I’ve written about
narrative nonfiction many times before on this blog, and yet my ideas keep
evolving. For a long time, I’ve felt that there are two distinct kinds of
narrative nonfiction, but I was having trouble articulating the differences.
Luckily, a Tweep
came to my rescue. During a series of conversations with Mary Ann Cappiello,
we were able to identify some of the differences and develop a descriptive name
for each category.
came to my rescue. During a series of conversations with Mary Ann Cappiello,
we were able to identify some of the differences and develop a descriptive name
for each category.
As part of that
dialog, I looked up the definition of story
and this is what I found:
dialog, I looked up the definition of story
and this is what I found:
“a real or imaginary
account of people and events told for entertainment”
account of people and events told for entertainment”
I’m not sure it’s accurate to say that all stories are told for
entertainment, and plenty of children’s stories focus on non-human characters,
so here’s my own workimg definition:
entertainment, and plenty of children’s stories focus on non-human characters,
so here’s my own workimg definition:
Story–a real or imaginary account of people/creatures and
events.
events.
Most fiction writers would say that a story also needs a narrative plot arc
(see diagram) and a conflict that is resolved by the end. To be sure, narrative
nonfiction biographies and books about historical events include both of these
elements.
(see diagram) and a conflict that is resolved by the end. To be sure, narrative
nonfiction biographies and books about historical events include both of these
elements.
But I l prefer my working definition because it makes
room for a subset of narrative nonfiction that I’ve struggled to define. It’s
most common in science-themed picture books that describe a
natural process, such as the cycle of a storm or the typical daily, seasonal,
or annual activities of a single animal or a host of animals living and
interacting in a specific environment.
room for a subset of narrative nonfiction that I’ve struggled to define. It’s
most common in science-themed picture books that describe a
natural process, such as the cycle of a storm or the typical daily, seasonal,
or annual activities of a single animal or a host of animals living and
interacting in a specific environment.
I have been
calling these “cycle stories” for some time, but because I didn’t
have an umbrella term for the more common history/biography titles, I kept seeing
cycle stories as anomalies. But thanks to Mary Ann’s recent comments and my
recollections of a conversation I had with ElizabethPartridge several years ago, I’m now giving the “traditional” narrative
nonfiction the label “plot”. Because they do have true narrative arcs with
conflicts and resolutions.
calling these “cycle stories” for some time, but because I didn’t
have an umbrella term for the more common history/biography titles, I kept seeing
cycle stories as anomalies. But thanks to Mary Ann’s recent comments and my
recollections of a conversation I had with ElizabethPartridge several years ago, I’m now giving the “traditional” narrative
nonfiction the label “plot”. Because they do have true narrative arcs with
conflicts and resolutions.
Here are
some great books in each narrative nonfiction category:
some great books in each narrative nonfiction category:
Plot
Ballet for Martha by Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan
Bomb by Steve Sheinkin
Buried Alive by Elaine Scott
The Day-Glo Brothers by
Chris Barton
Chris Barton
The Family Romanov by Candace Fleming
When Marian Sang by Pam Munoz Ryan
Cycle
Beneath the Sun by Melissa Stewart
A Drop of Water by Gordon Morrison
Frog in a Bog by John Himmelman
Red-Eyed Tree Frog by Joy Cowley
Redwoods by Jason Chin (due to the art)
Vulture View by April Pulley Sayre
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