A creative nonfiction essay is a distinctive kind of academic writing that can be both fiction and nonfiction. It is usually inspired by some real-life incident, event, or place and uses this as a springboard to provoke thought, engage with the reader, and develop ideas.
These essays tend to be more conversational in tone, but they may also include some elements of formal prose. Let’s take a look at how to write a creative nonfiction essay.
1. Create a solid story framework.
Since creative nonfiction is, at its core, a story, it makes sense to start by developing a framework for that story. You can use a combination of anecdotes, research, and theory to build a solid foundation for your piece, but you should start by immersing yourself in the world of your story to see it from multiple perspectives. Once you have a solid foundation, you can start to add chapters and sub-plots to flesh it out further. With a clear idea of where you’re going with your story, you can make more cohesive choices about details and plot points.
2. Choose details that will make your story memorable.
Memorable details have the power to transform an ordinary story into an extraordinary one. You want to find those little gems that make your story more interesting and engaging; the kinds of details that will stick in your reader’s mind. You can use your notes and your research to come up with these gems, but it’s up to you to choose which ones to include in your final draft. This step is a crucial one; you don’t want to rush it, as choosing the right details takes time and effort.
3. Organize your thoughts.
Like any good story, the narrative of your creative nonfiction essay should flow naturally and make sense in sequence. You should have a clear idea of the main points you are trying to make and how you are going to make them. To do this, you first need to lay out all your relevant details and observations in a logical and clear order. Consider the following example:
“A few years back, I had the pleasure of touring the Australian outback with my family. What an amazing experience that was! It’s not everyday you get to spend some quality time with your kids and hubby while witnessing spectacular landscapes and taking in the breathtaking panoramas. We were fortunate enough to see kangaroos hopping around, drinking from the pools, and being generally adorable. I especially liked how the kangaroos would come up to our car window and peer inside at the passengers. The sun was setting as we were driving along and it was getting dark. Suddenly, a bright light shone in the distance, distracting us from the highway. We were then treated to a stunning sunset, as the sun dipped down behind the hillsides. It was quite the unforgettable sight. That is, until we were rounded up by a squad of angry wild dogs.
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This piece would be more effective if it were arranged like this:
“A few years back, I had the pleasure of touring the Australian outback with my family. What an amazing experience that was! It’s not everyday you get to spend some quality time with your kids and hubby while witnessing spectacular landscapes and taking in the breathtaking panoramas. We were fortunate enough to see kangaroos hopping around, drinking from the pools, and being generally adorable. I especially liked how the kangaroos would come up to our car window and peer inside at the passengers. The sun was setting as we were driving along and it was getting dark. Suddenly, a bright light shone in the distance, distracting us from the highway. We were then treated to a stunning sunset, as the sun dipped down behind the hillsides. It was quite the unforgettable sight. That is, until we were rounded up by a squad of angry wild dogs.
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In this case, the central metaphor is the sunset, which leads to the inevitable question: What is sunset? Why did I choose this image and what is it trying to tell me? These are all valid questions, which the writer has answered through a series of well-chosen details and observations. Additionally, the writer has used the setting—the Australian outback—as a springboard for exploring a range of interesting ideas, including nature and wildlife, as well as the impact of technology on contemporary society. This is a creative nonfiction essay with a clear idea of what it is and what it is trying to do. It also has a strong structure and a memorable framework that make it easy to follow along and remember what happened. This article would be a perfect fit for an A-level English course, as it provides scope for critical thinking and analysis as well as a range of creative writing tasks, including short stories, fables, and novels. Students can also extend their analysis into a longer piece for an undergraduate dissertation.
4. Create a strong thesis statement.
A strong thesis statement should be based on a unique insight you have gained from your research. It should be a simple and compelling statement that makes your argument clear and compelling. It should also be memorable, so that it can be referenced back to at the end. Consider the following:
“Our family vacation this year was to Coqui, a little town in southern France. It’s a beautiful place, with cobbled streets and brightly painted houses. The food is fantastic, and the people are friendly. In the evenings, we go for walks along the beach, listen to live music, and try local wines. It was an idyllic holiday, made all the more special because it was our first visit to Europe as a family. Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be. As we were about to leave the airport security officer stopped us and asked for our passports and mobile phones. He then informed us that because France is a terrorist target, all smartphones must be checked. It was an odd request, but we had no choice but to comply. After handing over our devices, we were free to go. Looking back, it was a risk we took in leaving our phones behind, but we couldn’t help but feel safer without them.
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The statement here is strong because it identifies a specific issue that the reader can relate to and understand. The writer has used personal experience to bring international intrigue and uncertainty into the equation, which makes the statement even more powerful. Additionally, the writer has used detailed language to paint a picture for the reader of an idyllic family vacation turned into a chaotic nightmare. This is very effective creative nonfiction, as it draws the reader in and keeps their attention through the use of evocative language and powerful imagery. This article would make an effective addition to a business school case study examining the ethics of security and data privacy in the context of international travel. Students can also use this as a springboard to write an opinion piece for a newspaper, magazine, or blog.
5. Use strong verbs.
To ensure that your readers understand what is being said, you need to use words with strong verbs. These are verbs that carry with them a clear and unambiguous meaning, which are easy to understand. Consider the following example:
“The flight was uneventful, apart from the fact that there was a bloody great cockroach in the seat next to me. He was lucky enough to be near a supply of crumbs, which he proceeded to eat, oblivious to my discomfort. Even worse, the pair of yobs behind me started a conversation about sports cars, which led to them comparing the merits of various Mercedes models. I tuned them out as I had to concentrate on not throwing up. Imagine my relief when we landed and I could get the hell out of there.
In this case, the writer is trying to persuade the reader to believe that the situation involving the cockroach was unpleasant. By using strong verbs, the writer is able to paint a clear picture for the reader – this description of the incident is certainly unpleasant, isn’t it? As well as being effective, the use of strong verbs provides a link to the earliest written language, which is a skill that will serve you well in the future. Consider how much more effective this piece would be if it were written in the active voice:
“While on holiday in Tulum, Mexico, my wife and I were horrified to see a dead bird in the road. It seems that a car or truck has run over it, killing it instantly. In some places on holiday, you might come across dead animals on the side of the road. However, this is the first time I’ve seen a dead bird in the street and it’s a sad fact that despite our best efforts as drivers, sometimes accidents happen. It’s a reminder that even the best-laid plans can go wrong.
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