Final answer:
The statement is true. Literary journalism, a genre of creative nonfiction, employs creative writing techniques to tell true stories engagingly and artistically while staying true to the facts.
Step-by-step explanation:
True or False? Literary journalism borrows writing tactics from creative writing. This statement is true. Literary journalism is a genre of creative nonfiction that uses techniques commonly found in creative writing, such as narrative structure, character development, and various literary devices, to present factual stories in an engaging and artistic manner. Just like other forms of creative nonfiction, literary journalism is committed to truthfulness but tells true stories through a prose that is rich in detail and style, employing literary embellishments similar to fiction.
Authors of creative nonfiction, which includes literary journalism, are tasked with adhering to the facts while still crafting a compelling narrative. As Lee Gutkind, editor of Creative Nonfiction magazine, articulates, the genre is defined by "true stories, well told." Indeed, literary journalists must navigate the delicate balance of rigorous fact-checking and the use of imaginative literary devices to create a lively and absorbing story without straying from factual accuracy.
Therefore, when reading literary journalism, it is essential to appreciate the dexterity with which the writer uses various literary techniques without compromising the veracity of the events portrayed. These narratives often include a well-developed setting, plot, conflict, and characters, enhanced by descriptive imagery, metaphors, and other rhetorical elements, to provide a deeper understanding of the real stories being told.