NONFICTION UNIT Nonfiction – prose writing that presents and explains ideas or tells about real people, places, ideas, or events; must be true

Types of Nonfiction Article Essay Speech Autobiography Biography Informational materials

Article Provides information about a topic, a person, or an event

Essay Examines and discusses a focused topic, often including the writer’s personal viewpoints

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

Autobiography Writer tells his or her own life story

Biography Writer tells the life story of another person (written about famous people and “ordinary” people)

Types of Essays Narrative essay Descriptive essay Expository essay Persuasive essay Reflective essay Humorous essay

Narrative essay Tells a story of actual events or an individual’s life experiences

Descriptive essay Creates an impression about a person, an object, or an experience by presenting details of sight, sound, smell, touch, or taste

Expository essay Provides information, discusses ideas, or explains a process

Persuasive essay Attempts to convince readers to take a specific course of action or adopt the writer’s viewpoint

Reflective essay Expresses the writer’s thoughts and feelings in response to a personal experience or to an idea

Humorous essay Intended to make the reader laugh through ridicule of their subjects or through affection towards their subjects

Literary Terms Style Tone Perspective Bias Purpose

Style Particular way in which a writer uses language

Tone Author’s attitude toward both the subject and readers or listeners

Perspective The viewpoint or opinion an author expresses about the subject, either directly or indirectly

Bias Occurs when a writer makes a one-sided presentation

Purpose The author’s reason for writing