Read the articles and answer the questions:
Using the concepts you learned about in the first three chapters of Story Craft, what do you notice in the
Excerpt from Wild, from "Chop Wood, Carry Water," and "Unprotected"? Consider the following questions as
you respond to the creative nonfiction samples, applying the concepts from your readings. You don't have to
respond to every question, but dive into the samples and see how the authors enacted various concepts from
the Story Craft readings:
- What characters are driving the story? Who's the protagonist (active, sympathetic character)?
- What does the writer do to hold your attention and to teach you a lesson?
- What do you notice about the narrative arc (exposition, rising action, crisis, climax/resolution, falling
action/denouement)? - What did you notice about the order--moving back and forth in time--the writer chose?
- Whose point of view is privileged? Where are we as readers?
- Whose point of view are we encouraged to consider?
- What happens when the writer chooses an unusual point of view or multiple points of view?
- What do you notice about the various levels on the ladder of abstraction?
- Is there anything from these two samples that you would consider using in your own writing? What worked
well for you as a reader?
Sample Solution