This document provides an overview of a creative nonfiction writing workshop that focuses on critiquing different types of creative nonfiction pieces. It discusses what a critique is, how to structure a critique paragraph in three parts, and provides examples of critique paragraphs for short stories. The document aims to teach participants how to analyze, interpret and evaluate creative nonfiction works constructively.
4. CREATIVE NONFICTION
WEEK TOPIC
1 The Critique
2 Critiquing Biographies and Autobiographies
3 Critiquing Personal Narratives
4 Critiquing Travelogues
5 Critiquing Blogs and Testimonies
6 Write a mini critique of a peer’s work
7 Write a draft of creative nonfiction piece based on
memorable real-life experience
8 Quarter Wrap-up
Quarter 4
5.
6. • Decide whether you like the
following items or not.
• In the comments section, type in one
to two sentences telling the reason
why you like the object or not.
11. WHAT IS A CRITIQUE?
NOUN: An analysis and evaluation of a
subject, situation, literary work, etc.
VERB: To analyze and evaluate a subject,
situation, literary work, etc.
(Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition)
12. WHAT IS A CRITIQUE?
A critique is an opinion, supported by
evidence, about the themes, setting,
symbols, and other elements of a
nonfiction piece.
(libguides.dickinson.edu)
13. I don’t like ampalaya because
of its bitter taste.
14. WHAT DOES A CRITIQUE DO?
Describe: gives the reader a sense of
the writer’s purpose
Analyze: examine how the structure
and language of the text convey
meaning
(hunter.cuny.edu)
15. WHAT DOES A CRITIQUE DO?
Interpret: state the significance or
importance of each part of the text
Assess: make a judgment of the
work’s worth or value
(hunter.cuny.edu)
16. CRITIQUE VS CRITICIZE
CRITIQUE
• Well-rounded
• Strengths and
weaknesses
• Examine and analyze
• Provide perspective
CRITICIZE
• One -sided
• Point out faults
• Destroy
19. DANCE ME TO THE END
Four o’clock on a Friday afternoon. My
grandmother slumps against the arm of the
sofa, eyes half-closed, sinking down, down,
down. The tips of her fingers graze the floor,
and she moves them about, grasping at some
hidden thing she keeps secret.
Jennifer Anderson, 2019. Brevitymag.com
20. DANCE ME TO THE END
Today is no different. She has just turned
ninety. The dementia, the vision and hearing
loss have made her close in on herself. She
seldom speaks unless prompted. Her
responses are brief. Yes. No. I suppose.
Jennifer Anderson, 2019. Brevitymag.com
21. DANCE ME TO THE END
Some days she parts her lips as if to talk.
Gulping air, a terrible fish. She cannot find the
words at all.
It’s time for bed.
Jennifer Anderson, 2019. Brevitymag.com
22. DANCE ME TO THE END
She wraps her arms around me and rests her
head on my shoulder. Dean Martin sings
another standard, and we begin to sway. I rub
her back, the sharp wings of her shoulders.
She presses her cheek against the pulse in my
throat.
Jennifer Anderson, 2019. Brevitymag.com
23. DANCE ME TO THE END
My baby, she murmurs. Beside us, there is a
mirror on the bureau. I don’t need to look. We
lean into each other, my grandmother and I,
as if we have always moved together this
way, holding each other so tight that we
become one.
Jennifer Anderson, 2019. Brevitymag.com
24. DANCE ME TO THE END
Jennifer Anderson
SAMPLE CRITIQUE PARAGRAPH
25. SAMPLE CRITIQUE PARAGRAPH
Jennifer Anderson’s “Dance me to the End”
explores the theme of love defying old age.
Throughout the story, the grandmother is
depicted as helpless and has difficulty
speaking beyond “Yes. No. I suppose.” The
author describes her as a “terrible fish” gulping
for air, her old age restricting her speech.
26. SAMPLE CRITIQUE PARAGRAPH
However, towards the end, the
grandmother expressed her affection
towards the author with the endearment,
"my baby” as they held each other tight
and danced. The grandmother defied the
limitations of old age to express her love.
28. TOPIC SENTENCE
•States your argument for the entire
paragraph.
•It could be a description, analysis,
interpretation, or assessment of the work.
•Begins with the author’s name and the title
of the work.
29. TOPIC SENTENCE IDEAS
•What did you like about the story?
•What do you think is the theme of the
story?
•What do you think about the character/s?
•What imagery or symbols stood out to
you?
30. Jennifer Anderson’s “Dance me to the End”
explores the theme of love defying old age.
Throughout the story, the grandmother is
depicted as helpless and has difficulty
speaking beyond “Yes. No. I suppose.” The
author describes her as a “terrible fish” gulping
for air, her old age restricting her speech.
31. EVIDENCE and EXPLANATION
•Parts of the story that prove your point.
•You may use in-text citations or summaries
as pieces of evidence
•Make sure to explain the importance of
your evidence after presenting it
32. Jennifer Anderson’s “Dance me to the End”
explores the theme of love defying old age.
Throughout the story, the grandmother is
depicted as helpless and has difficulty
speaking beyond “Yes. No. I suppose.” The
author describes her as a “terrible fish” gulping
for air, her old age restricting her speech.
33. CONCLUDING SENTENCE
•Reinforces your topic sentence
•Reminds your readers about the
argument you are trying to prove
•Provides the closure we all need
34. However, towards the end, the
grandmother expressed her affection
towards the author with the endearment,
"my baby” as they held each other tight
and danced. The grandmother defied the
limitations of old age to express her love.
35.
36.
37. CHECKPOINT
• Determine which part of a
critique paragraph the
following descriptions are
referring to.
• Write your answers in the
comments section.
39. CHECKPOINT
A. Topic Sentence
B. Evidence and Explanation
C. Concluding Sentence
1. Begins with the
author’s name and the
title of the work.
40. CHECKPOINT
A. Topic Sentence
B. Evidence and Explanation
C. Concluding Sentence
2. Reminds your readers
about the argument
you are trying to prove
41. CHECKPOINT
A. Topic Sentence
B. Evidence and Explanation
C. Concluding Sentence
3. You may use in-text
citations or summaries
as pieces of evidence
43. WE USED TO BE
He was sitting at the last bench on the last row
of the humid church building. I did not make
eye contact. I never tried. He would not
either. I’m sure.
However, I see him in my peripheral vision, his
expression somber.
Kit Nadado, 2019
44. WE USED TO BE
He looked tired. Three-days old worth of
mustache and scruff. His hair disheveled, a
little different than what he used to have.
He had great hair. I would tell him that. He
used to smile from across the building.
Kit Nadado, 2019
45. WE USED TO BE
We were really close. Like brothers. Best
friends, I think. At least from before.
I turned left towards the restrooms.
He was there.
Kit Nadado, 2019
46. WE USED TO BE
It was a narrow corridor. I couldn’t have
avoided him. I did not. We made eye
contact.
“Ui, kapatid,” I said.
“Kuya.”
Kit Nadado, 2019
47. WE USED TO BE
The hug was tentative. It was so fast it felt like
a blur. It was more of an obligation. Like he
did not have a choice. Like it never
happened.
He left and I kept walking.
I never looked back since.
Kit Nadado, 2019
49. SAMPLE CRITIQUE PARAGRAPH
Kit Nadado’s “We Used to be” uses the
hug between the characters to portray
pride. The author misses his friend as he
reminisces, “We were really close. Like
brothers.” However, the hug at the end of
the story is insincere, “tentative” and “like
it never happened.”
50. SAMPLE CRITIQUE PARAGRAPH
Apparently, they have not forgiven each
other yet, and still hold grudges. The hug is
the ultimate indicator of the pride that
prevents them from reconciling their
differences.
51. CHALLENGE
• Write a critique paragraph (3-5
sentences) about an excerpt
• Follow the TOPIC SENTENCE, EVIDENCE
AND EXPLANATION, and CONCLUDING
SENTENCE format
• Post your critique paragraph using
#etulaynonfiction
CREATIVE NONFICTION
52. “Criticism may not be agreeable,
but it is necessary. It fulfills the
same function as pain in the
human body. It calls attention to
an unhealthy state of things.”
-WINSTON CHURCHILL
