Learning

Explain the
relationship of
Compare and
elements and ideas
found in the various contrast the
forms and different forms and
types of creative types of creative
nonfictional texts nonfictional
through a close
texts.
reading.
If creative nonfiction has been written for as long as we can
remember, then it is safe to assume that there are various creative
nonfiction forms and works out there. Chances are, you have read a
lot of these genre forms, and perhaps, have at one point or another
appreciated those works because they seem so relatable, or
practical, or that they’re simply fun and easy to read.
Keywords
Autobiography/Biography
Literary Journalism/Reportage
Personal Narrative
Travelogue
Reflection Essay
True Narrative
Vlog/Blog
Testimonio
 An autobiography is a self-authored story of a person’s life. It is an account of
one’s life written or recorded in some way by that person.

The best way to write an autobiography is to treat your life as an interesting

story. Starting from birth, enhance the story’s appeal as you take the reader or
listener through the different stages of your life.

Autobiographies are often confused with memoirs. An autobiography is the

inspiring story of a person’s entire life and the societal setting thereof, while
memoirs have a narrower focus on the narration of a particular span of time
within the subject’s lifetime. It mostly deals with individual’s memories, feelings
and emotions. Memoirs are generally much shorter in length because they tend
to concentrate on a particular theme rather than the entire life of the person.
 Literary journalism is the creative nonfiction form that comes closest to
newspaper and magazine writing. It is fact-driven and requires research and,
often, interviews.
Literary journalism is sometimes called “immersion journalism” because it
requires a closer, more active relationship to the subject and to the people the
literary journalist is exploring. Like journalistic writing, the literary journalism piece
should be well-researched, focus on a brief period of time, and concentrate on
what is happening outside of the writer’s small circle of personal experience and
feelings.
 Literary Journalism is also known as docufiction, immersion journalism,
new journalism, narrative journalism or creative non-fiction. Literary
Journalists immerse themselves in a subject’s world and write information that
take the form of reports but shape them in such a way that the report reads like
fiction.
Some of the writings that fall within the genre of Literary Journalism include
biography, memoirs, personal essay, travel writing, hybridized essays, and
food writing among others.
 Writing a personal narrative essay is sometimes confused with writing some
things in your diary. But it’s not merely just that. Although narrative essays tell
instances in your life, these instances are meant to deliver an impactful point or
two to your audience. The instances that can be cited in this type of essays don’t
really have to be extremely rare and anything mundane can also be written on it.
Personal narrative essays can be written as a means to point out the activities
in our mundane life and painting them in another light. From sharp observations,
significant questions which should not be ignored can then be formulated.
Subsequently, a growing curiosity transforms into an individual need that
compels the individual to learn and familiarize the principles on a certain matter.
a. Travelogue

A travelogue is a person’s account of a journey to another country or

place. It can either be a written report with many factual details or a narrative
story about personal impressions and experiences supported by images.
Travel writing is quite a popular genre. People take the help of the
travelogues to know about a particular place before deciding to visit it. Travel
writing generally gives detailed information about the attractions of a place so
that people get tempted to go there on their vacations. Hence, writers involved
in travel writing should follow some specific rules to make their travelogues
more appealing and interesting to the readers.
b. Reflection essay

Reflective writing helps us to think more about ourselves, who we are,

and how we have changed. A reflective essay is an essay in which the writer
examines his or her experiences in life. The writer then writes about those
experiences, exploring how he or she has changed, developed or grown from
those experiences.
The format of a reflective essay may change slightly depending on who
the audience is. For example, writing a reflective essay for a college course
and an academic audience will have slight changes in how the essay is
organized from writing a reflective essay for a magazine or a collection of
essays, which has a broader audience, without people who have necessarily
gone to college. However, some major elements go into a typical reflective
essay: introduction, body and conclusion.
c. True narratives

In a narrative essay, the writer tells a story about a real-life experience.

Everyone enjoys a good story—especially one that captures the
imagination.
However, the narrative essay goes further. In it, the writer places a personal
experience within the context of a larger theme, such as a lesson learned.
When writing a narrative essay, the writer wants not only to tell a good story,
but also convey why the story has meaning.
d. Vlogs

A typical vlog combines text, images, videos and links to relevant

pages and media on the Web. Blog readers can leave comments
and communicate with the author. In fact, dialogue and interaction
are a popular part of a blog’s success.
e. Blogs A blog

(shortened from the phrase “weblog”) is known as many things—a digital magazine, diary,
newscast, collector’s meeting place, a showcase for your art, information sharing, teaching
hub, place to learn and... well, almost anything you want it to be. A typical blog combines
text, images, and links to relevant pages and media on the Web. Blog readers can leave
comments and communicate with the author. In fact, dialogue and interaction are a
popular part of a blog’s success.

In the blogging world, you have the word “blog” (an online journal), “blogger” (the person
who owns and contributes to a blog) and “blogging” (the act of creating content for the
blog). You can be a “blogger blogging on a blog,” a “blog about a blogger blogging” or a
“blogging blog about a blogger.”
Here are the most popular styles and types of blogs:

1. Personal blogs share thoughts, original art, poems, writing or photography.

Some sell custom crafts, art or products. If you just want to make a statement,
show your DIY (do it yourself) skills, have fun or blog for therapy, a personal
blog is perfect for your needs.

2. Business blogs are created in the voice of the company, as a crucial

component of marketing. They can function as a direct-sales tool and are
outstanding for both messaging and two-way communication as part of a
company’s public relations efforts. Blogs are effective and cost-efficient vehicles
for small organizations that need to publish information for their customers or
members.
3. Niche/topical blogs focus on a particular interest. They can be about health,
gardening, education, sports, fashion or or lifestyle. Name your special interest
and you can blog about it. If you’re a collector of antiques, a true-mystery fan, a
travel addict or just love cooking, there may be a blog in your future. Niche
blogs easily attract loyal followers, which contributes to the fun of blogging.
4. Media-type blogs are defined by their content. If you enjoy video blogging,
then you’re a vlogger. If you curate content from other websites, you have a
linklog. If you post photos or art sketches on your blog, you’re hosting a
photoblog or artblog.
5. Reverse blogs are a unique but popular type of blog. Instead of the owner
creating content, the content is supplied by the public. A reverse blog has a
team who moderate posts, prevent unpleasant interactions and promote slow
topics for greater interactivity.
f. Testimonio

In the recent decades there has been a new immergence in Latin

American literature, testimonial literature, or the testimonio. Testimonial
literature is “an authentic narrative, told by a witness who is moved to narrate
by the urgency of a situation (e.g., war, oppression, revolution, etc.).
Emphasizing popular oral discourse, the witness portrays his or her own
experience as a representative of a collective memory and identity.
According to Gugelberger & Kearney (1991) this narrative is an attempt
to create a “global reordering of a social and economic context of
power/differences within which “literature” is produced and consumed.” It is an
attempt to restructure and challenge mainstream literature, and adding the
real perspective and discourse of the “other”, marginalized groups, and create
a consciousness of their existence and importance in the greater society. By
challenging the mainstream canon it affected the concept of “natural” and
accepted status quo, not only in the country produced but in gather global
attention allowing the question of the exploitation and marginalization of
subaltern groups.
Directions: Choose from the pool of words that corresponds the statement
below. Write your answers in ¼ sheet of paper

testimonio
vlog
Biography
autobiography
true narrative
personal narrative
reflection essay
travelogue blog
literary journalism/reportage
Directions: Choose from the pool of words that corresponds the statement
below. Write your answers in ¼ sheet of paper

testimonio
vlog
1. It combines text, images, videos and links to relevant
Biography
autobiography pages and media on the
true narrative Web.
personal narrative 2. It is a self-authored story of a person’s life.
reflection essay 3. It is “an authentic narrative, told by a witness who is
travelogue moved to narrate by the
blog urgency of a situation (e.g., war, oppression, revolution,
literary journalism/reportage etc.).
4. It tells instances in the writer’s life which are meant to
deliver an impactful
point or two to the audience.
Directions: Choose from the pool of words that corresponds the statement
below. Write your answers in ¼ sheet of paper

testimonio
vlog
5. It is a person’s account of a journey to another
Biography country or place.
autobiography 6. It is the creative nonfiction form that comes closest to
true narrative newspaper and
personal narrative magazine writing.
reflection essay 7. It is an essay in which the writer examines his or her
travelogue experiences in life.
blog
8. It is a creative nonfiction work wherein the writer
literary journalism/reportage
places a personal experience
within the context of a larger theme, such as a lesson
learned.
ANSWER KEY

1. Blog
2. Autobiography
3. Testimonio
4. True Narrative
5. Travelogue
6. Literary journalism/reportage
7. Reflection essay
8. Personal Narrative
1. Autobiography. It is a life story written by the author himself.
2. Biography. It is a life story of a person written by another.
3. Literary Journalism/Reportage. It is the creative nonfiction form that
comes
closest to newspaper and magazine writing. It is fact-driven and requires
research and, often, interviews.
4. Personal Narrative. It is a narrative essay about a true story of something
that happened to someone, usually told to illustrate an insight. It is based on
autobiographical events.
5. Travelogue. It is a story of the experiences encountered by someone while
touring a place for the pleasure of travel
6. Reflection Essay. It is a form of writing that examines and observes the
progress and meaning of a writer’s individual experiences like a journal about
the thoughts on a certain topic.
7. True Narrative. It is an objective account of something (e.g. journalistic
report).
8. Blog. It combines text, images and links to relevant pages and media on the
Web.
9. Vlog. It combines text, images, videos and links to relevant pages and media
on the Web.
10.Testimonio. It is a solemn attestation as to the truth of a matter. In literature,
it is an oral or written autobiographical narrative referred to as “testimonial
literature.” The term “testimonio” refers to a kind of writing which comes from
Latin America, dealing with experiences of human rights abuse.