Elements Of Nonfiction Flashcards
Biography
A story of a persons life written by another writer
Nonfiction
Prose writing that is about real people places and events
Conveys real nonfictional information
Presented as fact and claims can be proven using outside sources sometimes included in the works cited or bibliography
Autobiography
A story of a persons life that is written by that person
Memoir
Autobiographical writing that explores a specific area in a persons life
It doesn’t tell the whole story but is more episodic
Sketch
Description that focuses briefly on a particular person place experience or event
Eulogy
Tribute typically given at a funeral that celebrates/praises the deceased persons virtue or achievements
Essay
Writing that offers an opinion on a single subject
Documentary
Movie television radio or web program that provides a factual record it report
Journal
Account of what a person thinks feels or notices
Objectivity
Presenting unbiased facts (hard news)
Subjectivity
Presents a particular perspective that is biased not impartial
Denotation
A words meaning; it’s dictionary definition
Connotation
Awards implied meaning – it’s meaning beyond the dictionary definition
Facts
A statement that can be proven true
Opinions
Statements expressing a writers personal feelings or biases
Inferences
Statements based on factual evidence that offers a prediction/educated guess
Speech
A formal address/oration delivered to an audience
Interview
A conversation/dialog in which a writer or reporter asks a interviewee questions for a news story, tv broadcast, etc.
Review
Critical appraisal of a book, movie, play, cd, etc. intended to inform potential readers/viewers/listeners, etc.
Tone
The attitude the writer takes toward a subject or audience
Fallacy
Faulty reasoning or mistaken logic
When considering a credibility of a nonfiction writing examine what 6 things
Audience Purpose Authority (internal and external) Logic Bias Evidence
Credibility: audience
Who is the intended audience
Credibility: purpose
Is authors purpose to persuade, entertain, inform, etc.
Credibility: authority: internal(writers authority)
Is author qualified
Are reliable sources cited
Credibility: authority: external (trustworthiness of publication)
I.e. Magazine website tv
Credibility: Logic
Is reasoning sound?
What pov are left out
Any fallacies
Credibility:bias
Is author biased
Does s/he have something to gain/loss Is language loaded
Credibility: evidence
Are facts, expert opinions, examples, and statistics convincing?
New story
A factual account or event written for immediate publication
Timely and straightforward objective writing the starts with the most important info in the first para (five w and h)
Found in magazines or newspapers on news oriented websites tv news etc.
Feature story
A story that takes an item from news and goes more in depth. This spin off story is usually more personal and may have a particular slant or opinion attached to it
Typically start with a compelling lead follows an essay style structure uses more colorful language And are less dependent on timelines than news stories
These types of stories can be found in newspapers magazines websites news shows etc.
Editorial (opinion essay)
An expression of opinion on s topic of social importance. It is intended to be persuasive
Circular reasoning fallacies
An attempt to support a statement by simply repeating the statement in different or stronger terms
“I need a new phone otherwise I’ll have to use my old one”
False cause and effect fallacy
Identify an improper or unrelated cause for an observed effect
“It is dark now which make it very dangerous (the dark doesn’t make it dangerous)”
Hasty generalization fallacy
A broad claim based on too limited evidence
“An environmental group illegally blocked loggers and workers at a nuclear plant “
