Non-fiction and Specialized Vocabulary

Often, in non-fiction, readers encounter a specialized vocabulary. Sometimes it is slang, but more often is jargon, the technical language used by people who are more familiar with the subject matter and work with it every day.

In your comments:

1. In your text, what unfamiliar words or groups of words confront you as a new reader of non-fiction?
2. Does your book have a glossary? If so, is it helpful?
3. Should it have a glossary? Why/Why not?
4. What web page or resource  would be helpful to new readers in this content area?
5. Search for resources from which a rookie non-fiction reader might benefit and list them below.

As always, provide examples.

Non-fiction: Architectural Blueprint

We all know the plot structure of a novel, but not all non-fiction works occur in chronological order.

In your comments below, how is your text set up?

Bulleting, listing or outlining is most helpful so that readers can tell at a glance what the features of non-fiction organization are.

1. Include parts like preface, introduction, table of contents, acknowledgements, chapters, endnotes, index, etc.
2. Starting at the title page, list all the sections of your book.
3. If chapters are numbered, then #1-whatever is fine.
4. If chapters are titled, please list them.

The purpose of having everyone post the structure of his or her text is to demonstrate the similarities and differences in the way non-fiction texts are organized.

Author Impact Statement

Use this period to become an expert on your author.

• Investigate Wikipedia to start.
• Check Amazon.
• Does the author have a webpage?
• Can you locate a YouTube video?

Comment below:

1. What did you find out about this author and his/her purpose for crafting this text for a public audience?
2. How does this information influence how you read this non-fiction text?

Cite Source/URL for information that is not public knowledge in parentheses.
Consider adding a picture, giving credit to the photographer or agency.

Vocie?

In your comments, suggest definitions for the word "vocie".

Determine what part of speech it is--a noun, verb, adjective or adverb.

Does it have a literal and figurative definition like "muniber"?

Do you have a plan for getting that word out there?

Wouldn't it be cool if people started using "vocie" ?
You could say that you were there at the birth of a word!

Non-Fiction: SOAPE TV

In your comments, use your non-fiction selection to fill out the acronym for SOAPE TV in an outline format (like the one below).

S=Subject of the book
O=Occasion that prompted the author to write the book
A= Audience that the author is addressing
P= Purpose that the author hopes to achieve by writing
E= the sort of evidence that the author provides to the audience to achieve that purpose

T= what kind of text is it?
V= Vocie--What kind is the author using? Is it formal or familiar?

Compare and Contrast: Non-fiction and Fiction

So, now that you have a non-fiction selection, take a minute to examine the book.
In your comments, answer the following questions:

1. What features does this book have that a novel usually doesn't?
2. How do those features make the process of reading non-fiction seem similar to fiction?
3. hwo do those features make the process of reading non-fiction seem different from non-fiction?
4. What are your questions about strategies for reading non-fiction?
5. Do the differences make non-fiction seem more or less difficult to read?

NON-Fiction: Search and Seizure!

In your comment, describe your search for non-fiction for this next unit.

• What were your strategies?
• Where did you search--on-line or old school in a library or bookstore?
• How did you narrow down your choices?
• Did you get something you really like or did you settle?
• Do you have any questions?

I am SO interested in your choices!