LITERARY JOURNAL

Creative nonfiction
 INTRODUCTION
Literary journalism is a unique form of
storytelling that blends the techniques of fiction and
the rigor of journalism. It allows writers to explore real-
life events and experiences through a creative lens,
capturing the essence of a story while maintaining a
commitment to factual accuracy. This report delves into
the history, definition, examples, the relationship
between literary journalism and creative nonfiction, its
purpose, and concludes with an overview of its
significance in contemporary journalism.
HISTORY
Truman Capote is known for developing "New
Journalism," a style of writing that was a cross between
journalism and literature. The epitome of this genre is
Capote's ground-breaking work of non- fiction, In Cold Blood,
published in and considered the first "so-called news novel“.

The roots of literary journalism can be traced back to

the early 20th century when writers like Ernest Hemingway
and John Steinbeck began experimenting with narrative
techniques in their nonfiction works. However, it was in the
1960s and 1970s that literary journalism gained significant
recognition, with writers such as Truman Capote and Tom
Wolfe pushing the boundaries of traditional journalism by
incorporating literary elements into their reporting.
DEFINITION

Literary journalism can be defined as a

form of nonfiction writing that employs
literary techniques to convey real events,
people, and places. It goes beyond the mere
presentation of facts and aims to engage
readers on an emotional and intellectual level.
By utilizing vivid descriptions, dialogue, and
narrative structure, literary journalists create
a compelling narrative that captures the
essence of a story while remaining grounded in
truth.
 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. Literary Journalists write information that take
the form of reports but shape them in away that the report reads
like a fiction.

Literary Journalism is a mixture of literature and

non-fiction

Literary Journalism is a kind of nonfiction that

makes use of factual reporting with narrative techniques
related to those of fiction.

Literary journalism is a kind of journalism that asks

the same questions as literature asks
EXAMPLE
The following excerpt from George Orwell is a good example
of literary journalism. Orwell wrote about the colonial regime in
Marrakech. His father was a colonial officer, so Orwell was
confronted with the reality of empire from an early age, and that
experience is reflected in his literary journalism piece, Marrakech:It
is only because of this that the starved countries of Asia and Africa
are accepted as tourist resorts. No one would think of running cheap
trips to the Distressed Areas. But where the human beings have
brown skins their poverty is simply not noticed. What does Morocco
mean to a Frenchman? An orange-grove or a job in Government
service.Orwell isn’t writing a reflective, personal essay about his
travels through Marrakech. Neither is he writing a memoir about
what it was like to be the son of a colonial officer, and how that
experience shaped his adult life. He writes in a descriptive way
about the Jewish quarters in Marrakech, about the invisibility of the
“natives,” and about the way citizenship doesn’t ensure equality
under a colonial regime.
ITS RELATION TO CREATIVE
NONFICTION

Literary Journalism is often associated with

creative nonfiction, as both genres aim to tell true
stories using narrative techniques. However, while
creative nonfiction encompasses a broader range
of writing styles, literary journalism specifically
focuses on the artistry of storytelling within the
realm of journalism. It combines the factual
accuracy of traditional journalism with the
narrative techniques commonly found in fiction,
resulting in a unique and captivating form of
storytelling.
PURPOSE

The purpose of literary journalism is twofold.

Firstly, it aims to inform and educate readers about
real-world events, issues, and people. By presenting
factual information in a compelling and engaging
manner, literary journalism has the power to
captivate readers and make them more invested in
the subject matter. Secondly, it seeks to evoke
emotional responses and provoke thought. By
employing literary techniques, writers can create a
deeper connection between the reader and the
story, allowing them to explore complex themes
and ideas
CONCLUSION

Literary journalism occupies a significant

space in contemporary journalism, offering a
refreshing alternative to traditional news
reporting. By blending the artistry of
storytelling with the commitment to factual
accuracy, it provides a compelling and
immersive reading experience. Through its
ability to inform, engage, and provoke
thought, literary journalism continues to shape
the way we understand and appreciate
nonfiction storytelling.