ALL ABOUT CREATIVE NONFICTION

1ST Student BLOG- 

Creative NonFiction Final Individual Work

http://gisellesoriano.blogspot.com/

Biography

Meaning

A biography is about somebody else's life. It is about a real person but it is not written by the person. Third person point of view. Facts about the person (where, when, and how) they live or have lived.

Elements or Characteristics

Point of View

Figures of Speech

Narration

Literary Elements

Lesson/Insight/Learning
In writing a biography, it should not be a first person point of view. You should follow the guidelines in writing and the involvement of the elements must be present.

Autobiography

Meaning

Facts about the author's own experience, written in first person point of view. (Author's life)

Elements or Characteristics

Point of View

Figures of Speech

Narration

Literary Elements

Lesson/Insight/Learning

Autobiographical enables me to present myself, to narrate my life and recounts key incidents or events in my life.

Example

A Little Girl turns into Lady

Giselle S. Soriano

My Autobiography

               

Sitting here and looking back, I don’t know where to begin. How did it come to this?

The sun comes down when a baby comes forth from its mother’s womb and sweetly screams “Waaaaa! Waaaaa!”. The beads of water started falling down on the eyes of the couple, Mr. and Mrs. Soriano, when another angelic baby exist and that is me.

I am Giselle Soriano, the youngest sister of Hazel Soriano. We are perfect four in our family and that is the reason why I am fortunate enough to have been blessed with. My childhood days was full of experiences that I will never ever forget and as I look back to those good old days, it is like I am painting a ray of sunshine all over my face. I grew up with a loving family that I can be proud of. I studied my elementary years at Malalinta Elementary School and for six years stay from that school, I gained knowledge and wisdom, learnings and experiences and my first heartbreak. A heartbreak caused by my teacher. That was the time when I first cried because of comparing me with my sister. I feel embarrassed in front of many teachers. That event impacted me a lot and I felt angry but I do not have the choice so I remain silent. Just like other children, I was very happy that I graduated as first honorable mention from that school. I cannot figure out my next journey then, entering my high school life. I enrolled at Malalinta National High School way back 2013. They said that it was the most exciting days of life. My Junior High School life was very memorable because of different experiences. All my life, I wanted always to be on top because I believe that it would make my family happy and proud of me. There are many friends who came to my life and became part of it. It was also the time that my first boyfriend came but unfortunately, we are not meant to be. And, just like other relationships, love is a spice with many tastes.  I completed my Junior High as being the first honor in our class. That was the moment I feel so much happy and proud because finally I will now move to the higher step. My next journey is my Senior High School life. I am currently studying at Malalinta National High School. There are many heartbreaks caused by my academic life and a little bit patience, I will now finish the most exciting and interesting life and will move to the other step of my journey. Anxious but on the other way around, I am certain that I will graduate with my chosen career. In 18 years of existence, those experiences will lead me to better understanding of what life really is.

         It is not difficult, but challenging. I believe that success is sweeter when you experience ups and downs and I claim that those experiences will be fruitful sooner or later. That’s the spirit. A little girl who looks so old-fashioned before is now a lady full of dreams and hope with confidence.

Literary Journalism

Meaning

A nonfiction that combines factual reporting with some narrative techniques and stylistic strategies. Also known as Narrative Journalism.

Elements or Characteristics

Journalism
Plot 
Characters
Setting
Conflict
Resolution
Message 
Theme 
Immersion Reporting
Details of Environment
Dramatic Scenes
Dialogue, etc.

Lesson/Insight/Learning

Narrating a story is engaging most especially when you know how to use the elements in writing it.

Example

Like a Step of a Ladder

Giselle S. Soriano

                Tick Tock! Tick Tock! It cannot be 6 already! “I am late!”. They said to themselves wearily wiping the sleep from their eyes. Devastated but hopeful, they still turned their head up high.

            One day morning, a far-flung area to be called, Malalinta, San Manuel Isabela, three passionate men were destined to teach and to touch the lives of every student of Malalinta National High School, particularly the Senior High School students. It is not what I expect before. Though my junior high school life was full of learnings, applications and experiences, I can’t imagine that it was not enough and there is something more to do, change and improve. As days passed by, I considered them my great teachers. They join life, subject and students in the fabric of life because they teach from an integral and undivided self; they manifest in their own lives, and evoke in their students, a “capacity for connectedness.” They did best by trusting and teaching from true self, from the identity and integrity that is the source of all good work. I salute them. Through their presence, I transformed into something better that made think that they were God’s gift to me. An instrument used to give me lessons not only from the books but more than that, they taught me how to be the best possible version of Giselle Soriano. They push me to strive harder on my study through the sweetness and bitterness of studying. If who and what I am today, it was because they contributed a lot to it. They serve as my stairs in stepping and reaching the peak of success. Step by step, they are my guide.

            They are my great teachers who are like a step of a ladder, they remain in the same position, yet help students to reach the heights.

Personal Narrative Essay

Meaning

Also called personal essay. The writer relates one event, incident or experiences from his/her life

Elements or Characteristics

Point of View

Figures of Speech

Literary Elements

Lesson/Insight/Learning

This is one of the the activity I enjoyed writing. It enables me to narrate my personal life and experiences.

Example

My Meaningful Exit from Senior High School

Giselle S. Soriano

                        High School is something that every student goes through, whether they make it out alive or not. It can be the best years of life and for each person, it is a completely different experience. Reminiscing those experiences in six years made me wonder if I will miss my high school life. How could I miss a place filled with drama, tears, arguments, stress, headaches and heartaches? Now that I am growing up, I completely understand what they meant. No, I will never miss the sleepless nights, the challenges of academic life, the obstacles of doing requirements, the misunderstandings between a student and the teacher, between parent and children and between friendships, the rude comments people make as they pass me in the hallway and the nervous feeling I got when I walked into school quietly praying people won’t rip myself esteem to shreds. Even though I would no longer relive those years, I am glad they happened. If it were not for my high school, I would have never realized that I could become so interested in so many different things, I would have never escaped the trap of a shyness that had confined me all my life.

Travelogue

Meaning

A writing  about a place that you have visited Relaying your travel experience.

Elements or Characteristics

Point of View

Figures of Speech

Narration

Literary Elements
Journalistic Elements
Setting
Characterization
Dialogue
Descriptive Words
Reflection/Learning
(IBC)

Lesson/Insight/Learning

In writing a travelogue, it was indeed a successful work  if you have made it with the application of what the teacher discussed. I personally enjoyed this activity for it taught me more on how to write a travel literature.

Example

Cool Escapade to Baguio

Giselle S. Soriano

     There are places that you have been to and that place seems like a magnet to your soul that you keep on coming back. I’ve got that place that grabbed my attention and that is Baguio City.

We had this Leadership training at Baguio City and I am glad that I will visit it for the second time around. The day during our travel, I together with my schoolmates and two teachers were excited and I told myself, it is going to be a long and butt numbing van ride but who cares? I love long travels.

When we arrived at Baguio, the excitement flow to every part of my body as I stepped out of the van and feel the fresh air that touches my skin.  We look for transient and we took our rest at Ina’s Mansion. First day was the registration proper. We went at Teachers Camp with lush of pine trees where the leadership training will be conducted and after registration, we went to some beautiful places of Baguio City. We travel and went to the Mansion. We took “selfies” and then we walk through Wright Park along with other tourists strolling. There are manicured plants and flowers that can only be seen in cold places like Baguio. It was refreshing to see a lot of blooming fresh flowers in the park.Another destination was at Philippine Military Academy known to be the PMA, the officers training school of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. We visited the PMA Museum and it was cool to take pictures with the old war stuff and with the military personnel during their training. After taking pictures with the tanks and anti-aircraft guns used during World War II, we took again our travel and spent time in Mines View Park for where we saw the mountain ranges of Benguet if there is no fog covering the view. As usual, we took pictures again and enjoyed the view of the park. There are wide varieties of souvenir items and creatively carved artifacts. You can also have the chance to dress up in a fully-made up Cordillera attire. After the first day at Baguio, the second day was the leadership training proper. We went again at Teachers Camp and during the lecture proper, it was fun to meet different students from different schools national, listen to the speakers and watch some activities. Some of my schoolmates participated to the activities that made them enjoyed the leadership training. At the end of the day, we went to the transient for us to rest to be ready for our next trip. We took a nap and decided to see the Night Market. A good place to shop for clothes and this seems to be an attraction in Baguio during weekends nowadays. On the third day, we go home because of the typhoon which caused to cancel the last day of the leadership training.

 If you happen to visit Baguio, make it sure you will enjoy every place you will to go because Baguio will always be Baguio. You will love and not regret it.

 Reflective Essay

Meaning

An essay in which the writer examines his/her experiences in life. Also known as Reflection Essay.

Elements or Characteristics

Introduction (Description)
Body (Feelings and Evaluation)
Conclusion (Conclusion and Action)
Point of View
Literary Elements

Figures of Speech

Lesson/Insight/Learning

          Reflection essay is a writing that I enjoyed to write. It offers opportunity to revisit your past experience that in your conclusion, there will always be a reflection of the writer.

Example

Countless Surprises beyond Expectations

Giselle S. Soriano

             Why settle for less when God’s plan for you and me is the best?

There is wonderful song I have heard during the mass that rejuvenate me and lift my spirit.  “From all the evil that surrounds me, defend me.” A line from the song that reminded me how this very kind, loving and nothing compares Father, that is God who sends His blessings to me. My life story is an odyssey that transcends poverty, challenges and other nuisances. But God and His countless surprises have served as my refuge and strength. Only when I reflected on the things that happened in my life did I realize that everything contributed to who and what I am now.

            My childhood life was filled with simple joys, like playing with toys made from indigenous materials, swimming in the irrigation, playing on the rice field after the harvest and having fun with other children on the street. How I treasured those moments! When I started going to school, my life took a different turn. I started to learn and discover little things and I learned to appreciate the events in life. He had given me not perfect family but perfect moments with them. He continuously forgives me from all my shortcomings, offers opportunities and most of all He always sends his Holy Spirit within me. Every day is a surprise and every breath is a blessing. As I grew up, I have seen the overflowing blessings of God beyond my expectations. Sweet success saves me from worries and challenges upgraded me. I cannot imagine my life without God that even in my darkest days, He never left me for He is the light that shines in the dark. He cares enough to take care of my safety and happiness and from all the evil that surrounds me He always defend me. However, there are times that I did not rely on His plans for me when I experience difficulties but I always reminded myself that His plans are better than mine, that whatever might happens, there are reasons.

            God is the One who alone can heal and lead me. God will never leave me to face the perils alone and despite those challenges of life, it is a new blessing of God that something has to be learn. Every time I wake up, it is indeed a must for me to thank God for all the bright gifts that spills forth from God’s treasure trove: sunshine, shelter, family, friends, food, hope, faith, love and life.

 True Narrative Essay

Meaning

A creative story based on actual events by using nebulous nature of literature.

Elements or Characteristics

Figures of Speech (Analogy, Hyperbole, Satire, Metaphor)
Literary Techniques and Devices
Purpose
Point of View

Lesson/Insight/Learning

        A True Narrative essay enables me to write an essay in its best form.

 Testimonio

Meaning

A solemn statement made under oath. Something that serves as an evidence.

Elements or Characteristics

Forms: Letters, Diary entries, Incident reports, Poetry, Song etc.
Purpose
Idioms, Devices
First Person Point of View
Literary Elements

Figures of Speech

Lesson/Insight/Learning

     In this type of writing, what I understand is that, It is vital to follow elements in witing it in order for it to be called "testimonio".

CRITICAL ANALYSIS: MINI CRITIC TO ANALYSIS & INTERPRETATION

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The purpose for writing a critique is to evaluate somebody's work (a book, an essay, a movie, a painting...) in order to increase the reader's understanding of it. A critical analysis is subjective writing because it expresses the writer's opinion or evaluation of a text. Analysis means to break down and study the parts. Writing a critical paper requires two steps: critical reading and critical writing.Critical reading: Identify the author's thesis and purpose Analyze the structure of the passage by identifying all main ideas Consult a dictionary or encyclopedia to understand material that is unfamiliar to you Make an outline of the work or write a description of it Write a summary of the work Determine the purpose which could be To inform with factual material To persuade with appeal to reason or emotions To entertain (to affect people's emotions) Evaluate the means by which the author has accomplished his purpose If the purpose is to inform, has the material been presented clearly, accurately, with order and coherence? If the purpose is to persuade, look for evidence, logical reasoning, contrary evidence If the purpose was to entertain, determine how emotions are affected: does it make you laugh, cry, angry? Why did it affect you? Consider the following questions: How is the material organized? Who is the intended audience? What are the writer's assumptions about the audience? What kind of language and imagery does the author use?     SAMPLE OUTLINE FOR CRITICAL ESSAY After the passage under analysis has been carefully studied, the critique can be drafted using this sample outline. I. Background information to help your readers understand the nature of the work A. Information about the work 1. Title 2. Author 3. Publication information 4. Statement of topic and purpose B. Thesis statement indicating writer's main reaction to the work II. Summary or description of the work III. Interpretation and/or evaluation A. Discussion of the work's organization B. Discussion of the work's style C. Effectiveness D. Discussion of the topic's treatment E. Discussion of appeal to a particular audience Remember: Avoid introducing your ideas by stating "I think" or "in my opinion." Keep the focus on the subject of your analysis, not on yourself. Identifying your opinions weakens them. Always introduce the work. Do not assume that because your reader knows what you are writing about, you do not need to mention the work's title. Other questions to consider: Is there a controversy surrounding either the passage or the subject which it concerns? What about the subject matter is of current interest? What is the overall value of the passage? What are its strengths and weaknesses? Support your thesis with detailed evidence from the text examined. Do not forget to document quotes and paraphrases. Remember that the purpose of a critical analysis is not merely to inform, but also to evaluate the worth, utility, excellence, distinction, truth, validity, beauty, or goodness of something. Even though as a writer you set the standards, you should be open-minded, well informed, and fair. You can express your opinions, but you should also back them up with evidence. Your review should provide information, interpretation, and evaluation. The information will help your reader understand the nature of the work under analysis. The interpretation will explain the meaning of the work, therefore requiring your correct understanding of it. The evaluation will discuss your opinions of the work and present valid justification for them. Ref: https://www2.southeastern.edu/Academics/Faculty/elejeune/critique.htm

How To Create A Free Blog

How To Create A Free Blog On The BlogSpot Blogging Platform

13th Jan, 2018

• Share:

Having a blog is a great thing because you can share anything you want (…and if you are wise you can also earn a decent income from your blog).

• (Read: My AdSense Earnings for Five Years)

Here at ShoutMeLoud, I have written about many blogging platforms that you can use to create a blog for yourself.  I usually suggest creating a blog using your own domain and hosting, and creating your blog via WordPress(.org).

We have talked a lot about self-hosted WordPress blogs in previous posts, and there is no doubt that this presents a better blogging platform when compared to free blogging platforms like BlogSpot.com and WordPress.com.

However, many newbies who want to start blogging don’t want to make an initial investment of funds to create a blog. This is completely reasonable.

There are many blogging platforms which offer users the ability to create free blogs. If you are looking for a simple free blog, my suggestion would be to start blogging with WordPress.com or BlogSpot.com.

Once you have some blogging experience, you can advance and become more professional with a self-hosted WordPress blog.

BlogSpot allows you to create a free blog, but it does have limitations.

However, as I mentioned above, for a beginner it is a great way to learn how to create a blog and begin the blogging process.

This post is dedicated to the “beginners” who are new to blogging and would like to get started by learning the basics involved in the process.

Before I begin the complete tutorial, there are a couple of things you should know:

• Firstly, BlogSpot is a blogging platform powered by Google.  It offers you an opportunity to start a blog, but all your images will be hosted by Picasa (also part of Google).  BlogSpot, in this sense, is a Google-centric blogging platform.
• Secondly, if the goal of your blog is to make money and to have a blog that is professional in appearance, I would recommend that you create your blog using WordPress. It’s easy, and with the help of our exclusive free WordPress guide, you can create your blog in the next 60 minutes.

Step-by-step Guide to Creating a Free Blog on BlogSpot:

To create your free BlogSpot blog site, head over to BlogSpot.com and login using your Google account. If you don’t have a Google (gmail) account, you can create one for free.

For a first time user, you will see an option to use the identity from your Google Plus profile, or you can use your limited BlogSpot profile. I recommend using your Google Plus profile.

Once you are logged in, click on “new blog” or click on this link to directly go there: Create a free blog

Name your blog:

The first thing you need to do is add a name and select your domain. I suggest you read “How To Select a Domain Name” for additional information.

Avoid using your personal name as the domain name, and instead use some generic domain name that you can brand later with a custom domain.

You can then select a blog template (you can change it anytime), and click on “Create Blog”.

Now your blog is created, but you are not done yet!

There are a few settings that you need to set on your newly created BlogSpot blog to make it easy to use.

You are now on the BlogSpot dashboard where you will see your blog’s backend. From here you can go to “Settings” and make changes to improve your blog’s visibility.

Here is a screenshot of what you should be seeing:

From here you can click on “Posts” > “New post” and start writing your very first blog post!

But before you write your first post, I would recommend that you go to “Pages” and create at least one “About” page describing who you are and what your blog is about.

• You can read my post on why you need an “About” page for your blog.

Most importantly, you should change your blog’s template as the default one is generic and boring (in my opinion).

Here I have compiled a list of free BlogSpot templates that you can download and install on your blog. Alternatively, you can go to “Settings” > “Template” and change the template from there.

On this page, you can also add a logo to the header of your BlogSpot blog, and add or remove various other features.

Once you have a few blog posts up and running, you can go to “Settings” > “Earnings” and enable AdSense for your blog. This will allow you to earn money from your free BlogSpot blog.

• Read my earlier guide on how to sign up for an AdSense account.

So your blog is almost ready and you can start writing posts. There are just a few more things I suggest you do. 

CHECK: https://www.shoutmeloud.com/how-to-start-a-free-blog-using-blogspot-com.html

BLOGGING: THE Simple 5 Step Template

How to Write a Blog Post: The Simple 5 Step Template

by Joe Bunting | 45 Comments

How do you write a blog post? And more importantly, how do you write a great blog post, one that gets clicks, is shared on social media, and grows your online audience?

Because yes, there are marketing tips and tricks you can use to grow your blog and get more readers, but the reality is that unless you’re writing great blog posts, no one is going to want to read your blog, no matter how many creative ways you market it.

Here’s the hard truth: the single best way to accomplish your writing goals with a blog is to write better blog posts.

“

The single best way to grow your blog is to write better blog posts.

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So how do you write better blog posts, especially if you aren’t necessarily comfortable writing nonfiction “how-to style” articles?

Great Blog Posts Are About Problems

As a creative writer, it took me about seven years to find my own style of blogging. But now, every time I start writing a blog post, I already have a template, a structure, in mind before I start writing.

I developed this template from the three-act story structure:

1. In the first act, present a problem for your character.
2. In the second act, make that problem worse.
3. In the third act, solve the problem2.

The main difference is when you write a blog post, your character is your reader, and the story you’re telling is how to solve their own, unique problems.

How to Write a Blog Post in 5 Steps

Keeping that three-act structure in mind, here’s how to write a blog post in five steps:

1. Identify the Problem

The first step to write a better blog post is to write your lead. Also known as lede for journalism geeks, this term describes the first paragraph1, the hook of your story where your job is to grab the attention of the reader,

How do you hook your reader? Identify a problem that your reader desperately wants solved. (Another way to describe a lead is your premise.)

Length: one to three paragraphs.

2. Make the Problem Personal

Remember what “act two” was above? The next step is to make the problem personal, either by making the problem seem even worse or by telling your unique story in relationship to the problem.

How do you fit in to this problem? What is your personal connection to this problem?
Robert Frost said, “No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader. No surprise for the writer, no surprise for the reader.”2

Don’t just give us information, but summon the emotion to tell your story in a way that makes your audience care, connect, and want to take action.

Here you w1ant to create a sense of trust and identify with the reader, talking about what makes their problem so annoying.

Length: two or five paragraphs.

3. Tell a Solution Story

Now that you’ve talked about the problem and made the problem personal, talk about how the solution to that problem was discovered.

Note: You’re not giving the solution to your problem yet, just talking about how one person, maybe you, discovered the solution.

This is a great place to use case studies, customer testimonials, or your own story about how you discovered the solution to the problem.

Length: three to five paragraphs.

4. Solve the Problem

This is where you finally explain the solution to your readers’ problem.

Most people start their post here, with the solution. However, that’s a huge mistake. Skipping to the solution before you’ve fully explained the problem is like skipping to the climax in a novel without all the plot points that came before it. If you do, you might find that your article comes out flat.

So make sure to remember, you don’t get into the solution, the core points of your post, until you’re halfway through the article.

Length: as long as you want, but minimum of three paragraphs, depending on your post length.

5. Call Your Readers to Action

It’s not enough to tell people how to solve their problem. You have to tell them to go do it, showing them each of their next steps.

Another word for this is the “conclusion,” and surprisingly, many people skip it. However, it’s the single best place to connect the dots and show how your solution actually solves your readers’ problem.

Length: one to three paragraphs.

But You’re Not Quite Done

What makes blogging different than print newspapers or magazines? Blogging is interactive. That’s why a blog post is never finished until you’ve added a question to stimulate discussion. Scan to the end of a few blog posts from top bloggers (like Michael Hyatt or Jeff Goins). You’ll find that they always include a question to their readers. Give it a try!

Length: one or two sentences.

How Do You Learn to Write Great Blog Posts?

It took me a long time to discover a template that worked for me. Along the way I experimented with several different templates, many of which I still use (like my writing prompt template). I’ve found that this one, which I’ve explained here, works best for me in most situations, but that doesn’t mean I’m trapped into using it all the time.

You need to find your perfect template, too, and the only way you can do that is through practice (we’re fond of that around here).

So don’t take my word for it. Go try out this template and others and figure out what works best for you. (And don’t forget to have fun while you do it!)

How about you? What problem (or solution) you could write about today? Let us know in the comments.

PRACTICE

Write a blog post using these five steps. First, pick a problem that you know how to solve, and then write a blog post sharing the solution. If you post it on your blog, share the link in the comments section for the community to see how you did!

And as always, don’t forget to have fun! Happy writing!

Joe Bunting

Joe Bunting is a writer and entrepreneur. He is the author of the #1 Amazon Bestseller Let's Write a Short Story! and the co-founder of Story Cartel. You can follow him on Twitter (@joebunting).