NON FICTIONIn nonfiction, the subject matter is

factual. The writer of nonfiction writes about actual people, places, and things.

FORMS OF NON FICTION

EssaysPersuasive InformativeExpository (explaining)

Journals Diaries Documetaries Histories Scientific Papers Photographs

Biographies Textbooks Manuals/blueprints Travel Books Technical

documentation Journalism

Newspaper ArticlesEditorials (opinions)Magazine ArticlesNews Broadcasts

ELEMENTS OF NON-FICTION As long as writing has existed,

nonfiction has existed. The first biographies- written

to glorify heroes & leaders --only the subject's good acts.

By the 1800's-- biographers include the subject's weaknesses, also.

The first great modern biography By James Boswell (English)

The Life of Johnson about his friend Samuel

Johnson, writer of one of the earliest English dictionaries.

Modern biographies --true to the subject's personality and history. Are well-researched and objective.

Characters, Plot, and Setting. Like fiction, nonfiction has characters, plot, and setting., but they’re real, not made up. Subject --The main

character in an autobiography or other non-fiction piece

Purpose --Different types of nonfiction have different purposes: inform, persuade, entertain, move

Tone--The writer's attitude toward his or her subject matter – just as important in non-fiction as in fiction

Credibility is the main issue in Non-fiction. A writer must guard his/her credibility

CREDIBILITY IN NON-FICTION

Didacticism – when writing is designed or intended to teach or make moral observations

It is hard for some authors not to preach, especially when the subject is important. If the facts are carefully arranged, the evidence gathers and builds to prove the point, and preaching becomes unnecessary. If there are differing theories or evidence, then the author needs to address them.

Propaganda: is used in persuasion if the tactics used are sly, deceitful or overly sentimental. Oversimplified, tricky or one-sided arguments are propaganda. A repeated image is also a means of propaganda.

Objectivity--Creators of non fiction have the obligation of being objective. The creator must sort through information and decide what to include or omit. Both sides must be considered and included in arguments. Objectivity is related to reliability.

PROPAGANDA: U.S. GOVERNMENT CONVINCING CITIZENS THAT WAR WAS NECESSARY AND GOOD

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SOURCES A primary source is a document

or physical object which was written or created during the time under study.

These sources were present during an experience or time period and offer an inside view of a particular event.

Some types of primary sources include: ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS

(excerpts or translations acceptable): Diaries, speeches, manuscripts, letters, interviews, news film footage, autobiographies, official records

CREATIVE WORKS: Poetry, drama, novels, music, art

RELICS OR ARTIFACTS: Pottery, furniture, clothing, buildings, photos, documents

What is a secondary source? A secondary source interprets and analyzes primary sources. These sources are one or more steps removed from the event. Secondary sources may have pictures, quotes or graphics of primary sources in them.

Some types of secondary sources include: PUBLICATIONS:

Textbooks, magazine articles, histories, criticisms, commentaries, encyclopedias

PASSPORT – PRIMARY SOURCE

EXAMPLES OF PRIMARY/SECONDARY SOURCES Examples of primary

sources include: Diary of Anne Frank -

Experiences of a Jewish family during WWII

The Constitution of U.S.- U.S.History

A journal article reporting NEW research or findings

Weavings and pottery - Native American history

Plato's Republic - Women in Ancient Greece

Examples of secondary sources include: A journal/magazine

article which interprets or reviews previous findings

A history textbook A book about the

effects of WWI

MORE PRIMARY SOURCES

HTTP://WWW.PRINCETON.EDU/~REFDESK/PRIMARY2.HTML

HTTP://WWW.HUNTEL.NET/RSWEETLAND/LITERATURE/GENRE/NONFICTION/ELEMENTS.HTML

HTTP://WWW.DOWLINGCENTRAL.COM/MRSD/AREA/LITERATURE/NONFICTION/NONFICTION.HTML

Sources