3.1 Introducing Nonfiction
Introduction
On average, 80% of the reading adults do outside of school is nonfiction. Surprising, isn’t it! Let’s take a closer look.
What is fiction?
“Fiction” refers to literature created from the imagination.
- Mysteries, science fiction, adventure, fantasy, and realistic fiction are all fiction genres.
- It's purpose is to entertain.
- Fiction books all have one main structure - beginning, middle, and end.
- Fiction needs to be read in order.
- Fiction has story elements - character, setting, plot, conflict, and often a theme.
What is nonfiction?
Everything else is non-fiction – which means based in fact. It is the biggest category of reading, writing, and viewing, too. It includes many categories including biography, business, cooking, health and fitness, pets, crafts, home decorating, languages, travel, home improvement, religion, art and music, history, self-help, science, and more.
- It's purpose is to learn or teach - inform, explain, instruct, describe.
- It can be read in any order.
- It has text features you will be learning more about.
Look around your house. What nonfiction can you find? Walk around right now and try this. Don’t turn the page until you do.
