Phil Druker/Department of English/ University of Idaho

 

Phil Druker/English 309

Goals of creative non-fiction

1. Deal with an issue/problem people are concerned about or find a way to make them concerned or interested.

Consider your audience
Use non-fiction techniques to draw the reader in:

narration
characterization
setting/place
personal involvement

Give background to educate your readers
Give your readers new information to help them understand themselves, the world better

2.Provide accurate data.

Be truthful.  Be honest.
Research thoroughly and carefully (the more you look, the more you’ll find)
Use a variety of sources:

primary (interviews, trips to the place, personal experience, surveys)

secondary (library research . . . .)

Cite your sources so readers know how you gathered the information

3. Report fairly.

Be objective.
Be logical.
Select information carefully.
Provide details.
Use facts, real people, real situations. Be frank. Don’t be too personal.

4. Interpret your information.

*Introduce
*Give facts, examples, quotations, . . .
*Analyze, interpret, explain, synthesize.

5. Draw conclusions.

6. Organize your information.

Put your information in a logical order (chronological, spatial, dramatic, general to specific. . . .).
Put your information in an interesting order.
Use clear paragraphs (topic/purpose).
Deal with information in blocks.
Consider using headings.

7. Use interesting language.

vivid, useful details
quotations / vernacular
metaphor
imagery
humor
rhythm, pacing

Here's a definition of creative non-fiction.