1. Notes on Nonfiction

2. Definition and Purpose
Definition of Nonfiction: Written material which reflects life through the use of details about real people and real events.
Purpose of Nonfiction: To inform (describe, explain, or instruct), to persuade, to entertain

3. Types of Nonfiction Essay Encyclopedia articles
Magazine and newspaper articles, including editorials
Political cartoons
Interviews
Memoirs, including biographies
Diaries
Speeches

4. Author
Importance of Author’s attitude: conveyed by author’s use of descriptive words and choice of detail
Importance of discerning author’s main point: found by citing details and examining evidence in the written piece

5. Necessary Skills Tell fact from opinion
Understand specialized words (jargon)
Find detail that supports topic
Understand organization of piece
Distinguish bias
Make inferences and draw conclusions

6. Organization of Nonfiction
Chronological
Compare/contrast (similarities and differences)
Cause and effect (explains why something happens)
Description (or listing; information provided by facts, characteristics…)
Problems/Solution

7. Techniques Techniques of nonfiction writing: Simile and metaphor
Personification
Repetition
Parallel structure
Analogy
Anecdotes
Quotations (both what writer says and what experts say-testimonials)
Point of view (personal bias)

8. Types of Essays
Narrative Essay- A story that is true and the style is closely related to fiction. The author pays close attention to elements of plot structure, character development, and themes to make the story as compelling as possible.
Expository Essay- Writing that informs or explains information that is factual (opinion which is based on fact).
Descriptive Essay- Writing that creates a vivid picture for readers, draws readers into the scene. Makes the reader feel as though they are meeting a character or experiencing an event first hand.
Persuasive Essay- Writing that tries to convince readers to do something or to accept the writer’s point of view.