3. Principles, Elements, Techniques and Devices in Creative Nonfiction
A. Plot
Definition;
Plot is known as the foundation of a novel or story, around which the characters and settings are built. It is meant to organize information and events in a logical manner. When writing the plot of a piece of literature, the author has to be careful that it does not dominate the other parts of the story.
Primary Elements of a Plot
There are five main elements in a plot.
Exposition or Introduction
- This is the beginning of the story, where characters and setting are established. The conflict or main problem is introduced as well.
Rising Action
- Rising action which occurs when a series of events build up to the conflict. The main characters are established by the time the rising action of a plot occurs, and at the same time, events begin to get complicated. It is during this part of a story that excitement, tension, or crisis is encountered.
Climax
- In the climax, or the main point of the plot, there is a turning point of the story. This is meant to be the moment of highest interest and emotion, leaving the reader wondering what is going to happen next.
Falling Action
- Falling action, or the winding up of the story, occurs when events and complications begin to resolve. The result of the actions of the main characters are put forward.
Resolution
- Resolution, or the conclusion, is the end of a story, which may occur with either a happy or a tragic ending.
Examples:
#1: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (By J. K. Rowling)
Among the examples of plot in modern literature, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is probably the most familiar to both readers and moviegoers. The plot of the story begins when Harry learns that Professor Snape is after the Sorcerer’s Stone. The Professor lets loose a troll, who nearly kills Harry and his friends. In addition, Harry finds out that Hagrid let out the secret of the giant dog to a stranger in return for a dragon, which means that Snape can now reach the Sorcerer’s Stone.
#2: Pride and Prejudice (By Jane Austen)
A very good plot example in romantic fiction appears in the book Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. The plot of the story begins when Lizzie’s sister, Jane, falls in love with Darcy’s friend named Mr. Bingley. Lizzie develops and interest in Mr. Wickham, who accuses Darcy of destroying him financially.
When Lizzie goes to meet her friend, she runs into Mr. Darcy, who proposes, and Lizzie rejects. She then writes him a letter telling him why she dislikes him. He writes back, clearing up all misunderstandings and accusations. Jane runs away with Mr. Wickham, and Lizzie realizes that Mr. Darcy is not as bad a man as she had thought him to be.
B. Characters
Definition
- A character is a person, animal, being, creature, or thing in a story. Writers use characters to perform the actions and speak dialogue, moving the story along a plot line. A story can have only one character (protagonist) and still be a complete story. This character’s conflict may be an inner one (within him/herself), or a conflict with something natural, such as climbing a mountain. Most stories have multiple characters interacting, with one of them as the antagonist, causing a conflict for the protagonist.
I. Major characters
Protagonist
– This is the main character, around which the whole story revolves. The decisions made by this character will be affected by a conflict from within, or externally through another character, nature, technology, society, or the fates/God.
Antagonist
– This character, or group of characters, causes the conflict for the protagonist. However, the antagonist could be the protagonist, who is torn by a problem within. Most times, something external is causing the problem. A group of people causing the conflict would be considered society, perhaps the members of a team, community, or institution. Additionally, the antagonist could be a part of nature, such as an animal, the weather, a mountain or lake.
II. Minor characters
These are the other characters in a story. They are not as important as the major characters, but still play a large part in the story. Their actions help drive the story forward. They may impact the decisions the protagonist or antagonist make, either helping or interfering with the conflict.
Characters can have different traits. Major characters will usually be more dynamic, changing and growing through the story while minor characters may be more static.
Foil
– A foil is a character that has opposite character traits from another, meant to help highlight or bring out another’s positive or negative side. Many times, the antagonist is the foil for the protagonist.
Static
– Characters who are static do not change throughout the story. Their use may simply be to create or relieve tension, or they were not meant to change. A major character can remain static through the whole story.
Dynamic
– Dynamic characters change throughout the story. They may learn a lesson, become bad, or change in complex ways.
Flat
– A flat character has one or two main traits, usually only all positive or negative. They are the opposite of a round character. The flaw or strength has its use in the story.
Round
– These are the opposite of the flat character. These characters have many different traits, good and bad, making them more interesting.
Stock
– These are the stereotypical characters, such as the boy genius, ambitious career person, faithful sidekick, mad scientist, etc.
Example:
Character # 1
The Cheshire Cat
The Cheshire Cat is the Duchess’ pet. Alice meets him in the sixth chapter. Cheshire Cat is a unique character of the novel, as he appears and disappears at his will. Alice enjoys speaking with him though he always brings strange philosophical questions that intrigue Alice. He also teaches her the rules of Wonderland. Like most of the characters of Wonderland, he is also mad, and he accepts the flaw with pride. He tells Alice that everyone is mad in Wonderland and it’s okay if Alice’s behavior is inconsistent here. He has projected a unique character who behaves normally even when other creatures don’t.
C. CHARACTERIZATION
DEFINITION
- Characterization is a literary device that is used step-by-step in literature to highlight and explain the details about a character in a story. It is in the initial stage in which the writer introduces the character with noticeable emergence. After introducing the character, the writer often talks about his behavior; then, as the story progresses, the thought-processes of the character.
Types of Characterization;
An author can use two approaches to deliver information about a character and build an image of it. These two types of characterization include:
Direct or explicit characterization
This kind of characterization takes a direct approach towards building the character. It uses another character, narrator, or the protagonist himself to tell the readers or audience about the subject.
Indirect or implicit characterization
This is a more subtle way of introducing the character to the audience. The audience has to deduce for themselves the characteristics of the character by observing his/her thought process, behavior, speech, way of talking, appearance, and manner of communication with other characters, as well as by discerning the response of other characters.
- Characterization is a literary device that is used step-by-step in literature to highlight and explain the details about a character in a story. It is in the initial stage in which the writer introduces the character with noticeable emergence. After introducing the character, the writer often talks about his behavior; then, as the story progresses, the thought-processes of the character.
Types of Characterization;
An author can use two approaches to deliver information about a character and build an image of it. These two types of characterization include:
Direct or explicit characterization
This kind of characterization takes a direct approach towards building the character. It uses another character, narrator, or the protagonist himself to tell the readers or audience about the subject.
Indirect or implicit characterization
This is a more subtle way of introducing the character to the audience. The audience has to deduce for themselves the characteristics of the character by observing his/her thought process, behavior, speech, way of talking, appearance, and manner of communication with other characters, as well as by discerning the response of other characters.
Examples of Characterization in Literature
Example #1: The Great Gatsby (By F. Scott Fitzgerald)
There are many examples of characterization in literature. The Great Gatsby, is probably the best. In this particular book, the main idea revolves around the social status of each character. The major character of the book, Mr. Gatsby, is perceptibly rich, but he does not belong to the upper stratum of society. This means that he cannot have Daisy. Tom is essentially defined by his wealth and the abusive nature that he portrays every now and then, while Daisy is explained by Gatsby as having a voice “full of money.”
Another technique to highlight the qualities of a character is to put them in certain areas that are symbolic of a social status. In the novel, Gatsby resides in the West Egg, which is considered less trendy than East Egg, where Daisy lives. This difference points out the gap between Jay’s and Daisy’s social statuses. Moreover, you might also notice that Tom, Jordan, and Daisy live in East Egg while Gatsby and Nick reside in West Egg, which again highlights the difference in their financial background. This division is reinforced at the end of the novel when Nick supports Gatsby against the rest of the folk.
Example #1: The Great Gatsby (By F. Scott Fitzgerald)
There are many examples of characterization in literature. The Great Gatsby, is probably the best. In this particular book, the main idea revolves around the social status of each character. The major character of the book, Mr. Gatsby, is perceptibly rich, but he does not belong to the upper stratum of society. This means that he cannot have Daisy. Tom is essentially defined by his wealth and the abusive nature that he portrays every now and then, while Daisy is explained by Gatsby as having a voice “full of money.”
Another technique to highlight the qualities of a character is to put them in certain areas that are symbolic of a social status. In the novel, Gatsby resides in the West Egg, which is considered less trendy than East Egg, where Daisy lives. This difference points out the gap between Jay’s and Daisy’s social statuses. Moreover, you might also notice that Tom, Jordan, and Daisy live in East Egg while Gatsby and Nick reside in West Egg, which again highlights the difference in their financial background. This division is reinforced at the end of the novel when Nick supports Gatsby against the rest of the folk.
D. POINT OF VIEW
Definition
Point of view is the angle of considering things, which shows us the opinion or feelings of the individuals involved in a situation. In literature, point of view is the mode of narration that an author employs to let the readers “hear” and “see” what takes place in a story, poem, or essay.
Point of view is a reflection of the opinion an individual from real life or fiction has. Examples of point of view belong to one of these three major kinds:
First person point of view involves the use of either of the two pronouns “I” or “we.”
“I felt like I was getting drowned with shame and disgrace.”
Second person point of view employs the pronoun “you.”
“Sometimes you cannot clearly discern between anger and frustration.”
Third person point of view uses pronouns like “he,” “she,” “it,” “they,” or a name.
“ Stewart is a principled man. He acts by the book and never lets you deceive him easily.”
Examples of Point of View in Literature
Example #1: Hamlet (By William Shakespeare)
Hamlet, the protagonist, explains the feeling of melancholy that afflicts him after his father’s death:
“I have of late, — but wherefore I know not, — lost all my mirth, forgone all custom of exercises; and indeed, it goes so heavily with my disposition that this goodly frame, the earth, seems to me a sterile promontory.”
This is one of the best first-person point of view examples in literature. The use of first-person point of view gives us a glimpse into the real inner feelings of frustration of the character. The writer has utilized the first-person point of view to expose Hamlet’s feelings in a detailed way.
Example #2: Daffodils (By William Wordsworth)
“I gazed – and gazed – but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought.”
Notice how William Wordsworth uses the first-person point of view to express his subjective feelings about the scene of daffodils in his famous poem. The use of the pronoun “I” gives a special quality to the feelings expressed in these lines. The reader can see that the poet has employed first-person point of view to share with us his own personal emotions.
Definition
Point of view is the angle of considering things, which shows us the opinion or feelings of the individuals involved in a situation. In literature, point of view is the mode of narration that an author employs to let the readers “hear” and “see” what takes place in a story, poem, or essay.
Point of view is a reflection of the opinion an individual from real life or fiction has. Examples of point of view belong to one of these three major kinds:
First person point of view involves the use of either of the two pronouns “I” or “we.”
“I felt like I was getting drowned with shame and disgrace.”
Second person point of view employs the pronoun “you.”
“Sometimes you cannot clearly discern between anger and frustration.”
Third person point of view uses pronouns like “he,” “she,” “it,” “they,” or a name.
“ Stewart is a principled man. He acts by the book and never lets you deceive him easily.”
Examples of Point of View in Literature
Example #1: Hamlet (By William Shakespeare)
Hamlet, the protagonist, explains the feeling of melancholy that afflicts him after his father’s death:
“I have of late, — but wherefore I know not, — lost all my mirth, forgone all custom of exercises; and indeed, it goes so heavily with my disposition that this goodly frame, the earth, seems to me a sterile promontory.”
This is one of the best first-person point of view examples in literature. The use of first-person point of view gives us a glimpse into the real inner feelings of frustration of the character. The writer has utilized the first-person point of view to expose Hamlet’s feelings in a detailed way.
Example #2: Daffodils (By William Wordsworth)
“I gazed – and gazed – but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought.”
Notice how William Wordsworth uses the first-person point of view to express his subjective feelings about the scene of daffodils in his famous poem. The use of the pronoun “I” gives a special quality to the feelings expressed in these lines. The reader can see that the poet has employed first-person point of view to share with us his own personal emotions.
E. ANGLE
Definition
Definition
For instance, if a new law is passed, angles might include the cost of implementing the law and where the money will come from, the legislators who authored and pushed for the law, and the people most closely affected by the law. While each one of these could be included in the main story, each one also lends itself to a separate story.
Types of Story Angles
Both news and feature stories can have different angles. A few examples include the local angle, the national angle, and the follow-up story.
EXAMPLES:
Local angle: Sometimes reporters are asked to "localize a story." You can have a national news story, like hurricane ravaging shorelines across the East Coast. But a news outlet in Florida would focus specifically on the area where its readers/viewers are located.
National angle: This approach is taken for major stories, trend pieces, and issues that affect the country as a whole. An example would be how President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act affected Americans of different socioeconomic groups.
Follow-up story: After a breaking news story hits the Internet and newspapers, reporters will often write a follow-up story where the lede focuses on the new information. Using the inverted pyramid style of writing—where the most relevant information is at the top of the story—a follow-up article gives readers new details followed by the background that is found in the initial story.
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