Non-Fiction Text Features Notes

Non-Fiction Text Features

Types of Non-Fiction

  • Expository Nonfiction

    • Aim: To explain or inform the reader on a specific topic.

    • Focus areas:

    • What something is

    • Who someone is

    • What something means

    • How it works

    • Why it's important

  • Narrative Nonfiction

    • Characteristic: A true story about a person, place, or event.

    • Style: Written in a fictional style.

  • Persuasive Nonfiction

    • Definition: When a writer argues for their side or against an opposing side on an issue.

  • Descriptive Nonfiction

    • Focus: Uses sensory language to convey a topic.

    • Method: Employs the five senses to provide a clear picture to the reader.

Features of Non-Fiction Texts

  • Non-fiction texts contain various text features not part of the main body that enhance understanding and engagement with the content.

Table of Contents

  • Location: Found at the front of the book.

  • Function: Lists chapter titles and the page numbers where each chapter begins.

  • Note: Non-fiction texts do not need to be read in sequential order. Example: In a book about penguins, a reader can directly access the chapter on baby penguins without reading previous chapters.

Title and Subtitle

  • Title: Indicates the overall subject of the text.

  • Subtitle: A secondary title that provides further details about the main title.

Headings and Subheadings

  • Headings:

    • Purpose: Organize information into smaller sections.

    • Design: Can be presented in different fonts or colors.

  • Subheadings:

    • Purpose: Organize information under a heading into smaller, more specific sections.

    • Design: Often in distinct fonts or colors.

Keywords

  • Definition: Important terms that can be highlighted to draw attention.

  • Presentation: Keywords may be bold, colored, or italicized.

    • Bold: Indicates darker, larger font.

    • Italic: Shows slanted font used for emphasis.

  • Context Clues: Can be used to understand meanings, and definitions usually found in the glossary.

Glossary

  • Description: Acts as a mini-dictionary at the back of the book.

  • Contains: Definitions of keywords used in the book.

Sidebars and Text Boxes

  • Definition: Boxes of text set apart from the main body.

  • Purpose: Provide extra information such as definitions, author notes, or fun facts.

Close-Ups and Cutaways

  • Close-Ups: Provide a detailed look at an image.

  • Cutaways: Reveal hidden parts of a subject in diagrams or drawings, showing interior details by omitting external parts.

Captions

  • Function: Explain what an illustration or photograph depicts.

Charts, Tables, and Graphs

  • Purpose: Organize statistics or data to facilitate understanding and comparison visually.

Diagrams and Labels

  • Diagrams: Simplified drawings showing the structure, appearance, or workings of something.

  • Labels: Provide information about each part of the diagram.

Lists

  • Characteristics: Organize information using bullet points or numbers next to each item.

Timelines

  • Definition: Tools showing the progression of time through history.

  • Content: Include dates of significant events in sequence.

Maps

  • Use: Illustrate geographical locations related to the topic.

  • Key or Legend: A text box providing explanations of symbols or colors used on the map.

Guide Words

  • Definition: Words printed at the top or bottom of pages in reference books (like dictionaries).

  • Function: Indicate the first or last entry word on that page, aiding navigation.

Online Research Databases

  • Features:

    • Section menus and buttons for navigation.

    • Icons: Symbols used in place of words (e.g., printer image for print, envelope for email).

    • Hyperlinks: Links to other articles or sections within an article.

    • URLs: Web links often listed in the back of non-fiction books for additional information on the topic.

Index

  • Location: Found at the back of non-fiction texts.

  • Purpose: Lists topics in alphabetical order with accompanying page numbers to locate specific topics.

Vocabulary Words

  • Keywords: Mentioned throughout the material to enhance understanding.

Concluding Remark

  • Acknowledgment to viewers for watching, urging them to like, share, and follow for easier access.

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