What is Non-Fiction? Non-fiction is any writing, text, speech, video, audio, or other representation of information that is understood to be factual.

Types of Non-Fiction Informational Narrative Oratory Persuasive

Informational Nonfiction Also called expository writing Writing for the sole purpose of sharing information Should be based on research; therefore, it should be factual No biases should be evident in the writing

Facts vs. Opinions Objective Is discovered Can be proven Presented with unbiased words Example sentence: The New Orleans Saints are a Super Bowl-winning team. Subjective Is created Cannot be proven Presented with biased words Example sentence: The New Orleans Saints are the best team in the NFL, and they are definitely going to the Super Bowl.

What are some examples of informational nonfiction? Textbooks Technical writing Dictionaries, thesauruses Encyclopedias (print or online) Brochures Journalistic mediums* Newspapers Radio Television news Internet

Narrative Nonfiction A narrative is also called “creative nonfiction” Has similar qualities to fiction Well-developed characters Detailed settings and scenes Plot stages: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution However, unlike fiction, all characters and events in the text are FACTUAL

What are some examples of narrative nonfiction? Memoirs, personal accounts of events Letters Autobiographies Biographies What is the difference between an autobiography and a biography? News articles

Oratory Oratory refers to public speaking, speeches, rhetoric Rhetoric (n): The art or science of all specialized uses of language in prose or verse, including figures of speech The ability to use language effectively to get one’s point across to an audience Oratory and persuasive non-fiction go hand in hand. Can you think of reasons why?

What are some examples of speeches/ rhetoric? Inaugural addresses State of the Union Campaign speeches Acceptance speeches Graduation speeches Monologues in movies Can you think of any historical figures known for their rhetorical skills?

Persuasive Nonfiction Also referred to as argumentative writing Purpose of this type of writing is to persuade an audience to submit themselves to the writer’s point of view Effective persuasive writers have strong rhetorical skills and they use logic and facts to support their side of an argument Different from expository writing because, although both are factual, in persuasive writing, there is always an obvious bias

Can you think of some examples of persuasive nonfiction? Advertisements (magazines, commercials, billboards) Opinion section of newspapers Debates Propaganda: any materials used in an attempt to sway a person’s belief or opinion to a certain position, usually within a political context