allowing the writer to
share
their unique perspective
and experiences.
•Regular updates:
•Blog posts are usually
published frequently,
creating a sense of
ongoing reflection and
commentary.
•Casual tone:
•The writing style tends to
be more conversational
and less formal than
academic or journalistic
writing.
•Flexibility in topic:
A creative nonfiction
blog can cover a wide
range of subjects,
from personal
anecdotes to in-
depth explorations of
a specific theme.
TESTIMONIES
•In creative nonfiction, a
"testimony" refers to a
first-person account
where the writer acts as
a witness, sharing their
personal experiences
and perspective on a
specific event or
situation, often with the
goal of illuminating a
larger social issue or
providing insight into a
particular community or
experience, particularly
when dealing with themes
of oppression or
marginalization; essentiall
y, it's a form of storytelling
where the author's voice is
central to conveying truth
and lived experience.
•Key points about
testimonies in creative
nonfiction:
•Focus on personal
experience:
The writer draws heavily
on
their own life and
encounters to narrate
the story.
•Voice of authority:
The author positions
themselves as a
credible source due to
their direct involvement
in the events
described.
•Social commentary:
Testimonies often aim
to shed light on social
injustices, inequalities,
or marginalized
communities by sharing
personal stories.
their own life and
encounters to narrate
the story.
•Voice of authority:
The author positions
themselves as a credible
source due to their direct
involvement in the
events described.
•Social commentary:
Testimonies often aim to
shed light on social
injustices, inequalities,
or marginalized
communities by sharing
personal stories.