15 Questions
Which category does writing that deals with invented stories fall under?
Fiction
What type of nonfiction uses literary elements like plot and characters to convey factual information?
Literary nonfiction
Which of the following is an example of literary nonfiction?
Memoirs
What is the main purpose of informational nonfiction?
To provide factual information
Which genre of writing uses a variety of factual texts intended to provide information?
Informational nonfiction
What distinguishes memoirs from traditional autobiographies?
Memoirs focus on a short period or single aspect of the author's life.
Which type of autobiography chronicles an author's daily observations and feelings?
Diaries
What distinguishes Anne Frank's autobiography from Nelson Mandela's autobiography?
Nelson Mandela's autobiography covers his life before and after imprisonment.
How do diaries differ from journals?
Diaries chronicle daily events, while journals cover long-term experiences.
What is a common characteristic of autobiographies written for a younger audience?
They are often written in an informal tone.
What is the main difference between a biography and an autobiography?
Biographies are about real people, living or dead, written by an author, while autobiographies are self-written life stories.
How does a nonfiction biography differ from a nonfiction autobiography?
A nonfiction biography is written by an author about a real person, while a nonfiction autobiography is self-written by the subject.
Which point of view is commonly used in writing a nonfiction biography?
Third-person point of view
What is one common method used in biographical research for writing a nonfiction biography?
Interviewing family, friends, and colleagues of the subject
Which of the following statements accurately describes autobiographies?
Autobiographies may have a more biased perspective due to their first-person point of view.
Study Notes
Nonfiction Writings
- Nonfiction is writing that is true or factual, encompassing various types of texts such as textbooks, travel guides, biographies, newspaper articles, self-help books, memoirs, and opinion commentary.
- Nonfiction genres can be divided into two types: informational and literary nonfiction.
Types of Nonfiction
- Informational nonfiction includes factual texts intended to provide information.
- Literary nonfiction uses literary elements such as plot, characters, and setting to convey factual information.
- Subgenres of nonfiction include:
- Biography (literary nonfiction)
- Autobiography (literary nonfiction)
- Self-help (informational nonfiction)
- Guides and How-to Books (informational nonfiction)
- Academic Texts (informational nonfiction)
- Journalism (informational nonfiction)
- Travel Guides (informational nonfiction)
- Commentary/Opinion (informational nonfiction)
Biography and Autobiography
- A biography is a life story written by an author about a real person, living or dead.
- An autobiography is a life story written by an author about their own life.
- Both biography and autobiography contain story elements, including characters, plot, and settings.
- Key elements of a biography include:
- Biographer: the author
- Subject: the individual whose life is covered by the biography
- Third-person point of view: the action of the story is narrated by an outside observer (the biographer)
- A biographer may use various research methods, including interviews, reading texts written by the subject, and reading and viewing other material written about the subject.
- The goal of a good nonfiction biography is to give an accurate and truthful report of the subject's life.
Nonfiction Autobiography
- A nonfiction autobiography is a story about a person's life written by that person.
- A key facet of an autobiography is its use of the first-person point of view.
- Autobiographies may be more biased than biographies due to the limited perspective.
- Types of autobiographies include:
- Memoirs: in-depth explorations of a short period or aspect of the author's life
- Diaries and Journals: chronicle an author's observations, thoughts, feelings, and activities on a day-by-day basis
Explore the world of nonfiction writings and learn about the various types and genres that fall under this category. From textbooks to biographies to opinion commentary, nonfiction encompasses a wide range of factual texts for readers.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
