Creative nonfiction is a genre of writing emphasized in the Intermediate Composition course. It focuses on merging the gap between literary fiction and nonfiction research works. Creative nonfiction prose is a piece of writing that is composed of real accounts from an event or an occurrence that is merged with other literary styles equally adopted in the writing. The genre is important to both the writer and the reader since it improves the quality of the piece and makes it interesting to the intended audience. The genre is clearly depicted in the writings of Audubon as indicated by the inclusion of different literary styles when reporting his research on American birds. As long as the fact base of the prose is maintained, nonfiction writings can be made as interesting and attractive as the fiction tales. As demonstrated in Audubon’s Journal of 1826, creative nonfiction prose promotes the factual presentation of events in a compelling and dramatic manner to enthrall the target audience.

The purpose of creative nonfiction prose is to present and shape a nonfiction write-up in the narrative form. The text must be written based on accurate data as well as adopt literary styles to bring out the fictitious aspect. Nonfiction write-ups such as memoir, biography, autobiography amongst others are tales drawn from active experiences of an individual who, in most instances, is the narrator. Since these nonfiction tales have a similar responsibility of conveying ideas to many disinterested readers, it is important that the experience of the piece is shaped to include the features of fiction (Caulley 424). In his writings, Audubon lays emphasis on various literary styles when arranging memoirs that convey his encounters and experiences during different stages of life. “We, at last, entered the Atlantic ocean this morning with propitious Breese-the land birds have left us” is an extract from the memoirs that gives an account of the author’s experience at the beginning of the journey (Audubon). The tone and choice of words used by the writer demonstrate the fictitious form of the memoirs. The result is a creative piece that is more interesting and will definitely mesmerize many readers of the nonfiction piece.

Originality is vital in developing factual nonfiction prose. The information presented needs to be a real and accurate reflection of an event. According to Lounsberry, a creative nonfiction report must communicate a “documentable subject” matter drawn from the real world contrary to inventions or imaginary occurrences generated by the writer’s mind. The aspect of the documentable subject as a major requirement in the development of creative nonfiction prose was also evident in the past. As evidenced by the accounts of Audubon, the scholar and artist focused on the documentation of real events as they occurred either in his own life or around him. The pinctures of birds, their botanical features and functions, were a replica of the real appearance and activities of the birds in the real world. In his desire to present information on the nature and quality of meat that can be taken from birds, Audubon focused on carrying out organoleptic tests to improve the accuracy of his findings. The use of accurate and real data in the formation of the report is important in the formation of informative nonfiction prose.

The inclusion of literary styles is nonfiction prose makes the write-up less boring. Most of nonfiction prose is based on statistics and data that may be uninteresting to the potential readers. Accounts of events as they occur in the environment without adopting any form of literary styles will result in the production of a less attractive document, even though it may contain comprehensive information on the subject matter. The inclusion of literary styles such as character development during the presentation of the facts is important in enhancing the flow and attractiveness of the write-up. This aspect of creative nonfiction prose is evident from the accounts and writings of Audubon. Other than just sticking to the presentation of nature and features of birds, the writer has focused on character development to enhance the flow and attract potential readers of the text.

The tone and voice used in the presentation of the texts also enhance the creative nature of nonfiction prose. It is important that a writer uses a tone that reflects the experience or events being witnessed as well as the attitude that is being communicated. The tone can vary from happy to sad depending on the events being communicated. The purpose of using a suitable tone in the description is not only to get the attention of the reader but to also ensure that they will connect with the text. According to the writings of Audubon, the scholar changes tone in certain instances from happy to sad. The happy tone is observed during his encounters with the new friends in Europe, while the sad tone is presented when he thinks of his family, specifically the wife. The correct use of tonal variation is important since it is a clear reflection of the intent of the piece. Proper use of tone when presenting a creative piece ensures that the reader is able to identify and connect with the occurrences being communicated.

Creatively presenting the events and occurrences in nonfiction prose is more beneficial to the readers than just focusing on reporting the incidences. The use of imagery is important in communicating facts since it ensures that a better understanding is achieved. Writing creative nonfiction prose requires that the author focuses on showing the events rather than just detailing the information as drawn from the source. This idea is exemplified by the many images used by Audubon in his writings. The idea of the scholar was to get the attention of the reader as well as enhance their ability to gather adequate information from the piece. The many images of birds presented in the piece are to illustrate their nature and features that are complemented by the texts used by the writer. The inclusion of images in the writing of nonfiction prose is important in ensuring that the information being communicated is properly understood. Creative nonfiction is more interesting and informative to the targeted audience. Besides communicating the facts as desired in any nonfiction write-up, the genre ensures that additional literary features are included in the write-up to enhance its attractiveness and make it interesting to the readers (Bourelle 67). Indeed, as observed in the case of Audubon, the approach makes his works more thrilling to the target audience. The implication is enhanced acquisition of knowledge since many readers are convinced to access the journal. Creativity in the development and writing of nonfiction pieces is important to enhancing the quality and attractiveness of the prose.