CRWR 200 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Creative Nonfiction
Document Summary
Some people call the personal essay the highest form of creative nonfiction; what poetry is to literature. A personal essay (also known as the literary essay ) is not the same as an academic essay. No footnotes, no citations, no academic sources necessary in a personal essay. Essay comes from the french verb essayer which means to try out, experiment with. The author takes time to explore a particular topic and marvel inside of it. Doesn"t have to reach a definite conclusion. Contains autobiographical content, vivid examples from author"s personal life. Reader intimacy - the writer lets us in on their inner thoughts & musings as if we"re eavesdropping on them. Humor is welcomed so long as it doesn"t become the primary focus or distract from the exploration of your idea. storyline/ narrative can be effective but don"t forget to explore your idea. If it"s all story without the exploration of the idea, it"s not likely a personal essay.
