What is nonfiction?

A writing piece that focuses on one topic. The author’s purpose is to inform or persuade.

A reference book organized chronologically or by topic

A conversation between two people where questions and answers are exchanged

A true story about a person's life told by someone else

A short nonfiction piece that focuses on one topic or subject

Written to provide factual information. It’s main purpose is to INFORM.

Nonfiction writing that explains, gives information, defines, or clarifies a concept or idea.

Nonfiction writing that is written to create a mood or to recreate an actual person or event. (Often includes sensory details.)

Nonfiction writing that tries to convince the reader to act or think in a particular way.

Nonfiction writing that tells a TRUE story.

Charts, graphs, or illustrations to help the reader understand the topic more deeply

Show readers exactly what something looks like

A text box that provides additional or more in depth information

Elements of a text that are not the main body of the text.

Provides definitions for the words in the text

Words that are in bold print, italics, or underlined to help readers to know that the word is important

Tell the names of parts of a diagram, photo or illustration

Provide information about a photograph or illustration

Helps the reader understand where a place is located

Notes the names of each chapter or section and gives page numbers

The author shows how events or concepts happen as a result of other events or concepts.

The author puts events in order or explains the steps to follow in order to do or make something.

The author provides similarities and differences between two subjects.

The author introduces a problem and then presents one or more solutions.

The author describes a person, place or thing in a logical order. Often employs the five senses to help the reader visualize the information.

The writer’s reason for writing the text. Purposes include to persuade, inform or entertain

The writer’s reason for writing the text. Purposes include to persuade, inform or entertain

Information that expands the main idea

A description by a person usually not at the event (less reliable)

A first-hand account (most reliable)

The subject of the text

What the writer thinks about the topic; the writer’s perspective on the subject

The writer’s most important message about the topic