Nonfiction Encountering our lives...

Have you ever heard the saying “Truth is stranger than fiction”? Sometimes, that is true...

Fiction and Nonfiction Writing Fiction and nonfiction writing are different. Made up—parts of the story may be true, but the story as a whole is not true Based on facts—an event really happened, but different retellings of the same event may be different FictionNonfiction

Fiction and Nonfiction Writing However, they are similar, too. Has prose elements: plot, character, conflict, setting, point of view, theme Has poetry elements: rhythm, sensory details, figurative language FictionNonfiction May have prose elements: plot, character, conflict, setting, point of view, theme May have poetry elements: rhythm, sensory details, figurative language

Examples of Nonfiction Autobiography—the life story of a real person written by that person Biography—the life story of a real person written by another person Personal essay—brief reflection on ideas or events in a person’s life Article—story in a magazine, newspaper, or encyclopedia Research report—information in an encyclopedia or textbook or on the Web Diary and journal—personal story, idea, or reflection

Subjective or Objective? Nonfiction writing can be subjective or objective. Subjective writing expresses the feelings or the opinions of the writer. Objective writing provides the facts without introducing emotions, personal biases, or opinions.

Which of the following nonfiction examples do you think would be subjective and why? An autobiographical narrative about your first day at a new school. A newspaper article that describes the mayor’s plan to build a park. A research report that explains three effect of pollution. The autobiographical narrative would be subjective because it would probably contain the person’s feelings about the new school.

Which nonfiction examples do you think would be objective and why? A personal essay about your favorite relative. A diary entry about what happened during basketball practice. An encyclopedia article about blue whales. The encyclopedia article would be objective because it would contain facts about blue whales.

Match each term with its definition. ______________ — A work that is based on facts ______________ — The life story of a real person written by that person ______________ — The life story of a real person written by another person ______________ — A work that is made up AutobiographyBiographyFiction Nonfiction What Have You Learned? Autobiography Biography Fiction Nonfiction

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