Genres
Nonfiction
Informational Text
Informational text gives factual information on a specific topic or event.
Definition:
 Informational text is designed primarily to explain, argue or describe rather than to entertain.
 The main function of expository text is to present the reader information about theories, predictions, persons,
facts, dates, specifications, generalizations, limitations, and conclusions.
Purpose:
 To acquire information
 To understand new concepts and expand vocabulary
 To make connections to our lives and learning
Form and Features:
Informational text uses a number of forms of organization including:
 Sequence of events
 Description by categories
 Process description
 Comparison/contrast
 Problem and solution
 Cause and effect
Historical Fiction
History is the study of change over time. Historical fiction brings history to life by placing appealing characters in
accurately described historical settings. Historical fiction is realistic fiction set in a time remote enough from the
present to be considered history. Although the story is imaginary, it is within the realm of possibility that such events
could have occurred. In these stories, historical facts blend with imaginary characters and plot.
Definition:
 A narrative (story) of past events and characters, partly historical but largely imaginative. (from Harris, et al.
The Literacy Dictionary, IRA, 1995)
Purpose:
 To entertain
 To involve the reader in the lives of historically realistic characters and real events from history.
Form and Features:
 Plot: the sequence of events usually set in motion by a problem that begins the action or causes the conflict
that is realistic for that period in history
 The characters must seem like real people, the actions of the characters must seem real and the setting must
also be realistic and historically accurate.
 Features of historical fiction:
- setting is a specific time and place in history,
- real events are mixed with fictional events,
- historical characters are mixed with fictional characters, and
- the dialogue shows characters’ perspectives, moves the plot along, and shows what people knew and
thought about at that time in history.
Science Fiction
Science fiction, like other narrative forms, has the same elements: characters in settings with problems,
attempts to solve problems or events, resolution, and lessons or themes. Science fiction is a form of realistic
fiction and has many of the same features. Science fiction comes from the author’s imagination, but it must
seem to be true based on what scientists know or predict might be true in the future.
Definition:
 Imaginary writing based on current or projected scientific and technological developments
 A form of fiction that makes use of scientific knowledge or conjecture
Purpose:
 To encourage the reader to view the world from a different perspective
 To develop imagination
Form and Features:
 The plot is the sequence of events usually set in motion by a problem that begins the action or causes
the conflict
 Science fiction also has the following features:
- Settings, plots, themes, and characters are based on scientific speculation (guessing or
predictions).
- The writer constructs a futuristic world.
- The reader is put into a “what if” mode of thinking.
- Common elements are humans on another planet, a creature from another planet visiting Earth,
life on Earth after a disaster, a human in a group of aliens.
REMEMBER: FICTION = FALSE
NONFICTION = TRUE