Timeline for Can an 'essay' be a fictional, creative piece of writing?
Current License: CC BY-SA 3.0
12 events
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| Feb 9, 2014 at 23:42 | comment | added | WS2 | Someone could write an essay about science fiction, or about a science fiction novel. Indeed many essays must have been written about Harry Potter. But the essay addresses criticism and examination of what the fiction is saying, and perhaps involves an element of retelling of the fictional details. An essay does not simply create a new piece of fiction. That is a 'short story' or a 'short novel'. | |
| Feb 9, 2014 at 22:50 | comment | added | nxx | But it could include "facts" about made up aliens! Perhaps this question should be asked over at Writers? There may well be some essayists there who could voice in. | |
| Feb 9, 2014 at 20:47 | comment | added | WS2 | But that isn't strictly 'fiction' is it. It is argument, albeit possibly tongue-in-cheek argument. | |
| Feb 9, 2014 at 19:14 | comment | added | nxx | In my own research, it is difficult to find a comprehensive definition of an "essay", which makes it difficult to say much. Some sources say it is nonfiction, others seem to take for granted that they will be nonfiction, and others don't address the issue at all. I think it comes down to whether an essay is so called on the basis of (nonfictional) content or form; if form alone, then it could certainly also be fictional (eg, a persuasive essay that aliens are better than humans). | |
| Feb 9, 2014 at 19:05 | comment | added | WS2 | I'm surprised that others haven't had anything to say on the matter, so far. | |
| Feb 9, 2014 at 19:04 | comment | added | WS2 | But generally speaking a fictional piece of 'essay length' would be called a 'short story' wouldn't it? My feeling is that the answer is 'no', an essay is non-fiction. | |
| Feb 9, 2014 at 18:46 | comment | added | nxx | In the meantime, edited slightly to address the question more directly. | |
| Feb 9, 2014 at 18:45 | history | edited | nxx | CC BY-SA 3.0 |
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| Feb 9, 2014 at 18:42 | comment | added | nxx | Yes I got carried away with the "creative" part of the question as potentially distinct from the "fictional" part, didn't I. But maybe my answer gives context that could help with that part. I will try to return to the question of fiction later. | |
| Feb 9, 2014 at 18:30 | comment | added | WS2 | Thank you for this extensive response, which is worthy of a +1 for effort, but with respect it is only the last two sentences which address the question. And as you point out you are not able to supply an answer. | |
| Feb 9, 2014 at 18:25 | history | edited | nxx | CC BY-SA 3.0 |
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| Feb 9, 2014 at 18:19 | history | answered | nxx | CC BY-SA 3.0 |