Fiction Verses Non-FictionFiction Verses Non-Fiction

By: Miss Pankowski & Mrs. Mitchell

ObjectivesObjectives

Identify the criteria necessary in a nonfiction piece.

Identify the elements of fiction as applied to a short story.

Differentiate a fiction and nonfiction book.

Elements of Elements of FictionFiction

Fiction Fiction

Fiction = A story from an authors imagination.

Two Forms 1.Short Story

Can easily be read in one sitting Explores one topic

2.Novel Has a longer more complicated plot

4 Components of Fiction4 Components of Fiction

Plot = – The events of the

story

Characters = – The people,

animals, or imaginary characters in the story

Setting = – The time and place

where the story occurs.

Theme = – The main message

in the story.

Elements of Elements of Non-FictionNon-Fiction

WHAT IS NONFICTION?WHAT IS NONFICTION?

The subject of nonfiction is real– The author writes about actual persons,

places and events.– The writer may just report facts– The writer may also include personal

opinions– Often there is a mixture of both– Readers must read critically

CRITICALCRITICAL READINGREADING

Look at writer’s backgroundLook at writer’s purposeLook at writer’s attitudeLook at writer’s audience

PERSONAL CHRONICLESPERSONAL CHRONICLES

DIARIES AND JOURNALSDIARIES AND JOURNALS

Diaries: a private form of writing with no further intended audience

Journals: varying styles and topics. Give a glimpse of the writer’s value of his or her world

LETTERSLETTERS

Private Letters Public Letter Letters can

– Reveal character– Express opinions– Ask for information– Give information

Audience and Purpose influence tone.

PERSONAL REFLECTIONSPERSONAL REFLECTIONS

Personal Reflections must be memorable and significant and :– Give character insight– Lead to an unexpected

conclusion– Show how a lesson

was learned– Awaken feeling of pity,

compassion, joy and nostalgia

Biography Biography

Written about a person’s life or one main event

Has a plot Can be read in one

sitting or have many chapters

Historical biographies include strands of an individual’s life interwoven with historical persons, places and events.

Autobiography Autobiography The biography of a

person written by himself or herself.

Has a plot Can be read in one

sitting or have many chapters

Author has some purpose for writing– To teach– To gain awareness– To warn– Simply to entertain

MEMOIRSMEMOIRS

A type of autobiographical writing, dealing with the recollections of prominent people or people who have been a part of or have witnessed significant events.

Considered both autobiographical and historical.

Encyclopedia Encyclopedia

Information organized by topic

Topics organized alphabetically

The entries are short

Used for research

JOURNALISMJOURNALISM

•Newspapers

•Magazines

•Online sources

TYPES OF JOURNALISMTYPES OF JOURNALISM

InterviewsColumnsReviewsArticlesEditorialsEditorial

Cartoons

News Paper ArticlesNews Paper Articles

Short Can be read in

one sitting Articles Focuses

on one topic or main idea

EssayEssay

Can be based on research or personal experience

Can be read in one sitting

Written in paragraph form, usually five or more

TYPES OF ESSAYSTYPES OF ESSAYS

•Formal Essay

•A prose discussion on a serious topic in a serious manner, usually rigidly structured and organized.

•Informal Essay

•A prose discussion on any topic in a light, humorous, amusing manner; often loosely organized, rambling and casual in approach.

CHARACTERISTICS of an EssayCHARACTERISTICS of an Essay

The Formal Essay– Purpose: to inform, explain, convince– Tone: serious, rhetorical, balanced

The Informal Essay– Narrative structure– Tone: conversational, sometimes

witty and humorous

HUMOR AND THE ESSAYHUMOR AND THE ESSAY

Wit– Incongruity– The unexpected– Exaggeration

Humor– Ability to show,

with sympathy, the things in life and human behavior that are funny.

OTHER TYPES OF ESSAYSOTHER TYPES OF ESSAYS

Comparison and Contrast Essays

Persuasive Essays

Cause and Effect Essays

Interview Interview

Recorded word for word

Can be read in one sitting

May be written in bullet format or like a drama

Textbook Textbook

Information organized by topic

Used for reference to inform

Organized chronologically (by time) or by topic

OTHER TYPES OF OTHER TYPES OF NONFICTIONNONFICTION

Speeches Historical Writing Science Writing Technical writing Writing online Miscellaneous

writing

ELEMENTS OF NONFICTIONELEMENTS OF NONFICTION

Characters, Plot, and Setting. Like fiction– but all are real

Person in autobiography or biography called a subject

Purpose – changes the style and tone of the piece

Tone (author’s attitude toward the topic) -based on purpose and audience.

HOW TO READ HOW TO READ NONFICTIONNONFICTION

Try to separate facts from opinions.

The writer has chosen facts that present a certain picture of the subject.

Think about what might be missing as well as what is there.

MORE READING TIPSMORE READING TIPS

Think about the writer's purpose.

Is the writer trying to win you over to his or her opinion?

Learn to appreciate how well a writer says something, even when you don't agree.

Be a critical reader.

FINAL READING TIPSFINAL READING TIPS

Be aware of the writer's tone.

Pay attention to what the author reveals about himself or herself – especially true in autobiography

Questions?Questions?