Non Fiction Notes

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Non-Fiction is prose that presents and explains ideas or tells about real people, places, objects, or events. It is an account or representation of a subject that is presented as fact. This presentation may be accurate or not; that is, it can give either a true or a false account of the subject in question. However, it is generally assumed that authors believe them to be truthful at the time of their writing. Autobiographies, biographies, essays, reports, letters, memos, and newspaper articles are all types of nonfiction.

Characteristics of Non-Fiction 

• The people, events, places, and ideas presented in nonfiction are real, not invented. 
• Nonfiction is narrated by an author who is a real person. 
• It presents facts, describes true-life experiences, or discusses ideas. 
• Nonfiction is written for a specific audience, or group of readers. In addition, it addresses a clear purpose, or reason for writing. The audience and purpose influence the type of information a writer includes. 
• Tone, the author’s attitude toward the subject or reader, is displayed through the writer’s word choice and style. The writer contributes:

§ Style is the particular way a writer uses language. Style reflects an author’s personality. Factors that make up an author’s style include formality of tone (informal or formal, usually), use of figurative language, diction or word choice (texture), sentence patterns or syntax, and organization or structure.

§ Tone is the author’s attitude toward both the subject and audience. In conversations, you can hear a speaker’s tone in the way words and phrases are spoken. This adds connotation to the denotative meaning of a word. When reading, you can “hear” tone in an author’s choice of words and details. Tone in writing can often be described with a single word: for example: formal, playful, serious, personal, sarcastic, friendly, etc.

 

§ Perspective is the viewpoint or opinion an author expresses about the subject, either directly or indirectly. Bias occurs when a writer makes a one-sided presentation (for example, by ignoring relevant facts or by using emotional language that unfairly sways readers’ or listeners’ feelings).

§ Purpose is an author’s reason for writing. Common purposes are to inform, to persuade, to honor or praise, to entertain, or to explain.

Types of Non-Fiction

There are four main types, or modes, of nonfiction that are defined by their purposes.

§    Narrative nonfiction tells stories of real-life events. Examples include autobiographies and memoirs. Some narrative nonfiction is reflective writing, which shares the writer’s thoughts and feelings about a personal experience, an idea, or a concern. Examples include reflective essays, personal essays, and journals.

§    Expository nonfiction informs or explains. Examples include analytical essays and research reports.

§    Persuasive nonfiction presents reasons and evidence to convince the reader to act or think in a certain way. Examples include editorials and political speeches.

§    Descriptive nonfiction uses details related to the senses to create mental images for the reader. Examples include character sketches and scientific observations.

Class Activity:

1. Please brainstorm an idea for a creative non-fiction essay. Use the techniques discussed above (see post above this one) to help you with this step in the writing process.

2. When you have a good idea for a topic or subject, consider your perspective on the subject. Choose a style, tone and purpose that matches your perspective.

3. Choose a type or mode of nonfiction. You may use David Sedaris as a model.

4. Begin writing a draft of your non-fiction. Remember the advice and previous courses in crafting your writing to make it effective and creative.

HOMEWORK: None.