English 10H/R Note-taking

Nonfiction

Essential Question: What are important and effective strategies for reading nonfiction?

Nonfiction (noun):the branch of literature comprising works of narrative prose (written language) dealing with or offering opinions or conjectures upon facts and reality, including biography, history, and the essay (as opposed to fiction and distinguished from poetry and drama). **also a way of cataloguing books in a library or bookstore, including reference works. This is the broadest category of written works (Dictionary.com).

Categories of nonfiction:

  • Biography: story of another person’s life written by another person
  • Autobiography: is the writer’s own life story. Characteristics of an autobiography include personal thoughts as well as narration of events; focuses on the individual, not on the times or public events; it is written and organized for public audience (as opposed to a diary or collections of letters).
  • Essay: short work about a particular subject
  • Types include: reflective, persuasive (including the critical review of plays, books, movies), descriptive
  • Technical article: writing that explains procedures, provides instructions, or presents information (Prentice Hall Literature Platinum Level 655).

Strategies for reading nonfiction:

1.Analyze the author’s purpose: Ask yourself, why is the writer writing this piece? Reasons include

  • to inform,
  • to entertain, or
  • to appreciate (or not) something/subject (like a critical review).
  • Be aware of theAuthor’s perspective: how author interprets events he or she sees, hears, or experiences.

2.Identify Evidence:as a reader, you should pay attention to the way a writer supports the points he/she makes. The evidence he/she makes may be in the form of: facts, statistics, observations, examples, and quotations from experts.Recognize the difference between facts and impressions/opinions

  • Fact: information that can be tested and proved. Facts can be supported using statistics, explanations, evidence.
  • Opinion: belief, judgment based on experience
  • Impression: a feeling or an image retained from an experience
  • Epiphany: a moment in writing when the character has a flash of insight about himself or herself, another character, or life in general.

3.Interpret pictures and other supporting visual information. If pictures are included with the text, “read” the elements of the pictures. Connect images, charts, maps, etc. to determine how they help you understand the meaning (Prentice Hall Literature Platinum Level 657).

4.Recognize patterns of organization in nonfiction writing:

  • Chronological: events explained in the order they happened
  • Cause and Effect: showing the relationships between events
  • Compare and Contrast: explaining similarities and differences (Prentice Hall Literature Platinum Level 167).

CHARACTERISTICS OF EDITORIAL WRITING
An editorial is an article that presents the newspaper's opinion on an issue. It reflects the majority vote of the editorial board, the governing body of the newspaper made up of editors and business managers. It is usually unsigned. Much in the same manner of a lawyer, editorial writers build on an argument and try to persuade readers to think the same way they do. Editorials are meant to influence public opinion, promote critical thinking, and sometimes cause people to take action on an issue. In essence, an editorial is an opinionated news story.

Editorials should ideally have:
1. An introduction, body, and conclusion like other news stories.
2. An objective explanation of the issue, especially complex issues.
3. A timely news angle.
4. Opinions from the opposing viewpoint that refute directly the same issues the writer addresses
5. The opinions of the writer delivered in a professional manner. Good editorials engage issues, not personalities, and refrain from name-calling or other petty tactics of persuasion.
6. Alternative solutions to the problem or issue being criticized. Anyone can gripe about a problem, but a good editorial should take a pro-active approach to making the situation better by using constructive criticism and giving solutions.
7. A solid and concise conclusion that powerfully summarizes the writer's opinion.

Four Types of Editorials Will:
1. Explain or interpret: Editors often use these editorials to explain the way the newspaper covered a sensitive or controversial subject. School newspapers may explain new school rules or a particular student-body effort like a food drive.
2. Criticize: These editorials constructively criticize actions, decisions or situations while providing solutions to the problem identified. Immediate purpose is to get readers to see the problem, not the solution.
3. Persuade: Editorials of persuasion aim to immediately see the solution, not the problem. From the first paragraph, readers will be encouraged to take a specific, positive action. Political endorsements are good examples of editorials of persuasion.
4. Praise: These editorials commend people and organizations for something done well. They are not as common as the other three (Weintraut).

Works Cited

"Dictionary.com | Find the Meanings and Definitions of Words at Dictionary.com." Dictionary.com | Find the Meanings and Definitions of Words at Dictionary.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Sept 2012. <

Pitts Jr., Leonard. "Pittsburgh Post-Gazette." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. N.p., 21 May

2010. Web. 12 Sept. 2011. <

Prentice Hall Literature Platinum Level. New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc., 2005.

Print.

Weintraut, Alan. "Writing an Editorial." Writing an Editorial. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Sept.

2012. <

Text selections for nonfiction: “My Left Foot”

“A View from the Summit”

“Star Wars-A Trip to a Far Galaxy That’s Fun and Funny”

“Star Wars: Breakthrough Film Still Has The Force”

“Imitating Nature’s Mineral Artistry”

“Work That Counts”

Supplemental selection: “Let the Kids Express Themselves”