Writing Stack Exchange
Writing Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [non-fiction]

Non-fiction is a form of prose writing that factually describes real events and people, sometimes offering additional commentary. This tag should be used for any questions relating to non-fiction, including non-fiction formatting and technique, non-fiction critiques, and the publishing of non-fiction.

261 questions
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Writing what my family may not want to read

I am going through a difficult time in my life and, as a keen amateur writer I’m seriously considering writing about my experience. My motivation is two fold, firstly I believe it will help me, but also to pass something onto the next person who may…
Unsure
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7
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Permission requirements from people in my memoir

I am writing a memoir about my abusive childhood. Do I need permission from everyone I write about? My abuser is deceased, but my brothers are part of the story and I don't know where one of them is to request permission, but I don't want to go…
Bianca
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1 answer

In a book with multiple co-authors, how do you clarify who is "talking" when?

This is in the non-fiction space. I'm writing a book with a colleague. Throughout the book, there are times when we refer to individual experiences; for example, in one place I talk about a class that I teach. What is the best/most accepted way to…
David
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5 answers

Pulling an idea through in spite of the need to correct details

First, this question is not quite about writer's block or dealing with self-criticism. I find myself often in the following situation: I want to write a short piece of non-fiction and have plenty of ideas to drive the discussion from a nice…
yrodro
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Writing nonfiction for mass audience

A friend of mine has spent many years developing several treatment methods for certain psychological disorders. She believes individuals with these disorders would benefit if she could write a nontechnical book that consolidates many of the…
Stan Shunpike
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3
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1 answer

How do you write articles without plagiarizing when everything has essentially been said about the topic at hand?

Basically, when dealing with non-fiction topics like business or security or Information Technology or any other factual topic, there is really only so many ways you can write the facts using the English language. For example in business, when…
JaR
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4 answers

How to write a memorial plaque?

I've been tasked with drafting the text for a memorial plaque dedicated to group X. Group X was big, diverse, and had several hundred years of rich history. Amount of space I have is 2-3 sentences. I don't want the memorial to be yet another "a…
Galastel supports GoFundMonica
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Where can I find exercises to help me develop fictional writing techniques useful in narrative nonfiction?

I usually write explanatory nonfiction, but now I am interested in something more narrative--think Erik Larson or Rebecca Skloot, for example. I write clearly, and understand basic ideas about narrative elements like story arcs, scene setting,…
Al C
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I have written an elegy, how to describe subjects in detail?

I have written a long elegy in rhyming scheme. It has many subjects. How can I introduce characters (subjects in elegy) in detail to readers, before they start reading elegy? Are there conventions for doing this with elegies, like using a prologue? …
Mirza
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How do I find a co-author while protecting my rights?

I’ve compiled material for a book about the economic system for laypeople who consider economics to be a difficult and boring subject. The book describes economic concepts in easy to understand terms. I believe the book is unique partly because…
Tom1955
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How to Concisely Explain What Desmos is

I am writing my personal statement for my college applications centered around Desmos, the online graphing calculator. However, when I was getting feedback on my first draft, it seemed to me that my reviewers had a slight misunderstanding about what…
Dylan Levine
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What is the meaning of non fiction stories w.r.t kids?

http://www.english-for-students.com/Non-Fiction-Short-Stories.html Non fiction means based on reality. So, how do the stories listed there fit in this category? If I wish to write a non fiction story for kids, what am I supposed to write? I need an…
Aquarius_Girl
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A fair deal for purchasing a true story

My cousin is an extraordinary little girl from an extraordinary family. She was featured last Christmas on NBC Nightly News. I have discussed with her about writing a book about their story because it needs to be told and people need to read about…
Thom
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How to make travel stories interesting?

I have some good, true travel stories. Things that involve guns, explosions, and all kinds of other good stuff. I want to write them down, but I'm having trouble envisioning how to present the stories. I don't want to embellish, and it would go…
Ken - Enough about Monica
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What are appropriate uses of rhetorical questions?

When I speak or teach, I often use rhetorical questions to prompt people to think. I find it helps frame my arguments and clarify how I am setting up the points I am making. I recently tried this in my writing however and a friend of my indicated…
Stan Shunpike
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