8th Grade Elements of Literary Nonfiction

Grade 8 - Elements of Literary Nonfiction

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​Literary Nonfiction

Literary Nonfiction is writing that describes real people, places, events, and ideas, but employs the same crafts and artistry as fiction or poetry.

For example, think about an account of a soccer match. It may use dialogue in by including player conversations during the match. It may contains suspense in describing the course of play.

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​Central Idea

The central idea is the key point of the work of nonfiction. A work of nonfiction also conveys the author's point of view on a work. In nonfiction, point of view means the author's perspective. The central idea is developed by using supporting details that add information.

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​Central Idea

Paragraphs usually work in the same way as the essay as a whole. Each paragraph contains a central idea called a topic sentence.

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​Types of Support

• Facts - Statements that can be proven

• Opinions - Beliefs that may or may not be based on facts

• Reasons - Statements that explain or justify opinions

• Examples - Specific cases that illustrate general ideas

• Descriptions - Details that use the senses

• Anecdotes -Brief stories that illustrate a concept

​Rhetorical Devices

Rhetorical devices are specific types of language structure. Some rhetorical devices help writers emphasize certain ideas.

• Repetition - Reuse of a key word, phrase, or idea

• Parallel Structure - Use of similar grammatical structure

• Rhetorical Questions - Questions asked for effect, not answers

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​Point of View

• Stated vs. Implied

• Point of View vs. Position - They are not the same. Two people supporting the same position may have different reasons for doing so.

• Anticipating Conflicting Viewpoints

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​Connotation Vs. Denotation

Writers may create tone by using loaded language. The denotation of a word is its dictionary definition, while the connotation is all the emotional associations attached to a word.

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​Common Organizational Patterns

• Chronological Order - Time order

• Comparison and Contrast - Grouping elements together based on their similarities and differences.

• Cause and Effect - Presenting actions and their results

• Problem and Solution - Describing a problem and then presenting one or more ways to solve it.

​Types and Examples of Nonfiction

• Narration - Stories of real events

  • autobiography

  • memoir

• Exposition - Explain or provide information

  • essay

  • report

• Argumentative/Persuasive - Convince readers to take action or think in a different way

  • speech

  • editorial

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​Types and Examples of Nonfiction

• Reflection - The author's insights into the meaning of a personal experience

  • magazine article

  • reflective essay

• Description - Give details to paint a mental picture in the reader's mind

  • memoir

  • restaurant review

​Purposes of Nonfiction

• To inform (or explain)

• To persuade

• To entertain

Match

Match the following

• the story of the writer’s life, from childhood to the present

• a daily online account of a writer’s experiences as a restaurant chef

• a short work meant to persuade readers to visit Australia

• a request for information about a museum exhibit

autobiography

blog (web log)

article

letter

• autobiography

• blog (web log)

• article

• letter

Match

Match the following

• a description of the causes and effects of a local fire

• reflections on the experience of growing up on a farm

• the story of the life of a noted jazz musician

• a daily account of a surgeon’s thoughts about his or her

  experiences

news report

memoir

biography

journal

• news report

• memoir

• biography

• journal