Here's why:
* Literary nonfiction: This broad genre emphasizes the use of literary techniques and stylistic choices to engage the reader. It's often more personal and reflective than traditional reporting.
* Creative nonfiction: This subgenre focuses on using literary devices like imagery, metaphor, and sensory detail to create a more immersive and evocative experience for the reader. It often blends factual information with personal reflection and emotional response.
* Lyric essay: This form emphasizes poetic language and imagery to evoke a particular mood or feeling. It focuses on the emotional impact of an experience rather than a straightforward narrative.
Examples of how senses are used in creative nonfiction:
* Sight: Describing the vibrant colors of a bustling market or the desolate landscape of a war-torn country.
* Sound: Conveying the cacophony of a city street or the gentle rustling of leaves in a forest.
* Touch: Recalling the feeling of rough bark against your hand or the warmth of sunlight on your skin.
* Taste: Sharing the bitter taste of disappointment or the sweet aroma of freshly baked bread.
* Smell: Evoking the pungent odor of a polluted river or the fresh scent of pine needles in a mountain forest.
By using these sensory details, creative nonfiction writers can paint vivid pictures in the reader's mind, allowing them to experience the subject matter firsthand. This creates a more engaging and memorable reading experience.