1. ELEMENTS OF NONFICTION
© 2012 Lizbeth J. Phillips, MA Ed
National Writing Project Teacher Leader

2. Works of nonfiction differ from fiction in a few important ways.
What is Nonfiction?
Works of nonfiction differ from fiction in a few important ways.

3. Facts About Nonfiction
deals only with real people, events or ideas.

4. Facts About Nonfiction
is narrated from the point of view (or perspective) of the author, who is a real person.

5. Facts About Nonfiction
presents facts or discusses ideas.

6. TYPES OF NONFICTION
BIOGRAPHY— tells the story of someone’s life, told from another writer’s point of view or perspective.

7. TYPES OF NONFICTION
AUTOBIOGRAPHY (or MEMOIR)— tells the story of the author’s life and reflects the writer’s thoughts and feelings about events.

8. TYPES OF NONFICTION
LETTERS— a written form of communication from one person to another; might share information, thoughts, or feelings.

9. TYPES OF NONFICTION
JOURNALS and DIARIES— record of daily events and the writer’s thoughts and feelings about them.

10. TYPES OF NONFICTION
ESSAYS and ARTICLES— brief written works about specific topics.

11. TYPES OF NONFICTION
ESSAYS and ARTICLES— The purpose of an essay or article might be to—
persuade
Inform
entertain

12. TYPES OF NONFICTION
INFORMATIONAL TEXT— written documents commonly found in EVERYDAY life.
EXAMPLES:
textbooks
applications
instructions
articles