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

2. Types of Non-Fiction
Informational
Narrative
Oratory
Persuasive

3. 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

4. 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.

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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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?

9. 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?

10. 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

11. 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