Nonfiction is the truth, facts, and nothing but the facts. Right? So, is there ever room for conjecture if it is based on those very facts? This question inevitably comes up during a writing workshop, and it is hard to explain, but yes, you can make certain assumptions if the facts support it.
I first heard the term "fair assumptions" during a talk given by
Susan Campbell Bartoletti and
Elizabeth Partridge. The example given involved a scene in which a gas lamp hissed. "How do you know the gas lamp hissed?" a student asked. Elizabeth explained that the details of that scene were taken from a photograph that showed a gas lamp hanging in the background. Elizabeth had used that kind of gas lamp and she'd heard it hiss. She made a fair assumption that all gas lamps hiss therefore the lamp in the photo hissed and the people in the photo would have heard it, even though nowhere in any written historic document had anyone mentioned the noise the gas lamp made.
Last week I mentioned
Erik Larson's book
Isaac's Storm, and he, too, makes a few fair assumptions which he notes in the back matter. Some are based on photographs. With a magnifying glass Larson picked out specific items like a hat, clothing, etc,strewn in the debris that Isaac would probably have seen although he never wrote about them in any letter or journal.
Another refers to his description of Isaac's family going to either the Murdoch's bath house or the Pagoda bath house on Sunday. Larson admits that he found no documentation proving this, but asserts that the close proximity, and the "communal character of the time -- and the absence of television -- it is all but certain that the Clines did so."
Another example is Larson's assumption that venomous snakes competed with people for space in trees to escape the flood and bit people who then may have fallen and drowned. No one knows if this really happened in Galveston, but the phenomenon has been reported elsewhere. Snakes most certainly would have crawled to higher ground, but would they have bitten their competitors? I know I would out of fear and survival instincts.
The most understandable assumption involves dreams. As Larson says, "I base this observation on human nature. What survivor of a tragedy has never dreamed that the outcome had been different."
Would you make the same assumptions? Every writer is different.
Before you include a fair assumption in your own text ask yourself: Does it change the story? Does it change the reader's perception of the event? If so, don't do it.
This tool should also be used judiciously. In Larson's 300 page book, which includes 15 pages of notes, I found only 7 instances where he had to explain his use of fair assumption.
And like Larson, explain your reasoning in the back matter. Don't let your reader assume you made anything up.
Title: The Power of the Penny
Author: Elaina Redmond
Illustrator: Scott Stewart
Publisher: Spencer Publishing
ISBN: 978-09815515-0-0
The Power of the Penny is an amazingly illustrated children’s book expounding a number of principles. Redmond cleverly examines the penny, the words inscribed on it, and the President whose picture is on it. This concept is powerful, yet simple – take the coin with the least monetary value and enlighten children to its true value.
Redmond demonstrates that the penny “holds deepest treasures within its true essence.” The penny represents equality, freedom, honesty, the human spirit, faith, and spirituality. The author explores the words and phrases such as Liberty, In God We Trust, and E Pluribus Unum. She does this in great detail explaining what each means and the results they have in our lives today.
The Power of the Penny is a wonderful tool to help guide children and instill self-worth. And, more importantly, it shows that as one, an individual, we each have the power to make changes not only in ourselves, but in the world.
The book depicts Abraham Lincoln’s life and values, and encourages children to follow Lincoln’s lead and “be like Honest Abe, a hero and inspiration.” What is especially useful about The Power of the Penny is that it provides activity pages that are thought provoking and prompt the readers to action:
“When you see the penny, think of it as the messenger of HOPE! Let it inspire possibility as you travel a Hero’s journey; to build character, conquer fear and create your dreams.”
“Develop yourself to be your best and stand strong as “One” from many.”
“Learn and grow to shape and show how your choices help this world and this nation stand as a force for positive creation.”
There are many other characteristics and values Redmond encourages children to pursue such as kindness, passion, honesty, wisdom, and happiness, all based on the value of the penny.
I highly recommend The Power of the Penny for 4th through 6th grades. It is a book that all children in these grades should read. It will hopefully instill those values that Redmond finds in the penny, and enlighten children to the possibilities all around them, as well as the power within them.
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Other Reviews You May Find Interesting:
What is Electricity and Magnetism?
The World's Easiest Astronomy Book
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Great Writing Tools and Programs:
Writing, Publishing, and Marketing - You Can Do It
Writing for Children One Step at a Time
The Self-Publishing Guide, 2nd Edition
The Children's Writers' Coaching Club with Suzanne Lieurance
Write More, Sell More, Make More Money Than EVER in 2010 Coaching Program
With Suzanne Lieurance
If you do take my advice and join one or both of Suzanne's programs, please mention my name--I am an affiliate of hers. But, I’d like you to know that I only recommend these programs because I belong to them, and I know their value if you're serious about writing.
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What a clever book. One I will be looking to buy.
Yes, it is clever. I'll be waiting for my grandchildren to get a little older before I can read it to them.
LOL, by the time they will understand it they'll be reading themselves!