Nonfiction

Writing about real people, places, things, and ideas. What is nonfiction? Writing about real people, places, things, and ideas.

Purpose The author’s intent either to inform or teach someone about something, to entertain people, or to persuade or convince his/her audience to do or not do something.

What are some purposes for writing? To inform To entertain To persuade To give an opinion To honor To argue To condemn To describe To enlighten To explain To express To illustrate To instruct/To Teach To investigate To narrate To report To warn

Style The particular way in which the writer uses language. It reflects a writer’s personality.

Perspective The viewpoint or opinion that the author expresses about the subject In determining this, look at: -the author’s word choice -opinion/belief statements

Tone The author’s attitude towards the subject and readers. Ex: A tone can be depressed, excited, angry, hateful

Examples of Tone arrogant compassionate critical cynical defensive humorous impartial inspirational ironic moralizing nostalgic patriotic perplexed pessimistic reflective reverent serious satirical sentimental witt

Fact Vs. Opinion Fact- Something that can be proven true by concrete information Opinion Is the belief of a person; it cannot be proven true

Credibility (source knowledge) The trustworthiness and expertise of the writer/source The believability of the writer

Bias The subtle presence of a positive or negative approach toward a topic. Bias occurs when a writer makes a one-sided presentation. They do not give all of the facts, or else they try to persuade the reader by using emotional or unfair language.

Diction The author’s choice of words, phrases, sentence structures and figurative language, which combine to help create meaning and tone.

Loaded Language Language that attempts to influence the reader or listener by appealing to emotion A group of kids hangs out in front of the store. Vs. A gang of hoodlums loiters in front of the store.

Connotation The range of emotional associations that a word or phrase suggests in addition to its dictionary meaning. Connotation can be positive or negative. Ex: Slender vs. Skinny Lovely vs. Knockout Mutt vs. Dog Brats vs. Children

Rhetorical Questions ? Oh, why me? Why are you such a jerk? A question asked for a purpose other than to obtain the information the question asks. They are not meant to be answered The serve other purposes, such as making a statement, expressing an emotion, making an accusation, etc.

Irony Dramatic Irony- When the reader or audience knows something that the character does not know

Rhetorical Appeals: Ethos A mode of persuasion An ethical appeal, used to convince an audience of the author’s credibility or character Ethos can be developed by choosing language that is appropriate for the audience and topic (proper level of vocabulary), making oneself sound fair or unbiased, introducing your expertise or pedigree, or establishing shared values with the audience.

Rhetorical Appeals: Pathos A mode of persuasion An emotional appeal, meant to persuade the audience by appealing to their emotions This method attempts to convince audience members by playing on their feelings of pity, fear, anger, guilt, etc.

Rhetorical Appeals: Logos A mode of persuasion Appeal to logic, meant to convince audience by use of logic or reason Logos cites facts and statistics, historical or literal analogies, the citation of certain authorities on a subject, etc.

Propaganda Techniques Review them! 9 you need to know for the Keystones!

Organizational Strategies Cause and Effect Problem/Solution Question/Answer Sequence of Events or Chronological

Types of Nonfiction

Biography the story of a person’s life written by another person

Autobiography The story of someone’s life written by that person Term is interchangeable with the term “memoir,” although a memoir often does not cover an entire life

Personal Narrative When the writer presents a specific incident from his or her life. Usually, the incident had an impact on the writer’s life or taught them a lesson.

Informative Article gives factual information about a topic, person, or event

Speech written to be read aloud; it presents a topic and may persuade, entertain,inform, or explain.

Literary Journalism The use of fictional techniques when writing a piece of nonfiction It is a true, well- researched, journalistically-sound story written with vivid descriptions and narrative flow.

Opinion Piece Writing about a particular topic that expresses the personal view, attitude, or appraisal of the writer. This is often persuasive in nature, as it often attempts to persuade the reader to believe the same.