types of nonfiction

Question 1

Informational Texts

Answer 1

These types of books explain concepts or phenomena. An informational text might explain the history of a state or the idea of photosynthesis. These types of text are usually based on research.

Question 2

Newspaper Articles

Answer 2

These short texts rely completely on factual information and are presented in a very straightforward, sometimes choppy manner. The purpose of these texts is to present information to readers in a quick and efficient manner.

Question 3

Essays

Answer 3

Usually, essays take an opinion (whether it is about a concept, a work of literature, a person, or an event) and describe how the opinion was arrived at or why the opinion is a good one.

Question 4

Biographies

Answer 4

These texts explain the lives of individuals. They are usually based on extensive research.

Question 5

Memoirs

Answer 5

In a way, a memoir is like an autobiography, but memoirs tend to be based on a specific idea, concept, issue, or event in life. For example, most presidents of the United States write memoirs about their time in office.

Question 6

Letters

Answer 6

When letters are read and analyzed in the classroom, students are generally studying the writer’s style or the writer’s true opinions and feelings about certain events. Often, students will find letters of famous individuals in history reprinted in textbooks.