Reading Nonfiction Looking for Information

What Is Nonfiction? Nonfiction is prose writing that deals with real people, things, events, and places. Nonfiction writing includes essays and histories letters and diaries scientific reports textbooks encyclopedia articles biographies and autobiographies © clipart.com

Purposes of Nonfiction Nonfiction ranges greatly in topic and purpose. Nonfiction works can be informative entertaining persuasive

Reading Nonfiction To get the most out of a nonfiction work, use the following reading strategies. Preview the text. Identify the writer’s purpose. Evaluate the text. Interpret the text. Extend the text. Challenge the text.

Let’s Practice Preview the text: What does the title suggest the text will be about? Does the text have any special features—headings, time lines, charts, footnotes? from “Speech to the Virginia Convention” 1 by Patrick Henry Mr. President: No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House. But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope that it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen, if... I shall speak forth my sentiments freely and without reserve. 1 In March 1775, the Virginia House of Burgesses held a convention to decide how to respond to the growing British military threat.

Let’s Practice Identify the writer’s purpose: What type of text are you reading? Is the writer trying to inform, to persuade, or to entertain?... Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves longer. Sir, we have done everything that could be done, to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne.... Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne.... There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free... we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! from “Speech to the Virginia Convention” by Patrick Henry

Let’s Practice Evaluate the text: Is the writing objective or subjective? Does the evidence support the writer’s points? Can the evidence be confirmed in other sources? Is the writer qualified to write about the topic?... Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves longer. Sir, we have done everything that could be done, to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne.... Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne.... There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free... we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! from “Speech to the Virginia Convention” by Patrick Henry

Let’s Practice Interpret the text: What message is the writer sending? What techniques does the writer use to convey the message? How does the writer feel about the topic?... Gentlemen may cry peace, peace—but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death! from “Speech to the Virginia Convention” by Patrick Henry

Let’s Practice Extend the text: How does this information relate to my life and experiences? How can I use this information? Do I need to learn more about this topic?... Gentlemen may cry peace, peace—but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death! from “Speech to the Virginia Convention” by Patrick Henry

Let’s Practice Challenge the text: What do I think of the writer’s ideas? Do I agree or disagree with the writer’s message? What do I like or dislike about the writer’s style?... Sir, we are not weak, if we make a proper use of the means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. Three millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations; and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave.... The war is inevitable—and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come! from “Speech to the Virginia Convention” by Patrick Henry

On Your Own from “Resistance to Civil Government” by Henry David Thoreau I heartily accept the motto—“That government is best which governs least”; and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically. Carried out, it finally amounts to this, which also I believe—“That government is best which governs not at all”; and when men are prepared for it, that will be the kind of government which they will have.... The objections which have been brought against a standing army, and they are many and weighty, and deserve to prevail, may also at last be brought against a standing government. The standing army is only an arm of the standing government. The govern- ment itself, which is only the mode which the people have chosen to execute their will, is equally liable to be abused and perverted before the people can act through it.... It does not keep the country free. It does not settle the West. It does not educate. The character inherent in the American people has done all that has been accomplished; and it would have done somewhat more, if the government had not sometimes got in its way.

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