Creative Non-Fiction Flashcards
1
Q
what is it?
A
- aka: creative non-fiction or literary journalism
- literary techniques/devices used
- writer often present as character (ie. Hunter Thompson)
- narrative shape used
2
Q
How does Lee Guldrid describe creative non-fiction?
A
“the job is still facts, but the shape is narrative”
3
Q
How does the Malahat review describe creative non-fiction?
A
- based in reality
- enlightens/educates via insight
- compelling storytelling and language
- moves reader into apprehension of wider human issues
4
Q
where did it come from?
A
- new journalism: Norman Mailer, Thomas Wolfe, George Plimpton, Hunter Thompson, etc.
- breaks down sense that hard journalism knows all, brings human/story-like aspect back to journalism
- writer’s INVOLVEMENT in the story enables him to write a more unique portrait, breaks down objectivity wall, gets invested, and still remains relevant to readers (ie. Shadow Box by Plimpton -> funny because of its incongruity)
5
Q
hard journalism and technical writing (aka: what creative non-fiction IS NOT)
A
- objective
- author invisible
- facts only
6
Q
where is it published? (articles vs. books)
A
- articles: client = magazines, media = print/online, ideas = pitch-driven, key rlnshp = freelancer and editor, compensation = fee (flat or per word)
- books: client = publishing house, media = print/ebook, ideas = proposal-driven, key rlnshp = author and editor, compensation = advance on royalties
7
Q
categories/types of creative non-fiction
A
- books: memoir, autobiography, biography, immersive journalism, issue-driven books, theme books
- magazines: editorials and op-ed, criticism and reviews, travel-writing, food writing, investigative features, personal journalism, profiles
8
Q
memoir
A
- focuses on one/a few notable instances in someone’s life
- relevant because people love reading about famous people
9
Q
autobiography
A
- focuses on whole life story
- relevant because the way they lived life made an impact
10
Q
biography
A
- relevant because the story of that person’s life often deal with relevant issues during their time of publication (ie. Black Count about Alexandre Dumas)
11
Q
immersive journalism
A
- ie. Among the Thugs -> relevant because he infiltrated MLS fans, who were very violent, which was a really relevant issue at the time
12
Q
issue-driven books
A
- ie. Slow Death by Rubber Duck -> relevant because it discusses toxicity of common household items and its health effects (relevant topic to readers)
13
Q
theme books
A
- ie. “Salt” and “Cod” -> relevant because it unpacks the history of these things and its effects on the world’s development
14
Q
editorials
A
- written in-house
- issue-driven and opinion-driven, current
15
Q
op-ed
A
- “opposite the editorial page”
- written by outside experts
- issue-driven and opinion driven, current
