Understanding Non-Fiction Narratives

Reading is a daily activity, whether intentional or accidental. Used in various formats: text messages, captions, assignments.

Types of Texts

Two broad categories: Fiction vs. Non-Fiction.

• Fiction: Non-real stories, often well-written and engaging.

• Non-Fiction: True stories about real people and events.

  • Can have narratives similar to fiction, following a story arc with rising action, climax, and resolution.

Non-Fiction Narratives

• Personal Essays:

  • Focus on personal experiences shaping identity.

  • Can be individual (e.g., college essays) or broader (e.g., editorials).

  • Thematic approach tying experiences together (e.g., theme of adversity).

• Memoirs:

  • Autobiographical and more in-depth than personal essays.

  • Focused on specific life themes (e.g., immigration experience).

• Diaries:

  • Personal reflections on experiences.

  • Can range from war nurses' diaries to insights from the elderly.

• Biographies and Autobiographies:

  • Biography: Life story written by someone else (requires significant research).

  • Autobiography: Life story written by oneself.

  • Both types provide a comprehensive understanding of the subject's life.

Purpose of Non-Fiction Narratives

• Varying lengths serve different purposes, from thematic personal essays to comprehensive autobiographies and biographies.

• Offer engaging insights into real life and personal experiences, allowing readers to connect with authentic stories and individuals.