February 28, 2021

Assignment
Creative Writing Nonfiction
Submitted by: Nylvie Loire Aviles Collamat
Submitted to: Mrs. Catherine Palmera Blanco

1. Compare and contrast the traditional structures of creative nonfiction to the structures of
creative nonfiction according to Tim Bascom.
Traditional creative nonfiction structures dictate that what is written must follow a
particular format, such as a narrative that contains the essential elements of the plot, the
beginning, the goal, conflict, challenges, climax, and resolution. These elements are also
present in the structures of creative writing by Tim Bascom. However, there are several
other techniques that Tim Bascom introduced. In contrary to the traditional way of
writing essays, Tim Bascom introduced twists to a typical narrative. He stated that a
creative nonfiction work can be written not in the usual chronological order that readers
usually expect. Writers must learn how to deviate from the norm by being creative. This
will help the writer keep the readers’ attention to the essay and leaves the looming feeling
of asking the questions such as, “where is the rest of the story?”; “How will this end?” or
“when I reach the top, what will I see?”
Another technique that Tim Bascom introduced is instead of hitting the topic
directly as a standard essay usually does or like how a thesis is done, creative pieces can
take the spiral route. Meaning, the writer can go around the topic in a circling manner.
This makes the reader see a variety of possibilities that may happen to the story. Leading
to an unexpected ending and a more exciting piece.
Tim Bascom also emphasized that a good essay contains the most essential
information rather than a bulk of facts that often fill the piece. Facts are necessary for a
creative nonfiction piece. In fact, it is the soul of the literary work. However, one must
learn how to nitpick the essential facts for the essay. Thus, forming a limit is very
important. The writer must know when to stop collecting the “facts” needed for the
written piece.
Often, writers, especially the young ones, are afraid to show what they really
mean. In traditional writing, readers are presented with pieces that give the themes right
away. One can see the theme written on the edges of the piece but not within the piece
itself. Readers are left to figure out the theme within the writing. However, this may not
be bad, but it is better to really address the theme head-on. Tim Bascom said that when
writing a nonfiction piece, one must learn to shun the fear of exposing the actual theme.
Diving right into the theme once in a while within the story will help the readers
understand what the writer really wants to deliver.
Essays have been written structurally across time. However, there are unchartered
waters in writing creative nonfiction left for exploration. One of these is writing in
multiple structural storylines. Tim Bascom emphasized that storylines can be interwoven
or layered to form a more dynamic essay. Just like a beautiful woven blanket, an essay
can practically be the same. Multiple storylines can be used in a manner as comparing
two different things and forming a beautiful presentation. Both storylines can be
interactive with each other to present a more active essay.
Although Tim Bascom presented many techniques and alternates when writing a
creative nonfiction piece, he still supported the traditional way of how an essay should
end. Traditionally, essays end where they have actually begun forming a circle. He said
that it does not matter which path the essay took as long as it gets to the destination.

2. Discuss the following techniques in writing creative nonfiction:

a. Narrative arc – a narrative arc is used to describe the progress of the whole story. It
usually follows the pattern where the story starts calmly and peacefully and then
progresses to a misunderstanding among the story’s characters, eventually causing
tension and character conflict. A hero or heroine appears to resolve a conflict or
perhaps a change of attitude leading to an ending that can be either good or bad.
A classic example is when a boy meets a girl, the boy loses the girl, the boy
tries to win the girl back, the boy gets the girl back. This is somewhat simplified, but
adding complex ideas into the story makes it different from any other story with a
similar narrative arc.
b. Dialogue
b1. Simple tag –is a small phrase or attribution before, after, or between a
sentence that introduces who the speaker is. For example, “Where is Mother?”
Jaime asked. Another example, John whispered, “Why is it so dark?” John
whispered, and Jaime asked are examples of the simple tag.
b2. Tagless dialogue – a tagless dialogue is a dialogue with a speaker, but
unlike the simple tag, there is no description of who said the phrase but instead
a stage direction. For example, “I am starving.” Layla flopped down the chair
by the dining table. There is no dialogue tag, but it is clear who the speaker is.
b3. Descriptive dialogue -using strong action verbs to show the mood of the
dialogue and make the writing more descriptive and exciting. Strong action verbs
include words such as whispered, growled, screamed, shouted, and so on. For
example, “I quit!” Jenny shouted at the top of her voice.