1. Notes about nonfiction
English 10 & 10-A
Notes about nonfiction

2. Definition of Nonfiction
Nonfiction is…
Text that is not fictional; designed primarily to explain, argue, instruct or describe rather than entertain. For the most part, its emphasis is factual.
Usually based on real facts and information
about people, places, ideas, and
experiences.

3. The five main purposes of Nonfiction are…
To entertain
To Inform or to explain
To Reflect
To Describe
To Persuade

4. Common Forms of Nonfiction
Letters and Journals/Diaries
Contain personal thoughts and reflections
Biographies
The life story of someone written by another
person
Autobiographies
The writer’s account of his/her own life
Memoirs
The writer’s record of experiences from of his/her own life
Informational Websites
Recently recognized as Nonfiction, these websites provide facts about a variety of topics, usually in an unbiased way
Speeches
Usually given by reputable experts or famous people

5. Media Accounts
Works written for newspapers, magazines,
television, radio, or documentaries; can include interviews both written & filmed
Essays – Formal and Informal
Medium in length
Discussion of a topic
Can tell a lot about the author
Express author’s personal feelings
Advertising & Propaganda
Ads - Persuasive announcements in the media or public places
PSAs – Public Service Announcements
Propaganda – used by organized groups in systematic ways – posters, leaflets, etc.
Visuals are also included – photographs, maps, charts, graphs, political cartoons & timelines, just to name a few!

6. Strategy for Reading Nonfiction
Set a purpose for reading
Decide why you are reading the material – to study for a test, to do research, or simply to find out more about a topic that interests you.
Use your purpose to determine how detailed you notes will be.
Preview the selection
Look at the title, the pictures or diagrams, and any subtitles, captions to pictures and terms or phrases in boldface or italic type. All of these will give you an idea of what the selection is about. As you read, stop now and then to predict what will come next
Use these text organizers to help you preview the text and identify the main ideas.
Study the photographs, maps, charts, graphs, and captions.

7. Clarify the organization
Does the text make comparisons? Does it describe causes and effects? Is there a sequence of events?
If the work is a biography or an autobiography, the organization is probably chronological – events presented in the order in which they happen.
Other nonfiction selections may be organized around ideas the author wants to discuss. As you read, look for dates and signal words (transition words or phrases) that clarify the sequence of events, such as before, during, after, first, next, last, same, different, and because to help you see the organizational pattern.
Read slowly and carefully
Take notes on the main idea. Try to paraphrase, or state the information in your own words.
Map the information by using a concept web or other graphic organizer.
Notice unfamiliar words. These are sometimes defined in the text.
If there are questions with the text, be sure you can answer them. It is beneficial to read the questions at the end of a chapter or literature selection first, before reading the text.
Use Fix Up strategies if you find yourself off task or not understanding the information.

8. Summarize the main idea
Think about the main idea and details.
Are there enough details to support the main points?
Can I summarize them?
Separate facts and opinions
Facts are statements that can be proved.
Opinions are statements that cannot be proved. Opinions simply express a person’s beliefs.
Be aware that writers of nonfiction sometimes present opinions as if they were facts.
Evaluate what you read
Evaluating means forming your own opinions about people, events, and ideas.

9. Terms for Nonfiction – Keystone Test
Link to the Glossary for English/ Language Arts Keystone Test

10. Some Key Terms are… Author’s Purpose
Types of Nonfiction, ex. Biography, etc.
Compare/Contrast
Conflict/Problem
Defense of a Claim
Fact v. Opinion
Generalization
Key/Supporting Details
Literary Nonfiction
Propaganda & its Techniques
Sequence of Steps
Text Organization/Structure

11. Propaganda & Techniques
Propaganda Techniques and persuasive tactics are used to influence people to believe, buy or do something. Students should be able to identify and comprehend the propaganda techniques and persuasive tactics listed below. 1. Name-calling is an attack on a person instead of an issue. 2. Bandwagon tries to persuade the reader to do, think or buy something because it is popular or because “everyone” is doing it. 3. Red herring is an attempt to distract the reader with details not relevant to the argument. 4. Emotional appeal tries to persuade the reader by using words that appeal to the reader’s emotions instead of to logic or reason. 5. Testimonial attempts to persuade the reader by using a famous person to endorse a product or idea (for instance, the celebrity endorsement). 6. Repetition attempts to persuade the reader by repeating a message over and over again. 7. Sweeping generalization (stereotyping) makes an oversimplified statement about a group based on limited information. 8. Circular argument states a conclusion as part of the proof of the argument. 9. Appeal to numbers, facts, or statistics attempts to persuade the reader by showing how many people think something.

12. Breakdown of Ratings given on Keystone Literature Test w/ detailed explanations

13. Basic
A Literature student performing at this level demonstrates some use of reading strategies to comprehend fiction and nonfiction.
Students performing at this level consistently demonstrate a partial understanding of fiction and nonfiction within and between texts. They use limited reading skills and strategies to construct meaning. Students demonstrate comprehension through the use of word meanings, contextual clues, and literary terms. They demonstrate some understanding of text structures and the content of graphics. Students identify and explain the author’s purpose and techniques.

14. A student at this level is able to do the following:
Identifies the author’s purpose.
Identifies word meaning through the use of synonyms and antonyms.
Applies the use of affixes and context clues to clarify the meaning of words.
Identifies and/or explains stated or implied main idea and supporting details.
Summarizes text.
Makes inferences and draws conclusions.
Explains and/or describes connections between texts.
Describes, explains, and/or compares the following elements of fiction: character, setting, plot, theme, tone, style, mood, and point of view.
Identifies the literary elements and devices in fiction, including poetry and drama.
Identifies the structure and format of informational text.
Interprets and/or analyzes sequence of steps.
Explains the effect of text organization, including headers, graphics, and charts in informational text.
Makes connections between text and the content of graphics and charts.
Differentiates between fact and opinion in nonfictional text.
Explains and/or describes the use of facts and opinions in text.
Identifies and/or explains bias and propaganda techniques in nonfictional text.

15. Proficient
A Literature student performing at this level demonstrates a consistent use of effective reading strategies to comprehend fiction and nonfiction.
Students performing at this level consistently demonstrate an adequate understanding of fiction and nonfiction within and between texts. They construct meaning by applying appropriate reading strategies and knowledge of literary terms, structures, and genres. Students make and support reasonable assertions and draw conclusions based on textual and contextual evidence. They analyze the author’s purpose and techniques, including the effects on the reader.

16. A student at this level is able to do the following:
Explains examples of text that support the author’s purpose.
Draws conclusions about connotations of words.
Supports generalizations by citing evidence from text.
Analyzes how literary form influences the meaning of text.
Compares characteristics of fiction and literary nonfiction.
Analyzes and/or compares connections between texts.
Compares the characteristics that distinguish narrative, poetry, and drama.
Interprets and/or analyzes the following elements of literature: character, setting, plot, theme, tone, style, mood, and point of view.
Explains literary elements and devices in fiction, including poetry and drama.
Explains author’s use of key words and phrases to inform and influence the reader.
Analyzes the structure and format of informational text.
Interprets and/or analyzes the effect of text organization, including headers, graphics, and charts in informational text.
Interprets and/or analyzes the use of fact and opinion and bias and propaganda techniques in nonfictional text.
Distinguishes between essential and nonessential information in informational text.
Explains and/or describes the effectiveness of bias and propaganda techniques and an author’s defense of a claim or argument in nonfictional text.

17. Advanced
A Literature student performing at this level demonstrates a thorough use of sophisticated reading strategies to comprehend fiction and nonfiction.
Students performing at this level consistently demonstrate a thorough understanding of fiction and nonfiction. They use in-depth knowledge of literature to construct original interpretations, to draw insightful conclusions, and to make connections within, between, and beyond texts. Students demonstrate subtle literary and conceptual understanding of texts and analyze the contexts in which they were written. They demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of style, structure, genre, and purpose.

18. A student at this level is able to do the following:
Analyzes the author’s purpose.
Evaluates how authors use techniques and elements to communicate an idea or concept.
Evaluates connections between texts.
Analyzes how interrelationships of ideas and events influence each other.
Evaluates the following elements of literature and their interactions with each other: character, setting, plot, theme, tone, style, mood, and point of view.
Evaluates the characteristics that distinguish narrative, poetry, and drama.
Interprets and analyzes genres for literary, historical, and/or cultural significance.
Analyzes the effects of literary elements and devices in fiction, including poetry and drama.
Evaluates the structure and format of complex informational text.
Evaluates how graphics and charts clarify, simplify, and organize complex informational text.
Analyzes the effectiveness of bias and propaganda techniques and an author’s defense of a claim or argument in nonfictional text.