Narrative Nonfiction: Tutorial

Plot

The plot of a narrative nonfiction work may follow the structure of a fictional novel, starting with the element of exposition and moving on to rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. This narrative structure allows the writer to bring cohesion and resolution to real-life events that may not have been so clearly defined.

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Dreiser's "My Brother Paul" is an example of narrative nonfiction. The story has strong narrative qualities such as a coherent plot, dynamic characters, conflict development, resolution, and engaging dialogue. These narrative qualities overlap with prose fiction. Dreiser also uses time jumps in his story to move between events. The narrative blends the genres of fiction and nonfiction for greater storytelling flexibility. For example, Dreiser uses the essay style and voice to point out specific details about his brother's character. He then introduces elements of narrative fiction, such as indirect characterization and dialogue, to highlight the points about Paul that have previously been made.

Characterization

Similar to characters in a fiction narrative, characters in a work of nonfiction can be dynamic and undergo meaningful growth and change. The author may recall a memory of a person and use personal perception to further develop the character. The flexibility of the narrative nonfiction genre allows the writer to fictionalize or blur certain elements of a character or event. Because a writer doesn't know the full and truthful motives or thoughts of a person, this genre gives license for writers to develop and fictionalize certain features of an actual person. Writers may use engaging dialogue to make characters distinct from one another and grant them a degree of individuality. Narrative nonfiction allows the writer to develop a particular conflict (such as character versus society) for characters that may simplify or not precisely portray the person's actual life.

Narration and Point of View

Sometimes works of nonfiction, like biographies, may chronicle the life of a person over a span of years. In narrative nonfiction, writers use techniques such as time sequencing to jump to or between critical parts of the story. The writer may also use flash-forward or flashback to move through the plot. Narrative pacing also enables writers to slow down or speed up the pace of the story to emphasize critical moments. As with other narrative forms, writers of narrative nonfiction can use different narrative point of views, but first person and third person are the most common. First-person narration enables writers to express their personal views about real-life people and events. In third person, the perspective is limited for writers because they cannot accurately understand the internal thoughts and motivations of the real people represented by their characters. Instead, writers must use what they've learned or observed about the actual people to develop the characters and events.

Reflection

The subjects in this genre usually center on events of personal significance to the writer. For this reason, narrative nonfiction commonly exhibits elements of narrative reflection—writers provide their thoughts and views on the events and experiences that have colored their lives. Writers may also comment on the manner in which these experiences and people have influenced other aspects of their lives. In such cases, works of narrative nonfiction resemble the nonfiction genres of memoir or the personal essay because they serve as a platform for the writer's personal views and opinions.

Read this excerpt from Virginia Woolf's short story "A Society." Then read this excerpt from Solomon Northup's memoir Twelve Years a Slave. What differences did you notice in the narration between the excerpts from Virginia Woolf's fictional "A Society" and Solomon Northup's memoir Twelve Years a Slave?

Woolf's piece focuses more on describing and developing the actions of the characters, while Northup's work presents the order and relevance of certain events. For example, Northup makes this recollection: With the return of spring, Anne and myself conceived the project of taking a farm in the neighborhood. I had been accustomed from earliest youth to agricultural labors, and it was an occupation congenial to my tastes. Woolf, on the other hand, focuses on the interaction between characters, as in this example: Not only was she very beautiful; she seemed also in the highest spirits. "How happy you look!" I exclaimed, as she sat down.

The examples from Woolf's short story and Northup's memoir:

are both told from a first-person point of view. Both stories have distinct shifts in time. In Woolf's story, the action shifts to the future as indicated by the phrase "three months later." In Northup's memoir, the action shifts from the winter of 1831-1832 to the "return of spring." One difference between the two is the style. In Woolf's fictional narrative piece, we see emphasis placed on showing and detailing character actions and relations. Woolf describes how she reacted when her friend returned: . . . but I could not restrain myself, and, dashing across the room, I clasped her in my arms. In contrast, Northup focuses on recalling events: That year I planted twenty-five acres of corn, sowed large fields of oats, and commenced farming upon as large a scale as my utmost means would permit. Because memoirs focus on recalling and reflecting on specific experiences, a memoir writer may emphasize events over characterization. Although fiction and memoir can mix styles, nonfiction tends to focus on the nature of actual events and reflect on the significance of those events, while fiction builds the relationship between characters, plot, and conflict.

Dreiser portrays Paul

as compassionate and always willing to help his family, friends, associates, and anybody he considered to be down and out, to the point that Dreiser thought it was a detriment. Dreiser describes a particularly stressful time in his own life when Paul reaches out to him, convinces Dreiser to live with him, and later sets Dreiser up at a friend's house, rent-free, until Dreiser can get back on his feet. Such actions show that perhaps they shared a parent-child dynamic, rather than a typical relationship between siblings. Paul encourages Dreiser to pursue his passion for writing. When Dreiser gives Paul the idea of writing a song about something related to their home state of Indiana, Paul asks him to write the lyrics. Encouraged by his brother, Dreiser writes the lyrics for one of Paul's most famous songs "On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away" which refers to the Wabash River of Indiana. The success of the song likely boosted Dreiser's confidence as a writer.

narrative elements—

characterization, plot, narration, and point of view—that are found in narrative nonfiction texts.

Narrative nonfiction

has become increasingly popular in recent decades because of its blending of genres and exploration of realistic topics that readers can identify with. Certain writing styles, such as New Journalism, were influential in establishing and developing the narrative nonfiction genre. New Journalism, considered to be the brainchild of Tom Wolfe, Truman Capote, and other writers was an American literary movement of the 1960s and 1970s. Journalists who were part of this movement used typical narrative storytelling techniques to report on culturally important events. Traditional newspapers resisted this imaginative style, and works of New Journalism were commonly published in literary magazines. Journalists often offered up their subjective perceptions on the factual events they reported on. Some famous books to come out of this movement include Truman Capote's In Cold Blood and Tom Wolfe's The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test. Wolfe's book describes his experiences during the 1960s traveling with a group of hippies. This subculture was made up primarily of young people who rejected social norms. In particular, Wolfe wrote about Ken Kesey, a famous writer and activist. The book functions as a first-person narrative, but it provides factual insight into the 1960s counter-culture.

Which definition best describes the narrative nonfiction genre?

The narrative nonfiction genre combines elements of narrative fiction and nonfiction by describing real-life stories and events using techniques such as plot, pacing, characterization, and point of view.

We see the effect of this blending of genres in the blind beggar incident.

Before narrating the incident, Dreiser comments on how his brother had a sympathetic nature, but he was simultaneously very mischievous and couldn't help sprinkling his charitable acts with a touch of "ridiculousness." Prior to going into the details of this incident, Dreiser lets his readers know that words cannot fully capture his brother: It is useless to try to indicate such things in writing, the facial expression, the intonation, the gestures; these are not things of words. Dreiser's comment sets up the indirect characterization of Paul that follows. He goes on to tell a story about his brother's sweet and humorous interaction with a beggar. The two styles combine to leave the reader with a rich and nuanced impression of his brother.

Which sentences correctly use a colon? []Jordan learned how to play many sports at summer camp: volleyball, baseball, lacrosse, and tennis. []Kim's extensive morning ritual of doing her hair was one she never forgot: it was her most important therapy. []Yesterday at the mall, Clarissa bought two pairs of jeans: four shirts, two pairs of shoes, and one bag. []Alan planned to finish his degree in one semester: he still remembered applying to college years ago.

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Which sentence uses the colon correctly? []Rachel forgot to set her alarm: last night and as a result, she missed her first day of at her new job. []Alison would never forget: the summer of 2012 it was the most adventurous summer of her life. []Emily felt cheated: her best friend had gone behind her back by befriending her sworn enemy. []Jackson was averse to any kind of advice: from anyone he preferred following his own intuition.

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Accuracy and Research

First and foremost, writers of narrative nonfiction base their stories on real events. Although narrative nonfiction typically reflects on the personal experience of the writer, a writer must accurately convey the people, places, and events that occur within the narrative. As a result, a writer may need to conduct extensive research so as not to compromise the truthfulness of the events and people discussed. Writers must fluidly and creatively blend accurate, researched-based details with narrative story-telling techniques. The biography is another type of nonfiction that overlaps with narrative nonfiction as far as attention to facts. Like writers of narrative nonfiction, writers of biographies research details to ensure that their work is truthful and accurate. Unlike biographies, however, narrative nonfiction provides writers with more creative license to depict people, places, and events.

Focus on Language

Grammar is an important ingredient in good writing. When used correctly, it can add depth and clarity to ideas in a given text. An essential component of correct grammar is using proper punctuation. Punctuation not only separates information but also influences how we interpret or convey meaning in a text. This section will focus on one specific punctuation mark: the colon. Colons have a variety of uses and purposes in the English language, including introducing lists, introducing quotations, and clarifying information. Watch the video on the next screen to learn more about colons.

Blending Genre: Narrative Nonfiction

Have you ever read a story or a book and couldn't quite tell what the genre might be? Although most literature falls into a clear genre, such as fiction or nonfiction, writers can blend elements of various genres to explore an event or a character in a unique way. In modern literature, blending characteristics of different genres is becoming increasingly common. Narrative nonfiction, also known as creative nonfiction, blends literary elements commonly found in fictional narratives and reflective nonfiction. This genre describes factual, real-life incidents in a vivid and engaging manner that is typically found in a narrative. Writers of narrative nonfiction blend elements of narration such as plot, pacing, and point of view with various forms of nonfiction, such as the personal essay or memoir. For example, in a personal essay, while the information is based on real events, authors may offer their own thoughts and reflections on the factual details explored in the essay. If a writer blends such reflective nonfiction within a narrative structure, the result is narrative nonfiction.

Reading Selection "My Brother Paul" by Theodore Dreiser

Theodore Dreiser was born in 1871 in Terre Haute, Indiana. His parents were poor, and because of the hardships he faced early in his life, he grew cynical toward the so-called American dream. As a result, many of his works are marked by disillusionment. Two of Dreiser's most notable works are based on real events. Sister Carrie, about a poor girl who moves to a big city and finds success as an actress, is partly based on the experiences of Dreiser's sister. In An American Tragedy, Dreiser used real news accounts to develop the story of a man who is tried for murder. Dreiser's Twelve Men, published in 1919, is a collection of narrative nonfiction pieces describing 12 men who influenced Dreiser's life. Read "My Brother Paul," a story from this collection. As you read, consider how Dreiser combines elements of nonfiction and fiction.

Analysis

Theodore Dreiser's "My Brother Paul" can be seen as a tribute to the life and memory of his brother Paul. It begins with his earliest recollection of his brother, who is 14 years older than Dreiser. This blending of reflection and storytelling work together to build a rich picture of Paul and the ways that he influenced Dreiser. Dreiser talks about Paul's relationship with their mother, who seemed to be the most important person in Paul's life. Paul laughed, cried, and shared all his concerns with his mother. After her death, the mere mention of her would bring tears to his eyes. Dreiser uses this memory, and others, to show the reader that Paul was a devoted and sympathetic person. Certain events that Dreiser describes are meant to have an emotional effect on readers. One is Paul's reconciliation with Dreiser after a brief period of indifference and estrangement. Paul reconciles with Dreiser in the spirit of Christmas. Dreiser then convinces Paul to check on their estranged sister, who is in the same city, and whose husband has just left her. Paul's actions enable the siblings to reconnect and reunite.

Elements of Narrative Nonfiction

To capture and understand the characteristics of narrative nonfiction, let's examine the key elements of nonfiction and narration found in the genre.

Perhaps the most sobering part of the story:

is when Dreiser relates the events leading up to Paul's death. Somewhere amid the glamour and white lights of Broadway, Paul loses his will to live. He no longer has interest in working as a writer or actor. Eventually, he runs out of money and has to move in with his sister. The doctor diagnoses Paul with pernicious anemia and says he doesn't have long to live. It seems that Dreiser envisioned Paul's illness two years before it actually happened, testifying to the strength of the brothers' bond. This is an excellent representation of how Dreiser ties the narrative elements in with the true events as they unfold. Dreiser ends the story by remembering how his brother used to light up Broadway. He recognizes the innate genius and artistry of his brother. He celebrates Paul's life rather than grieving for his death.