Unit 7 Academic VocabularyNon-Fiction Pieces

Understanding the Basics Biography

A story of person’s life told by someone else and written in the third-person point of view.

The Writer is not the Subject! The biographer gets information from

interviewing the person, letters to and from the person, diaries or journals, and books previously written on the subject.

Forms – Biographical Books, Encyclopedia entries, newspapers, magazines, and Web site.

Autobiography

• A story of person’s life told by that person, and written in the first-person point of view.

The writer is the Subject!

• The writer gets his/her information from memories, thoughts and feelings, family, friends, and associates and memorabilia.

• Forms – Autographical books, memoirs, personal essays, and diaries/journals.

First-Person vs. Third-Person PronounsFIRST-PERSON THIRD-PERSON

I Me My Myself Mine We Our Etc.

He She They Them It Her Him Etc.

Personal Essay

A personal essay expresses the author’s thoughts and feelings about one subject.

Fact vs. OpinionFACT OPINION

Facts can be proved or verified. Opinions express a person’s beliefs, feelings, or thoughts.

Patterns of Organization There are six you must know!

Main Idea & Detail

Cause/Effect

Compare/Contrast

Chronological

Sequential

Problem/Solution

Chronological vs. SequentialCHRONOLOGICAL ORDER SEQUENTIAL ORDER

A story told in the order of which events happened in time.

Words and phrases such as then, next, within 18 months, meanwhile, by spring, and the first few years may signal the order of events.

Step by step directions. The process by which something is completed.

Examples are recipes, directions on how to set up a cell phone account, directions on how to set up your new computer.

Cause and EffectDEFINITION: EXAMPLE:

A method or organizing ideas and information in an essay that shows causal relationships between events, ideas or trends.

Relationships may be directly stated or merely implied.

Often used in the historical and scientific writing.

Has several forms: One cause – One Effect

One cause – Multiple Effects

Multiple Causes – One Effect

A chain of Causes and Effects

Two months ago our family got a puppy. As a result, our lives changed completely! Some of the changes aren’t so good. Our neighbors are mad at us because Annie barks all the time. All our furniture is covered with dog hair and chew marks. But we’re happy, because she cheers up anyone with her sweet temperament. We wouldn’t change a thing about Annie – she’s the best dog in the world.

Compare/Contrast DEFINITION: EXAMPLE:

A way of writing to show the similarities and differences between two or more subjects.

There are two ways to compare and contrast items: By Subject - Topic by Topic Comparison – Covers

all points of comparison for one subject and then all of the points of comparison for the next subject.

By Feature - Point by Point Comparison – Discusses one point or comparison for both subjects, then goes on to the next point.

Key words: both, similarly, however, on the other hand, more, less, all ,every, like.

Downhill skiing and snowboarding are often lumped together, but while the two sports have a lot in common, they also have their differences. Both activities are winter sports, requiring plenty of snow. They also both appeal to people who enjoy fast motion – rocketing down a slope. The big difference between the sports is the equipment. Skiers use two boards, one for each foot, and hold poles in each hand. Snowboarders, on the other hand, rest both feet on a single board. Unlike the skiers, they don’t use poles.

Main Idea and DetailsDEFINITION: EXAMPLE:

A basic pattern of organization in which a central idea about a topic is supported by details. The main idea is the most important idea about a topic that a particular text or paragraph conveys. Supporting details are words, phrases, or sentences that tell more about the main idea.

Main ideas can be found in the first sentence, last sentence, or can be implied.

The new trade routes passed through lands occupied by the Soninke people. These farming people referred to their chief as ghana. Soon the land came to be known as the kingdom of Ghana. The tribal chiefs taxed the goods that traveled across their territory. By the eighth century, trade had made Ghana a rich kingdom.

Problem/SolutionDEFINITION EXAMPLE

A pattern of organization where the author presents a problem, explores various solutions, and identifies a solution, or outcome.

Signal words and phrases include: solution, answer, approach, method, way, alternative, but, however, would result in, might also, on the other hand, most effective, useful, helpful, valuable.

Recent surveys show that children and adolescents watch 22 to 24 hours of television every week – that’s 3 to 4 hours a day! Many people see watching television as a problem because it means that people are not exercising, interacting with others, or accomplishing tasks….If you make plans with friends, get involved in a school club, you’ll find your TV viewing hours drop. And you’ll be happier and healthier too!

Author’s Purpose - PIESPIES DEFINED

Persuade – Non-Fiction Expository

Problem/Solution

Inform – Non-Fiction Expository

Main Idea & Details

Compare/Contrast

Cause/Effect

Chronological/Sequential

Entertain – Narrative Fiction

Chronological

Main Idea & Details

Share – (Express) Poem

Non-Fiction Personal Essay

Chronological

Order of Degree/Spatial

Do You Know the Difference?TO EXPLAIN TO DESCRIBE

to make known in detail Includes specific, relevant details

Uses sensory details and precise words to create a vivid image, establishes a mood, or expresses emotion.

Example:GATHER CLUES The Pantheon is the only building

in Rome that has been used continuously for 20 centuries. It was built as a Roman temple dedicated to all (pan) the gods (theos). First built in 27 B.C., it was completely rebuilt around A.D. 120 by the Emperor Hadrian. But the emperor made sure that the name of the original builder, M. Agrippa, was emblazoned in the stone.

Is it Fiction or Non-Fiction? What is author’s purpose? What tone does the work have?

Serious

Playful

Formal

Informal

What is the pattern of organization?