NONFICTION -Type of writing that deals with REAL people, places, and events. -Opposite of fiction

EXAMPLES Newspapers Newspapers Set of instructions Set of instructions Encyclopedia article Encyclopedia article

Contains FACTUAL Information (But writers can select and organize based on their specific purpose) (But writers can select and organize based on their specific purpose)

Fact and Opinion FACTS Statements that can be proven true or false OPINIONS Statements that cannot be proven true or false Based on an individual’s personal beliefs and feelings Can be supported with facts

Fact or Opinion? In order to become 8 th graders, 7 th graders at Lanier must pass the CRCT in LA. Girls are usually nicer than boys The classroom doesn’t contain enough chairs to seat all the students. The best food in the cafeteria is lasagna.

Forms of Nonfiction Autobiography Autobiography Biography Biography Essay Essay Informational article Informational article Interview Interview

Autobiography Story of a person’s life, written by that person. Story of a person’s life, written by that person. 1 st person point of view. 1 st person point of view. Usually book length Usually book length Includes journals, diaries, letters, and memoirs Includes journals, diaries, letters, and memoirs

Eleanor Roosevelt In the beginning, because I felt, as only a young girl can feel it, all the pain of being an ugly duckling. I was not only timid I was afraid. Afraid of almost everything, I think: of mice, of the dark, of imaginary dangers, of my own inadequacy. My chief objective as a girl was to do my duty. In the beginning, because I felt, as only a young girl can feel it, all the pain of being an ugly duckling. I was not only timid I was afraid. Afraid of almost everything, I think: of mice, of the dark, of imaginary dangers, of my own inadequacy. My chief objective as a girl was to do my duty. - Eleanor Roosevelt - Eleanor Roosevelt

What details in the paragraph help you understand what Eleanor Roosevelt felt and experienced? How is this an example of an autobiography? She felt she was ugly She felt she was ugly That made her timid That made her timid She was very dutiful She was very dutiful She wanted the approval of others She wanted the approval of others Uses the “I” subject pronoun Uses the “I” subject pronoun

Biography Story of a person’s life told by someone else In 3 rd person point of view (he/she) The writer is called the biographer Same elements as fiction (conflict, setting, etc.)

Eleanor was born in a fine townhouse in Manhattan. Her family also owned an elegant mansion along the Hudson River, where they spent weekends and summers. As a child Eleanor went to fashionable parties. A servant took care of her and taught her to speak French. Her mother, the beautiful Anne Hall Roosevelt, wore magnificent jewels and fine clothing. Her father, Elliott Roosevelt, had his own hunting lodge and liked to sail and to play tennis and polo … The Roosevelt family, one of America’s oldest, wealthiest families, was respected and admired. -William Jay Jacobs, “Eleanor Roosevelt”

What do details in the paragraph tell you about Eleanor Roosevelt’s life and background? How is this an example of a biography? Details of her home, family, and life Written by a different person about her

Essay  A short piece written on ONE subject  Usually found in newspapers and magazines (AND in Language Arts)  Purposes -To share opinions -Entertain or persuade -To describe

Three Types of Essay  EXPOSITORY -tightly structured -has impersonal style -presents or explains information  PERSUASIVE -develops arguments -tries to convince readers to adopt a point of view or perspective  PERSONAL -Has looser structure -Has personal style -Expresses writer’s thoughts and feelings

Informational Article Provides facts about a subject Provides facts about a subject Includes newspaper and magazine articles, and feature stories Includes newspaper and magazine articles, and feature stories Also includes textbooks, pamphlets, history books, gardening books, and how-to books Also includes textbooks, pamphlets, history books, gardening books, and how-to books

Interview Conversation in which one person asks questions of another for the purpose of obtaining information. Conversation in which one person asks questions of another for the purpose of obtaining information. Example: Example: Q: I know you never have trouble coming up with ideas. Walk me through your daily inspiration and writing process. Ray Bradbury: I just wake up with ideas every morning from my subconscious percolating.

TIPS FOR READING NONFICTION Preview the selection (what’s in bold? What are the pictures about?) Clarify the organization (is it chronological, sequential, etc?) Summarize the main idea. Separate facts from opinions Evaluate what you read (come up with your own opinions!)