An Analysis of Narrative and Voice in Creative Nonfiction

Abstract

This manuscript surveys and analyzes the relationships between 25 published essays identified in the book In Fact: The Best of Creative Nonfiction using Jahn’s (2003) narratological framework in an attempt to identify the narratological relationships between fiction and creative nonfiction and to analyze creative nonfiction through a narratological framework created for fiction. All of the surveyed stories contained many indicators that contribute to a deepened engagement for the readers, however at the individual writer level; the lowest common denominator is each writer’s ability to forge ahead and continue to create a narrative that develops meaning for the readers beyond the mere reporting of events. Areas identified for further research includes experimental research in the areas of cross-cultural cognitive models that could provide insights concerning the existence of an unreliable narrator within narrative discourse. In addition research could be pursued in the areas of structural discourse of the narrative, much like Jahn’s model, yet somewhat more cognitive juxtaposing the more psychological aspects of narrative discourse to the structural components.