Nonfiction I
Help the reader identify topics throughout the book as they skim and scan.
Headings or Subheadings
Help the reader understand a picture or photograph.
Captions
Helps the reader define words contained in the text.
Glossary
Additional information located at the bottom of the page indicated by a small number in the main body of the text.
Footnote
Help the reader identify key topics in the book and the order they were presented.
Table of Contents
Help the reader navigate through sections of text.
Subtitles
Helps the reader by signaling the word is important and/or found in the glossary.
Bold or Highlighted words?
Help the reader understand where things are in the world.
Maps
Gives the reader a hint as to what the topic of the story.
Title
Help the reader gather additional information or help explain something. Usually located in a box off to the side of the text.
Sidebars
Help the reader emphasize the key points and concepts.
Numbers and Bullets
Slanted text that helps a reader understand the word is important.
Italics
Real life pictures
Photographs
Drawings that help the reader understand exactly what something looks like.
Illustrations
Visual aids that may contain numbers, lines, bars, wedges and colors that provide readers with additional information.
Charts and Graphs
Helps the reader see everything in the text listed alphabetically, with page numbers.
Index
A conversation between two people where questions and answers are exchanged.
Interview
Writings that tell about real people, places and events.
Non-Fiction
Shows the reader the order of events that something took place, usually drawn on a line showing dates or years.
Timeline
The story of someone's life, written by someone else.
Biography
The story of one's life, written by that person.
Autobiography
Original, firsthand account of an event; includes diaries, journals, letters, speeches, news stories, photographs, and pieces of art.
Primary Source
Nonfiction that reads like fiction but provides factual information.
What is Literary Nonfiction?
Information compiled from or based on other sources.
Secondary Source
Fact or Opinion - Fireworks on the 4th of July are exciting.
Opinion