The document outlines various types of creative nonfiction writing, including poetry, literary journalism essays, personal essays, memoirs, autobiographies, travel writing, food writing, profiles, journals, diaries, letters, song lyrics, scripts, storytelling, speeches, vignettes, blogs, copywriting, and advice columns. It provides brief definitions and examples of each type to illustrate the range of possibilities within creative nonfiction.

1. TYPES OF CREATIVE
NONFICTION

2. Poetry
Poetry is a popular but under-appreciated
type of writing, and it’s easily the most artistic
form of writing. You can write form poetry,
free-form poetry, and prose poetry.

3.  Literary journalism essay. The writer crafts an essay about an issue or topic
using literary devices, such as the elements of fiction and figurative
language.
 Essays. Essays are often associated with academic writing, but there are
many types of essays, including personal essays, descriptive essays, and
persuasive essays, all of which can be quite creative (and not especially
academic).
 Personal Essay. The writer crafts and essay that is based on personal
experience or a single event, which results in significant personal meaning
or a lesson learned. The writer uses the first person “I.”

4. Memoir.
The writer constructs a true story about a time or
period in his/life, one that had significant personal
meaning and a universal truth. The writer composes
the story using the first person “I.”

5. Autobiography.
The writer composes his/her life story, from birth to
the present, using the first person “I.”

6. Travel Writing.
The writer crafts articles or essays about travel
using literary devices.

7. • Food writing.
• The writer crafts stories about food and cuisine using
literary devices.

8.  Profiles.
 The writer constructs biographies or essays on real people
using literary devices.

9.  Journals:
 A journal is any written log. You could keep a gratitude
journal, a memory journal, a dream journal, or a goals journal.
Many writers keep idea journals or all-purpose omni-journals
that can be used for everything from daily free writes to
brainstorming and project planning.

10.  Diaries:
 A diary is a type of journal in which you write about your daily
life. Some diaries are written in letter format (“Dear Diary…”). If
you ever want to write a memoir, then it’s a good idea to start
keeping a diary.

11. Letters:
Because the ability to communicate effectively is
increasingly valuable, letter writing is a useful skill.
There is a long tradition of publishing letters, so take
extra care with those emails you’re shooting off to
friends, family, and business associates.

12.  Song Lyrics:
 Song lyrics combine the craft of writing with the artistry of
music. Composing lyrics is similar to writing poetry, and this is
an ideal type of writing for anyone who can play a musical
instrument.

13.  Scripts:
 Hit the screen or the stage by writing scripts for film,
television, theater, or video games. Beware: film is a director’s
medium, not a writer’s medium, but movies have the potential
to reach a non-reading audience.

14.  Storytelling.
 Storytelling is the most popular form of creative writing and is found in
the realms of both fiction and nonfiction writing. Popular forms of fiction
include flash fiction, short stories, novellas, and full-length novels; and
there are tons of genres to choose from. True stories, which are usually
firsthand or secondhand accounts of real people and events, can be found
in essays, diaries, memoirs, speeches, and more. Storytelling is a
tremendously valuable skill, as it can be found in all other forms of writing,
from poetry to speech writing.

15.  Speeches.
 Whether persuasive, inspirational, or informative, speech writing can lead
to interesting career opportunities in almost any field or industry. Also,
speech-writing skills will come in handy if you’re ever asked to write and
deliver a speech at an important event, such as a graduation, wedding, or
award ceremony.
 Speeches can be categorized into four broad areas depending on the
amount of preparation that is undertaken and depending upon the nature
of the occasion. The four types of speeches are manuscript, memorized,
extemporaneous, and impromptu.

16.  Vignettes.
 A vignette is defined as “a brief evocative description,
account, or episode.” Vignettes can be poems, stories,
descriptions, personal accounts…anything goes really. The key
is that a vignette is extremely short — just a quick snippet.

17. Blogs.
A blog is not a type of writing; it’s a publishing
platform — a piece of technology that displays web-
based content on an electronic device. A blog can be
used to publish any type of writing. Most blogs
feature articles and essays, but you can also find
blogs that contain diaries or journals, poetry, fiction,
journalism, and more.

18.  Copywriting
 Copywriting is the act or occupation of writing text for the
purpose of advertising or other forms of marketing. The
product, called copy or sales copy, is written content that aims
to increase brand awareness and ultimately persuade a
person or group to take a particular action.

19.  Advice Columns
 An advice column is a column in a question and answer
format. Typically, a (usually anonymous) reader writes to the
media outlet with a problem in the form of a question, and
the media outlet provides an answer or response.