Elements of Nonfiction

Elements of Nonfiction/Informational Text

Terms, Tools, and Text Structures

Open Ended

What do you already know about nonfiction/informational text? Show off what you remember!

What is nonfiction text?

Non-fiction is prose that is based on facts, real events, and real people. It is the opposite of fiction.

What are the genres/types of nonfiction text?

• Narrative: Real-Life Events

• Expository: Informs or Explains

• Persuasive: Convinces or Persuades

• Descriptive: Uses imagery to stimulate the reader’s senses.

No matter what genre/type of nonfiction text you use, it follows a certain structure.

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Text Structures

Nonfiction text typically falls under one of the following text structures.

The Lazy Student

When Tim woke up, he didn’t want to go to school. His mom took him anyway. So, he went to school, but he didn’t do any work. The days passed, and Tim still didn’t do any work. Mr. Morton called Tim’s house, but Tim still wouldn’t do any work. Finally the report cards came out, and Tim failed his classes. Tim was sad.

This is an example of a chronological text structure because the purpose of the text is to tell a story in the order in which it occurred according to time.

Chronological text structures usually go with stories.

Deviled Eggs

Pop out (remove) the egg yolks to a small bowl and mash with a fork. Add mayonnaise, mustard powder, vinegar, salt and pepper and mix thoroughly. Fill the empty egg white shells with the mixture and sprinkle lightly with paprika. Cover lightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to one day before serving.

This is an example of sequence because the purpose of the text is to give directions in the order in which they should be done.

Sequence text structures usually go with instructions.

Failing Classes

Lots of students fail classes.  Some students fail because the work is too hard for them.  Other times they may fail because they are lazy, and don’t do any work.  Another reason why students may fail is if they don’t go to school.  If you’re not in class you may miss a lot.  Many students fail classes every quarter. 

This is an example of the cause and effect text structure because the purpose of the text is to present an event and then list various things that caused that event to occur and serve to explain it.

To identify a cause and effect text structure, look to see if there is a key event and then the results of that event.

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Think about the domino or snowball effect.

Because this happened, this, this, and this happened. ​

Passing Classes

A lot of students have been failing classes. These students wouldn’t be failing classes if they studied more, asked questions, tried harder, and came in for extra help. Even though a lot of students fail classes, they have many options if they want to pass. 

This is an example of the problem and solution text structure because, like the cause and effect structure, there is a connection between the event and the following list of connected scenarios. However, its purpose is to present a problem and then list a series of solutions that would prevent the problem from occurring at all. The key is that it involves an opinion where cause and effect is solely based on fact.

Cause and Effect = facts

Problem and Solution = opinions.

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Locate key event and see if there are any opinions on what could have prevented it.

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It's all about scenarios rather than actual things that happened. ​

Sports at Ericson

There are two popular sports played at Ericson, basketball and volleyball. Both take place inside of the gym at Ericson. Also, each sport has two teams of people. In basketball, however, the ball can be played off of the floor, and in volleyball, the ball cannot touch the floor or it is out of play. Basketball and volleyball are popular sports at Ericson.

This is an example of the compare and contrast text structure because its purpose is to provide two items and then list what they have in common as well as what makes them different.

Compare & Contrast:

Look for focus on 2 or more things.

- What makes them different

-What makes them similar

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Now, It's Time to Practice!

• You are going to be shown a series of examples.

• Read the example and decide to yourself what type of text structure that particular example would be (Chronological, Sequence, Cause & Effect, Problem & Solution, or Compare & Contrast).

• You'll provide your answer on the slide following the example.

• Note: The examples will start off easy and then get harder!

Multiple Choice

Which text structure fits example 1?

• Chronological

• Sequence

• Cause & Effect

• Problem & Solution

• Compare & Contrast

Multiple Choice

Which text structure fits example 2?

• Chronological

• Sequence

• Cause & Effect

• Problem & Solution

• Compare & Contrast

Multiple Choice

Which text structure best fits example 3?

• Chronological

• Sequence

• Cause & Effect

• Problem & Solution

• Compare and Contrast

Multiple Choice

Which text structure best fits example 4?

• Chronological

• Sequence

• Cause & Effect

• Problem & Solution

• Compare and Contrast

Multiple Choice

Which text structure best fits example 5?

• Chronological

• Sequence

• Cause & Effect

• Problem & Solution

• Compare and Contrast

That's All!

Now you're ready to move on to the next assignment.