"Will you?

"

By: Rona Graciano Thomas Jefferson once said, "Ignorance of the law excuses no one."

This is true, but not for most motorists and drivers in the Philippines who were and are still ignorant of a
simple law stating that you need to stop on a pedestrian crossing. Have you ever wondered how they got
the license to drive when most of them just ignore and disrespect the pedestrian lane ALL THE TIME?
Everybody knows that those white lines are on every road not as decorations but for the most obvious
reason, which is to protect people's lives.

How many people have lost their precious lives simply because of these stubborn and ignorant drivers
who never, once in their lives, understood the importance of stopping for the pedestrians to cross? It
happened many times and it has been happening still for such a long time but has anyone ever paid
attention to solve this? Sometimes if the accident already happened, these reckless drivers are
compliant and tend to run away from their obligations.

Sad truth is, so many pedestrians who were just walking across the street died on the spot----in that very
spot where they are supposed to be safe.

Now, let me ask you. Yes, you. Someday, you will have your hands on a steering wheel and a driver's
license in your wallet. Will you turn out to be one of those ignorant people?

I hope not. I hope that even though it is not a strict law in the Philippines to show respect to those white
horizontal lines, you, as a responsible person, would care to stop and let these pedestrians cross.
Pedestrians who could be pregnant women, persons with disabilities, young students full of wonderful
dreams, old people who could barely walk, or just any ordinary person who deserves to live.

When you hit those roads one day, and you know there is a law somewhere that you need to stop for
these pedestrian crossings, will you?

USING ELEMENTS OF CREATIVE NONFICTION

A. Plot- this is how the author arranges the events in the story. This has five important parts: Exposition,
Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution/Ending.

B. Chronological Order - usually, this is how the author arranges the events in his/her work by time.
Using a chronological timeline is the easiest way for the readers to follow what happens and specifically
the best way to show cause and effect.
C. Characters - this refers to a person, creature, or a thing that the authors use to perform the actions
and speak dialogue, moving the story along a plotline.

D. Characterization - this refers to the way the author reveals the personality of a character.

E. Point of View - this refers to who is telling or narrating the story. In

F. Angle- this is the story's point or theme. It is the precise viewpoint or perspective from which the
author narrates his or her story.

G. Theme-This is the central idea that is weaved through the essay or creative nonfiction work. It usually
reveals the universal truth.

H. Setting and Atmosphere - Usually, this refers to the place where the story happened. But this also
includes the time of the day, atmosphere, and weather conditions. Mostly, an effective story establishes
the setting its beginning part.

1 Imagery - This is when the writer concepts "word pictures" using sensory language. This may be
figurative or literal.

J. Symbols and Symbolisms - this is applied whenever one thing represents something else. This helps
create meaning and emotion in a story.

Examples: The book can represent knowledge/wisdom

Dove can represent peace and freedom.

Birdcage can represent imprisonment

K. Irony-this refers to the difference between certainty or truth and how things seem to be. As a literary
technique used when the countenance of one's meaning typically denotes the opposite, naturally this is
intended for humorous or emphatic effect.

L. Figures of Speech-this is a word or phrase used to represent another idea in a non-literal or

emblematic sense for a stylistic or brilliant effect.

M. Dialogue - This is the conversation spoken between people. It is also an

important component of creative nonfiction.

N. Scene - these are the building blocks or and anchoring elements of creative nonfiction

O. Author's purpose-In general, the author's purpose in creative nonfiction is to communicate

information, just like a broadcaster, but delivers it in a way that reads like fiction.

DEVELOPING THEMES BY COMBINING MULTIPLE ELEMENTS

As discussed in the previous lessons, there are various elements used in creative nonfiction. These
elements are essential in order to create a vivid and engaging story. It also makes the readers to easily
understand the flow, structure, and message of the literary genre they are reading. Learning and
familiarizing with these elements will form a concrete foundation leading to the appreciation of
innumerable pieces of literary genres.

Characters, characterization, plot, chronological order, point of view, setting, atmosphere, imagery,
figures of speech, symbols and symbolisms, mood, tone, and author's purpose are some of elements
that contribute a greater impact to the development of the story or selection whether it is fiction or
nonfiction. These are considered vital in the development of the central idea of the literary pieces,

Characters and characterization play a significant role for without it, no story will form. Writers should
know how to develop characters as it will also help in the development of the theme of the selection.

Plot is one of the most indispensable parts of a story and has various functions such as: it focuses
attention on the main characters and their characterization in the story, it encourages the characters to
mark or touch the story, and links the events in a systematic manner.

Chronological order helps the reader to easily chase for the important information in the story since it is
arranged properly and orderly.

How about the point of view? Point of view is also vital in a story for it yields the reader to comprehend
the character's feelings and action.

Setting and atmosphere on the other hand, are important in setting the mood, character's behavior,
dialog, and emotional response. These also portray and reflect the society of the characters and usually
relate in the real-life story.

Imagery also contributes a lot in the story as it makes the abstract become more concrete and tangible
to the reader and it also makes the readers feel more connected to the messages and ideas of the story.

Figures of speech enhances the creative mind of the authors and adds beauty to the story. These also
express the purpose of the author and bring the readers to also imagine the content of the story.
Symbols and symbolisms are applied whenever one thing represents something else where it helps
create meaning and emotion in story.

Mood and tone are literary elements that help generate the central idea of a story. Both of these
enhance the reader's experience and convey messages leading to the development of the main idea of
the selection.

Author's purpose is basically the objective or goal of the author in writing a information; it also helps
readers understand the text and guides them to grasp the literary piece. Usually the author's purpose in
creative nonfiction is to communicate message or thought of it.

Elements of fiction and nonfiction combined with one another will develop an effective theme of the
story. These contribute a lot to help the readers grasp the theme and messages of the story and pave the
way to reveal the central idea of the text.

Creative nonfiction encompasses writing personal experiences, real happenings, or people that are
purely based on facts rather than fiction. In this lesson, you will encounter its various forms and types
which are listed below.

Autobiography - It is the writer's retelling of his/her life, making him or her main character of the story.
Also, in this type, the main source of information is the writer's personal memory.

Biography - is a written story by someone about another person's life often the lives of famous people
like celebrities or public figures.

Literary Journalism - this is creative nonfiction that associates accurate reporting with narrative
techniques, and stylistic strategies conventionally linked with fiction.

Personal Narrative - this emphasizes the personal experience that is a turning point, a change in
direction, or an event that has substantial sense.

Travelogue - It refers to a personal account of a journey with many truthful details.

Reflection Essay- this is when the writer uses a person's experience/s where he/she writes his/her
reflection to present a deeper discussion of the topic.

True Narrative-this is a story based on the actual scenario or event which aims to express the
observation and provide significant information and explanation.

Blog- this is a website in which someone writes about personal opinions, activities, and experiences, the
things that a person writes on such a website.

Testimonio this refers to a statement stating a fact, truth, or claim which restates historical event utilizing
literary elements such as dialogues fromneyewitness viewpoint.

Autobiography vs. Biography

What is an autobiography?

An autobiography is the writer's retelling of his or her life, making him or her main character of the story.
Here, the writer's personal memory is the main source of information. Its main purpose is to describe
the life experiences and accomplishments of the author. The writer often begins his/her story from early
childhood up to the present. It is arranged in chronologically detailed- key events throughout their life.

Autobiographies usually comprise information about where a person was born and brought up, their
educational background, career, life experiences, the challenges they faced, major contributions, and
their key achievements. One of the main differences between an autobiography and a biography is that
autobiographies are more personal or subjective. That's because they are written by the subject, and
present the facts based on the writer's own memories of specific situation, which can be biased
sometimes.

Some of the famous autobiographies are :

The Story of My Life by Helen Keller, and

The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

Losing My Virginity by Richard Branson

What is a biography?

A biography is a written story by someone about another person's life which often features the lives of
famous people like celebrities or public figures. The main difference between a biography to an
autobiography is that the author of a biography is not the subject.

Biographies consist of facts of significant events that formed the subject's life, and details about their
birthplace, education, work, relationships, and contributions. Biographers need to use a number of
research sources which include, letters, diaries, photographs, essays, references, interviews, books, and
newspapers. Although it is usually presented in written form, it can also be produced in other
arrangements such as an educational film or music composition. Some of the famous biographies are His
Excellency: George Washington by Joseph J. Ellis, Einstein: The Life and Times by Ronald William Clark,
Princess Diana - A Biography of The Princess of Wales by Drew L. Crichton
LITERARY JOURNALISM

Literary Journalism is a form of creative nonfiction that associates accurate reporting and well-
researched information with narrative techniques and stylistic strategies conventionally linked with
fiction. It is also related to immersion journalism, where an author follows a topic or theme for a lengthy
period of time and gives an individual's experiences from an intensely personal viewpoint. Reportage is
its kind which reports an event, history, or an actual case based on direct observation, investigation, or
thorough research and documentation.

1. Choose an interesting topic

Your chosen topic could be something about adventure, business, crime story, family saga, history,
popular culture, sports, artists etc.

2. Conduct a Research

Research your topic for literary journalism is based on facts. The best thing to use is the personal
reportage.

3. Use Dramatic Scenes

To bring a good flow and to make your work more interesting you need to integrate "scene building". To
do this, you don't just need to tell the readers but you have to show them through a creative style of
writing.

4. Make a good lead, content, and ending.

Your story needs to have a good lead to catch readers' attention, a good content to maintain excitement
and a good ending to satisfy your audience.

Before you start writing your literary journalism, it is better to ask yourself the following questions:

1. What kind of lead will I use?

2. What is an interesting issue or topic today?

3. What are the themes?

4. What facts do I already have and still need?

5. Are my facts provable?

6. Do I still need to interview?

7. What are my understandings or views on the issue/topic?

8. How will I include my understandings or views on the said topic or issue?

How to conduct research for your chosen topic?

1. Do an observation of your chosen topic and make notes of it.

2. You can also interview an expert on that topic.

3. Engage yourself in your chosen topic or issue or live the experience.

4. Go to the library. Read related books, articles, or newspapers that might help you broaden your
knowledge about your chosen topic.

5. Search on the web. You can always search on Google.

Why is it important to use a dramatic scene?

This will lead you to recreate an experience in the minds of the readers. That's why to make a good
dramatic scene you need to include time, place, details and description, action, and dialogue.

Why do you need to use good lead, content, and ending?

A good lead contains the reason or purpose of why they need to read your literary journalism. Here you
need a good point to convince or persuade your readers. It can be an interesting fact, a form of a mind-
blowing question, quotation or anecdote.

A good body of literary journalism tells additional important facts. Here you can include your opinions
and feelings about the issue or topic. It is also important to use literary devices such as descriptive
language or figurative language.

A good closing leaves the reader an important lesson that will make an impact on them.

Source: Creative Non-Fiction by Kristine P. Graciano and Mary Grade Naparam