Reading and Writing Creative Nonfiction

1. Reading and
Writing Creative
Nonfiction

2. The 5’Rs of Creative
Nonfiction

3.  Lee Gutkind, who is a writer, professor, and expert
on creative nonfiction, wrote an essay called “The
Five R’s of Creative Nonfiction.” In this essay, he
identified five essential elements of creative
nonfiction. These include:

4. 1. Creative nonfiction has a “real life” aspect. The writer
constructs a personal essay, memoir, and so forth, that is
based on personal experience. He also writes about real
people and true events.
2. Creative nonfiction is based on the writer engaging in
personal “reflection” about what he/she is writing
about. After gathering information, the writer needs to analyze
and assess what he/she has collected. He then must evaluate
it and expression his thoughts, views, opinions. Personal
opinion is permissible and encouraged.

5. 3. Creative nonfiction requires that the writer complete research. The
writer needs to conduct research to learn about the topic. The writer
also needs to complete research to discover what has been written about
the topic. Even if a writer is crafting a personal essay, he will need to
complete secondary research, such as reviewing a personal journal, or
primary research, such as interviewing a friend or family member, to
ensure that the information is truthful and factual.
4. The fourth aspect of creative nonfiction is reading. Reading while
conducting research is not sufficient. The writer must read the work of
the masters of his profession.

6. 5. The final element of creative nonfiction is writing. Writing creative
nonfiction is both an art and craft. The art of creative nonfiction requires
that the writer uses his talents, instincts, creative abilities, and
imagination to write memorable creative nonfiction. The craft of
creative nonfiction requires that the writer learn and deploy the style
and techniques of creative nonfiction in his/her work.

7. Elements of Creative Nonfiction
 The creative nonfiction writer often incorporates
several elements of nonfiction when writing a memoir,
personal essay, travel writing, and so on. The following is
a brief explanation of the most common elements of
nonfiction:

8.  Fact. The writing must be based on fact, rather than
fiction. It cannot be made up.
 Extensive research. The piece of writing is based on
primary research, such as an interview or personal
experience, and often secondary research, such as
gathering information from books, magazines, and
newspapers.
 Reportage/reporting. The writer must be able to
document events or personal experiences.

9.  Personal experience and personal opinion. Often, the
writer includes personal experience, feelings, thoughts,
and opinions. For instance, when writing a personal essay
or memoir.
 Explanation/Exposition. The writer is required to explain
the personal experience or topic to the reader.
 Essay format. Creative nonfiction is often written in essay
format. Example: Personal Essay, Literary Journalistic
essay, brief essay.