Transcript What is Non
What is Non-Fiction?
Non-fiction is any writing, text, speech,
video, audio, or other representation of
information that is understood to be factual.
Types of Non-Fiction
Informational
Narrative
Oratory
Persuasive
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
Facts vs. Opinions
Facts
Objective
Is discovered
Can be proven
Presented with
unbiased words
Example sentence:
The New Orleans
Saints are a Super
Bowl-winning team.
Opinions
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.
What are some examples of
informational nonfiction?
Textbooks
Technical writing
Dictionaries, thesauruses
Encyclopedias (print or online)
Brochures
Journalistic mediums*
Newspapers
Radio
Television news
Internet
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
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
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?
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?
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
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