Name: ________________

Course: _______

Nonfiction Texts & Research

Types of Nonfiction Writing

Narrative Nonfiction
Literary Journalism
Biography/Autobiography
Memoir
The Bible
True stories happening to real people

Informational/
Explanatory Nonfiction

Argumentative/
Persuasive Nonfiction

Hard news stories

Travel books
Cookbooks
Clear and organized
No opinion

Sways readers to one side of

an issue
Uses opinion

Need help finding articles?

Google search:
USA Today
Christianity Today
The New York Times
The New Yorker
The Wall Street Journal
The Union Tribune (signonsandiego.com)
LA Times
San Diego Reader
Time Magazine
Outside Magazine
*Ask your parents if they have any newspapers you may look at/bring to school
the articles are not required to be printed from an online source.

Concept Map
New Concept:
Example Sentence:

Narrative Nonfiction

Narrative nonfiction, also called literary journalism, blurs the lines between
fiction and nonfiction writing.
Synonyms:

Literary journalism
Biography/autobiography
Memoir
Personal Essay
Creative non-fiction
The Bible

Examples

Essential Characteristics

Purpose:

Non Examples

My Sentence:

Concept Map
New Concept:
Example Sentence:

Argumentative/ Persuasive Nonfiction

A writer who argues a position or takes a side on an issue uses argumentative or

persuasive writing to get his or her point across.
Synonyms:

Essential Characteristics
Mixes facts with persuasive language
and logical argument to sway readers to
one side of an issue
Purpose:

Examples

Non Examples

Political speeches
Law documents
Propaganda
Commercials
Any article or book that uses facts
to back up a strong point of view

My Sentence:

Concept Map
New Concept:
Example Sentence:

Expository/ Informational Nonfiction

Expository/ Informational nonfiction includes no opinion from the writer, and

it must be clear, organized and exhibit strong detail.
Synonyms:

Essential Characteristics

Purpose:

Examples

Non Examples

My Sentence:

How nonfiction works are organized.....

Text
Structure
Description

Definitions/
Notes

Signal
Words
For example, for
instance,
characteristics
include,
specifically, in
addition

Sequence
& Order

Before, in the
beginning, to
start, first, next,
finally, last, in
the middle, in
the end

Cause &
Effect

Since, because, as
a result, leads to,
then,
consequently

Compare
& Contrast

Similarly, alike,
same, just like,
both, different,
unlike, in
contrast, on the
other hand

Problem &
Solution

Problem,
solution, issue,
cause, since,
consequently, as
a result, because
of, due to, then

Visual

Analyzing Nonfiction Text Structures

1. First: Skim, scan, preview the text
2. Next, look at all the text features:
___________, ____________, ____________, ______________, ____________
3. Finally, ask yourself the following questions:
What is the author's purpose? ____________, ____________, ______________
(based on inferences* drawn from the text)
What is the subject or topic?
How is it organized?
Does it follow a timeline? Logical sequence, indicate a problem- solution?
Simple list of items? Comparison of two things? Cause and effect
relationship?
What type of signal words are used?
What sort of language or vocabulary do you see?

Which text structure does the author use?

When analyzing texts use these codes:

I = Inference (what inference is made? write in margin)

MI = Main Idea
C = Connections (within or outside the text)
? = Confused about something, have a question
word = (box it) unsure of meaning/definition
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Making Inferences
Def: Using your personal knowledge (schema) + textual evidence
Why do we make inferences?
1. Understand the author's view on life or the world
2. Understand the meaning of words used in context
3. Recognize an author's bias
4. Determine the author's main idea

Read the example below and explain the story's message

Four Oxen and the Lion

A lion used to prowl about a field in which four oxen used to dwell. Many a time he tried to attack
them; but whenever he came near they turned their tails to one another, so that whichever way he
approached them he was met by the horns of one of them.
At last, however, they fell a-quarrelling among themselves, and each went off to pasture alone in a
separate corner of the field. Then the lion attacked them one by one and soon made an end of all
four.
Your understanding of the story's message. Use Textual evidence:

1. Homework _______________
Browse USA Today, Christianity Today, the Union Tribune, the NY Times, or the Wall Street Journal. Then
Spend 25-30 minutes reading articles that interest you. Then share one article with a parent, teacher, or tutor. After
they have read the article, discuss it together for at least 5 minutes. BRING PRINTED COPY INTO CLASS!
Consider as you discuss together:

What does the article explicitly say? What can you infer from what is not said?
What is the authors point of view or purpose of writing? Does the author have an agenda?
What did you find interesting? Confusing?
What did you agree or disagree with?
Why might it be important to read the newspaper with a Christian lens?

Dont forget
to get this
signed for
homework
credit!

What print or online newspaper did you read? ________________________________________________

How many minutes did you read?
___________________________________
What is the title of the article that you shared? ____________________________________
Did you discuss that article with a parent, teacher or tutor? __________

****Parent, Teacher, or Tutor Signature: _________________________________________

2. Homework: _____________________
Browse USA Today, the Union Tribune, the NY Times, or the Wall Street Journal. Then:

Find one example of a persuasive article

Find one example of an explanatory article. Go back to your notes for guidance.

Then show both articles to a parent, tutor, or support teacher and explain how these two types of
expository texts are different.
When you have completed the above instructions, have that person sign below.
Title of Persuasive article: __________________________________________________________________
Title of Explanatory article: ____________________________________________________________________
Source of articles: _________________________________________________
A note about plagiarism

****Parent, Teacher, or Tutor Signature: _________________________________________

10

Dont forget
to get this
signed for
homework
credit!

Is This Source Legit?

Finding Credible Sources

C
A
R
S

Credibility
Is the author listed?
Are the authors credentials listed?
How do you know they are an authority on the subject?
Are there spelling or grammatical errors?

Accuracy
Is there a date for publication?
Is the information up-to-date?
Does the information agree with other sources?
Is the information complete?
Does the author acknowledge all viewpoints?
Is the information factual or opinion?

Reasonableness
Is the author fair?
Is the author concerned with telling the truth?
Is it clear why the source was created?
What is the quality of the images?

Support
Are all sources listed?
Can you contact the author for clarification?

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Understanding Nonfiction Text:

Title & Author:

SOURCE OF TEXT (magazine, newspaper, website, book, brochure, etc.):

Text Structure (description, sequence & order, compare & contrast, cause & effect,
problem/solution) & Purpose (inform, persuade, entertain)

Main idea (what is the passage mainly about?)

Provide

Evidence (at least 3 specific

examples) (include details that support the main idea and /or text structure)

Additional text features (graphs, images, subtitles, captions, etc.)

How do these features help you understand the text?:

12

Understanding Nonfiction Text:

Title & Author:

SOURCE OF TEXT (magazine, newspaper, website, book, brochure, etc.):

Text Structure (description, sequence & order, compare & contrast, cause & effect,
problem/solution) & Purpose (inform, persuade, entertain)

Main idea (what is the passage mainly about?)

Provide

Evidence (at least 3 specific

examples) (include details that support the main idea and /or text structure)

Additional text features (graphs, images, subtitles, captions, etc.)

How do these features help you understand the text?:

13

Understanding Nonfiction Text:

Title & Author:

SOURCE OF TEXT (magazine, newspaper, website, book, brochure, etc.):

Text Structure (description, sequence & order, compare & contrast, cause & effect,
problem/solution) & Purpose (inform, persuade, entertain)

Main idea (what is the passage mainly about?)

Provide

Evidence (at least 3 specific

examples) (include details that support the main idea and /or text structure)

Additional text features (graphs, images, subtitles, captions, etc.)

How do these features help you understand the text?:

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Unit 5 Test Review:

15

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