non fiction packet

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Name: ________________

Course: _______

Nonfiction Texts & Research

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Narrative Nonfiction

•Literary Journalism

•Biography/Autobiography

•Memoir

•The Bible

•True stories happening to real people

Argumentative/ Persuasive Nonfiction

•Sways readers to one side of an issue

•Uses opinion

Informational/ Explanatory Nonfiction

•Hard news stories

•Travel books

•Cookbooks

•Clear and organized

•No opinion

Types of Nonfiction Writing

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Need help finding articles?

Google search:

USA Today

Christianity Today

The New York Times

The New Yorker

The Wall Street Journal

The Union Tribune (signonsandiego.com)

LA Times

San Diego Reader

Time Magazine

Outside Magazine

*Ask your parents if they have any newspapers you may look at/bring to school

…the articles are not required to be printed from an online source.

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Concept Map New Concept: Narrative Nonfiction

Example Sentence: Narrative nonfiction, also called literary journalism, blurs the lines between fiction and nonfiction writing.

Synonyms:

Literary journalism

Biography/autobiography

Memoir

Personal Essay

Creative non-fiction

The Bible

Essential Characteristics Purpose:

Examples

Non Examples

My Sentence:

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Concept Map New Concept: Argumentative/ Persuasive Nonfiction

Example Sentence: A writer who argues a position or takes a side on an issue uses argumentative or

persuasive writing to get his or her point across.

Synonyms:

Essential Characteristics Mixes facts with persuasive language and logical argument to sway readers to one side of an issue Purpose:

Examples

Political speeches

Law documents

Propaganda

Commercials

Any article or book that uses facts to back up a strong point of view

Non Examples

My Sentence:

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Concept Map New Concept: Expository/ Informational Nonfiction

Example Sentence: Expository/ Informational nonfiction includes no opinion from the writer, and it must be clear, organized and exhibit strong detail.

Synonyms:

Essential Characteristics Purpose:

Examples

Non Examples

My Sentence:

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Text

Structure

Definitions/

Notes

Signal

Words Visual

Description

For example, for instance,

characteristics include,

specifically, in addition

Sequence & Order

Before, in the beginning, to

start, first, next, finally, last, in the middle, in

the end

Cause &

Effect

Since, because, as a result, leads to,

then, consequently

Compare

& Contrast

Similarly, alike, same, just like, both, different,

unlike, in contrast, on the

other hand

Problem &

Solution

Problem, solution, issue,

cause, since, consequently, as a result, because of, due to, then

How nonfiction works are organized.....

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Analyzing Nonfiction Text Structures

1. First: Skim, scan, preview the text

2. Next, look at all the text features:

___________, ____________, ____________, ______________, ____________

3. Finally, ask yourself the following questions:

What is the author's purpose? ____________, ____________, ______________

(based on inferences* drawn from the text)

What is the subject or topic?

How is it organized?

Does it follow a timeline? Logical sequence, indicate a problem- solution?

Simple list of items? Comparison of two things? Cause and effect

relationship?

What type of signal words are used?

What sort of language or vocabulary do you see?

Which text structure does the author use?

When analyzing texts use these codes:

I = Inference (what inference is made? write in margin)

MI = Main Idea

C = Connections (within or outside the text)

? = Confused about something, have a question

word = (box it) unsure of meaning/definition

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Making Inferences Def: Using your personal knowledge (schema) + textual evidence

Why do we make inferences?

1. Understand the author's view on life or the world

2. Understand the meaning of words used in context

3. Recognize an author's bias

4. Determine the author's main idea

Read the example below and explain the story's message

Four Oxen and the Lion A lion used to prowl about a field in which four oxen used to dwell. Many a time he tried to attack them; but whenever he came near they turned their tails to one another, so that whichever way he approached them he was met by the horns of one of them. At last, however, they fell a-quarrelling among themselves, and each went off to pasture alone in a separate corner of the field. Then the lion attacked them one by one and soon made an end of all four.

Your understanding of the story's message. Use Textual evidence:

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1. Homework _______________ Browse USA Today, Christianity Today, the Union Tribune, the NY Times, or the Wall Street Journal. Then…

Spend 25-30 minutes reading articles that interest you. Then share one article with a parent, teacher, or tutor. After

they have read the article, discuss it together for at least 5 minutes. BRING PRINTED COPY INTO CLASS!

Consider as you discuss together:

What does the article explicitly say? What can you infer from what is not said?

What is the author’s point of view or purpose of writing? Does the author have an “agenda”?

What did you find interesting? Confusing?

What did you agree or disagree with?

Why might it be important to read the newspaper with a “Christian lens”?

2. Homework: _____________________ Browse USA Today, the Union Tribune, the NY Times, or the Wall Street Journal. Then:

Find one example of a “persuasive” article

Find one example of an “explanatory” article. Go back to your notes for guidance.

Then show both articles to a parent, tutor, or support teacher and explain how these two types of

expository texts are different.

When you have completed the above instructions, have that person sign below.

A note about plagiarism

Title of “Persuasive” article: __________________________________________________________________

Title of “Explanatory” article: ____________________________________________________________________

Source of articles: _________________________________________________

****Parent, Teacher, or Tutor Signature: _________________________________________

What print or online newspaper did you read? ________________________________________________

How many minutes did you read? ___________________________________

What is the title of the article that you shared? ____________________________________

Did you discuss that article with a parent, teacher or tutor? __________

****Parent, Teacher, or Tutor Signature: _________________________________________

Don’t forget

to get this

signed for

homework

credit!

Don’t forget

to get this

signed for

homework

credit!

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Is This Source Legit?

Finding Credible Sources

C Credibility

Is the author listed?

Are the author’s credentials listed?

How do you know they are an authority on the subject?

Are there spelling or grammatical errors?

A

Accuracy Is there a date for publication?

Is the information up-to-date?

Does the information agree with other sources?

Is the information complete?

Does the author acknowledge all viewpoints?

Is the information factual or opinion?

R Reasonableness

Is the author fair?

Is the author concerned with telling the truth?

Is it clear why the source was created?

What is the quality of the images?

S Support

Are all sources listed?

Can you contact the author for clarification?

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Understanding Nonfiction Text:

Title & Author:

SOURCE OF TEXT (magazine, newspaper, website, book, brochure, etc.):

Text Structure (description, sequence & order, compare & contrast, cause & effect,

problem/solution) & Purpose (inform, persuade, entertain)

Main idea (what is the passage mainly about?)

Provide Evidence (at least 3 specific

examples) (include details that support the main idea and /or text structure)

Additional text features (graphs, images, subtitles, captions, etc.)

How do these features help you understand the text?:

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Title & Author:









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Title & Author:









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Unit 5 Test Review:

non fiction packet

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