VOCABULARY FOR NONFICTIONWords to Know

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WHAT IS NONFICTION?

Nonfiction is writing that primarily deals with real people, events, and places. It has a basis in fact, not fiction.

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PURPOSE

Nonfiction writing is written with a purpose-the reason why an author writes a piece.

Some reasons author’s write nonfiction are: To inform To entertain To persuade

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KINDS OF NONFICTION WRITING

Nonfiction writing can be: Expository Descriptive Persuasive Narrative.

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EXPOSITORY -EXPOSITION

a kind of nonfiction that explains, gives information, defines, or clarifies an idea (i.e., science or history text)

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TYPES OF NONFICTION SELECTIONS

Nonfiction selections can be found in many places.

Some examples of nonfiction writing include:

Essays Biographies Autobiographies Interviews Editorials Newspaper and magazine

articles Feature stories Encyclopedias Textbooks

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ESSAY

A short piece of nonfiction that examines a single subject- Can be based on research or personal experience

Can be read in one sitting Written in paragraph form, usually five or more Purpose- to inform, to persuade, to entertain

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INTERVIEW

An account recorded in a question/answer format

Recorded word for word Can be read in one sitting May be written in bullet format or like a drama Purpose- to inform, to entertain

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NEWSPAPER OR MAGAZINE ARTICLE

Short Can be read in one sitting Focuses on one topic or main idea May be continued on a different page Purpose- to inform

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EDITORIAL

A special newspaper or magazine article written by editors of the publication to express their opinion about a certain subject

Purpose- to inform, to persuade

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FEATURE STORY

Focuses on one topic or main idea Has a plot Purpose- to entertain, to inform

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ENCYCLOPEDIA

Information organized by topic Topics organized alphabetically The entries are short Used for research Purpose- to inform

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TEXTBOOK

Information organized by topic Used for reference Organized chronologically (by time) or by topic Purpose- to inform

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EXCERPT

A small piece of writing taken from a larger piece, longer than what is usually considered a quotation

Used to make a specific point Purpose-to inform, to persuade, to entertain

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STRATEGIES FOR WRITING NONFICTION

Nonfiction writers have to stick to factual information. They usually have to research their information before they begin to write. They have to organize their writing as well.

Nonfiction writers may use dialogue to record actual conversations. They may also use dialect to reflect actual spoken words.

Nonfiction writers also have to avoid using bias and stereotypes in their writing.