English Essay: Creative Nonfiction

Creative nonfiction tells a true story using the creative techniques of storytelling: description, dialogue, metaphor, internal monologue, flashback, etc. to make it more entertaining. Remember that you are telling a story to a very large audience - the academic audience as well as the general public, so remember to use appropriate voice and style. Creative nonfiction relies on pathos (emotion) to connect with the reader and imply feelings and significance without directly stating them, without explaining. Because this is a personal narrative, you will certainly need to use the word "I." However, "personal" does not necessarily mean intimate or filled with powerful emotion. It is difficult to write about moments that are excessively joyous or sad. Every essay you write in this class will be shared with your peers and your instructor. If you have doubts about the appropriateness of your topic, ask.

Writing Prompt:

Write a creative nonfiction narrative that illustrates a personal experience involving dialogue where you had to confront, or were confronted by a "monster." The monster may be human, animal, paranormal, internal, or metaphoric. For example, you may choose one moment in your life that affected you in some way like a fight with a school friend or parent, or the first time getting a ticket, or a time when you were your own worst enemy. Or you could simply write about your experience watching your first horror film or monster film or getting frightened over something real or supernatural.

Alternatively, you could make an argument that someone or something or some entity is a monster (if you have a heated opinion about something), using several personal experiences as support, structuring your essay like "With Friends Like These," for example. Another example is illustrating several experiences with one type of food to argue for or against its existence, or you may illustrate two bad relationships to paint a descriptive persuasive picture about the nature of love (Love is a Dog from Hell). This is a bit more difficult than an essay that illustrates one moment.

The absolute worst thing you can do in this essay is to explain a situation and your feelings about it.

The absolute best thing you can do is NOT read this prompt too closely. Just write it. Pretend this will be published, and it might be.

Format: 3-5 pages, typed, carefully edited and proofread, following MLA guidelines.