INTRODUCTION TO NONFICTION

WHAT IS NONFICTION? The subjects of nonfiction are real people, and the events are actual happenings. Nonfiction can tell a true story, explain an idea, and give facts and information. (Notes)

TYPES OF NONFICTION Biography –The life story of someone written by another. Autobiography –A writer’s own life story. Newspaper – a paper that is printed and distributed usually daily or weekly and that contains news, articles of opinion, features, and advertising Magazine Article –a periodical containing miscellaneous pieces (as articles, stories, poems) and often illustrated

TYPES OF NONFICTION Expository essay –Explains and informs Personal essay –A informal account of a person’s experiences. Reflective essay –Reveals the writer’s thoughts and an idea or experience Narrative essay –A true story that may focus on a character other than the writer. Persuasive essay –Presents an argument for or attempts to convince readers of this position.

ELEMENTS OF NONFICTION Argument/Persuasive Writing Cause and Effect Chronological Order Classification and Definition Comparison and Contrast Connotation and Denotation Editorial Fact and Opinion Interview Lead Main Idea Problem and Solution Propaganda Techniques Topic Sentence and Supporting Details Viewpoint

WHY READ NONFICTION? Nonfiction tell about real characters and events or contains personal views of a real person. People read nonfiction to: –Be informed –Learn about others –To reflect on someone else’s thoughts, concerns, or position on a particular subject

HOW TO READ NONFICTION 1. Use organization Chronological Order of importance Spatial order 2. Understand author’s purpose  To amuse, persuade, inform 3. Distinguish between fact and opinion Can a statement be proven true? Is it a personal belief? Is it supported by factual evidence? 4. Evaluate Support Learn to evaluate support for bias and stereotypes (Notes--bolded and 3 types of Organization)

5 W’s Graphic Organizer Gathers key information about a subject in order to learn more about it. Who? What? When? Where? Why?

Main Idea Organizer Helps you sort out the big ideas and the smaller details. This tool works best with nonfiction, such as biography, magazine articles, persuasive writing, and textbooks. Main Idea: Write what you think is the biggest, most important idea here. Detail Write details here. Conclusion: Write the conclusion the author makes.

Nonfiction Organizer Helps you sort out what you learn in essays, articles, speeches, editorials, and so on. It divides these nonfiction works into three parts: introduction, body, conclusion. Subject Write the general subject here. Introduction Describe the ideas in the first one or two paragraphs here. Body Write three or four details, points, or topics from the middle here. Conclusion Note what happens or what the author says in the last paragraph or two here.

Outline A outline helps you understand the organization of what you are reading. Use words or phrases (topic outline) or full sentence (sentence outline) to sort out main ideas, topics, and subtopics. I. Main Topic 1 A. Subtopic B. Subtopic C. Subtopic II. Main Topic 2 A. Subtopic B. Subtopic C. Subtopic First, find the two, three, or four main topics and write them next to the Roman Numerals. Under each main topic, write two or more subtopics.

Summary Notes Summary notes help you focus on the most important parts of what you are reading, whether it is fiction or nonfiction. Make your summary as detailed as you want List three or four smaller, related points that support the main idea here. Title or Topic Write the title or topic here. Main Point Write what the main point or idea here.

EVALUATING SUPPORT An author’s message should be backed up with support (details and examples) SOME support may be inaccurate because of bias and stereotypes, THUS prohibiting the reader to get the true picture. Bias -A preconceived attitude towards an idea, thing, person, group, or situation Stereotyping -Using one individual or a small group as the representation of the whole group (Notes--2 definitions)

STEREOTYPES: MEN VS. WOMEN Male StereotypesFemale Stereotypes

STEREOTYPES: MEN VS. WOMEN How could bias create stereotypes towards different genders, groups, races, nationalities, or religions? Answer in a well-written five to seven sentence paragraph.