CREATIVE NON-FICTION

MODULE 9
EXPLORE
Enrichment Activity 1: My concept, my understanding
1. How does an autobiography differ from a biography?
 A biography is an account of a person's life, written by someone else. An  autobiography is an account of a
person's life, written by that person.

2. What is a memoir? Can we use the terms autobiography and memoir interchangeably? Elaborate.
 A memoir is a form of creative nonfiction in which an author recounts experiences from his or her
life. Memoirs usually take the form of a narrative, The  terms memoir and autobiography are commonly used
interchangeably, and the distinction between these  two genres is often blurred.
 In some general contexts, memoir and autobiography can be used interchangeably. In fact, Amazon.com puts
them in the same category. But there’s a key difference that publishers use to define each—the timeline covered
in the writing.
An autobiography focuses on the chronology of the writer’s entire life while a memoir covers one specific aspect
of the writer’s life. So, if I chose to write about my complete life up to this point—including growing up in
Cincinnati, my time in New York, the few years I spent in Chicago, and eventually landing at Writer’s Digest—I’d
write an autobiography. If I wrote a book about the winter of my sophomore year in high school where I got my
tongue stuck to an icy pole, I’d write a memoir.

Assessment Activity 1: Focusing the Lens

1. Reliving Memories through photographs

 The 2 photographs are from the Eco Warrior Pageant that was performed on my previous school Parasapas
National High School. We we’re tasked to make a costume out of recyclable things to showcase how students can
be creative and also to show everyone that instead of throwing the recyclable things in the trashcan, why not
recycle it in a creative way like us students did. The program had a production number where all of us dance at
the same time with the same steps and one music. Of course, the production number was also graded by the
judges on who had the best production number out of all 14 candidates, 2 will be awarded with the best
production number. After the dance number we were given a microphone to speak our name, age, grade and
section so the judges and also everyone who’s watching us can recall who we are and what grade we are in. after
that we were given 30 minutes to change to our costumes for the Best in Creative Costume event, as each
candidate will showcase their costume to the judge and impress them while the judges score each candidate. We
 were given 30 seconds to speak of what’s our costume’s name is and who we are cosplaying as. I was cosplaying
as the goddess of fire, my costume was made with the dry leaves called “PAKAK” that was spray painted in red to
look like fire, the top was made out of spoons which was also painted red, yellow and orange to have a mix of
different colors of flame, my crown was made out of wire that was formed into circle and sticked it on a used
headband and for the details a gold and red foil that was glued in a stick to have that dramatic look into it. My
stand was made out of an old iron tube and a styro ball on top of it with cardboard to give shape and look like a
sun painted with gold and sprinkled with gold glitters with gold foil, lastly my back piece. It was made out of
cardboards shaped into a spear shape and painted with red mixed with orange and yellow to look more fiery
back piece. It was one hell of a night for me because the tense of the pageant and eager to win was all a mixed
emotions to each and every candidate. As we we’re modeling our outfits and answering the Q&A portion of the
program there is no doubt that the whole program was a nerve-racking moment but no matter what happens the
pageant must go on. I did my best and showed them what our section can do and that we can conjoin the higher
levels of our school. As I walk up the stage and was asked by the question the teacher gave me, I had a blackout
due to the tense I was feeling but the eagerness to win was still in me so I answered it and put my heart into it.
As I finished answering the only thing, I’ve heard is the audience clapping. I was proud and happy with my answer
and I knew I no matter what the results is, I still did my best and it’s okay. The judges gave the results and the MC
announced the winner, I was praying and looking at my classmates and adviser hoping that they will call my
name. “The winner of the Ms. Eco Warrior 2020 is…… Candidate number 6”, it was me! I was candidate number
6!!!! I started crying and saying “YES! I DID IT! WE ALL DID IT!”. The only thing that I was feeling is HAPPINESS and
nothing else, we all worked hard for this. It was just not me who was fighting to get the crown, it was all of us
who struggled to put every piece together and make it beautiful and presentable. I wasn’t just the winner; we
were all a winner.

2. Recalling a Dream (adapted from the Susan Hubbard)

 A dream… I don’t really remember all of my dreams but the first thing that comes to my mind when I hear or
read the word DREAM is that dream, I had about my friend in manila, it was a bad dream I tell you. I remember
that scene, I was in a funeral. It was so weird because as soon as I opened my eyes, I was Infront of this house
and there were people outside wearing a white shirt while inside I can hear some people crying. There was a
tarpaulin outside but I didn’t really bother looking at it so I just walked inside the house. The first thing I saw was
white flowers and my friend’s mother with my grade 6 classmates in Monalisa Academy with her. I was so
confused because this is the first time, I saw my friend’s mother in my dream and my classmates in grade 6. As I
was walking inside the house the sound of crying stopped. All eyes were on me like I did something bad to them,
I couldn’t talk it’s like my mouth was shut tight. I continued walking inside and saw a casket with flowers and
lights on it. Ever since I looked at a dead people inside a casket when I was 10 years old, I got scared so bad
looking at it. If there are funerals on my relatives I would just stay outside and not even go inside to take a look. It
traumatized me so bad I didn’t even want to look at my grandfather’s face when he died. So, I hesitated looking
inside the casket in my dream, slowly peaking. And in my surprise, it was my friend, I couldn’t remember his face
but I was sure it was him. I wanted to speak as soon as I saw him but I couldn’t, I just cried and banging on his
casket to wake him up. His mother and our classmates were shouting on me saying “YOU DID THIS” “YOU DID
THIS” “YOU DID THIS” over and over again, pushing me to fall down the casket. I closed my eyes and the moment
I opened them I was awake. I told my friend everything as soon as I wake up, I messaged him. He only told me “It
means I’m really going to die”.

Enrichment Activity 2: Going Down Memory Lane

What to do: Recall and name three (3) events in your life. Decide which one could be an interesting topic for memoir.
Give relevant explanations to support your choice.

1. 2. 3.
When I won Miss Eco Warrior 2019 When I first had my dog named When me my brother and mother
 “Mira” eating at a restaurant
Explanation Explanation Explanation
I think this would be a great topic for This one is an emotional one and a This is an interesting topic for a
a memoir due to the struggles and good topic also for a memoir. I’m a memoir about me. My mother left us
challenges myself and my whole dog person and ever since I was to go in abroad since I was in grade 6,
team faced in this particular pageant. asking my parents everyday if they and until now that I’m a grade 11
It would also tackle the making of the could buy or give me a dog. They student she’s still working to earn
costume, props and our team work. kept refusing because our house in money and give everything we need
manila was too small to have a dog in as both me and my brother grows up.
it. But my superhero came, and that It was my first time having a meal
is my brother’s girlfriend ate Kyle. beside my mother after 4 years and it
She gave me the most beautiful dog was even my birthday that time.
in the world and I bet if someone She’s a true superwoman, the
read my memoir about this it will strongest and the most beautiful one.
touch their hearts. Rest in peach to I would love to make a story about
my beloved Mira 😊 my Best Mother in the World.

Assessment Activity 2: Count Thy Blessings

Develop a timeline of significant events in your life from your childhood to present and make an assumption as to how
you see your life in the future.

Year Age Significant Life Events (From Future Life

childhood to present)
2020 18 years When I was in elementary, I only had a I know this sounds weird but I always wanted to be a
old line of 7 grades but when I turned into chef when I was in grade 6, I wanted to bake and
high school my grades kept improving cook for my parents and people I care. But my heart
year by year. And finally in grade 10 I got was holding into law. I started buying books about
a 94 overall average and With Honor laws and searching on what to know and what we
medal. should know about lawyers. Seeing them Infront of
2019 17 years When I won Miss Eco Warrior 2019 the court speaking up for people who couldn’t
old protect and speak up for themselves. I wanted to do
2021 19 years When I first met my best friend who also that, I wanted to feel like that. And I know I could do
old likes anime and BL stuffs like me. it; I can achieve it.