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".