Unit 1: Learning About Fiction and Nonfiction

Name______Hour ______Date______

Literature may be either fiction or nonfiction. The following chart compares and contrasts these two types of literature.

Characteristics / Fiction / Nonfiction
Overall Features / Fiction is prose that tells a story from the author’s imagination. The individuals who take part in the story are characters. They experience a series of related events called the plot. The plot begins with a conflict, or problem; rises to a climax, or point of great
intensity; and ends with a resolution, or conclusion. / Nonfiction is prose that
presents information about
real people, events, or ideas.
The author of a nonfiction
work may include opinions or
impressions along with facts.
Sample Forms / short stories, novellas, novels / speeches, articles, news
reports, essays, biographies
Author’s Purpose / to entertain / to persuade, inform, or
entertain

DIRECTIONS: Read each item. Decide whether it is a work of fiction or nonfiction, and then write fiction or nonfiction on the line provided.

______1. a piece of literature that tells how a real-life mystery was solved

______2. a piece of literature that tries to persuade readers to plant trees

______3. a piece of literature about a group of people who travel to another

galaxy

______4. a piece of literature that compares American pizza to Italian pizza

______5. a piece of literature about highways in outer space

______6. a piece of literature about an imaginary girl who lived in Spain in the

1600s

______7. a piece of literature that summarizes and reviews a new work of

fiction

______8. a piece of literature that states the author’s opinions about country

music

______9. a piece of literature that tells about two boys who time-travel to the

year 3007

______10. a piece of literature that explains how to start your own pet care

business

Susan Vreeland

Listening and Viewing

www.pearsonsuccessnet.com

>Search

>Vreeland

Segment 1: Meet Susan Vreeland

• How did an ancient glass pitcher inspire Susan Vreeland to write about visual arts? What type of art would you like to write about?

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• What type of art would you like to write about?

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Segment 2: Fiction and Nonfiction

• How did Susan Vreeland’s nonfiction writing lead her to writing fiction about art?

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•Why is writing descriptively important in fiction?

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Segment 3: The Writing Process

• What does Susan Vreeland look to edit when revising a draft?

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• In what ways do you agree or disagree with Susan Vreeland that revising is the most important part of the writing process?

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Segment 4: The Rewards of Writing

• What does Susan Vreeland hope readers can “get out of” reading her stories?

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• What do you think you can learn by reading books about art?

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“Magdalena Looking” by Susan Vreeland, pp. 10-19

Model Selection: Fiction

Fiction is prose that tells about individuals and events from the author’s imagination. The individuals who take part in the story are characters. They experience a series of related events

called the plot. The plot begins with a conflict, or problem; rises to a climax, or point of intensity; and ends with a resolution, or conclusion. The action takes place at a certain time and location, called the setting.

In fiction, the perspective from which a story is told is called point of view. First-person point of view is the perspective of a character who participates in the story. Third-person point of view is the perspective of a narrator outside the story. A third-person narrator might be omniscient, or all-knowing. The narrator might also be limited, reporting the perspective of only one character.

The underlying message or insight a story conveys is its theme. If a theme applies to all people in all cultures, it is a universal theme.

DIRECTIONS: Read this passage from “Magdalena Looking,” and answer the questions that follow.

In 1696, just after their only living child, Magritte, damp with fever, stopped breathing in her arms, Magdalena read in the Amsterdamsche Courant of a public auction of one hundred thirty-four paintings by various artists. “Several outstandingly artful paintings,” the notice said, “including twenty-one works most powerfully and splendidly painted by the late J. Vermeer of Delft, will be auctioned May 16, 1:00, at the Oude Heeren Logement.” Only a week away. She thought of Hendrick [the baker]. Of course he couldn’t be expected to keep those paintings forever. Hers might be there. The possibility kept her awake nights.

1. What is the setting of this passage? ______

2. What event advances the plot in this passage? ______

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3. A. Which characters are involved in this passage? ______

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B. How does each character relate to the events that are occurring? (full sentences) ______

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4. A. Is this passage told from the first-person, third-person omniscient, or third-person limited

point of view? Explain using full sentences. ______

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B. Why do you think the author uses this point of view? (full sentences) ______

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After You Read Questions:

1.  What is Magdelena’s “one pulsing wish”?

2.  What obstacles prevent her from fulfilling her wish? Use details from the selection to explain your answer.

3.  How do the time and cultural setting influence the conflict she experiences?

4.  Do you think she would experience similar conflicts if she lived today? Explain.

5.  Give three details from the story that show Magdelena’s character.

6.  Identify details in the selection suggesting that Magdalena has artistic ability. Then, identify any opposing evidence—details that suggest she does not have talent.

7.  Explain why the question of Magdalena’s talent is crucial to the development of the story’s theme.

“Artful Research” by Susan Vreeland, pp. 23-26

Model Selection: Nonfiction

Nonfiction is prose in which an author presents information about real people, events, or ideas. Unlike fiction, which contains invented characters and events, nonfiction can only present facts and discuss real-world ideas.

Nonfiction is presented directly by the author, whose perspective, or viewpoint, colors the work. Through his or her word choices and details, the author expresses a particular attitude toward the subject and the readers. This attitude is known as tone.

Authors of nonfiction works have a definite purpose for writing. Some include the following

purposes:

• to explain (“How To Juggle”)

• to entertain (“Life IS Stranger than Fiction”)

• to share thoughts and experiences (“Skiing: My Downfall as an Athlete”)

• to persuade (“Adopt a Pet!”)

• to inform (“Why Glow Worms Glow”)

DIRECTIONS: Answer the following questions about “Artful Research” using full sentences.

1. Which real people does the author mention?

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2. From whose perspective is it told? ______

3. Summarize a real-life experience that the author shares with her readers. ______

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4. List two facts that the author presents. ______

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5. List two opinions that the author presents. ______

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6. What is the author’s attitude toward her subject? How do you explain this attitude?

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5

Grade 10, Unit 1