1. Elements of Nonfiction

2. Fiction Produced/created from the imagination of the author Short Stories, novels, poetry, drama

3. Nonfiction Real-world writing for real- world purposes designed to inform, persuade, remind, converse, etc.

4. Types of Nonfiction Writing Descriptive Writing Narrative Writing Explanatory Writing Persuasive Writing Research Writing Business Writing

5. Descriptive Writing Allows the writer to paint word pictures about anything and everything in the world… it is an essential part of almost every piece of writing, including essays, letters, field notes, newspaper reports, etc.

6. Narrative Writing Tells a story. The author informs or persuades through the telling of stories based upon personal experience. Personal Narrative, Memoir, Personal essay

7. Explanatory Writing Informs and Explains Compares and Contrasts Explains Cause and Effect Analyzes Presents Problems and Solutions

8. Persuasive Writing Allows the writer to inform and influence others. The writer is trying to convince readers to think in a certain way and/or to act in a certain way.

9. Research Writing Explores a specific topic in depth by incorporating information gathered from a variety of “outside” sources. Primary Sources Secondary Sources

10. Business Writing Clear and succinct writing designed to achieve a specific purpose. Letters, memos, reports, resumes, etc.

11. Key Concepts of Nonfiction Writing Audience and Purpose Who will be reading the writing? What purpose is to be accomplished?

12. Key Concepts of Nonfiction Writing Thesis Statement The main idea of the writing. What specifically does the writer want the reader to think, feel, believe about the subject? What specifically does the writer want the reader to do?

13. Key Concepts of Nonfiction Writing Authority Is the author of the writing in a position of authority with regard to the subject?

14. Key Concepts of Nonfiction Writing Reliability Connected to authority: are the sources consulted to be trusted? Does the author’s authority lend credibility to what is being stated?

15. Key Concepts of Nonfiction Writing Support Are the ideas in the writing supported with relevant and reliable source material?

16. Key Concepts of Nonfiction Writing Opinion v. Fact Is the supporting material irrefutable facts (objective) or opinion (subjective)?