7HANDOUTS 1 (4th quarter)

Creative non-fiction is broad enough to include travel writing, nature writing, science writing,
sports writing, biography, autobiography, memoir, the interview, and both the familiar and personal
essay, autobiography, biography, travelogue, blog, character sketch

How to Write Creative Nonfiction

The creative nonfiction writer produces a  personal essay, memoir, travel piece, and so forth, with  a
variety of  techniques, writing tools, and  methods. He/she is required to use the elements of
nonfiction, literary devices of fiction, and what Lee Gutkind called “the 5 Rs of Creative nonfiction.”
The following is a brief explanation of each:

Elements of Creative Nonfiction

The creative nonfiction writer often incorporates several elements of nonfiction when writing a
memoir, personal essay, travel writing, and so on. The following is a brief explanation of the most
common elements of nonfiction:

 Fact. The writing must be based on fact, rather than fiction. It cannot be made up.
 Extensive research. The piece of writing is based on primary research, such as an interview or
personal experience, and often secondary research, such as gathering information from books,
magazines, and newspapers.
 Reportage/reporting. The writer must be able to document events or personal experiences.
 Personal experience and personal opinion. Often, the writer includes personal experience,
feelings, thoughts, and opinions. For instance, when writing a personal essay or memoir.
 Explanation/Exposition. The writer is required to explain the personal experience or topic to
the reader.
 Essay format. Creative nonfiction is often written in essay format. Example: Personal Essay,
Literary Journalistic essay, brief essay.

Literary Elements
Creative nonfiction is the literature of fact. Yet, the creative nonfiction writer utilizes many of the
literary devices of fiction writing.  The following is a list of the most common literary devices that
writers incorporate into their nonfiction writing:

 Storytelling/narration. The writer needs to be able to tell his/her story. A good story includes
an inciting incident, a goal, challenges and obstacles, a turning point, and resolution of the
story.
 Character. The nonfiction piece often requires a main character. Example: If a writer is
creating his/her memoir, then the writer is the central character.
 Setting and scene. The writer creates scenes that are action-oriented; include dialogue; and
contain vivid descriptions.
 Plot and plot structure. These are the main events that make up the story. In a personal essay,
there might be only one event. In a memoir, there are often several significant events.
 Figurative language. The writer often uses simile and metaphor to create an interesting piece
of creative nonfiction.
 Imagery. The writer constructs “word pictures” using sensory language. Imagery can be
figurative or literal.
 Point of view. Often the writer uses the first person “I.”
 Dialogue. These are the conversations spoken between people. It is an important component of
creative nonfiction.
 Theme. There is a central idea that is weaved through the essay or work. Often, the theme
reveals a universal truth.

The 5’Rs of Creative Nonfiction

Lee Gutkind, who is a writer, professor, and expert on creative nonfiction, wrote an essay called
“The Five R’s of Creative Nonfiction.” In this essay, he identified five essential elements of creative
nonfiction. These include:
 1. Creative nonfiction has a “real life” aspect. The writer constructs a personal essay, memoir,
and so forth, that is based on personal experience.  He also writes about real people and true
events.
2. Creative nonfiction is based on the writer engaging in personal “reflection” about what
he/she is writing about. After gathering information, the writer needs to analyze and assess
what he/she has collected. He then must evaluate it and expression his thoughts, views,
opinions. Personal opinion is permissible and encouraged.
3. Creative nonfiction requires that the writer complete research. The writer needs to conduct
research to learn about the topic. The writer also needs to complete research to discover what
has been written about the topic. Even if a writer is crafting a personal essay, he will need to
complete secondary research, such as reviewing a personal journal, or primary research, such
as interviewing a friend or family member, to ensure that the information is truthful and
factual.
4. The fourth aspect of creative nonfiction is reading. Reading while conducting research is not
sufficient. The writer must read the work of the masters of his profession.
5. The final element of creative nonfiction is writing. Writing creative nonfiction is both an art
and craft. The art of creative nonfiction requires that the writer uses his talents, instincts,
creative abilities, and imagination to write memorable creative nonfiction. The craft of creative
nonfiction requires that the writer learn and deploy the style and techniques of creative
nonfiction in his/her work.

Types of Creative Nonfiction

Creative nonfiction is about fact and truth.  The truth can be about a personal experience, event, or
issue in the public eye. There are many categories or genres to choose from, such as the personal
essay, memoir, and autobiography.  The following is a list of the most popular types of creative
nonfiction:

 Personal Essay. The writer crafts and essay that is based on personal experience or a single
event, which results in significant personal meaning or a lesson learned. The writer uses the
first person “I.”
 Memoir. The writer constructs a true story about a time or period in his/life, one that had
significant personal meaning and a universal truth. The writer composes the story using the
first person “I.”
 Literary journalism essay. The writer crafts an essay about an issue or topic using literary
devices, such as the elements of fiction and figurative language.
 Autobiography. The writer composes his/her life story, from birth to the present, using the
first person “I.”
 Travel Writing. The writer crafts articles or essays about travel using literary devices.
 Food writing. The writer crafts stories about food and cuisine using literary devices.
 Profiles. The writer constructs biographies or essays on real people using literary devices.

Guidelines for Writing Creative Nonfiction

Not only must the aspiring writer of creative nonfiction learn the techniques, but he/she also requires
a good understanding of the guidelines. The following are 12 guidelines for writing any type of
creative nonfiction:

1. Research the topic. Both primary (interview, personal experience, or participant observation)

and secondary research (books, magazines, newspaper, Web)
2. Never invent or change facts.  An invented story is fiction.
3. Provide accurate information. Write honestly and truthfully. Information should be
verifiable.
4. Provide concrete evidence. Use facts, examples, and quotations.
5. Use humour to make an important point.
6. Show the reader what happened, don’t tell them what happened. To do this, dramatize the
story.
7. Narrate the story. A story has an inciting incident, goal, conflict, challenges, obstacles,
climax, and resolution.
8. Write about the interesting and extraordinary. Write about personal experiences, interesting
people,  extraordinary events, or provide a unique perspective on everyday life.
9. Organize the information. Two common techniques are chronological or logical order.
10. Use literary devices to tell the story. Choose language that stimulates and entertains the
reader, such as simile, metaphor, imagery.
 11. Introduce the essay or other work with a hook. Its purpose is to grab the readers’ attention
and compel them to reader further. Popular hooks include a quotation, question, or thought-
provoking fact.
12. End the creative nonfiction piece with a final, important point. Otherwise the reader will
think, “So what!” “What was the point? It was an interesting story, but how does it apply to me
or my life?”

Reading List There have been many creative nonfiction books written about a wide variety of topics,
such as divorce, abuse, and happiness. To help the aspiring writer learn the art and craft of creative
nonfiction, he/she ought read creative nonfiction books by the best writers. By doing this, the writer
acquires an appreciation for good writing and  learns how creative nonfiction is written. Some of the
most popular creative nonfiction books include:

 In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

 Executioner’s Song by Norman Mailer
 Paper Lion by George Plimpton
 The Right Stuff by Tom Wolfe
 The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test by Tom Wolf

As well, there are several good books that are currently on many bestseller lists:

 Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

 The White Castle by Jeanette Walls
 Three Cups of Tea, by Greg Mortenson
 Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books, by Azar Nafisi
 Committed by Elizabeth Gilbert
 The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
 Nigh by Elie Wiesel

Magazines
There are also many popular magazines that publish all types of creative nonfiction, including:

 The Atlantic  ( http://www.theatlantic.com/ )

 The New Yorker ( http://www.newyorker.com/ )
 Vanity Fair ( http://www.vanityfair.com/ )
 Esquire (http://www.esquire.com/)
 The Walrus ( http://www.walrusmagazine.com/ )

Resources for the Aspiring Writer

To write creative nonfiction, the aspiring writer must learn the craft.  He/she can do this by taking a
course or through self-study. Both involve reading text books. The following books will help the
aspiring writer learn how to write creative nonfiction:

 Art of Creative Nonfiction by Lee Gutkind

 Writing Creative Nonfiction: The Literature of Reality by Gary Talese
 The Truth of the Matter: Art and Craft of Creative Nonfiction by Dinty W. Moore
 Contemporary Creative Nonfiction: The Art of Truth edited by Bill Roorbach
 On Writing Well by William Zinsser
 The Elements of Style by Strunk and White
 Chicago Manual of Style (15th edition): The Essential Guide for Writers, Editors, and
Publishers.

Travelogue: a movie, book, or illustrated lecture about the places visited and experiences
encountered by a traveler.

 :Travel writing is quite a popular genre. People take the help of the travelogues to know about
a particular place before deciding to visit it. Travel writing generally gives detailed
information about the attractions of a place so that people get tempted to go there on their
vacations. Hence, writers involved in travel writing should follow some specific rules to make
their travelogues more appealing and interesting to the readers.
1. Research about the Place
Before writing about a particular destination make a thorough research of it. If you are able to
go to the place then it gives you a first hand experience about it. You could find for yourself
what the place is all about. You could even ask the local people about its legends and other
information related to that place. You could tour all over the place and find out for yourself all
its hidden secrets that would attract a tourist bent on having fun. Hence, you could build up
quite a reliable picture in your travelogue. But, if you live quite far away from the place in
question, then you must rely on other resources. First and foremost you should look up all the
available information related to the place. You could look up books available in the library or
you could serf the net. If you find some pictures of it then it could also help you a lot in your
write ups as it would give you a clearer idea about the looks of the place. So, one must always
do a thorough research and present a complete knowledgeable database for the readers.

2. Give a Photographic Description

Writers are artists. They present a picture through their words. Hence, show your artistic talent
here by describing the place in such a complete manner that the reader actually visualizes it.
Spin a beautiful picture so as to make the reader want to visit that place. If you could get a
picture of it then you can take its help to give an apt description. So, giving a photographic
description will make your travelogue that much more appealing.

3. Highlight the Various Attractions

In travel writing highlighting the various attractions is of paramount importance. The first thing
that attracts a person to a particular place is its various appeals. A place may be very beautiful in
its scenic beauty but until and unless it doesn’t give us any other attractions in the way of sports or
any other thing, few people will be tempted to visit it. So, include in your travelogue all the
available attractions of that place so as to lure maximum number of visitors to it.

4. Mention the Ways and Means to Reach the Destination

You have done your job of enticing the reader to visit the place with your travel writing. But, if
the reader does not get the adequate information regarding the ways and means of reaching that
destination then s/he may drop the plan to visit it altogether. Therefore, always try to include the
various means by which one can easily reach the place. You could give the information regarding
the airline details, train details, or any other detail that you deem necessary.

5. Name a Few Good Hotels

Once a person reaches her/his destination then s/he may have trouble locating all the good
hotels in that place. So, you could help your readers out of their bewilderment by naming a
few good hotels for their benefit. And while you are naming the hotels then make sure that
you choose hotels for all the economic classes. Hence, you could mention some star hotels for
the rich and the powerful. Good hotels for the middle class segment. And some cheap
lodgings for the lower middle class people. Thus, your travelogue would help people from all
segments of the society and will be greatly popular in its effect.

6. Mention Some Out of the Way Tourist Attraction

To give your travelogue that specific edge you should try to include some out of the way
tourist attractions. These tourist attractions could be anything from a visit to the local winery
or some bargain or elusive items sold at the local market. So, do your homework properly if
you want to excel in travel writing.

7. Give Some Cultural Background

Giving some cultural background of the place makes your travelogue richer in its content.
People like to know the background and culture of a place they are planning to visit. It gives
them a distinctive idea of what to expect from that place. It also helps them in their choice of
clothes, accessories, etc. So, do remember to include this little bit of information in your travel
writing.
 8. Mention Some Dos and Don’ts of the Place
And lastly mention some dos and don’ts of the place so that a person does not make a cultural
mistake there. Say a person is planning to visit the Middle East. Then s/he should wear very
decent clothes and reserve all the affectionate behavior for the private. Again people should
avoid asking for beef in a Hindu country like India or pork in a Muslim country. Hence,
knowing the dos and don’ts of a particular place makes a person abide by all her/his etiquettes
while fully enjoying the sights and sounds of that place

Living the Pinoy Spirit: A Manila Travelogue

You say “Long Live!”, here in Manila we shout, “Mabuhay!”.

Want to  try the grandest nomadic experience of a lifetime, where you’ll spot a treasury of rich
culture and history, jam-packed with an amazing set of never-before-seen natural wonders and
where the happiest and friendliest creatures on the planet exist? Try and visit Manila.

Capital city of “The Pearl of the Orient Seas,” the Philippines, Manila is one of the culture-richest
cities in southeast Asia. Brought about by the diverse influence of foreign invaders during WWII,
which is a combination of Japanese, American, German, British, and Spanish, the mixture of
different traditions from these countries has been lived up by the Filipinos until today.

At the heart of the city stands the Intramuros, (Latin for “Within the Walls”), which was built by the
Spanish colonial government to protect the city from foreign invaders. Try walking across the streets
of España Boulevard and you’ll find one-of-a-kind architectural designs of different universities in
this U-belt area (U-belt: short for University Belt) and the Rizal Monument where our country’s
national hero, José Rizal, together with the other troops, stand amidst the city. You’ll also find a
unique, old way of transportation here through the kalesa, a horse-drawn carriage, or if you want
something a little bit more unique, try the country’s main mode of public transportation, the jeepney.
Even the Manila Bay will offer you the most romantic scene of sunset just across from the SM Mall
of Asia (considered as one of the largest malls in Asia).

Being the fun lovers that we are, Pinoys (colloquial for Filipinos) love to celebrate festivities. We
have here the Buhusan Festival which aims to reenact the baptism of Jesus by splashing water to
whoever passes you on the street in San Juan City. Blame the Spaniards – we now have here siesta
time in which we relax and enjoy a part of our day maybe doing leisure with merienda (a light meal
between lunch and dinner) or taking a short nap which is mostly during mid-afternoon.

If you love gambling, you’ll enjoy sabong (cockfighting) (*see note below) from which you can put a
bet, which we also learned during the Spanish colonization. Pinoys love to communicate, interact,
and express themselves in any available means, whether it could be through a magnificent painting,
a poem, a Facebook selfie, or through blogs. Having English as the second language here in Manila,
it isn’t difficult for the Pinoys or Manileños here to have their thoughts be recognized or heard
globally.

You’ll also love the delicacies here: sisig, pancit, suman, and especially balut, which has been a

favorite of most tourists that visit here.

Even though the population is mostly Christian, about 30% of the residents here are also
Muslims. Ramadan (Muslim’s Holy Sabbath day) is also being recognized and done all throughout
the country. In Manila, Quiapo Church is the known Worship Place which houses the miraculous
“Black Nazarene.”

As a perfect urban abode of rich and poor, there is also enough nightlife to experience until the
dawn. Unique “restobars” are all over place, which will compensate the historic and cultural gala
for the day.

Walking from Seattle to Chicago

I know what I am doing is illegal, and a bit dangerous. But it has been my dream since childhood
to walk from Seattle to Chicago on train tracks. I encountered one man in Seattle before who
had come from Chicago by walking on train tracks. Now I am wanting to complete the cycle.

I set off this morning from my apartment in the city of Edmonds at 6:45am, as planned. In
Edmonds, there is easy access to train tracks along the Pacific Ocean. It took me a half an hour
to walk down to the tracks, fueled by my boiled egg and brown-sugar oatmeal breakfast.

Though my family thought I was a bit nuts to go on this so-called expedition, I don’t blame
them. It’s not every day someone tells their parents they are going to go on a long hike across the
U.S. But I am a 26-year-old former boy scout with all the necessary equipment to survive my
journey. And also, I know the nature of train tracks well: when trains are coming, when there will
be no trains for a while, the timing to jump out of the way if a train suddenly appears in my
vision, and so on. I have loved trains since I was a baby—my first word was “choo choo” after
the sound of a train whistle.

I chose the month of March to begin my walk, as spring in Seattle is not too cold and not too
hot. The greenery in Washington state at this time is sometimes hard to describe in its heavenly
sight. The rain definitely contributes to making this state lush with greenery and blossoms.

The usual suspects were out this morning: flocks of seagulls surveying the rather calm waters of
the Pacific Ocean; murders of crows hanging out in pine trees of douglas fir trees; the scent of
tar on the tracks that wears off in your nose after a few hours of walking.

In the first two hours of walking, two trains had come: one cargo and one passenger. I easily
picked up on the signals of them coming and leaped to the side into the forest before they could
come to crush me.

I wrote a haiku around the third of fourth hour (I don’t have a watch).

first day of journey…

the Pacific Ocean gleams
in a cloud above

Not the best haiku, but at least I am still trying to write them.

I had lunch at around 1pm. Salami, cheddar cheese, and crackers. Simple but tasty. My father
used to eat the same on his hikes.

In the late afternoon, I saw a bald eagle swooping over the forest and over the Pacific Ocean as
well. It was a majestic sight. I also saw some blue herons in the shallower waters. It made me
feel like my journey has an auspicious beginning.

Over the day, some people stared at me, wondering why I was walking on the tracks with a hiking
backpack (at least this is what I thought). Sometimes people report walkers on train tracks to
police, so I have to be a bit careful.

At night, I was near the start of the city boundaries of Seattle, and decided to set up in a
meadow on the left side of the tracks, having the Pacific Ocean no longer there. It seemed
symbolic to sleep where the Pacific Ocean once was earlier in the day. I tried to be inconspicuous
as possible, setting up my tiny tent in a group of bushes among high grass. It didn’t seem like
many people came this way anyways—only to relieve themselves at times.

I heated up a can of tomato soup and accompanied it with bread for dinner. I was so glad to have
brought a small camping stove—it’s seems like it will be a lifesaver, as I don’t have loads of cash
to go out to restaurants.

Just a note: a saw two other people walking on the tracks today. A couple. There were having a
romantic evening walk (a dangerous one at that).

A character sketch is a quick rendering of a character, and writing a sketch is about asking and
answering questions. In order to write a character sketch, you must ask yourself questions about
your character.
In composition, a character sketch is a brief description in prose of a particular person or type of
person. In writing one, you go into the character's manner, distinct characteristics, nature, and the
way that person behaves him or herself. It's also called a profile or character analysis and doesn't
necessarily have to be about a fictional character.
How to Approach a Character Sketch

Even though it's an informative type of essay, a character sketch doesn't have to be dry and only
descriptive. "It can also impress or entertain the reader or praise the subject," notes author R.E.
Myers. "The facts, traits, idiosyncrasies, and accomplishments of the subject provide the fabric of the
character sketch. Anecdotes and quotes are also helpful in portraying the subject. You can stress the
subject's personality, appearance, character or accomplishments." ("Figures of Speech: A Study and
Practice Guide." Teaching & Learning Company, 2008)

If analyzing a fictional character, you can also go into the person's conflicts, how the person changes,
his or her attitude toward others, and role in the story. You can list the person's likes and dislikes and
how you feel about the character. If the character is the narrator, you can discuss whether the person
is an unreliable narrator.

A character sketch can also be satiric, as in work by authors such as Evelyn Waugh (1903–1966) and
Thomas Pynchon (1933–) or modern-day television sit-coms. As a composition, a satiric sketch
would likely need to be written in the character's voice and point of view to work.
Use of a Character Sketch

Besides being an essay type that students write in composition classes, fiction authors can use
character sketches in their prewriting or drafting stages of short stories or novels as a means to
develop the people who'll inhabit the world they're creating. Writers who plan series (or even those
who just end up writing a sequel to a successful story) can find character sketches useful as a
reference for maintaining consistency of detail or voice, if the character ends up being a narrator in
the subsequent work or has a particular vocal tic, slang vocabulary, jargon use, or accent. Often the
act of taking on the character's voice in a sketch will assist the author in discovering aspects of the
character and fleshing him or her out to be more realistic. Character sketches can also be a task to
work on when stuck for a plot point, character's motivation to move the plot forward, or
attitude/reaction toward a conflict or event.

In nonfiction writing, character sketches can be useful for biographers or feature article writers as a
prewriting tool and as descriptive material to mine for the finished work.

Examples

Christopher Reeves commented, “Anyone can give up, it’s the easiest thing to do. But to hold it
together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that’s true strength.” Heroes keep on
working until they accomplish their goal to make a difference in others' lives. They should have
compassion, perseverance, confidence, and they should be selfless, strong, and fair. They can be
either someone you know personally or famous people who are admired as role models. Jose Rizal is
a famous hero in the Philippines.

Jose Rizal was born on June 19th, 1861 in Calamba, Philippines to a middle class family in the
Province of Laguana. His parents were Francisco Mercado and Teodora Alonzo. Jose was also the
seventh child of their eleven children. Throughout his life, Rizal fought to free the Philippines from
Spain. He was known as a poet, an educator, and a journalist. He was also Asia’s first modern non-
violent political leader. Jose even has his own special holiday, "Rizal Day," which is celebrated on
the anniversary of his death. Jose was very smart; he mastered 23 languages, knew how to work 20
different jobs, and actually studied medicine because his mother was going blind. He later became an
eye surgeon.

Rizal is most known for his political involvement. Since Spain was controlling the Philippines, he
wanted to have the Filipinos rule their own country. He wanted to do that peacefully-without war or
fighting. In 1892, Jose formed a civic movement called La Liga Filipina. This league spoke of social
reforms through legal means, but was disbanded by the governor. Jose was declared an enemy of the
state by the Spanish authorities because his writings were against the Dominican Friars. In 1892, he
was exiled to the remote Philippine island of Mindanao. Then, the Katipunan, a new secret
organization devoted to independence from Spain through armed revolution, named Rizal its
honorary president. They used his name to attract supporters. Rizal brought attention to the
Philippines.

There are many qualities that can describe every hero in the world. Some qualities that would
describe Jose Rizal are being open-minded, intelligent, and hardworking. Jose really wanted to have
freedom in the Philippines from Spain, so that the Filipinos did not have to be controlled by another
country. He did not care about himself. He cared more about helping his country. He really wanted
his country to be proud of him. Jose also was very smart. He knew how to work many jobs and had
mastered 23 languages. He also helped other people who needed help. Jose was hardworking in all
that he tried to accomplish. He once said, "It’s a useless life that is not concentrated to a great ideal.
It’s like a stone wasted on the field without becoming a part of any edifice."

In conclusion, heroes can be personal or famous. They are helpful, open-minded, and fair. There are
many different types and kinds of heroes in the world. Jose did many good deeds and tried to
accomplish his goals; he wanted to free his country. He was well-known enough to even have his
own special holiday which celebrates the anniversary of his death. Few people have had a leader who
so entirely gave of himself as he did, and who asked so little for himself in return. He is a hero.

Annie Dillard's Sketch of Her Childhood Friend Judy Schoyer

"My friend Judy Schoyer was a thin, messy, shy girl whose thick blond curls lapped over her glasses.
Her cheeks, chin, nose, and blue eyes were round; the lenses and frames of her glasses were round,
and so were her heavy curls. Her long spine was supple; her legs were long and thin so her knee
socks fell down. She did not care if her knee socks fell down. When I first knew her, as my classmate
at the Ellis School, she sometimes forgot to comb her hair. She was so shy she tended not to move
her head, but only let her eyes rove about. If my mother addressed her, or a teacher, she held her
long-legged posture lightly, alert, like a fawn ready to bolt but hoping its camouflage will work a
little longer." ("An American Childhood." Harper & Row, 1987.)

Bill Barich's Sketch of a Publican

"The publican, Peter Keith Page, lives with his family in a flat on the second floor. Page is a fiftyish
man, slender and well-tailored, whose manner might be described as studiously charming. His
mustache and hair are tinged with auburn, and this, along with a sharp nose and chin, makes him look
a bit like a fox. He enjoys jokes, subtle conversations, double entendres. When he takes one of his
turns behind the bar, he works at a measured pace, often pausing to ask after his patrons' health and
well-being." ("At the Fountain." In "Traveling Light." Viking, 1984.)

CHARACTERISTICS OF EDITORIAL WRITING

An editorial is an article that presents the newspaper's opinion on an issue. It reflects the majority
vote of the editorial board, the governing body of the newspaper made up of editors and business
managers. It is usually unsigned. Much in the same manner of a lawyer, editorial writers build on an
argument and try to persuade readers to think the same way they do. Editorials are meant to influence
public opinion, promote critical thinking, and sometimes cause people to take action on an issue. In
essence, an editorial is an opinionated news story.

Editorials have:

1. Introduction, body and conclusion like other news stories

2. An objective explanation of the issue, especially complex issues
3. A timely news angle
4. Opinions from the opposing viewpoint that refute directly the same issues the writer addresses
5. The opinions of the writer delivered in a professional manner. Good editorials engage issues, not
personalities and refrain from name-calling or other petty tactics of persuasion.
6. Alternative solutions to the problem or issue being criticized. Anyone can gripe about a problem,
but a good editorial should take a pro-active approach to making the situation better by using
constructive criticism and giving solutions.

7. A solid and concise conclusion that powerfully summarizes the writer's opinion. Give it some
punch.
Four Types of Editorials Will:

1. Explain or interpret: Editors often use these editorials to explain the way the newspaper covered a
sensitive or controversial subject. School newspapers may explain new school rules or a particular
student-body effort like a food drive.
2. Criticize: These editorials constructively criticize actions, decisions or situations while providing
solutions to the problem identified. Immediate purpose is to get readers to see the problem, not the
solution.
3. Persuade: Editorials of persuasion aim to immediately see the solution, not the problem. From the
first paragraph, readers will be encouraged to take a specific, positive action. Political endorsements
are good examples of editorials of persuasion.
4. Praise: These editorials commend people and organizations for something done well. They are not
as common as the other three.

Writing an Editorial

1. Pick a significant topic that has a current news angle and would interest readers.
2. Collect information and facts; include objective reporting; do research
3. State your opinion briefly in the fashion of a thesis statement
4. Explain the issue objectively as a reporter would and tell why this situation is important
5. Give opposing viewpoint first with its quotations and facts
6. Refute (reject) the other side and develop your case using facts, details, figures, quotations. Pick
apart the other side's logic.
7. Concede a point of the opposition — they must have some good points you can acknowledge that
would make you look rational.
8. Repeat key phrases to reinforce an idea into the reader's minds.
9. Give a realistic solution(s) to the problem that goes beyond common knowledge. Encourage
critical thinking and pro-active reaction.
10. Wrap it up in a concluding punch that restates your opening remark (thesis statement).
11. Keep it to 500 words; make every work count; never use "I"

A Sample Structure

I. Lead with an Objective Explanation of the Issue/Controversy.

Include the five W's and the H. (Members of Congress, in effort to reduce the budget, are looking to
cut funding from public television. Hearings were held …)

 Pull in facts and quotations from the sources which are relevant.
 Additional research may be necessary.

II. Present Your Opposition First.

As the writer you disagree with these viewpoints. Identify the people (specifically who oppose you.
(Republicans feel that these cuts are necessary; other cable stations can pick them; only the rich
watch public television.)

 Use facts and quotations to state objectively their opinions.

 Give a strong position of the opposition. You gain nothing in refuting a weak position.

III. Directly Refute The Opposition's Beliefs.

You can begin your article with transition. (Republicans believe public televison is a "sandbox for
the rich." However, statistics show most people who watch public television make less than $40,000
per year.)

 Pull in other facts and quotations from people who support your position.
 Concede a valid point of the opposition which will make you appear rational, one who has
considered all the options (fiscal times are tough, and we can cut some of the funding for the
arts; however, …).
IV. Give Other, Original Reasons/Analogies

In defense of your position, give reasons from strong to strongest order. (Taking money away from
public television is robbing children of their education …)

 Use a literary or cultural allusion that lends to your credibility and perceived intelligence (We
should render unto Caesar that which belongs to him …)

V. Conclude With Some Punch.

Give solutions to the problem or challenge the reader to be informed. (Congress should look to where
real wastes exist — perhaps in defense and entitlements — to find ways to save money. Digging into
public television's pocket hurts us all.)

 A quotation can be effective, especially if from a respected source

 A rhetorical question can be an effective concluder as well (If the government doesn't defend
the interests of children, who will?)
Go to the library or any computer lab and complete the “webquest” located at
 
http://library.thinkquest.org/50084/index.shtml
http://library.thinkquest.org/50084/editorials/index.html
 
 
Memoir- Memoir is when someone writes about their own life. Narrative nonfiction is when
someone writes about the lives of others. Both of these categories are notable because they blur the
line between fiction and nonfiction. The reason why memoirs are classified as nonfiction is because
they are being presented as facts by the author of them. In essence, an autobiography is a
chronological telling of one's experience, which should include phases such as childhood,
adolescence, adulthood, etc., while a memoir provides a much more specific timeline and a much
more intimate relationship to the writer's own memories, feelings and emotions.
Here are some examples of memoir openings that make the readers wonder:

 •  “I was sitting in a taxi, wondering if I had overdressed for the evening, when I looked out the
window and saw Mom rooting through a dumpster.” – The Glass Castle, by Jeanette Walls. We
wonder why Mom was dumpster diving, and how Jeanette will react.

 •  “You have to go to the ends of the Earth in order to leave the Earth.” – Endurance: A Year in
Space, A Lifetime of Discovery, by astronaut Scott Kelly. We wonder why he’s going to the ends of
the earth, rather than strapping himself into a rocket ship and blasting off.

•  “Missouri is a state of stolen names, bestowed to bring the world a little closer: Versailles, Rome,
Cairo, New London, Athens, Carthage, Alexandria, Lebanon, Cuba, Japan, Sante Fe, Cleveland,
Canton, California, Caledonian, New Caledonia, Mexico, Louisiana, Paris, our home.” – Bettyville:
A Memoir, by George Hodgman. We wonder what all this has to do with the author, and how this list
of intriguing city names will play into his life.

 •  “Susannah was murdered just before Christmas but I didn’t find out until after New Year’s.” – I’m
the One Who Got Away, by Andrea Jarrell. We wonder who Susannah is, why Andrea didn’t know
she was murdered, and what is going on. 

 •  “A wanderer, uprooted and displaced. A nomad in both body and mind. This was what I had
become since leaving China for the West. It had been fifteen years of transit, change, forgetting and
adapting.” – Nine Continents: A Memoir In and Out of China, by Xiaolu Guo. We wonder what it’s
like to be a person without a place.

Literary Pieces:
The Giving Tree: Picture Book by Shel Silverstein
he Giving Tree is a mystifying story of a boy who asks a loving tree to give him everything, still has
academics, religious scholars, parents, and activists scratching their heads.
Interpretations of The Giving Tree
When my friend asked me about the book’s lesson, the answer seemed glaringly obvious to me.  I
said it was this: while unconditional love is a wonderful thing, if you give too much you may lose
yourself completely.
My friend, a new mother, had a different take.  She saw the lesson as a warning to children not to
take advantage of their parents.
Last September, The New York Times asked two writers to debate whether the book was a “tender
story of unconditional love” or “a disturbing tale of monstrous selfishness.” But, as their responses
revealed, the story has so many more interpretations than that.
For example, it may have a political message and serve “as a cautionary tale regarding both the social
welfare state and the obscenity that is late-stage capitalism.”
Or a religious one: “I’m not even going to get into the biblical implications of Silverstein’s decision
to make the tree of the book’s title apple-bearing,” one of the debaters wrote.
Maybe the story is a reflection of society’s sexist view of the role of women at the time.  Or is it a
commentary on our abuse of the environment?

I Am A Filipino
"I AM A FILIPINO" by Carlos P. Romulo I am a Filipino – inheritor of a glorious past, hostage to
the uncertain future. As such, I must prove equal to a two-fold task – the task of meeting my
responsibility to the past, and the task of performing my obligation to the future. I am sprung from a
hardy race – child many generations removed of ancient Malayan pioneers. Across the centuries, the
memory comes rushing back to me: of brown-skinned men putting out to sea in ships that were as
frail as their hearts were stout. Over the sea I see them come, borne upon the billowing wave and the
whistling wind, carried upon the mighty swell of hope – hope in the free abundance of the new land
that was to be their home and their children’s forever.

This is the land they sought and found. Every inch of shore that their eyes first set upon, every hill
and mountain that beckoned to them with a green and purple invitation, every mile of rolling plain
that their view encompassed, every river and lake that promised a plentiful living and the fruitfulness
of commerce, is a hollowed spot to me.

By the strength of their hearts and hands, by every right of law, human and divine, this land and all
the appurtenances thereof – the black and fertile soil, the seas and lakes and rivers teeming with fish,
the forests with their inexhaustible wealth in wild and timber, the mountains with their bowels
swollen with minerals – the whole of this rich and happy land has been for centuries without number,
the land of my fathers. This land I received in trust from them, and in trust will pass it to my children,
and so on until the world is no more.

I am a Filipino. In my blood runs the immortal seed of heroes – seed that flowered down the
centuries in deeds of courage and defiance. In my veins yet pulses the same hot blood that sent
Lapulapu to battle against the alien foe, that drove Diego Silang and Dagohoy into rebellion against
the foreign oppressor, That seed is immortal. It is the self-same seed that flowered in the heart of Jose
Rizal that morning in Bagumbayan when a volley of shots put an end to all that was mortal of him
and made his spirit deathless forever; the same that flowered in the hearts of Bonifacio in
Balintawak, of Gregorio del Pilar at Tirad Pass, of Antonio Luna at Calumpit, that bloomed in
flowers of frustration in the sad heart of Emilio Aguinaldo at Palanan, and yet burst forth royally
again in the proud heart of Manuel L. Quezon when he stood at last on the threshold of ancient
Malacanang Palace, in the symbolic act of possession and racial vindication.

The seed I bear within me is an immortal seed. It is the mark of my manhood, the symbol of my
dignity as a human being. Like the seeds that were once buried in the tomb of Tutankhamen many
thousands of years ago, it shall grow and flower and bear fruit again. It is the insigne of my race, and
my generation is but a stage in the unending search of my people for freedom and happiness.

I am a Filipino, child of the marriage of the East and the West. The East, with its languor and
mysticism, its passivity and endurance, was my mother, and my sire was the West that came
thundering across the seas with the Cross and Sword and the Machine. I am of the East, an eager
participant in its struggles for liberation from the imperialist yoke. But I know also that the East must
awake from its centuried sleep, shake off the lethargy that has bound its limbs, and start moving
where destiny awaits.
For I, too, am of the West, and the vigorous peoples of the West have destroyed forever the peace
and quiet that once were ours. I can no longer live, a being apart from those whose world now
trembles to the roar of bomb and cannon shot. For no man and no nation is an island, but a part of the
main, and there is no longer any East and West – only individuals and nations making those
momentous choices that are the hinges upon which history revolves.

At the vanguard of progress in this part of the world I stand – a forlorn figure in the eyes of some, but
not one defeated and lost. For through the thick, interlacing branches of habit and custom above me I
have seen the light of the sun, and I know that it is good. I have seen the light of justice and equality
and freedom, my heart has been lifted by the vision of democracy, and I shall not rest until my land
and my people shall have been blessed by these, beyond the power of any man or nation to subvert or
destroy.

I am a Filipino, and this is my inheritance. What pledge shall I give that I may prove worthy of my
inheritance? I shall give the pledge that has come ringing down the corridors of the centuries, and its
hall be compounded of the joyous cries of my Malayan forebears when they first saw the contours of
this land loom before their eyes, of the battle cries that have resounded in every field of combat from
Mactan to Tirad Pass, of the voices of my people when they sing: Land of the morning. Child of the
sun returning . . . Ne’er shall invaders Trample thy sacred shore.

Out of the lush green of these seven thousand isles, out of the heart-strings of sixteen million people
all vibrating to one song, I shall weave the mighty fabric of my pledge. Out of the songs of the
farmers at sunrise when they go to labor in the fields; out the sweat of the hard-bitten pioneers in
Mal-ig and Koronadal; out of the silent endurance of stevedores at the piers and the ominous
grumbling of peasants in Pampanga; out of the first cries of babies newly born and the lullabies that
mothers sing; out of crashing of gears and the whine of turbines in the factories; out of the crunch of
ploughs upturning the earth; out of the limitless patience of teachers in the classrooms and doctors in
the clinics; out of the tramp of soldiers marching, I shall make the pattern of my pledge:

I am a Filipino born of freedom, and I shall not rest until freedom shall have been added unto my
inheritance – for myself and my children’s – forever. ___________________

Carlos Peña Romulo (b. 14 January 1899, Camiling, Tarlac, Philippines - d. 15 December 1985,
Manila, Philippines) was a Filipino diplomat, politician, soldier, journalist and author. He was a
reporter at 16, a newspaper editor by the age of 20, and a publisher at 32. He is the co-founder of
the Boy Scouts of the Philippines. He was a general in the Philippine army, who together with
General Douglas McArthur landed on the shore of Leyte to liberate the Philippines from the
Japanese occupation. He was the signatory for the Philippines to the United Nations Charter when it
was founded in 1946. He was a candidate for the position of United Nations Secretary-General in
1953. He died, at 86, in Manila on 15th of December 1985 and was buried the Heroes’ Cemetery
(Libingan ng mga Bayani). He was honored as the Philippines’ greatest diplomat in the 20th
Century. [citation needed] In 1980, he was extolled by United Nations Secretary-General Kurt
Waldheim as "Mr. United Nations" for his valuable services to the United Nations and his dedication
to freedom and world peace.

Hope for the Flowers by Trina Paulus (fiction)

The story consists of two main character a male catterpillar named Stripe and the female one
named Yellow.It is started when Stripe realized that his life is not just eating leaves
and crawling.He realized that there is something more than doing those thing.So he decided to find
out what is really missing in his life.He left from the place where he was born and try to explore
something new.He finds himself from the bottom of a pillar.He saw a lots of catterpillar crawling and
aiming to reach the top of the pillar.He started to climb just like other catterpillars do.While climbing
the pillar he met a woman catterpillar named Yellow.They excahnged different perceptions and
opinions in life.They talked about life and the reason why they are here.Ater that , they come up with
the decision that they will go down in that pillar and begin a new life.Stripe and Yellow fell in love
with each other and they live together eating leaves and crawling.Then one day Stripe realized again
that eating lea ves and crawling are not enough.He started again climbing the pillar and left
Yellow alone.While climbing the pillar Stripe was dissappointed when he saw that there is nothing
special in this pillar but a struggling catterpillars who wants to reach the top.On the other side ,
Yellow met someone hanging on a branch of a tree , they talked about life of a catterpillar and how it
turned into a cocoon.After of their conversation , Yellow realized the true meaning of being a
catterpillar soon..She herself took risk and spins into a cocoon.
After that move Yellow turned into a beautiful butterfly.Yellow search where Stripe is.She find stripe
struggling crawling with other catterpillars just for them to reach the top of the pillar.When he found
stripe , she helped him to reach the bottom.She encouraged him that there is other life than reaching
the top of the pillar.Instead of crawling he can reach the top by flying.So yellow helped stripe to find
branch of a tree to hung on.Then stripe decided o hung on and spins into a cocoon.Yellow waits
for him.Later on ,  that cocoon turned into a beautiful butterfly too.And they fly together.

The character named stripe search more about the meaning of life. And this story is partly about life,
partly about revolution and a lot about hope In the story, we can discover what really matters in life,
and how the catterpillar journey represents in our everyday life.TheThe hope for the flowers here are
the caterpillars because caterpillar is soon to be a butterfly.If there is no butterfly there will be no
flowers too.
I found this book interesting.First i thought it is just like an ordinary children book but there is
something behind its story.It gives moral lesson not just for kids but especially for the adults.In our
time many people dont think if they hurt others just for them to reach their goals or dreams.They will
do anything to reach their dreams.Like in the story a lot of catterpillar are struggling to climb to the
top of pillar.They are crawling over the other.The dont care i f they cross boundaries just to be
on top.The mindset of pulling others down is not the key for success.We step on someone else to be
on the top.We need to really better understand one’s self.It must clear to our minds what is our goal
in life.Without hurting others while reaching the top is best thing we can do.This story even a child
can understand but most of all it gives some lessons that adults will higly appreciated.
It is natural to people that we are not contented with the things that we have.We always want
something more. We are searching for the thing we dont have.If we learn to appreciate everything
and everyone around us everything will follow.Like in the story stripe finds out that his life is boring
so he wants to search what is really missing in his life until he saw a lots of catterpillar climbing in
a pillar.They are curious about what is happening behind those clouds and catterpillars are climbing
to reach the. top.The most excitement part for me is when the female catterpillar turned into a
beautiful butterfly and how she encouraged the another catterpillar named stripe to realized what the
real meaning of being a catterpillar and turned also into a beautiful butterfly and they
fly together.This story spreads love , hope and peace through the character of yellow , stripe and the
one who encourage yellow to hung on a branch of a tree and spins a cocoon.It taught the true purpose
of life.It is also about making choices especially on the part when Yellow choose to spins a cocoon
and turned into a beautiful butterfly.He choose also to go back and find stripe.I realized that
sometimes we need to choose to change for the better.We need to take risk eventhough we dont 
know what will be the result of our actions.

I noticed another lesson from this story.When many people doing it and get along with it doesnt
mean that they doing the right thing.Like in the story many catterpillar are doing the same thing but it
doesnt mean that is the right way nor it is benefecial.Sometimes we need to do in different way not
because we want to be notice but we believe in something.She trusts in herself that there must be
something more in life.Yellow believes that there is something more than climbing to the top of
the pillar.She finds another way to achieve what missing in their lives.We dont need to follow
the crowd.It takes courage to try another path in achieving our goals.Yellow didnt do what
others did.She didnt follow the other catterpillars but she follow what is in her heart
and mind.We must be like yellow who listens to her heart and mind tell her.We are the only person
who knows what completes us.We know what is best for us and know what works best for
our situation.Beacuse at the end we are one who will suffer for our actions
Like the caterpillars struggle in the story , humans also undergo different struggles
in life.Their patience is tested.They need to sacrifice something.They need to make
decisions.Sometimes they commit mistakes but that is the point because we can learn from
it.Sometimes, we chase the wrong things, thinking that this is our purpose.Catterpillars are meant to
be butterfly and not to be someboby else.If they do not want to be a butterfly there are
no flowers.So the tiltle of the story speaks for itself.They need to make a decision so that they can
give hope for the flowers.They need to give up something so others live.The story discussed life is
filled with choices and decisions. We are the one who decide what we want to do and where we want
to go. But we must also look at ourselves if our decisions truly make us happy and not just something
we just want to do just to let the time pass.
Sacrifice is also matter in this story.First , yellow sacrifice when she and stripe seperate in each
other.Yellow took the journey alone.When she had conversation on someone who is hung on a
branch of a tree she decided to sacrifice being a catterpillar to be a butterfly so she
can fly.Like humans , we tend also make sacrifices to be better person or to help
other people.Doing sacrifices is not an easy thing to do.It takes a lot of couarge to do this kind
of thing.We cannot always get what we want and we cant go reaching dreams if we do not
experience some sacrifices in life.I think the author want to tell all of us to be passionate in our lives.
To let understand the real meaning of life and sacrifice through the story of how caterpillar who
becomes a butterfly. We need to sacrifice for the love of our life andfor the sake of other people.

Success is also disscussed in the story.Striving hard and pursuing our dreams really matter in
this story.No matter how many times we experiece downfall do not stop to try and try again.Failure
cant stop us for reaching our dreams.Determination is needed if we want something.Like the
character in the story named stripe he has a goal.He tried to reach his goal and that goal is to reach
tho top of the pillar.His goal became a frustration.And that how the character in the story makes
similar to us.We are eager to attain our goals in life.

Love is also involved in the story.First stripe is alone with his journey until he met the female
catterpillar named yellow.They talked about the life of each other.Until they decided to go down in
the pillar and start a new life.But one day stripe decided to left yellow to pursue climbing the pillar
and reach the top of it.They have seperate ways now.Stripe and Yellow show how loving one another
leads to something more beautiful.Yellow helped stripe to find what he longing is for a long time..As
stripe and yellow fly away together, they carry hope for the flowers and for the people.I admire the
character of yellow because of the eargerness to help stripe inspite of the things that stripe do to her.

I highly recommend this book for those people who lose hope and for the people who are not
contented with their life.There are many lessons that you will learned while reading the  story.I
realized many things in life.For me the best lesson that strike me is you dont need to follow what
others do.Sometimes you need to be different.I believe that we have our own ways reaching our
goals.

The Gift of Magi:

Jim and Della are a husband and wife a nice Christmas present. Jim tells her not to
living in a rented room in New York. They worry and that nothing can change his love
are quite poor and recently Jim has had his for her. The reason he is shocked to see her
salary cut back to only $20 a week from the without her long hair is that he also wanted
$30 a week he used to make. After rent to get a nice Christmas present for Della. He
and groceries, the couple hardly have any gives her the present wrapped in paper and
money left. Della unwraps it to see that Jim had bought
her a set of beautiful combs for her hair.
Christmas is only a day away and, for a
Christmas present, Della wants to buy Jim a She had seen them in a shop before, but
gold watch chain for his gold watch. They they were so expensive. How was Jim able
do not have much to be proud or happy to afford them? Suddenly, she remembers
about, but Jim is very proud of that watch. Jim's present. She gives him the gold chain.
And Della? Della is most proud of her The chain is beautiful, but when Della asks
beautiful long hair. But she really wants to Jim to put it on his watch, Jim surprises her.
buy that gold chain for Jim's watch. Too He sold the watch to buy her those nice
bad she only has $1.87. So, she decides to combs.
sell her hair to a woman who
makes wigs and other hair articles. The Were they both foolish to sell their
woman pays Della $20 for her hair. The favorite possessions? O.Henry tells us that,
chain costs $21, so she now has enough no, they were wise. They were wise because
money. She buys the chain to give to Jim. they had each sacrificed their
She goes home and prepares Jim's dinner most valuable possessions for the person
and waits for him to come home, a little bit they loved. They were like the three wise
worried that Jim will be shocked when he men — the Magi — who brought presents
sees her with all her beautiful hair cut off. for Jesus Christ after he was born. Keep in
mind, that this is why Christians still give
When Jim comes home, he does look presents on Christmas Day: to remember the
shocked when he sees Della with short hair. gifts the Magi brought Christ on that very
He stares at her in a strange way and it first Christmas.
scares her. She explains to Jim how she sold
her hair to buy him