What's Special About Nonfiction?

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This lesson will provide students with a strong foundation for reading, writing, and using nonfiction.

OBJECTIVE

Students will:

• See that, while nonfiction may be different from a fairy tale, storybook, or novel, it can be fun to read
• Understand that nonfiction will play a role not only in this year's curriculum, but in daily life for years to come
• Identify some of the basic characteristics of nonfiction literature

MATERIALS

• Classroom social studies or science textbook
• Example of fiction (e.g., storybook)
• Samples of nonfiction literature (books, menus, maps, magazines, etc.)

DIRECTIONS

Step 1: Discuss what nonfiction is with students:

• Point out examples that are all around them: books about their favorite animals, lunch menus, maps, classroom magazines, etc.
• Define nonfiction: It gives information. It explains, informs, or persuades.

Step 2: Use the chart below to guide a discussion of the characteristics of nonfiction and how reading nonfiction is different than reading stories or novels. Use examples from a social studies or science textbook to illustrate some of these characteristics.

Characteristics of Nonfiction Text

How does nonfiction text looks different from fiction? There may be chapter titles and section headers that preview information. Each page has words in a variety of fonts and type sizes. Bold or italic fonts may be used to signal important words or phrases. Diacritical marks may be used to guide pronunciation. How are graphic aids used? Maps, charts, diagrams, photographs are usually included to illustrate or summarize information. Captions or labels must be examined carefully for relevant information. How is the vocabulary different? There may be more words that are unfamiliar. Look for multi-syllabic words like "photosynthesis" that may be difficult to pronounce. What do we know about nonfiction? There is a great deal of information to be understood and remembered.

Step 3: Reassure students that these unusual features should not discourage them. Explain how these characteristics are “clues” that will help them understand what they're reading.

Step 4: Have students share experiences they've had with nonfiction. Try these prompts:

• What books about real people, places, and events have you read?
• Do you enjoy reading these types of books? Why or why not?
• When you look at an article or a biography, do you look at the illustrations and read the captions?
• What Web sites do you visit?
• Have you ever had to read directions for a board game or ingredients in a cookbook?

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