Nonfiction

Main Idea & Details

• The central or most important point a writer tries to make in a paragraph or passage.
• Bits of information that support the main idea
• Facts (Objective Details)
• Facts are statements that can be proven true or false
• Facts tell what actually happened
• Facts tell what is happening now
• Facts state something that can be easily observed or verified
• You can also verify by;
• Our senses
• Comparing them to the calendar or a clock
• Research it 
• Opinions (Subjective Details)
• Opinions are statements that can't be proven true or false because they "DEPEND"
• It expresses a person's thoughts, beliefs, feelings or estimates.
• Express worth or value
• Tell what should or should not be thought or done.
• Based on what seems true or probable

Why does it matter?

• When would be an appropriate time to use facts in a research paper?
• Evidence to support our opinion
• When would be an appropriate time to use opinions in a research paper?
• To state your position, weather you're for it or against it

4 Types of Nonfiction

1. Expository

• To explain or inform the reader about the topic; remains non biased and neutral
• Instructions, reports, textbooks, etc.

    2.  Persuasive

• To convince the reader to think, feel, or act a certain way; takes a position on a topic and argues for or against it
• Newspaper editorial, political speech, request for action/money, etc.

   3. Descriptive

• To recreate a place, event, or person by appealing to the senses and/or emotions; uses sensory language, rich details, and figurative language
• travel journal. autobiography, personal experience, etc.

   4.  Narrative

• To relate events and tell what happened in chronological order; tells a true story about a person, event, or place.
• historical essay, "play by play" account of game, testimony.