Genres of Nonfiction Literary Essay Informational Provides factual Style similar to fiction Short work on a single subject information Tells a story Examples: Highly organized Real people, places, or events Newspapers Thoroughly researched Magazines Examples Structured Encyclopedias Infographics Biography Autobiography Memoir

Informational Nonfiction Words to Know

Proposal Claim Argument Thesis Assertion A statement that requires support Used to explore an idea, prove a fact, state an opinion Assertion Proposal

Where to find the claim May be at the end of the introduction May be stated at the end of the piece May be implied (not directly stated)

Evidence Support provided for an author’s claims Statistical Anecdotal Analogical Testimonial Support provided for an author’s claims

Using data (numbers) to prove a point Statistical Evidence Using data (numbers) to prove a point Charts, graphs, polls, survey results, statistics Considered more trustworthy and fact based Things to Consider: Are the statistics accurate? Are they from a reputable source? Is the information relevant?

A short account of a particular incident or event Anecdotal Evidence A short account of a particular incident or event Evidence based on a person’s OBSERVATIONS of the world Usually dismissed as untrustworthy/meaningless Can be useful in disproving a claim Things to Consider: Is the author ONLY using this type of evidence? Are they anecdotes being used to prove or disprove? Are there FACTS that would better support the claim?

Analogical Evidence A similarity between like features of two things, on which a comparison is based Used when dealing with an under-researched topic or hard to understand concept Provides examples that are similar to highlight a certain feature Things to Consider: Are the comparisons far-fetched or similar? Are the claims best supported by analogy?

Opinion or commentary from an “expert” Testimonial Evidence Opinion or commentary from an “expert” Support a claim based on experience or education Expert opinion Things to Consider: What are the qualifications of the “expert” Is the background information relevant? Does “famous” equal “expert”?

Informational Nonfiction ANALYSIS

SOAPSTone Speaker Subject Audience Occasion Purpose

Speaker SOAPSTone The voice that tells the story. Before authors begin to write, they must decide whose voice is going to be heard. Whether this voice belongs to a fictional character or to the writers themselves, effective writers determine how to insert and develop those attributes of the speaker that will influence the perceived meaning of the piece. Speaker

SOAPSTone The time and the place of the piece; the context that prompted the writing. Writing does not occur in a vacuum. All writers are influenced by the larger occasion: an environment of ideas, attitudes, and emotions that swirl around a broad issue. Then there is the immediate occasion: an event or situation that catches the writer's attention and triggers a response. Occasion

SOAPSTone The group of readers to whom this piece is directed. Before authors begin to write, they must determine who the audience is that they intend to address. It may be one person or a specific group. This choice of audience will affect how and why authors write a particular text. Audience

Purpose SOAPSTone The reason behind the text. Writers need to consider the purpose of the text in order to develop the thesis or the argument and its logic. They ask themselves, "What do I want my audience to think or do as a result of reading my text?" Purpose

Subject SOAPSTone The central topic. Before authors begin to write, they must decide whose voice is going to be heard. Whether this voice belongs to a fictional character or to the writers themselves, effective writers determine how to insert and develop those attributes of the speaker that will influence the perceived meaning of the piece. Subject

Tone SOAPSTone The attitude of the author. The spoken word can convey the speaker's attitude and thus help to impart meaning through tone of voice. With the written word, it is tone that extends meaning beyond the literal, and authors must convey this tone in their diction (choice of words) syntax (sentence construction) imagery (metaphors, similes, and other types of figurative language). The ability to manage tone is one of the best indicators of a sophisticated writer. Tone

Annotating Nonfiction Underline the Claim Summarize key points Look up unfamiliar words Highlight the evidence Label the type of evidence Comment on how effective it is Complete a SOAPSTone Analysis