1. Mrs. Galvin Honors English 9 Nonfiction

2. Fiction vs. Nonfiction FictionNonfiction Deals with imaginary characters and events Deals with real people, their experiences, and their ideas Can be creative Biographies, autobiographies, memoirs, letters, etc.

3. Purposes of Nonfiction Entertain Persuade Inform Explain

4. Writing Strategies Description: used to give the reader a picture of what is happening and communicate sensory impressions Narration: used to tell about a series of events Exposition: used to present information or explain a subject Argumentation/Persuasion: used to change peoples’ ideas or opinions These four strategies often overlap; they may all be used in one piece

5. Essays The term “essay” was originally coined by Michael de Montaigne in the 16 th century Being French, Mr. Montaigne would have said “J’ essaie,” which means “I try” [to set forth ideas] Essay: a piece of prose writing that deals with its subject briefly and from a personal point of view. Essays can be formal or informal.

6. Formal essaysInformal essays Serious tone Tightly organized Generally objective Also known as “familiar” Range freely over the subject We are just as interested in the writer’s personality and POV as we are in what he or she has to say.

7. Close Reading Pay attention to subject and style (the author’s choice of words and his or her arrangement of them) Be aware of how you are responding to the text Guidelines: Determine the purpose of the work Determine the tone of the work Ask yourself: what are your impressions of the writer and why? Note the language AND your response to it. Clarify your own response and state the work’s main idea in your own words.