SlideShare uma empresa Scribd logo
1 de 31
Baixar para ler offline
Creative Nonfiction
Module 9
SHS
HUMMS - Creative Non-Fiction
Module 9
First Edition, 2020
Copyright © 2020
La Union Schools Division
Region I
All rights reserved. No part of this module may be reproduced in any form without
written permission from the copyright owners.
Development Team of the Module
Author: Gina N. Tabling
Editor: SDO La Union, Learning Resource Quality Assurance Team
Illustrator: Ernesto F. Ramos Jr., P II
Management Team:
ATTY. Donato D. Balderas, Jr.
Schools Division Superintendent
Vivian Luz S. Pagatpatan, Ph.D
Assistant Schools Division Superintendent
German E. Flora, Ph.D, CID Chief
Virgilio C. Boado, Ph.D, EPS in Charge of LRMS
Belen C. Aquino, Ph.D, EPS in Charge of English
Michael Jason D. Morales, PDO II
Claire P. Toluyen, Librarian II
Creative Non-Fiction
Module 9
1
Target
To write a great creative nonfiction, a writer must tell a fact-based story in
an imaginative way—and yes, it is not as easy task as it sounds! Nonfiction writers
must be dedicated to preserving the truth of their stories—the who, what, why,
where, when, and how. The creativity enters through the use of perspective, which,
like a camera lens, allows the writer to focus the reader’s attention and engage his
or her imagination.
In the previous module, you have learned how to write a mini critique of a
peer’s work based on coherence and organization.
This module will provide you with essential guides and techniques on how
to write a draft of creative nonfiction piece based on memorable real-life experience.
After completing this module, you are expected to:
1. demonstrate prior knowledge on drafting,
2. evaluate your paper to improve content and organization, style, and conventions,
3. revise the draft of creative nonfiction piece to produce a finished work; and
4. use a rubric in evaluating your finished work.
Before going on, check how much you know about this topic. Answer
the pretest on the next page in a separate sheet of paper.
2
Module
9 Writing a Draft
The peculiar qualities and appeal of creative nonfiction texts truly inspire
and energize human mind and spirit. Such genre provides useful information and
insights in relation to real human experiences. Thus, reading and writing creative
nonfiction can also be liberating and amusing.
Jumpstart
Activity 1: Read Me! Understand Me!
Directions: Read the following passage. Answer the questions that follow in a
separate sheet of paper. Write the letter of your answer. Use capital letters.
How do you start a memoir?
Like starting any book, you have to understand why you’re doing it and what
you wish to portray with the final product. Starting a memoir includes an outline,
key chapters with specific messages, and working on developing a writing habit in
order to stick to writing.
A memoir is a historical account written with personal knowledge and
experience covering the lifetime of an individual, usually with a greater purpose or
message within it. How is this different from an autobiography? Aren’t they the
same thing?
With so many genres and writing terminology out there, knowing the
differences between a memoir versus autobiography, can be confusing. They’re
both
3
about someone’s life written by themselves, right? Right. But they do differ in a
single way that really makes a memoir and an autobiography completely different
in terms of their end results.
A memoir typically covers one aspect of a writer’s life (or a continuous theme
through memories), while an autobiography is a chronological account of the
writer’s life. It has to be written with strong description and details, and possibly
with dialogue to arouse the interest of the readers.
So if you want to write a play-by-play of your entire life from the moment
you popped into this world to the very second you started writing, you’d write an
autobiography. But if you’re looking to share a profound message with the world
through your own real-life experiences, you’ll write a memoir.
( Source: Mazzeo, T.J. ( 2012) Writing Creative Nonfiction: Course Guidebook.
Retrieved July 23, 2020 from
https://www.fcusd.org/cms/lib/CA01001934/Centricity/Domain/3762/
Writing%20Creative%20Non%20Fiction.pdf)
________1. The definition of autobiography is
A. a life story made into film by the person him/herself.
B. a life story that tells the life of another person.
C. a life story written by another person.
D. a self-written life story.
_________2. Autobiographies are important because
A. they are a good way to inspire other people.
B. they are a way for the person to continue healing.
C. they are a way to show others they are not alone in their problems.
D. All of the foregoing.
4
__________3. A memoir is a type of autobiography, but
A. they feature the whole life of the person.
B. they focus on one event or time period of the person’s life.
C. they focus on other people instead of the author.
D. None of the above.
__________4. When writing an autobiography, the author should remember to
A. use academic language and keep the ideas simple.
B. use flowery descriptions and a lot of figurative language.
C. use other people’s thoughts and feelings to describe him or herself.
D. use strong description, provide details, and possibly add dialogue.
__________5. In order to arouse the interest of the readers, a good creative
nonfiction must use
A. strong description
B. vivid details
C. dialogue
D. All of the foregoing.
5
Discover
Creative nonfiction is the fastest-growing part of the creative writing world
because it tries to bring together the imaginative strategies of fiction storytelling
and new ways of narrating real-life events. Learning the secrets and techniques of
creative nonfiction offers you so much more than just insights into this exciting
style of writing. Mastering the art and craft of creative nonfiction can
 help you write more effectively in a variety of academic and personal situations,
 provide dynamic new ways for you to preserve life experiences as how they
truly occurred or as you felt them,
 allow you to share your stories in ways that other people are sure to find
compelling, and
 open up new windows on how you think about your own personal history and
that of others.
Before putting pen to paper, a writer has many decisions to make. One of
the most important of these is identifying the kind of work he or she would like to
create. While fiction writers choose to rely solely on their imagination and ability to
distort reality, nonfiction writers assume the hefty load of research, reportage and
accuracy.
The 5 R’s of creative nonfiction is a short checklist to refer to when writing a
nonfiction work that will ensure your bases are covered.
The 5 R's of Creative Nonfiction
1. Write about real life.
Remember that you are writing about real people, real places and real
events. Visiting the people and the places you are going to write about will give you
6
the tools necessary to tell an accurate story with vivid scenery, well-described
artifacts and true-to-life personages. Nothing should be fictional or made up.
Everything that makes it into your work of creative nonfiction must have happened
at some time or another in real life. Never embellish or alter reality.
2. Conduct extensive research.
Use every resource available to gather information on your subject. Of
course, where you look for information will depend on the subject matter, but some
great starting places are:
 The library
 Newspaper archives
 The Internet
 Interviews
 Public records
 Books and magazines
 Photographs
 Immersion (visiting the place you are writing about)
It is also apparent to ensure your sources are accurate and reputable. If not,
your integrity is at stake. Even worse, a creative nonfiction writer who doesn't
conduct sufficient research is liable to have their name scourged by readers.
3. Write a narrative.
Use the storytelling elements of fiction to create a compelling story with the
factual information you’ve gathered. You could craft your story this way using the
standard pattern:
 Inciting incident
 Conflict (internal or external)
 Climax or turning point
7
 Resolution
 End of story
4. Include personal touch.
The “creative” in “creative nonfiction” comes with the author’s unique voice
and opinion on the matters being related on the page. You, the author, are the
human connection between the subject matter and the reader. In this sense,
creative nonfiction relies much more on the personality of the author than fiction.
You must befriend your reader, make them trust you, and proceed with your
storytelling.
5. Learn by reading.
The creative nonfiction writer should read autobiographies, newspapers,
magazines, articles and other nonfiction books to get a taste for how theirs should
be formatted and written.
With these tips, you are more than halfway to creating a great work of
creative nonfiction. Once you’ve collected your information, plotted your story and
taken a unique angle on the subject, you are ready to begin the hardest part of the
process: writing the story. Happy writing!
Familiarizing Autobiographical Writing
One of the forms of creative nonfiction that you could create based on a
memorable real life experience is writing autobiography. This is a written account
of the life of a person written by that person himself or herself.
Here under are some important things that you need to understand about
autobiographical writing, or the writing of events in the life of a person written by
that person himself or herself.
1. Recounts the story focusing on a person or event in the life of the writer
8
2. Shares writer’s life
3. Involves a definite sequence of events experienced or witnessed by the writer
4. Vivifies details for portraying people and places
5. Highlights a problem, conflict, or contrast between viewpoints of past and
present
Forms of Autobiographical Writing
Below are some forms of autobiographical writing:
 Autobiography --- Etymologically, the word autobiography is
composed of the Greek words auto meaning “self”, bio, bios meaning
“life”, and gráphō, graphien meaning “write.” Thus, autobiography is
a written account of the life of a person written by that person himself
or herself.
 Memoirs --- This covers your life’s events in a more story-like
structure with an overarching theme or messaged written in. These
are also real stories of the writer’s relationship with a person, place,
or even animals. It also includes the writer’s insights and feelings
towards the relationship.
 Personal narrative--- This is also known as autobiographical
incidents. Texts of this form focus on and highlight a specific event in
the life of the writer.
 Autobiographical sketches/ narratives --- The purpose of this is to
describe a time or a series of events in the writer’s life including
insights about them.
 Reflective Essay--- This recalls and recounts an experience. Insights
on an experience are also expressed.
9
Steps in Autobiographical Writing
To create an autobiographical piece, there are several steps and strategies
that can be considered as definite guides:
1. Prewriting
 Selecting a topic
In this phase, the writer explores and chooses a possible topic or subject
for writing. It is important that the writer select an interesting topic based on
his/her experience like in solving an encountered problem or conflict that
captured realizations and insights.
There are strategies for generating a topic. The freewriting strategy allows
the writer to note down a variety of ideas that come to his/her mind. In this
way, the writer has options as to what topic to highlight. It is also necessary to
select or to zero in the most interesting idea. Furthermore, the events
connected to such idea must be used as an inspiration for the topic.
Aside from this, the blueprinting strategy allows the writer to think of
places that are perceived to be important to him/her. The writer draws a map
and marks different areas. In each location, connected memories are listed.
Then, the writer selects a memory from the created list and takes it as the topic
from writing.
 Narrowing the topic
After choosing a possible topic, the writer needs to narrow and to set the
focus by uncovering what is hidden within the story. Include details and
points that enrich the story.
10
 Thinking about the audience and purpose for writing
The writer’s awareness of his/her intended readers or audience the level
of language that the writer will utilize. It can be either formal or casual, on the
other hand, setting the purpose for writing is also important. An
autobiographical text may amuse, inspire or celebrate a person’s one’s life.
 Obtaining Details
Details give shape to and enrich the writing piece. Obtaining details can
be done through listing and itemizing. After making a list, select and highlight the
ones that are relevant , valuable and interesting.
2. Drafting
 Giving shape to the writing piece
Conflicts and tensions make stories interesting. These are found in incidents
taken from life. Conflict is the opposition of forces that causes a struggle. In the
presence of a conflict, a character is prevented from getting anything he/she
wants.
 Elaborating Details
Purpose Organization Details to Include
to recount an
amusing, exciting or
moving story
building the climax suspense, sympathy, humor
to share an insight highlight the
realizations and
lessons
the contrast between past
and present points-of-view
celebrate a person in
one’s life
show the person’s
character and relevant
details
characteristics of the person
11
Characteristics by providing relevant details can help readers to visualize
and imagine scenes clearly. It is necessary for the writer to help readers to see
what the writer sees and to feel what the writer feels. Thus, in that way, the writer
connects himself/herself to his/her audience
What Qualifies as a Memoir?
A memoir is unique in the fact that it covers your life’s events in a more
story-like structure with an overarching theme or message written in. Memoirs are
very specific in the sense that it accounts for the events of your life with an
emphasis on stories and impactful moments that lead to a great purpose.
Anyone has the ability and can experience to write a memoir. If you have a
story, then you are on your way to writing one.
How to Write a Memoir with Meaning and Influence
Writing a memoir can not only be a valuable experience for you, but the
impact it may have on other people is astounding too. The following tips were put
together to help you learn how to start a memoir that’s captivating and intriguing.
1. A strong introduction is everything.
Without the ability to hook readers, convincing someone read your work will
be a bit harder than anticipated. Let’s draw those readers in!
2. Be relatable.
One major mistake many make when writing a memoir is not starting it off in a
way that makes the readers connect with them. This is one of the most important
aspects of your memoir. Do you really think people will want to read about a
person’s life if they can’t relate to them? Did you understand their pain and
triumph and hardships? When others relate to you and see themselves in your
12
journey, they’ll want to stick around to see how it plays out. And that means they’ll
read your whole work and any others you write.
3. Use emotion by showing, not telling.
If you want to give a play-by-play of your life with nothing more than a list of
experiences you’ve gone through, that’s fine. Just know that doing it that way won’t
hook your readers and it certainly won’t keep them. A memoir can be a powerful
tool for educating others through your life journeys, but if they’re not intrigued
enough to keep reading, it’ll render your memoir pointless. In showing and not
telling, you’ll put more emotion into your writing.
4. Make the message clear right away.
What is it you’re trying to say through your memoir? Why did you want to
start writing one in the first place? Everybody has an interesting life if you look
deep enough. What you have to determine is how your life experiences can aid and
shape the lives of others. Think about how that will manifest from what you’ve lived
through before and make sure your readers know what it is from the start.
5. Write from the heart.
Christopher Moss, author of “Hope Over Anxiety” says the best way to write
your memoir is to be open about your experiences. He emphasizes to “Write from
the heart. Show people your experience. Be as vulnerable and honest as you can. If it
scares you a little, what you are writing that’s good. The reader has to feel what you
are going through.”
6. Narrow your focus .
Your memoir should be written as if the entire piece is a snapshot of one theme
of your life. Your memoir is not an autobiography. The difference is that an
autobiography spans your entire life, and a memoir focuses on one particular
13
moment or series of moments around a theme. You want your readers to walk away
knowing you, and that one experience, on a much deeper level.
7. Tell the truth.
One of the best tips for how to write a memoir that’s powerful is to be honest
and genuine. It’s important that you tell the truth — even if it makes your journey
as an author more difficult. One more note on honesty: Memoirs explore the
concept of truth as seen through your eyes. Don’t write in a snarky manner or with
a bitter tone. The motivation for writing a memoir shouldn’t be to exact revenge or
whine or seek forgiveness; it should simply be to share your experience. Don’t
exaggerate or bend the truth in your memoir. Your story, the unique one that you
hold and cherish, is enough. There is no need to fabricate or embellish.
8. Employ elements of fiction to bring your story to life.
Think of the people in memoirs as characters. A great memoir pulls you into
their lives: what they struggle with, what they are successful at and what they
wonder about. Many of the best memoir writers focus on a few key characteristics
of their characters, allowing the reader to get to know each one in depth. Introduce
intriguing setting details and develop a captivating plot from your story. Show your
readers the locations you describe and evoke emotions within them. They need to
experience your story, almost as if it was their own. While your memoir is a true
story, employing these elements of fiction will make it far more powerful and
enjoyable for your readers.
9. Create an emotional journey.
Take your readers on an emotional journey that motivates them to read the
next chapter, wonder about you well after they finish the last page, and tell their
friends and colleagues about your book. The best way to evoke these feelings in
your readers is to connect your emotions with your writing.
14
Explore
Enrichment Activity 1: My concept, my understanding
Answer the following questions. Use separate paper for your answers.
1. How does an autobiography differ from a biography?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2. What is a memoir? Can we use the terms autobiography and memoir
interchangeably? Elaborate.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Here are some enrichment activities for you to work on to master and strengthen
the basic concepts you have learned from this lesson.
15
Assessment Activity 1: Focusing the Lens
1. Reliving Memories through Photographs
Task 1: Look for any printed picture that you have. Recall the events or memories
behind the scene in the picture. Apply the steps and guidelines in autobiographical
writing. Answer on a separate sheet of paper.
2. Recalling a Dream (adapted from Susan Hubbard)
Task 2: Try to recall a dream that is recurring one. Tell something about providing
details as clearly as possible. Answer on a separate sheet of paper.
Enrichment Activity 2: Going Down Memory Lane
What to do: Recall and name three (3) events in your life. Decide which one could
be an interesting topic for memoir. Give relevant explanations to support your
choice. Use separate paper for your answers.
1 2 3
Explanation Explanation Explanation
Assessment Activity 2: Count Thy Blessings
Develop a timeline of significant events in your life from your childhood to present and make
an assumption as to how you see your life in the future. Answer using a separate paper.
Year Age Significant Life Events ( from childhood to
present)
Future Life
16
Enrichment Activity 3 : My Six Word Memoir
What does it mean to leave a legacy? It could mean transferring knowledge,
passing on values and life lessons, or simply leaving a lasting impression for
stories to be told and memories to be shared about you. What legacy will you leave
at school or in life? You could answer these through writing your memoir.
A memoir is a written collection of memories about moments or events,
public or private, that took place in your life. A memoir is a story about your life,
important moments that you want to share with others that tell about what’s
important to you, what you value, and what you want others to know.
Once asked to write a full story in six words, legend has it that novelist
Ernest Hemingway responded: "For Sale: baby shoes, never worn."
Below are some other examples of 6 word memoirs from famous people:
"Life is one big editorial meeting" - Activist Gloria Steinem
"The miserable childhood leads to royalties" - Author Frank McCourt
"Acting is not all I am" - Actress Molly Ringwald
Let’s see if you can tell a story of your life in 6 words! Whether it’s
humorous, or profound, or somewhere in between, this exercise will give you an
idea of events or memories or emotions that have some type of meaning in your
life. Have fun!
What you have to do
Write a 6-word memoir. Try the following techniques to help you out. Use separate
paper for your answers.
17
1) Create a “you” list – fill the page: List as many words as you can about yourself –
things you like, feelings you have. Don’t cross out, change, or rewrite anything.
Don’t worry about spelling – just write. You are going for quantity, so write as
much as you can for at least 3 minutes.
2) Circle 3 items that inspire you to say more: Pick words from your list that, if
heard aloud, would make you think about something that happened in your life, a
story or an idea, or something that was important to you.
3) From those items you circled, select one: “Free write” about it for at least 2
minutes. “Free write” means you just start writing about that idea, object, role or
event. The only rule is: don’t stop writing for at least two minutes. Whatever comes
to mind is fair game. Then, synthesize. Develop a 6-word phrase/ sentence that
captures the essence of what your topic means to you.
Assessment 3: Pull It All Together
Directions: Read the questions below. Answer on a separate sheet of paper.
1. What are the important guidelines to consider in selecting a topic for
memoir writing?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2. If you will write your memoir, what will you consider as your purpose in
writing such? Is it to amuse, inspire , or to celebrate life? Explain.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Great job! You have understood the lesson.
Are you now ready to summarize?
18
Deepen
How to Start Off a Memoir: Everyone’s Story Is Different
At this point, there isn’t one right way to write a memoir because everyone’s
life story and creative process are unique. Read the following memoir to give you a
hint how.
Driving Lessons
By N.G. Ayeng
My father is smiling now. I have just shifted to fifth gear and our car is
cruising at 80 kph along suburban highway. His smile radiates silent pride as he
watches me behind the wheel, confident and totally in control of the machine at
last.
He had waited long enough for this moment. For several years, he exhibited
endless patience in teaching me how to drive. I was a lousy student driver. I would
recklessly overtake even when there were four cars coming from the back of the car
in front of us. I would even choke the car’s engine with gasoline by abruptly
stopping when a gorgeous guy crossed the street. I was simply a total headache the
moment I turned on the ignition.
Through it all my father stayed with me. From his front seat, he would point
out my mistakes and reprimand me for them but he never left my side. For a while
I even thought the only thing he ever taught me was how to drive. He is too stiff to
talk about love and too dry to talk about life. It took several years of driving lessons
under him to make me realize that I was wrong, completely wrong.
Now it’s my turn to smile. Pressing harder on the gas pedal, I remember how
my father’s driving instructions would keep coming back in some difficult times
19
during my undergraduate years. It was easy for a girl from the province to get
intimidated by the near-death experience of entering the University of the
Philippines. However, without knowing it at first, I had a survival weapon with me.
In every desperate situation I got myself into, my father’s voice would come back to
save me. And always it was framed as driving instructions.
During my first year in college, I was forever tormented by homesickness. It
came to a point when I seriously considered throwing a lasso at every plane that
was flying by so that I could get a ride home. Amid this terrible aloneness, I heard
my father’s voice saying. “Never let the machine control you. You must control the
machine.” Immediately, I’d stop sulking. And in time I resolved to be ready to take
on life as it comes, I had to be in control.
Wrestling with my academics was my next problem. When full-blown
research papers, long examinations, and teachers of the terrorist kind threatened
to drive me crazy, I looked for reasons to justify giving the whole thing up. But then
my father’s instructions again came back to strengthen me. When I felt overloaded
with academic requirements, I would remember him saying, “The trick is in the
approach. When you see bumps, be ready to move sideways.”
When I thought of rebelling against some teachers who were blissfully
power-tripping, I would hear him say, “Just be extra cautious at night and during
rain. Your vision is limited and the roads are slippery.”
When I feel like crawling under the chair because my classmates were so
naturally brilliant and my insecurities were eating me up, I would hear him say,
“It’s a matter of shifting your gears at the right time.”
As I tried to survive an oppressive atmosphere, I got to meet all kinds of
people with all kinds of attitude. My father’s instructions was: “Don’t be a
20
headache to other drivers. Always stick to your lane. Follow every one-way sign.
Don’t box in other cars when you park.”
I did exactly as he told me, and most of the persons I met thanked me for
the respect and consideration I gave them. I made a lot of good friends along the
way.
In my last year as an undergraduate as I was working on my thesis, I heard my
father’s voice again, “Check everything before you start the engine,” he was saying.
I did, and I was able to answer all the questions my adviser threw at me.
Soon, the dark and dreary thesis nights started to deprive me of good times
in dreamland. I was staring at the computer screen 24 hours a day. I was close to
a nervous breakdown when I heard my father say, “It is very important for you to
know where the brakes are.” Well, I found them, I went to see a movie for the first
time in so many months since I started working on my thesis. Afterwards, I never
felt so relaxed in my whole life.
Time flew swiftly and I graduated from the university. When I look back at
those trying times, I fondly remember the special instruction my father gave me
when he let me drive alone for the first time. It never failed to lift up my spirit no
matter how confused or downhearted I felt. “If worst comes to worst,” he said.
“Leave the car and find your way home.” He told me I was more important than
any machine ever will be.
In my last year as an undergraduate as I was working on my thesis, I heard
my father’s voice again, “Check everything before you start the engine,” he was
saying. I did, and I was able to answer all the questions my adviser threw at me.
I know now why this instruction is a very special one. The unfathomable
parental love that comes with it has made the driving lessons he gave me unique.
21
His instructions I will always recall to mind. His love, I will forever hold in my
heart.
My father’s smile and mine have become full. Our car is still breezing along
at 80 KPH and we are enjoying the ride. It’s like his final instruction: “Relax while
driving.” Indeed, the only thing my father taught me was how to drive. But the
lessons that came with it were innumerable.
Billows of dust rail our car as I glance at the rearview mirror to check on the
distance I have traveled. I have gone quite a long way.
I step on the gas pedal a little bit harder, and the car hit 90 kph. How did that
song go again? “Magda-drive ako hanggang sa buwan….” (I will drive until I get to
the moon) With all my father taught me, I can drive much farther!
Source: Ayeng, N. G. (1996). Young Blood, Philippine Daily Inquirer.
What to do
Write your own memoir. Your memoir should focus on the aspects of your
life that is meaningful to you. The following topics and ideas may help you get
started.
1. The Most Interesting Thing that Ever Happened to You
We all have some event or events in our lives that have stayed in our memory.
It could be that these events are those that define us, or changed our
understanding of ourselves. Maybe it was a road trip you took, the time you saved
someone's life, or someone saved yours. Look at what you consider the most
interesting or influential experience in your life. Did you learn something from it?
Do you have regrets about it? How did this event define you? How did it impact
your view of yourself or others?
22
2. Major Life Events
Think about the milestones in your life you have crossed. Explore the ways that
these major events have shaped your life. Have they changed your perspectives? If
so, how? If not, why?
3. What Makes You, You
Another angle to take to formulate ideas for your memoir is to think about the way
you define yourself. Imagine you were going to write a character sketch of yourself.
Think not just of your physical appearance, but the aspects of your personality.
When you try to define yourself, what comes to mind? Your family? Your friends?
What, if anything, do they tell you about yourself?
4. In Your Dreams
Have you ever found yourself revisiting some place from your past in your dreams?
Maybe you remember the sights, the smells, and the people you associated with
that time. Is this a time in your life that is still relevant to your present, or is it a
time you never thought about until you dreamt it? Use vivid descriptive language to
recount this time and what you take from it.
Requirements:
 A well-written 3-6 paragraph memoir with a strong lead and a strong conclusion.
 Typed in 12 point Arial or Tahoma font, double-spaced.
 A creative and reflective title centered at the top of your paper with your name,
grade level and section centered under the title.
 Imagery and figurative language throughout your memoir should be present.
Show your story, don’t tell it.
 Review the requirements listed on your rubric.
23
4- Excellent 3- Very Good 2-Satisfactory 1-Needs
Improvement
Organization *Well-focused
on the topic
*Logical
organization
*Excellent
transitions
*Easy to follow
*Generally
focused on the
topic
*Some lapses
in
organization
*Some
transitions
*Usually easy
to follow
*Somewhat
focused on the
topic
*Poor
organization
*Few
transitions
*Difficult to
follow
*Not focused
on the topic
*No clear
organization
*No transitions
*Difficult to
impossible to
follow
Introduction Introductory
paragraph
clearly states
subject of essay
and captures
reader's
attention.
Introductory
paragraph
states subject
of essay but is
not
particularly
inviting to the
reader.
Introductory
paragraph
attempts to
state subject of
essay but does
not capture
reader's
attention.
No attempt is
made to state
the subject of
the essay in an
introductory
paragraph.
Word Choice *Precise, vivid
and interesting
word choices
*Wide variety of
word choices
*Fairly
precise,
interesting
and somewhat
varied word
choices
*Wording
could be more
specific
*Vague,
mundane
word choices
*Wording is
sometimes
repetitive
*More
descriptive
words are
needed
*Very limited
word choices
*Wording is
bland and not
descriptive
Sensory
Detail
Essay includes
details that
appeal to at
least three of
the five senses
(taste, touch,
sound, sight,
smell).
Includes
details that
appeal to
fewer than
three of the
five senses.
Includes
details that
appeal to only
one of the five
senses.
Includes no
details that
appeal to one
of the five
senses.
Figurative
Language
Writer
effectively uses
simile,
metaphor, and
personification
to describe the
subject.
Writer uses
one example
of simile,
metaphor, or
personification
to describe the
subject.
Writer may try
to use simile,
metaphor, and
personification
but does so
incorrectly.
Writer does not
include simile,
metaphor, or
personification
in essay.
Sentence
Fluency
*Uses complete
sentences
*Varying
sentence
structure and
*Uses
complete
sentences
*Generally
simple
*Occasional
sentence
fragment or
run-on
sentences
*Frequent use
of sentence
fragments or
run-on
sentences
24
lengths sentence
structures
*Simple
sentence
structure is
used
repeatedly
*Sentences are
difficult to
understand
Conventions *Proper
grammar,
usage
*Correct
spelling
Correct
punctuation
*Correct
capitalization
*Few errors of
grammar and
usage
*Mostly
correct
spelling,
punctuation
and
capitalization
*Errors in
grammar,
usage and
spelling
sometimes
make
understanding
difficult
*Some errors
in punctuation
and
capitalization
*Frequent
errors in
grammar,
usage, spelling,
capitalization
and
punctuation
make
understanding
difficult or
impossible
Voice *Voice is fitting
for the topic
and engaging
*Well-suited for
audience and
purpose
*Voice is fairly
clear and
seems to fit
the topic
*Suited for
audience and
purpose
*Voice rarely
comes through
*Not always
suited for
audience and
purpose
*Voice is weak
or
inappropriate
*No sense of
audience and
purpose
Very well done! You are now ready to take your posttest.
You may again go over the lessons and activities to review
for the final assessment. Good luck!
25
Gauge
I. Directions: Read each item carefully. Write only the letter of the best
answer for each test item. Use a separate sheet for your answers.
_____1. The purpose of this is to describe a time or a series of events in the writer’s
life including the writer’s insights.
A. testimony B. memoirs C. journal account D. diary
______2. In this genre, the information to be used in writing can just be invented or
contrived.
A. drama B. fiction C. nonfiction D. poetry
______3. These are real stories of the writer’s relationship with a person, place or
events that also includes the writer’s insights and feelings toward the
relationship.
A. autobiography B. biography C. memoirs D. testimony
______4. This is any work that is drawn from the imaginative reconstruction and
creative recreation of life by the writer.
A. drama B. fiction C. nonfiction D. poetry
_____5. Memoirs are often told in the what point of view?
A. First person point of view B. Second person point of view
C. Third person point of view D. No point of view
_____6. This is a work classified as creative nonfiction.
A. fables B. memoirs C. poetry D. short story
______7. Which of the following is NOT TRUE about Creative Nonfiction?
A. It could but not strictly present authentic or real events, stories and experiences
B. It is used to recount real encounters, events, and information.
26
C. It is a written work that is classified to be products of authentic experiences and
events
D. It may or may not be detailed and engaging ( but does need to be funny, or sad,
or controversial).
_____8. Which of the following is TRUE about Creative Nonfiction?
A. Creative nonfiction texts are written for a singular reason--- to inform.
B. Creative nonfiction writing avoids the application of literary writing methods.
C. In creative nonfiction, the information to be used in writing can be just be
created
D. Nonfiction heavily deals with the truth.
_____9. This is the imaginative recreation and reconstruction of life.
A. drama B. fiction C. nonfiction D. poetry
_____10. This include the writer’s contemplation or realization on his/her
experience.
A. Autobiography B. Memoirs C .Personal essays D. Reflective essays
II. Directions: Read and evaluate the following excerpts/statements carefully.
Write C if the item provides accurate description for Creative Nonfiction
and D if the statement contains irrelevant description.
_____1. Considers “true stories” as its subject
_____2. Employs the technique in literary writing
_____3. Contains fictitious or contrived ideas
_____4. Creative in “Creative Nonfiction” means the invention of information and
details which did not transpire.
_____5. It is just similar to academic and technical writing.
_____6. It can add conversation between characters in a literary work.
27
_____7. It includes research reports like theses and dissertations.
_____8. One of the goal of creative nonfiction is to provide and to present authentic
information.
_____9. Creative Nonfiction is as old as the traditional genres of poetry and fiction.
_____10. This genre employs the writing aesthetics found in literary prose and
poetic forms.
Great job! You are almost done with this module.
28
References
Printed Materials:
Ayeng, N. G. (1996). Young Blood, Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Baronda, A.J.C. (2017). Creative Non-fiction, (pp 103-107) JFS Publishing Services,
Pasay City, Philippines.
Website:
Dupuls, L. (2018). The Five R’s of Creative of Nonfiction. Retrieved July 24, 2020
from https://owlcation.com/humanities/The-Five-Rs-of-Creative-Non-
Fiction
Mazzeo, T.J. ( 2012) Writing Creative Nonfiction: Course Guidebook. Retrieved July
23, 2020 from
https://www.fcusd.org/cms/lib/CA01001934/Centricity/Domain/3762/
Writing%20Creative%20Non%20Fiction.pdf
"Memoir Writing Prompts." Study.com, 27 October 2015, Retrieved July 25, 2020
from study.com/academy/popular/memoir-writing-prompts.html
Pope, B.R. (2020) How to Write a Memoir: The Complete Guide to Getting Started,
Retrieved July 22, 2020 from https://self-publishingschool.com/how-to-
write-a-memoir/

Mais conteúdo relacionado

Semelhante a SHS_SLM-CNF_MELC9.pdf

6.3 Narrative Writing Pattern Narration is storytelling f.docx
6.3 Narrative Writing Pattern  Narration is storytelling f.docx6.3 Narrative Writing Pattern  Narration is storytelling f.docx
6.3 Narrative Writing Pattern Narration is storytelling f.docx
alinainglis
 
Saylor URL httpwww.saylor.orgbooks Saylor.org 366 .docx
Saylor URL httpwww.saylor.orgbooks  Saylor.org   366 .docxSaylor URL httpwww.saylor.orgbooks  Saylor.org   366 .docx
Saylor URL httpwww.saylor.orgbooks Saylor.org 366 .docx
kenjordan97598
 
The Outsiders Home Learning
The Outsiders Home LearningThe Outsiders Home Learning
The Outsiders Home Learning
guest18726aa
 
How to Write a Feature Article
How to Write a Feature ArticleHow to Write a Feature Article
How to Write a Feature Article
anthony_morgan
 
Cahsee essays introduction
Cahsee essays introductionCahsee essays introduction
Cahsee essays introduction
MrCPHSTitans
 

Semelhante a SHS_SLM-CNF_MELC9.pdf (20)

CW Module 1 f.docx
CW Module 1 f.docxCW Module 1 f.docx
CW Module 1 f.docx
 
PPT IN DEMO.pptx
PPT IN DEMO.pptxPPT IN DEMO.pptx
PPT IN DEMO.pptx
 
Shaping the Personal Narrative: Northwestern Summer Writers Conference 2103
Shaping the Personal Narrative: Northwestern Summer Writers Conference 2103Shaping the Personal Narrative: Northwestern Summer Writers Conference 2103
Shaping the Personal Narrative: Northwestern Summer Writers Conference 2103
 
6.3 Narrative Writing Pattern Narration is storytelling f.docx
6.3 Narrative Writing Pattern  Narration is storytelling f.docx6.3 Narrative Writing Pattern  Narration is storytelling f.docx
6.3 Narrative Writing Pattern Narration is storytelling f.docx
 
Saylor URL httpwww.saylor.orgbooks Saylor.org 366 .docx
Saylor URL httpwww.saylor.orgbooks  Saylor.org   366 .docxSaylor URL httpwww.saylor.orgbooks  Saylor.org   366 .docx
Saylor URL httpwww.saylor.orgbooks Saylor.org 366 .docx
 
Ideas For Scholarship Essays. 003 Scholarship Essay Examples About Yourself W...
Ideas For Scholarship Essays. 003 Scholarship Essay Examples About Yourself W...Ideas For Scholarship Essays. 003 Scholarship Essay Examples About Yourself W...
Ideas For Scholarship Essays. 003 Scholarship Essay Examples About Yourself W...
 
Engl 208 syllabus
Engl 208 syllabusEngl 208 syllabus
Engl 208 syllabus
 
Feature Writing
Feature WritingFeature Writing
Feature Writing
 
Starting A Descriptive Essay.pdf
Starting A Descriptive Essay.pdfStarting A Descriptive Essay.pdf
Starting A Descriptive Essay.pdf
 
Colleges That DonT Require Supplemental Essays 2022 - New Sc
Colleges That DonT Require Supplemental Essays 2022 - New ScColleges That DonT Require Supplemental Essays 2022 - New Sc
Colleges That DonT Require Supplemental Essays 2022 - New Sc
 
The Outsiders Home Learning
The Outsiders Home LearningThe Outsiders Home Learning
The Outsiders Home Learning
 
Feature Writing
Feature  WritingFeature  Writing
Feature Writing
 
How to Write a Feature Article
How to Write a Feature ArticleHow to Write a Feature Article
How to Write a Feature Article
 
Creative-Essay-Like-A-Pro.docx
Creative-Essay-Like-A-Pro.docxCreative-Essay-Like-A-Pro.docx
Creative-Essay-Like-A-Pro.docx
 
Cahsee essays introduction
Cahsee essays introductionCahsee essays introduction
Cahsee essays introduction
 
How to Write Effective Feature Articles
How to Write Effective Feature ArticlesHow to Write Effective Feature Articles
How to Write Effective Feature Articles
 
Midterm review notes
Midterm review notesMidterm review notes
Midterm review notes
 
Michael Lindenberg Essay
Michael Lindenberg EssayMichael Lindenberg Essay
Michael Lindenberg Essay
 
Features
FeaturesFeatures
Features
 
Personification Essay Examples
Personification Essay ExamplesPersonification Essay Examples
Personification Essay Examples
 

Último

The basics of sentences session 3pptx.pptx
The basics of sentences session 3pptx.pptxThe basics of sentences session 3pptx.pptx
The basics of sentences session 3pptx.pptx
heathfieldcps1
 

Último (20)

80 ĐỀ THI THỬ TUYỂN SINH TIẾNG ANH VÀO 10 SỞ GD – ĐT THÀNH PHỐ HỒ CHÍ MINH NĂ...
80 ĐỀ THI THỬ TUYỂN SINH TIẾNG ANH VÀO 10 SỞ GD – ĐT THÀNH PHỐ HỒ CHÍ MINH NĂ...80 ĐỀ THI THỬ TUYỂN SINH TIẾNG ANH VÀO 10 SỞ GD – ĐT THÀNH PHỐ HỒ CHÍ MINH NĂ...
80 ĐỀ THI THỬ TUYỂN SINH TIẾNG ANH VÀO 10 SỞ GD – ĐT THÀNH PHỐ HỒ CHÍ MINH NĂ...
 
Basic Civil Engineering first year Notes- Chapter 4 Building.pptx
Basic Civil Engineering first year Notes- Chapter 4 Building.pptxBasic Civil Engineering first year Notes- Chapter 4 Building.pptx
Basic Civil Engineering first year Notes- Chapter 4 Building.pptx
 
latest AZ-104 Exam Questions and Answers
latest AZ-104 Exam Questions and Answerslatest AZ-104 Exam Questions and Answers
latest AZ-104 Exam Questions and Answers
 
Mehran University Newsletter Vol-X, Issue-I, 2024
Mehran University Newsletter Vol-X, Issue-I, 2024Mehran University Newsletter Vol-X, Issue-I, 2024
Mehran University Newsletter Vol-X, Issue-I, 2024
 
How to Add New Custom Addons Path in Odoo 17
How to Add New Custom Addons Path in Odoo 17How to Add New Custom Addons Path in Odoo 17
How to Add New Custom Addons Path in Odoo 17
 
Jamworks pilot and AI at Jisc (20/03/2024)
Jamworks pilot and AI at Jisc (20/03/2024)Jamworks pilot and AI at Jisc (20/03/2024)
Jamworks pilot and AI at Jisc (20/03/2024)
 
Food safety_Challenges food safety laboratories_.pdf
Food safety_Challenges food safety laboratories_.pdfFood safety_Challenges food safety laboratories_.pdf
Food safety_Challenges food safety laboratories_.pdf
 
COMMUNICATING NEGATIVE NEWS - APPROACHES .pptx
COMMUNICATING NEGATIVE NEWS - APPROACHES .pptxCOMMUNICATING NEGATIVE NEWS - APPROACHES .pptx
COMMUNICATING NEGATIVE NEWS - APPROACHES .pptx
 
This PowerPoint helps students to consider the concept of infinity.
This PowerPoint helps students to consider the concept of infinity.This PowerPoint helps students to consider the concept of infinity.
This PowerPoint helps students to consider the concept of infinity.
 
UGC NET Paper 1 Mathematical Reasoning & Aptitude.pdf
UGC NET Paper 1 Mathematical Reasoning & Aptitude.pdfUGC NET Paper 1 Mathematical Reasoning & Aptitude.pdf
UGC NET Paper 1 Mathematical Reasoning & Aptitude.pdf
 
Single or Multiple melodic lines structure
Single or Multiple melodic lines structureSingle or Multiple melodic lines structure
Single or Multiple melodic lines structure
 
General Principles of Intellectual Property: Concepts of Intellectual Proper...
General Principles of Intellectual Property: Concepts of Intellectual  Proper...General Principles of Intellectual Property: Concepts of Intellectual  Proper...
General Principles of Intellectual Property: Concepts of Intellectual Proper...
 
Unit 3 Emotional Intelligence and Spiritual Intelligence.pdf
Unit 3 Emotional Intelligence and Spiritual Intelligence.pdfUnit 3 Emotional Intelligence and Spiritual Intelligence.pdf
Unit 3 Emotional Intelligence and Spiritual Intelligence.pdf
 
Plant propagation: Sexual and Asexual propapagation.pptx
Plant propagation: Sexual and Asexual propapagation.pptxPlant propagation: Sexual and Asexual propapagation.pptx
Plant propagation: Sexual and Asexual propapagation.pptx
 
Sociology 101 Demonstration of Learning Exhibit
Sociology 101 Demonstration of Learning ExhibitSociology 101 Demonstration of Learning Exhibit
Sociology 101 Demonstration of Learning Exhibit
 
How to setup Pycharm environment for Odoo 17.pptx
How to setup Pycharm environment for Odoo 17.pptxHow to setup Pycharm environment for Odoo 17.pptx
How to setup Pycharm environment for Odoo 17.pptx
 
HMCS Max Bernays Pre-Deployment Brief (May 2024).pptx
HMCS Max Bernays Pre-Deployment Brief (May 2024).pptxHMCS Max Bernays Pre-Deployment Brief (May 2024).pptx
HMCS Max Bernays Pre-Deployment Brief (May 2024).pptx
 
Python Notes for mca i year students osmania university.docx
Python Notes for mca i year students osmania university.docxPython Notes for mca i year students osmania university.docx
Python Notes for mca i year students osmania university.docx
 
How to Create and Manage Wizard in Odoo 17
How to Create and Manage Wizard in Odoo 17How to Create and Manage Wizard in Odoo 17
How to Create and Manage Wizard in Odoo 17
 
The basics of sentences session 3pptx.pptx
The basics of sentences session 3pptx.pptxThe basics of sentences session 3pptx.pptx
The basics of sentences session 3pptx.pptx
 

SHS_SLM-CNF_MELC9.pdf

  • 2. HUMMS - Creative Non-Fiction Module 9 First Edition, 2020 Copyright © 2020 La Union Schools Division Region I All rights reserved. No part of this module may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the copyright owners. Development Team of the Module Author: Gina N. Tabling Editor: SDO La Union, Learning Resource Quality Assurance Team Illustrator: Ernesto F. Ramos Jr., P II Management Team: ATTY. Donato D. Balderas, Jr. Schools Division Superintendent Vivian Luz S. Pagatpatan, Ph.D Assistant Schools Division Superintendent German E. Flora, Ph.D, CID Chief Virgilio C. Boado, Ph.D, EPS in Charge of LRMS Belen C. Aquino, Ph.D, EPS in Charge of English Michael Jason D. Morales, PDO II Claire P. Toluyen, Librarian II
  • 4. 1 Target To write a great creative nonfiction, a writer must tell a fact-based story in an imaginative way—and yes, it is not as easy task as it sounds! Nonfiction writers must be dedicated to preserving the truth of their stories—the who, what, why, where, when, and how. The creativity enters through the use of perspective, which, like a camera lens, allows the writer to focus the reader’s attention and engage his or her imagination. In the previous module, you have learned how to write a mini critique of a peer’s work based on coherence and organization. This module will provide you with essential guides and techniques on how to write a draft of creative nonfiction piece based on memorable real-life experience. After completing this module, you are expected to: 1. demonstrate prior knowledge on drafting, 2. evaluate your paper to improve content and organization, style, and conventions, 3. revise the draft of creative nonfiction piece to produce a finished work; and 4. use a rubric in evaluating your finished work. Before going on, check how much you know about this topic. Answer the pretest on the next page in a separate sheet of paper.
  • 5. 2 Module 9 Writing a Draft The peculiar qualities and appeal of creative nonfiction texts truly inspire and energize human mind and spirit. Such genre provides useful information and insights in relation to real human experiences. Thus, reading and writing creative nonfiction can also be liberating and amusing. Jumpstart Activity 1: Read Me! Understand Me! Directions: Read the following passage. Answer the questions that follow in a separate sheet of paper. Write the letter of your answer. Use capital letters. How do you start a memoir? Like starting any book, you have to understand why you’re doing it and what you wish to portray with the final product. Starting a memoir includes an outline, key chapters with specific messages, and working on developing a writing habit in order to stick to writing. A memoir is a historical account written with personal knowledge and experience covering the lifetime of an individual, usually with a greater purpose or message within it. How is this different from an autobiography? Aren’t they the same thing? With so many genres and writing terminology out there, knowing the differences between a memoir versus autobiography, can be confusing. They’re both
  • 6. 3 about someone’s life written by themselves, right? Right. But they do differ in a single way that really makes a memoir and an autobiography completely different in terms of their end results. A memoir typically covers one aspect of a writer’s life (or a continuous theme through memories), while an autobiography is a chronological account of the writer’s life. It has to be written with strong description and details, and possibly with dialogue to arouse the interest of the readers. So if you want to write a play-by-play of your entire life from the moment you popped into this world to the very second you started writing, you’d write an autobiography. But if you’re looking to share a profound message with the world through your own real-life experiences, you’ll write a memoir. ( Source: Mazzeo, T.J. ( 2012) Writing Creative Nonfiction: Course Guidebook. Retrieved July 23, 2020 from https://www.fcusd.org/cms/lib/CA01001934/Centricity/Domain/3762/ Writing%20Creative%20Non%20Fiction.pdf) ________1. The definition of autobiography is A. a life story made into film by the person him/herself. B. a life story that tells the life of another person. C. a life story written by another person. D. a self-written life story. _________2. Autobiographies are important because A. they are a good way to inspire other people. B. they are a way for the person to continue healing. C. they are a way to show others they are not alone in their problems. D. All of the foregoing.
  • 7. 4 __________3. A memoir is a type of autobiography, but A. they feature the whole life of the person. B. they focus on one event or time period of the person’s life. C. they focus on other people instead of the author. D. None of the above. __________4. When writing an autobiography, the author should remember to A. use academic language and keep the ideas simple. B. use flowery descriptions and a lot of figurative language. C. use other people’s thoughts and feelings to describe him or herself. D. use strong description, provide details, and possibly add dialogue. __________5. In order to arouse the interest of the readers, a good creative nonfiction must use A. strong description B. vivid details C. dialogue D. All of the foregoing.
  • 8. 5 Discover Creative nonfiction is the fastest-growing part of the creative writing world because it tries to bring together the imaginative strategies of fiction storytelling and new ways of narrating real-life events. Learning the secrets and techniques of creative nonfiction offers you so much more than just insights into this exciting style of writing. Mastering the art and craft of creative nonfiction can  help you write more effectively in a variety of academic and personal situations,  provide dynamic new ways for you to preserve life experiences as how they truly occurred or as you felt them,  allow you to share your stories in ways that other people are sure to find compelling, and  open up new windows on how you think about your own personal history and that of others. Before putting pen to paper, a writer has many decisions to make. One of the most important of these is identifying the kind of work he or she would like to create. While fiction writers choose to rely solely on their imagination and ability to distort reality, nonfiction writers assume the hefty load of research, reportage and accuracy. The 5 R’s of creative nonfiction is a short checklist to refer to when writing a nonfiction work that will ensure your bases are covered. The 5 R's of Creative Nonfiction 1. Write about real life. Remember that you are writing about real people, real places and real events. Visiting the people and the places you are going to write about will give you
  • 9. 6 the tools necessary to tell an accurate story with vivid scenery, well-described artifacts and true-to-life personages. Nothing should be fictional or made up. Everything that makes it into your work of creative nonfiction must have happened at some time or another in real life. Never embellish or alter reality. 2. Conduct extensive research. Use every resource available to gather information on your subject. Of course, where you look for information will depend on the subject matter, but some great starting places are:  The library  Newspaper archives  The Internet  Interviews  Public records  Books and magazines  Photographs  Immersion (visiting the place you are writing about) It is also apparent to ensure your sources are accurate and reputable. If not, your integrity is at stake. Even worse, a creative nonfiction writer who doesn't conduct sufficient research is liable to have their name scourged by readers. 3. Write a narrative. Use the storytelling elements of fiction to create a compelling story with the factual information you’ve gathered. You could craft your story this way using the standard pattern:  Inciting incident  Conflict (internal or external)  Climax or turning point
  • 10. 7  Resolution  End of story 4. Include personal touch. The “creative” in “creative nonfiction” comes with the author’s unique voice and opinion on the matters being related on the page. You, the author, are the human connection between the subject matter and the reader. In this sense, creative nonfiction relies much more on the personality of the author than fiction. You must befriend your reader, make them trust you, and proceed with your storytelling. 5. Learn by reading. The creative nonfiction writer should read autobiographies, newspapers, magazines, articles and other nonfiction books to get a taste for how theirs should be formatted and written. With these tips, you are more than halfway to creating a great work of creative nonfiction. Once you’ve collected your information, plotted your story and taken a unique angle on the subject, you are ready to begin the hardest part of the process: writing the story. Happy writing! Familiarizing Autobiographical Writing One of the forms of creative nonfiction that you could create based on a memorable real life experience is writing autobiography. This is a written account of the life of a person written by that person himself or herself. Here under are some important things that you need to understand about autobiographical writing, or the writing of events in the life of a person written by that person himself or herself. 1. Recounts the story focusing on a person or event in the life of the writer
  • 11. 8 2. Shares writer’s life 3. Involves a definite sequence of events experienced or witnessed by the writer 4. Vivifies details for portraying people and places 5. Highlights a problem, conflict, or contrast between viewpoints of past and present Forms of Autobiographical Writing Below are some forms of autobiographical writing:  Autobiography --- Etymologically, the word autobiography is composed of the Greek words auto meaning “self”, bio, bios meaning “life”, and gráphō, graphien meaning “write.” Thus, autobiography is a written account of the life of a person written by that person himself or herself.  Memoirs --- This covers your life’s events in a more story-like structure with an overarching theme or messaged written in. These are also real stories of the writer’s relationship with a person, place, or even animals. It also includes the writer’s insights and feelings towards the relationship.  Personal narrative--- This is also known as autobiographical incidents. Texts of this form focus on and highlight a specific event in the life of the writer.  Autobiographical sketches/ narratives --- The purpose of this is to describe a time or a series of events in the writer’s life including insights about them.  Reflective Essay--- This recalls and recounts an experience. Insights on an experience are also expressed.
  • 12. 9 Steps in Autobiographical Writing To create an autobiographical piece, there are several steps and strategies that can be considered as definite guides: 1. Prewriting  Selecting a topic In this phase, the writer explores and chooses a possible topic or subject for writing. It is important that the writer select an interesting topic based on his/her experience like in solving an encountered problem or conflict that captured realizations and insights. There are strategies for generating a topic. The freewriting strategy allows the writer to note down a variety of ideas that come to his/her mind. In this way, the writer has options as to what topic to highlight. It is also necessary to select or to zero in the most interesting idea. Furthermore, the events connected to such idea must be used as an inspiration for the topic. Aside from this, the blueprinting strategy allows the writer to think of places that are perceived to be important to him/her. The writer draws a map and marks different areas. In each location, connected memories are listed. Then, the writer selects a memory from the created list and takes it as the topic from writing.  Narrowing the topic After choosing a possible topic, the writer needs to narrow and to set the focus by uncovering what is hidden within the story. Include details and points that enrich the story.
  • 13. 10  Thinking about the audience and purpose for writing The writer’s awareness of his/her intended readers or audience the level of language that the writer will utilize. It can be either formal or casual, on the other hand, setting the purpose for writing is also important. An autobiographical text may amuse, inspire or celebrate a person’s one’s life.  Obtaining Details Details give shape to and enrich the writing piece. Obtaining details can be done through listing and itemizing. After making a list, select and highlight the ones that are relevant , valuable and interesting. 2. Drafting  Giving shape to the writing piece Conflicts and tensions make stories interesting. These are found in incidents taken from life. Conflict is the opposition of forces that causes a struggle. In the presence of a conflict, a character is prevented from getting anything he/she wants.  Elaborating Details Purpose Organization Details to Include to recount an amusing, exciting or moving story building the climax suspense, sympathy, humor to share an insight highlight the realizations and lessons the contrast between past and present points-of-view celebrate a person in one’s life show the person’s character and relevant details characteristics of the person
  • 14. 11 Characteristics by providing relevant details can help readers to visualize and imagine scenes clearly. It is necessary for the writer to help readers to see what the writer sees and to feel what the writer feels. Thus, in that way, the writer connects himself/herself to his/her audience What Qualifies as a Memoir? A memoir is unique in the fact that it covers your life’s events in a more story-like structure with an overarching theme or message written in. Memoirs are very specific in the sense that it accounts for the events of your life with an emphasis on stories and impactful moments that lead to a great purpose. Anyone has the ability and can experience to write a memoir. If you have a story, then you are on your way to writing one. How to Write a Memoir with Meaning and Influence Writing a memoir can not only be a valuable experience for you, but the impact it may have on other people is astounding too. The following tips were put together to help you learn how to start a memoir that’s captivating and intriguing. 1. A strong introduction is everything. Without the ability to hook readers, convincing someone read your work will be a bit harder than anticipated. Let’s draw those readers in! 2. Be relatable. One major mistake many make when writing a memoir is not starting it off in a way that makes the readers connect with them. This is one of the most important aspects of your memoir. Do you really think people will want to read about a person’s life if they can’t relate to them? Did you understand their pain and triumph and hardships? When others relate to you and see themselves in your
  • 15. 12 journey, they’ll want to stick around to see how it plays out. And that means they’ll read your whole work and any others you write. 3. Use emotion by showing, not telling. If you want to give a play-by-play of your life with nothing more than a list of experiences you’ve gone through, that’s fine. Just know that doing it that way won’t hook your readers and it certainly won’t keep them. A memoir can be a powerful tool for educating others through your life journeys, but if they’re not intrigued enough to keep reading, it’ll render your memoir pointless. In showing and not telling, you’ll put more emotion into your writing. 4. Make the message clear right away. What is it you’re trying to say through your memoir? Why did you want to start writing one in the first place? Everybody has an interesting life if you look deep enough. What you have to determine is how your life experiences can aid and shape the lives of others. Think about how that will manifest from what you’ve lived through before and make sure your readers know what it is from the start. 5. Write from the heart. Christopher Moss, author of “Hope Over Anxiety” says the best way to write your memoir is to be open about your experiences. He emphasizes to “Write from the heart. Show people your experience. Be as vulnerable and honest as you can. If it scares you a little, what you are writing that’s good. The reader has to feel what you are going through.” 6. Narrow your focus . Your memoir should be written as if the entire piece is a snapshot of one theme of your life. Your memoir is not an autobiography. The difference is that an autobiography spans your entire life, and a memoir focuses on one particular
  • 16. 13 moment or series of moments around a theme. You want your readers to walk away knowing you, and that one experience, on a much deeper level. 7. Tell the truth. One of the best tips for how to write a memoir that’s powerful is to be honest and genuine. It’s important that you tell the truth — even if it makes your journey as an author more difficult. One more note on honesty: Memoirs explore the concept of truth as seen through your eyes. Don’t write in a snarky manner or with a bitter tone. The motivation for writing a memoir shouldn’t be to exact revenge or whine or seek forgiveness; it should simply be to share your experience. Don’t exaggerate or bend the truth in your memoir. Your story, the unique one that you hold and cherish, is enough. There is no need to fabricate or embellish. 8. Employ elements of fiction to bring your story to life. Think of the people in memoirs as characters. A great memoir pulls you into their lives: what they struggle with, what they are successful at and what they wonder about. Many of the best memoir writers focus on a few key characteristics of their characters, allowing the reader to get to know each one in depth. Introduce intriguing setting details and develop a captivating plot from your story. Show your readers the locations you describe and evoke emotions within them. They need to experience your story, almost as if it was their own. While your memoir is a true story, employing these elements of fiction will make it far more powerful and enjoyable for your readers. 9. Create an emotional journey. Take your readers on an emotional journey that motivates them to read the next chapter, wonder about you well after they finish the last page, and tell their friends and colleagues about your book. The best way to evoke these feelings in your readers is to connect your emotions with your writing.
  • 17. 14 Explore Enrichment Activity 1: My concept, my understanding Answer the following questions. Use separate paper for your answers. 1. How does an autobiography differ from a biography? ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 2. What is a memoir? Can we use the terms autobiography and memoir interchangeably? Elaborate. ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ Here are some enrichment activities for you to work on to master and strengthen the basic concepts you have learned from this lesson.
  • 18. 15 Assessment Activity 1: Focusing the Lens 1. Reliving Memories through Photographs Task 1: Look for any printed picture that you have. Recall the events or memories behind the scene in the picture. Apply the steps and guidelines in autobiographical writing. Answer on a separate sheet of paper. 2. Recalling a Dream (adapted from Susan Hubbard) Task 2: Try to recall a dream that is recurring one. Tell something about providing details as clearly as possible. Answer on a separate sheet of paper. Enrichment Activity 2: Going Down Memory Lane What to do: Recall and name three (3) events in your life. Decide which one could be an interesting topic for memoir. Give relevant explanations to support your choice. Use separate paper for your answers. 1 2 3 Explanation Explanation Explanation Assessment Activity 2: Count Thy Blessings Develop a timeline of significant events in your life from your childhood to present and make an assumption as to how you see your life in the future. Answer using a separate paper. Year Age Significant Life Events ( from childhood to present) Future Life
  • 19. 16 Enrichment Activity 3 : My Six Word Memoir What does it mean to leave a legacy? It could mean transferring knowledge, passing on values and life lessons, or simply leaving a lasting impression for stories to be told and memories to be shared about you. What legacy will you leave at school or in life? You could answer these through writing your memoir. A memoir is a written collection of memories about moments or events, public or private, that took place in your life. A memoir is a story about your life, important moments that you want to share with others that tell about what’s important to you, what you value, and what you want others to know. Once asked to write a full story in six words, legend has it that novelist Ernest Hemingway responded: "For Sale: baby shoes, never worn." Below are some other examples of 6 word memoirs from famous people: "Life is one big editorial meeting" - Activist Gloria Steinem "The miserable childhood leads to royalties" - Author Frank McCourt "Acting is not all I am" - Actress Molly Ringwald Let’s see if you can tell a story of your life in 6 words! Whether it’s humorous, or profound, or somewhere in between, this exercise will give you an idea of events or memories or emotions that have some type of meaning in your life. Have fun! What you have to do Write a 6-word memoir. Try the following techniques to help you out. Use separate paper for your answers.
  • 20. 17 1) Create a “you” list – fill the page: List as many words as you can about yourself – things you like, feelings you have. Don’t cross out, change, or rewrite anything. Don’t worry about spelling – just write. You are going for quantity, so write as much as you can for at least 3 minutes. 2) Circle 3 items that inspire you to say more: Pick words from your list that, if heard aloud, would make you think about something that happened in your life, a story or an idea, or something that was important to you. 3) From those items you circled, select one: “Free write” about it for at least 2 minutes. “Free write” means you just start writing about that idea, object, role or event. The only rule is: don’t stop writing for at least two minutes. Whatever comes to mind is fair game. Then, synthesize. Develop a 6-word phrase/ sentence that captures the essence of what your topic means to you. Assessment 3: Pull It All Together Directions: Read the questions below. Answer on a separate sheet of paper. 1. What are the important guidelines to consider in selecting a topic for memoir writing? ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 2. If you will write your memoir, what will you consider as your purpose in writing such? Is it to amuse, inspire , or to celebrate life? Explain. ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ Great job! You have understood the lesson. Are you now ready to summarize?
  • 21. 18 Deepen How to Start Off a Memoir: Everyone’s Story Is Different At this point, there isn’t one right way to write a memoir because everyone’s life story and creative process are unique. Read the following memoir to give you a hint how. Driving Lessons By N.G. Ayeng My father is smiling now. I have just shifted to fifth gear and our car is cruising at 80 kph along suburban highway. His smile radiates silent pride as he watches me behind the wheel, confident and totally in control of the machine at last. He had waited long enough for this moment. For several years, he exhibited endless patience in teaching me how to drive. I was a lousy student driver. I would recklessly overtake even when there were four cars coming from the back of the car in front of us. I would even choke the car’s engine with gasoline by abruptly stopping when a gorgeous guy crossed the street. I was simply a total headache the moment I turned on the ignition. Through it all my father stayed with me. From his front seat, he would point out my mistakes and reprimand me for them but he never left my side. For a while I even thought the only thing he ever taught me was how to drive. He is too stiff to talk about love and too dry to talk about life. It took several years of driving lessons under him to make me realize that I was wrong, completely wrong. Now it’s my turn to smile. Pressing harder on the gas pedal, I remember how my father’s driving instructions would keep coming back in some difficult times
  • 22. 19 during my undergraduate years. It was easy for a girl from the province to get intimidated by the near-death experience of entering the University of the Philippines. However, without knowing it at first, I had a survival weapon with me. In every desperate situation I got myself into, my father’s voice would come back to save me. And always it was framed as driving instructions. During my first year in college, I was forever tormented by homesickness. It came to a point when I seriously considered throwing a lasso at every plane that was flying by so that I could get a ride home. Amid this terrible aloneness, I heard my father’s voice saying. “Never let the machine control you. You must control the machine.” Immediately, I’d stop sulking. And in time I resolved to be ready to take on life as it comes, I had to be in control. Wrestling with my academics was my next problem. When full-blown research papers, long examinations, and teachers of the terrorist kind threatened to drive me crazy, I looked for reasons to justify giving the whole thing up. But then my father’s instructions again came back to strengthen me. When I felt overloaded with academic requirements, I would remember him saying, “The trick is in the approach. When you see bumps, be ready to move sideways.” When I thought of rebelling against some teachers who were blissfully power-tripping, I would hear him say, “Just be extra cautious at night and during rain. Your vision is limited and the roads are slippery.” When I feel like crawling under the chair because my classmates were so naturally brilliant and my insecurities were eating me up, I would hear him say, “It’s a matter of shifting your gears at the right time.” As I tried to survive an oppressive atmosphere, I got to meet all kinds of people with all kinds of attitude. My father’s instructions was: “Don’t be a
  • 23. 20 headache to other drivers. Always stick to your lane. Follow every one-way sign. Don’t box in other cars when you park.” I did exactly as he told me, and most of the persons I met thanked me for the respect and consideration I gave them. I made a lot of good friends along the way. In my last year as an undergraduate as I was working on my thesis, I heard my father’s voice again, “Check everything before you start the engine,” he was saying. I did, and I was able to answer all the questions my adviser threw at me. Soon, the dark and dreary thesis nights started to deprive me of good times in dreamland. I was staring at the computer screen 24 hours a day. I was close to a nervous breakdown when I heard my father say, “It is very important for you to know where the brakes are.” Well, I found them, I went to see a movie for the first time in so many months since I started working on my thesis. Afterwards, I never felt so relaxed in my whole life. Time flew swiftly and I graduated from the university. When I look back at those trying times, I fondly remember the special instruction my father gave me when he let me drive alone for the first time. It never failed to lift up my spirit no matter how confused or downhearted I felt. “If worst comes to worst,” he said. “Leave the car and find your way home.” He told me I was more important than any machine ever will be. In my last year as an undergraduate as I was working on my thesis, I heard my father’s voice again, “Check everything before you start the engine,” he was saying. I did, and I was able to answer all the questions my adviser threw at me. I know now why this instruction is a very special one. The unfathomable parental love that comes with it has made the driving lessons he gave me unique.
  • 24. 21 His instructions I will always recall to mind. His love, I will forever hold in my heart. My father’s smile and mine have become full. Our car is still breezing along at 80 KPH and we are enjoying the ride. It’s like his final instruction: “Relax while driving.” Indeed, the only thing my father taught me was how to drive. But the lessons that came with it were innumerable. Billows of dust rail our car as I glance at the rearview mirror to check on the distance I have traveled. I have gone quite a long way. I step on the gas pedal a little bit harder, and the car hit 90 kph. How did that song go again? “Magda-drive ako hanggang sa buwan….” (I will drive until I get to the moon) With all my father taught me, I can drive much farther! Source: Ayeng, N. G. (1996). Young Blood, Philippine Daily Inquirer. What to do Write your own memoir. Your memoir should focus on the aspects of your life that is meaningful to you. The following topics and ideas may help you get started. 1. The Most Interesting Thing that Ever Happened to You We all have some event or events in our lives that have stayed in our memory. It could be that these events are those that define us, or changed our understanding of ourselves. Maybe it was a road trip you took, the time you saved someone's life, or someone saved yours. Look at what you consider the most interesting or influential experience in your life. Did you learn something from it? Do you have regrets about it? How did this event define you? How did it impact your view of yourself or others?
  • 25. 22 2. Major Life Events Think about the milestones in your life you have crossed. Explore the ways that these major events have shaped your life. Have they changed your perspectives? If so, how? If not, why? 3. What Makes You, You Another angle to take to formulate ideas for your memoir is to think about the way you define yourself. Imagine you were going to write a character sketch of yourself. Think not just of your physical appearance, but the aspects of your personality. When you try to define yourself, what comes to mind? Your family? Your friends? What, if anything, do they tell you about yourself? 4. In Your Dreams Have you ever found yourself revisiting some place from your past in your dreams? Maybe you remember the sights, the smells, and the people you associated with that time. Is this a time in your life that is still relevant to your present, or is it a time you never thought about until you dreamt it? Use vivid descriptive language to recount this time and what you take from it. Requirements:  A well-written 3-6 paragraph memoir with a strong lead and a strong conclusion.  Typed in 12 point Arial or Tahoma font, double-spaced.  A creative and reflective title centered at the top of your paper with your name, grade level and section centered under the title.  Imagery and figurative language throughout your memoir should be present. Show your story, don’t tell it.  Review the requirements listed on your rubric.
  • 26. 23 4- Excellent 3- Very Good 2-Satisfactory 1-Needs Improvement Organization *Well-focused on the topic *Logical organization *Excellent transitions *Easy to follow *Generally focused on the topic *Some lapses in organization *Some transitions *Usually easy to follow *Somewhat focused on the topic *Poor organization *Few transitions *Difficult to follow *Not focused on the topic *No clear organization *No transitions *Difficult to impossible to follow Introduction Introductory paragraph clearly states subject of essay and captures reader's attention. Introductory paragraph states subject of essay but is not particularly inviting to the reader. Introductory paragraph attempts to state subject of essay but does not capture reader's attention. No attempt is made to state the subject of the essay in an introductory paragraph. Word Choice *Precise, vivid and interesting word choices *Wide variety of word choices *Fairly precise, interesting and somewhat varied word choices *Wording could be more specific *Vague, mundane word choices *Wording is sometimes repetitive *More descriptive words are needed *Very limited word choices *Wording is bland and not descriptive Sensory Detail Essay includes details that appeal to at least three of the five senses (taste, touch, sound, sight, smell). Includes details that appeal to fewer than three of the five senses. Includes details that appeal to only one of the five senses. Includes no details that appeal to one of the five senses. Figurative Language Writer effectively uses simile, metaphor, and personification to describe the subject. Writer uses one example of simile, metaphor, or personification to describe the subject. Writer may try to use simile, metaphor, and personification but does so incorrectly. Writer does not include simile, metaphor, or personification in essay. Sentence Fluency *Uses complete sentences *Varying sentence structure and *Uses complete sentences *Generally simple *Occasional sentence fragment or run-on sentences *Frequent use of sentence fragments or run-on sentences
  • 27. 24 lengths sentence structures *Simple sentence structure is used repeatedly *Sentences are difficult to understand Conventions *Proper grammar, usage *Correct spelling Correct punctuation *Correct capitalization *Few errors of grammar and usage *Mostly correct spelling, punctuation and capitalization *Errors in grammar, usage and spelling sometimes make understanding difficult *Some errors in punctuation and capitalization *Frequent errors in grammar, usage, spelling, capitalization and punctuation make understanding difficult or impossible Voice *Voice is fitting for the topic and engaging *Well-suited for audience and purpose *Voice is fairly clear and seems to fit the topic *Suited for audience and purpose *Voice rarely comes through *Not always suited for audience and purpose *Voice is weak or inappropriate *No sense of audience and purpose Very well done! You are now ready to take your posttest. You may again go over the lessons and activities to review for the final assessment. Good luck!
  • 28. 25 Gauge I. Directions: Read each item carefully. Write only the letter of the best answer for each test item. Use a separate sheet for your answers. _____1. The purpose of this is to describe a time or a series of events in the writer’s life including the writer’s insights. A. testimony B. memoirs C. journal account D. diary ______2. In this genre, the information to be used in writing can just be invented or contrived. A. drama B. fiction C. nonfiction D. poetry ______3. These are real stories of the writer’s relationship with a person, place or events that also includes the writer’s insights and feelings toward the relationship. A. autobiography B. biography C. memoirs D. testimony ______4. This is any work that is drawn from the imaginative reconstruction and creative recreation of life by the writer. A. drama B. fiction C. nonfiction D. poetry _____5. Memoirs are often told in the what point of view? A. First person point of view B. Second person point of view C. Third person point of view D. No point of view _____6. This is a work classified as creative nonfiction. A. fables B. memoirs C. poetry D. short story ______7. Which of the following is NOT TRUE about Creative Nonfiction? A. It could but not strictly present authentic or real events, stories and experiences B. It is used to recount real encounters, events, and information.
  • 29. 26 C. It is a written work that is classified to be products of authentic experiences and events D. It may or may not be detailed and engaging ( but does need to be funny, or sad, or controversial). _____8. Which of the following is TRUE about Creative Nonfiction? A. Creative nonfiction texts are written for a singular reason--- to inform. B. Creative nonfiction writing avoids the application of literary writing methods. C. In creative nonfiction, the information to be used in writing can be just be created D. Nonfiction heavily deals with the truth. _____9. This is the imaginative recreation and reconstruction of life. A. drama B. fiction C. nonfiction D. poetry _____10. This include the writer’s contemplation or realization on his/her experience. A. Autobiography B. Memoirs C .Personal essays D. Reflective essays II. Directions: Read and evaluate the following excerpts/statements carefully. Write C if the item provides accurate description for Creative Nonfiction and D if the statement contains irrelevant description. _____1. Considers “true stories” as its subject _____2. Employs the technique in literary writing _____3. Contains fictitious or contrived ideas _____4. Creative in “Creative Nonfiction” means the invention of information and details which did not transpire. _____5. It is just similar to academic and technical writing. _____6. It can add conversation between characters in a literary work.
  • 30. 27 _____7. It includes research reports like theses and dissertations. _____8. One of the goal of creative nonfiction is to provide and to present authentic information. _____9. Creative Nonfiction is as old as the traditional genres of poetry and fiction. _____10. This genre employs the writing aesthetics found in literary prose and poetic forms. Great job! You are almost done with this module.
  • 31. 28 References Printed Materials: Ayeng, N. G. (1996). Young Blood, Philippine Daily Inquirer. Baronda, A.J.C. (2017). Creative Non-fiction, (pp 103-107) JFS Publishing Services, Pasay City, Philippines. Website: Dupuls, L. (2018). The Five R’s of Creative of Nonfiction. Retrieved July 24, 2020 from https://owlcation.com/humanities/The-Five-Rs-of-Creative-Non- Fiction Mazzeo, T.J. ( 2012) Writing Creative Nonfiction: Course Guidebook. Retrieved July 23, 2020 from https://www.fcusd.org/cms/lib/CA01001934/Centricity/Domain/3762/ Writing%20Creative%20Non%20Fiction.pdf "Memoir Writing Prompts." Study.com, 27 October 2015, Retrieved July 25, 2020 from study.com/academy/popular/memoir-writing-prompts.html Pope, B.R. (2020) How to Write a Memoir: The Complete Guide to Getting Started, Retrieved July 22, 2020 from https://self-publishingschool.com/how-to- write-a-memoir/