ON THE WINGS OF A DOVE…
Distinguishing Facts from Opinions
AN INTRODUCTION TO NON-FICTION WRITING
By Donna Hambright
FOR DISCUSSION
Q: WHAT IS NON-FICTION WRITING?
A: Non-fiction writing is meant to educate, persuade, report or explain. Non-fiction writing may
or may not be entertaining, but it must be truthful and accurate.
Q: WHY SHOULD YOU LEARN TO WRITE NON-FICTION?
A: STUDENT RESPONSE: As I complete my schooling, and as I go through life, non-fiction is the
type of writing I will use most often. Non-fiction writing will help me become a better
communicator; thus, improving my skills as a non-fiction writer will help me EXPLAIN the things
I know and EXPRESS the way I feel about the things I experience.
Q: WHAT ARE YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES AS A NON-FICTION WRITER?
A: Use facts, not rumors, myths or illogical reasoning, to support your writing. Share your
opinions honestly, but be kind and fair. Give credit to your sources of information using Modern
Language Association (MLA) format.
NC STANDARDS 1.03 Interact appropriately in group settings by: listening attentively,
showing empathy, contributing relevant comments connecting personal experiences to
content, monitoring understanding of the discussion and seeking clarification as needed.
MOURNING DOVES
The Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) is the most common species of dove found in
North America. They are considered fair game in the United States and Canada; thus, they are
hunted both for meat and for sport. The number of individual Mourning Doves in North
America is estimated to be approximately 475 million. Some common names for Zenaida
macroura are Mourning Dove, Turtle-dove, Rain Dove and Carolina Pigeon.
What is the difference in a dove and a pigeon? Pigeons and doves constitute the bird family
Columbidae, which includes about three hundred known species. Therefore, in general terms,
"dove" and "pigeon" are interchangeable terms. A dove is, in fact, a small pigeon. The only
differences between doves and pigeons are size and color. Most Mourning Doves are grayishbrown in color; the male and female are almost identical. Mourning Doves have graceful,
pointed tails edged in white. The wings of the Mourning Dove make an unusual whistling sound
upon take-off and landing. An average female bird is capable of speeds of 55 M.P.H. or more,
but, an adult male was once clocked in flight at 70 M.P.H. Another remarkable feature of
Mourning Doves is their monogamous nature. Mates stay together for life and become very
devoted parents. After a life-bond between a mated pair has occurred, a widowed dove is
known to sit alone and cry, “woo OO oo oo oo,” as if mourning for the lost dove (Tyler).
Allopreening is an avian behavior observable in doves and pigeons. Mutual preening and
grooming the feathers of one bird by another is often a part of courtship or pair bond
maintenance (“Mourning Dove”). After mating, typically, the hen will lay two eggs, producing
one or two viable squabs per brood. Dove chicks are called “squabs” and they learn to fly at
about five weeks. At that time they are old enough to leave the nest. Both parents incubate and
feed the young squabs. Often, older siblings will help care for the next brood of squabs. In
warm regions, one mated pair may raise up to six broods each year. The young are fed “crop
milk,” which is regurgitated by their parents. Crop milk consists of partially digested seeds and
berries mixed with the digestive juices of the parent. Mourning Doves eat seeds and berries
exclusively, but they drink water by sipping – a remarkable accomplishment for birds.
Works Cited
“Mourning Dove.” All About Birds: Cornell University Laboratory of Ornithology, 2008. Web. 26
Jul 2011. <http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Mourning_Dove/id >.
Tyler, Winsor Marrett. "Mourning Dove." Smithsonian Institution United States National
Museum Bulletin. 162. (1932): 402-416. Print. <http://birdsbybent.netfirms.com/ch1120/mourning.html>
FACTS VS OPINIONS
Explicit Opinion = stated opinion
Implicit Opinion = unstated opinion
CONTROVERSIAL TOPIC: CLONING EXTINCT SPECIES
FACT: The Mourning Dove is considered to be the most closely related species to the
Passenger Pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius), which was hunted to extinction in the early
1900s. For this reason, the possibility of using Mourning Doves for cloning the Passenger
Pigeon has been discussed.
FACT: The Dodo has been officially classified as a member of the pigeon family. Viable
samples of Dodo bones will help scientists study and sequence the DNA of the Dodo in
preparation for cloning!
OPINION: What is your opinion about cloning extinct species using an extant species, which
is a close genetic relative?
ACTIVITY: In the space below, write TWO good topic sentences – one factual, one opinion.
HANDFEEDING A BABY DOVE
Crop Milk Replacement Recipe
1 jar strained chicken baby food
1 hard bolied egg
1 tablespoon low-fat yougurt
¼ teaspoon oil (sunflower, grape seed, olive, etc.)
Baby cereal (rice, corn, multi-grain, etc.)
The mixture must be at the right temperature between 95 and 105 degrees F. Use a clean
eyedropper or a medicine syringe and allow the baby dove to sip from the tip. Later own,
the squab may open his mouth to get larger amounts at a time. For older birds, add small
bird seeds in the mixture until the baby can peck on its own and sip water from shallow
dishes.
VOCABULARY WORDS
Mournful
Abundant
Pigeon
Accuracy
Pin feathers
Allopreening
Regurgitate
Avian
Siblings
Brood
Species
Columbidae
Specimen
Constitute
Squabs
Dove
Taxonomy
Epigraph
Truthfulness
Exposition
Widespread
Extant
Worldwide
Extinct
Viable
Interchange
Zenaida macroura
Monogamous
(Other)__________________
NC Standards 6.01 Demonstrate an understanding of conventional written and spoken
expression by: determining the meaning of unfamiliar vocabulary words by using context
clues, a dictionary, a glossary, a thesaurus, and/or structural analysis (roots, prefixes,
suffixes) of words and by extending vocabulary knowledge by learning and using new
words.
HOW TO GET STARTED ON A NON-FICTION ESSAY
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Pick a topic suitable for non-fiction writing
Brainstorm
Ask questions
Gather information
Group your information
Order groups of information into an outline
Write thesis statement and topic sentences
2.01 Explore informational materials that are read, heard, and/or viewed by: monitoring
comprehension for understanding of what is read, heard and/or viewed, studying the
characteristics of informational works, restating and summarizing information, determining the
importance and accuracy of information, making connections between works, self and related
topics/information, comparing and/or contrasting information, drawing inferences and/or
conclusions, generating questions.
NC Standards 6.01 Demonstrate an understanding of conventional written and spoken
expression by: using a variety of sentence types correctly, punctuating them properly, and
avoiding fragments and run-ons, using appropriate subject-verb agreement and verb tense that
are appropriate for the meaning of the sentence, demonstrating the different roles of the parts
of speech in sentence construction, using pronouns correctly, including clear antecedents and
correct case, using phrases and clauses correctly (e.g., prepositional phrases, appositives,
dependent and independent clauses).
Epigraph
ep·i·graph [ éppi gràf ]
"The difference between fiction and nonfiction is that fiction
must be absolutely believable.“ Mark Twain
Introductory quotation: a quotation at the beginning of a
book, chapter, or section of a book, usually related to its
theme
Inscription on a monument: an inscription on something
such as a statue or building
2.01 Explore informational materials that are read, heard, and/or viewed by: drawing
inferences and/or conclusions, generating questions.
GRAMMAR HAMMER
1. PARTS OF SPEECH
a. Pronouns and Antecedents
b. Appositives
c. Conjunctions = FANBOYS
2. PUNCTUATION
a. Apostrophes
b. Commas
c. Semicolons
3. USING NUMBERS IN TEXT
4. CAPITALIZATION
5. SENTENCE STRUCTURE
a. Dependant Clauses
b. Independent Clauses
NC Standards 6.01 Demonstrate an understanding of conventional written and spoken
expression by: using a variety of sentence types correctly, punctuating them properly, and
avoiding fragments and run-ons, using appropriate subject-verb agreement and verb tense that
are appropriate for the meaning of the sentence, demonstrating the different roles of the parts
of speech in sentence construction, using pronouns correctly, including clear antecedents and
correct case, using phrases and clauses correctly (e.g., prepositional phrases, appositives,
dependent and independent clauses).
FACT VERSUS OPINION QUIZ
1. Which of these sentences is not factual?
a. Doves and pigeons are in the same bird family called Columbidae.
b. Three hundred species of birds belong to the bird family called Columbidae.
c. Doves are one of the most endangered species of birds in the world.
2. Which of these sentences is merely an opinion?
a. Baby doves drink a disgusting, milky substance regurgitated by the parents.
b. Dove chicks learn to fly at about five weeks old.
c. Both parents and older siblings share in the care of dove chicks.
3. Which of these statements is not factual?
b. References to doves appear frequently in works of art and literature.
a. Young doves cannot live if they leave the nest before they learn to fly.
c. Mourning doves are also called Turtle-doves or Carolina Pigeons.
4. Which of these sentences can you use to lead off a five-sentence paragraph?
a. Hand-feeding a baby dove successfully requires crop replacement formula made from human
baby food and other items found in your kitchen such as strained chicken, yogurt, certain
vegetables and whole-grain cereals.
b. Crop Milk Replacement Recipe is easy to make from common food you may already have in
your kitchen such as strained baby food, oatmeal, and yogurt.
c. Baby doves take a regurgitated substance called crop milk from their parents.
5. Write your paragraph on the back and sign your name.
You’ve been a great class. Thanks for making my demonstration lesson a success!
Miss Donna