NonFiction Writing What is Nonfiction Nonfiction writing is

Non-Fiction Writing

What is Non-fiction? • Nonfiction writing is essentially factual writing, intended primarily to provide information rather than entertainment or speculative truths. • Non-fiction comes in many forms, depending on audience, publication or subject matter. • It can include newspaper articles, magazine articles, autobiographies, reports, and cookbooks.

It’s all in the presentation! • What strategies make non-fiction writing appealing to the audience? • Adopting an appropriate style can make or break your non-fiction. • Instead of straight narrative, consider turning your subject matter into a mystery, quiz, awards show, puzzle, or ? ? ? .

Where to begin…. • The most important part of writing non-fiction is to remember that it is non-fiction. Non-fiction should be completely factual and evidence based. • Once you decide what you're going to write about, you have to research the topic until you know everything about it. Ask yourself…. . • What do I want to know about this topic? • What does the reader need to know about the topic?

Where do I get it and is it ‘the good stuff” ? • • • How can I locate information about subjects that interest me? How do I evaluate the quality of the information I find? Can I use a variety of sources for different types of information? Use reliable sources. Primary : original works that are recorded at the time of an event like photographs, drawings, letters, diaries, documents Secondary: textbooks, journal articles, histories, and encyclopedias Go for the best experts: to interview Get at least three independent sources for every fact Remember, anyone can put up a website that says anything, so be very careful about internet sources

Getting Ideas from the ‘Net • Kid-Friendly Search Engines – http: //www. wdeptford. k 12. nj. us/WDMS/home. htm • Good Old Google – Add “for kids” to your search • Can I Trust This Site? – Who created the site? A school, business, or well-known organization? – Ask yourself: Is this information fact or opinion? – Why not Wikipedia?

I'm researching labradoodles, and I came across the following sites in my google search. Are they reputable? Are they factual? 1. http: //www. discoveringlabradoodles. com/labradoodle/Labradoodleintelligence. php 2. http: //answers. yahoo. com/question/index? qid=20081121161045 AAzy 9 nk 3. http: //www. statemaster. com/encyclopedia/Labradoodle 4. http: //www. pets 4 you. com/labradoodle. html

Notes on taking notes • Can I use note-taking strategies like summarizing and paraphrasing to write my own composition? • Can I use my own notes to create an outline? • Can I understand how to use paraphrasing and quoting legally and ethically in a research report?

The Master Art of Paraphrasing • Re-writing in your own words; not simply copying or changing a word here or there • Find the MAIN IDEA and re-write in simpler words • Give a few important details to support the main idea – Leave out unnecessary information or ideas you do not understand! • Plagiarism – claiming another’s work as your own (copying (6 or more words), ‘stealing’ an idea – not giving credit to the appropriate author)

• The Gloucester County Times, July 30, 2008 – Talk about New Jersey's fat cats. A 44 -pound feline was found waddling around Saturday without a collar in Voorhees, and officials at the Camden County Animal Shelter hope she gets a nice and, hopefully, diet-friendly home! "She's built like a quarterback, " said Deborah Wright, a shelter volunteer and current foster owner of the kitty. "I mean, how do you lose a 44 -pound cat? !" Shelter officials are calling the porky cutie "Princess Chunk. " The largest tabby on record weighed 46 pounds, 15 ounces. That cat, who lived in Australia, died in the 1980 s. The Guinness World Records has since dropped the category, fearing cat owners might harm their animals in an attempt to break the record. Princess Chunk's owner has until Saturday to reclaim her. After that, the weighty pet will be eligible for adoption. Wright plans to speak with a veterinarian to put Chunk on a diet. For now, Chunk's diet consists of dry and wet cat food. "I'm about to put a leash on her and walk her, " said Wright. "She could pass for a dog!"

• A humongous cat (44 pounds, to be exact!) was found lost in South Jersey. Weighing only three pounds less than the largest cat EVER, “Princess Chunk” will be put up for adoption if her owner doesn’t claim her. • Now It’s your turn! – Go to www. google. com – Search for Helen Keller + for kids – 3 rd link from top – “Helen Keller Kids Museum” • http: //www. afb. org/braillebug/helen_keller_bio. asp – Open Microsoft Word and summarize the first two paragraphs in no more than 3 sentences

Can I EVER Cut & Paste? Yes, BUT… Only do so when absolutely necessary. When intentionally quoting someone’s exact words When there is no better way to phrase a particular thought When cutting and pasting, use quotations (“”) and give credit!!! Example: You won’t find a category for fattest cat in the Guinness Book of World Records because, as explained by the Gloucester County Times, “…cat owners might harm their animals in an attempt to break the record. ”

Did you see that? v. How does my choice of pictures enhance the readers interest and understanding of the topic? v. How do I appropriately cite pictures that I choose? v. Why should I NOT use a picture that is protected by copyrights?

I have it, now what do I do with it? • Plan out your non-fiction carefully to decide what information to include and in what order. • Brainstorm and make notes, breaking your material into sections or chapters. • Organize in a logical way so that the information will build up and make sense. • Some writers don't like to work with outlines, but for non-fiction, an outline helps you include all relevant information without skipping around.