Creative Non-Fiction 12

Disclaimer: This Learning Activity Sheet (LAS) is based from the Self-Learning Modules,
Learner’s Materials, Textbooks and Teaching Guides released by DepEd Central Office.
Competency:

 Write a mini critique of a peer’s work based on coherence and

organization of paragraphs, development of literary elements, use of
factual information, and other qualities concerning form and content.

(HUMSS_CNF11/12-lId-e-18)

Objectives: At the end of the week, you shall have: o Identified

your own process or steps in making a critique; o Constructed
an essay employing coherence and organization of
paragraphs, development of literary elements, use of factual
information, and other qualities concerning form and content;
and
o Demonstrate fair judgment by giving clear and coherent
critique of your peer’s work.

Learner’s Tasks

Lesson Overview: Peer Critique

In your previous lesson, you are done with presenting a commentary/

critique on a chosen creative non-fictional text representing a particular type
or form.

In this lesson, you will learn how to write a mini critique of your peer’s work
based on coherence and organization of paragraphs, development of literary
elements, use of factual information, and other qualities concerning form and
content.

Good creative nonfiction writing must have coherence and organization

of paragraphs, development of literary elements, use of factual information,
and other qualities concerning form and content.

Coherence and Organization of Paragraphs

Organization is said that ideas are well-developed when there is a clear

statement of purpose, position, facts, examples, specific details, definitions,
explanation, justifications, or opposing viewpoints. Organization is achieved

1
when these ideas are logically and accurately arranged. Organization means
that your argument flows logically from one point to the next.

There is a clear
statement of purpose,
position, facts, IDEAS are formed If there is
examples, specific and well - organization,
details, definitions, developed called there is
explanation, ORGANIZATION. COHERENCE.
justifications or opposing
viewpoints.

Cohesion
Structure

Coherence means that sentences are arranged in a logical manner,

making them easily understood by the reader. Cohesion is the connection of
ideas at sentence level. Cohesion means that the elements of your paper work
together smoothly and naturally.

Your topic will suggest the structure of your text. Structure is the
arrangement or organization of the text.

Types of Structure Meaning

1. Chronological an arrangement of events in a linear fashion as

they occurred in time.

2. Flashback beginning in a certain point of the story then

moving back in the past.

3. Parallel a type of structure that has several stories,

running side by side with occasional crosscutting
or convergence.

2
4. Collage or Mosaic it involves pasting together of small fragments,
which all together build up the total picture of
what happened.

5. Question and Answer it allows the reader to hear the subject’s voice
without awkwardness of having to repeat “he
said” or “she said” before or after every direct
quotation.

6. Frame or The it is a good structure to use when you want to

Storywithin-a-Story say two stories- say, a travel narrative, where the
actual physical journey is paralleled by an inner
journey.

Creative Nonfiction writing must have 3 parts: Introduction, Body, and

Ending/Conclusion.

The purpose of introduction is to grab the readers’ attention and compel

them to read further. It should have a strong and dramatic beginning.

a. Title. It is not necessarily written before the piece is written, but it is good
to have a working title to help you focus.

Catchy and clever titles have an advantage

Title which are too long are at disadvantage
Titles should not be misleading
It should give the reader an idea of what to expect

b. The first paragraph. First paragraphs lead the reader to reading the
whole text. Thus, it must catch attention, give the reader a hint of what
the subject is, set the tone, and guide the reader to what comes next.

The key to good creative nonfiction is dramatic writing and the key to
good dramatic writing is action.

3
Ways of beginning:
Passage of vivid description
Quotation
Dialogue
Question
Striking statement
Reference to current event
In media res-plunge right into the middle of the action

In the body, highly effective use of sensory details and different literary
devices bring the story to life.

Ending a creative nonfiction piece must be the logical conclusion of the

flow of your text or of the development of your ideas. The reader must be left
with the impression that the subject was adequately discussed or presented.

Ways of ending:
Dramatic denouement
Note of quiet lyricism
Moral lesson
Anecdote
Point made at the beginning of the essay

Development of Literary Elements

Literary elements refer to particular identifiable characteristics of a whole

text. They are not “used”, per se, by authors; they represent the elements of
storytelling which are common to all literary and narrative forms.

For example, every story has a theme, every story has a setting, every story
has a conflict, every story is written from a particular point of view, etc. In order
to be discussed legitimately as part of a textual analysis, literary elements must
be specifically identified for that particular text.

Use of Factual Information

But, why use factual information?

Creative nonfiction is about fact and truth. The truth can be about a
personal experience, event, or issue in the public eye. You can research on

4
your topic: primary (interview, personal experience, or participant observation)
and secondary research (books, magazines, newspaper, Web).

Never invent or change facts.

An invented story is fiction.
Provide accurate information.
Write honestly and truthfully.
Information should be verifiable.
Provide concrete evidence.
Use facts, examples, and quotations.
Use literary devices to tell the story.
Choose language that stimulates and entertains the reader, such as
simile, metaphor, imagery.

Peer Critique

In deciding what words to keep or throw away, you need to learn how to
critique. This is the systematic method of examining the written word.

A French word derived from the Greek kritikē, critique means the ability to
discern the worth of something. It is the feedback and personal assessment of
what you read. It is a way of helping fellow writers improve, which is better than
being a critic.

Critique is a critical discussion or review that describes, summarizes,

analyzes, and evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of a work. It is written in
paragraph form.

Peer critique or peer review is the practice of writers to review and provide
constructive criticism of each other’s works.

Peer Critique Guidelines:

1. Be kind: Always treat others with dignity and respect. This means we
never use words that are hurtful, including sarcasm.

2. Be specific: Focus on particular strengths and weaknesses, rather than

making general comments like “It’s good” or “I like it.” Provide insight
into why it is good or what, specifically, you like about it.

5
3. Be helpful: The goal is to positively contribute to the individual or the
group, not to simply be heard. Echoing the thoughts of others or cleverly
pointing out details that are irrelevant wastes time.

4. Participate: Peer critique is a process to support each other, and your

feedback is valued!

How to Write a Critique: Suggested Critique Format

1. Summarize and interpret. At this first stage, you are not judging the piece
or offering suggestions. You are just telling the author what you think it is
about, and what you think it is trying to do. This is important because it
tells the author how well he or she has succeeded in communicating. It
also tells the author if you have understood the piece correctly.

2. Say what you think is working well. Positive feedback can be as useful
as criticism. Point out the best parts of the piece and the strengths of the
author's writing. This can help the author write more "best parts" in the
future and develop his or her individual talent.

3. Give constructive criticism. Make sure that criticism is respectful and

delivered in a form that allows the author to make specific
improvements. Give examples from the piece whenever possible to
show your points.

How to Write a Critique: Do's and Don'ts

DO:
Read the piece several times ahead of time
Try to experience the piece as an "ordinary reader" before you consider it
as an author or editor
Try to understand the author's goals
Be specific in your feedback and provide relevant examples

DON'T:
Impose your own aesthetics, tastes, or world view
Rewrite the story the way you would have written it
Discourage the author
Offer criticisms that are too general to help the author make specific
improv

6
WEEK 3

Activity 1. My Critique Process!

Directions: From what you have understood in the lesson, identify your own
process or steps in making a critique paper. Use a separate sheet of paper for
your answer.

At this point, you have already learned with the guides and tips on how
you write a mini critique of your peer’s work based on coherence and
organization of paragraphs, development of literary elements, use of factual
information, and other qualities concerning form and content.

Writing and Critiquing 101

The goal of a peer review is to help improve your classmate's paper by pointing
out strengths and weaknesses that may not be apparent to the author. You
will be asked to write and critique an essay and reflect on it. Use a separate
sheet for your outputs. The scoring rubric on the following pages will be used
by your teacher in assessing your work.

Activity 2A: Writing

Directions: Choose one topic from the following and write an essay in at least
3 paragraphs incorporating the strategies you learned from this module. Write
a catchy title for your text.
o My unforgettable travel before quarantine o My greatest learning during
this pandemic o Environmental issues today
7
8

Activity 2B: Critiquing

Directions: Exchange essays with a classmate (same barangay or nearest to
your home) and complete a peer review of each other’s writing. Remember
to give positive feedback and to be courteous and polite in your responses.
Focus on providing one positive comment and one question for more
information to the author. Use the questions for peer review provided below to
easily create an outline of the strengths and weaknesses of your peer’s work.

Questions for Peer Review: Organization, Unity, and Coherence

Title of essay:
Date:

Writer’s name:
Peer reviewer’s name:
This essay is about .
Your main points in this essay are .
What I liked most about this essay is .

These three points struck me as your strongest:

Point 1: Why:

Point 2: Why:

Point 3: Why:

These places in your essay are not clear to me:

Where 1:
Needs improvement because
Where 2:
Needs improvement because
Where 3:
Needs improvement because

The one additional change you could make that would improve this essay
significantly is ___________________________________________________________.

9
WEEK 4

Activity 3A: Critique Writing

Directions: Writing a peer critique is also writing an essay. Combine all your
answers from the questions for peer review to create a critique essay applying
also the strategies you learned from this lesson.

Activity 3B: Self-Critique

Directions: Fill out the spaces to realize the strengths and weaknesses of your
work. With this, you will know what will be your next step on what you will do to
your critiqued essay.

Name:
Date:

Name of Partner:
Focus of Critique:
My partner liked
My partner suggested
My next step(s)

10
Reflection
Direction: Complete the statement in each box to ponder on your learnings in
this module.

AHA! OW! HMM?

My best learning in this I enjoyed the activity I have a question or

module is … where … clarification with …

Formative Test

Directions: Read carefully each item. Use a separate sheet for your answers.
Write only the letter of the best answer for each test item.

1. In what part of an essay can a writer build up his/her paper paragraph by

paragraph according to the topics and sections that he has identified in
his/her outline?
A. Body C. Introduction
B. Conclusion D. Plot

2. Which structure of text has several stories, running side by side with
occasional cross-cutting or convergence?
A. Collage or Mosai C. Parallel
b. Flashback D. Chronological

3. Which of the following activities is NOT a part of interpreting and evaluating

creative nonfiction?
A. Discussion of the work’s style
B. Statement of topic and purpose
C. See the effectiveness of the work
D. Discussion of appeal to a particular audience

4. When can one say that organization in paragraphs is achieved?

A. when there is proper use of writing mechanics
B. when punctuation marks are correctly applied
C. when ideas are logically and accurately arranged
D. when language used is appropriate
11
5. Which of the following statements should you give importance when giving
criticisms?

A. When giving criticisms, start off by focusing on the weaknesses – like

what you don’t like about the idea.
B. When giving criticisms, have the readers guess on possible solutions
and advice, instead of offering them what you have thought.
C. When giving criticisms, include irrelevant details to lengthen your
critique.
D. When giving criticisms, make sure that criticism is respectful and
delivered in a form that allows the author to make specific
improvements.