3321 MON. NIGHT CHAPTER 9

Nonfiction has come a long way. It has changed tremendously, today it includes maps, articles from the newspaper, how to do books, cookbooks, the Internet and much more. The authors of nonfiction have the same criteria as those who write fiction. I used to have trouble differentiating between fiction and nonfiction and now with the faction books it seems to add to the situation. Still, The books that are faction tell of so much. These are books that give information, that tell true stories about people and add fictional details to move the story along. They also introduce important facts and make the narrative more dramatic. The good part is that you are given hints to recognize if a book is nonfiction. Hints such as the area where the ISBN is located; if you see "juvenile literature" most likely it is nonfiction. Still the designation of a book being "juvenile literature" can mean it is a blending of both nonfiction and faction so watch out.

The elements of a nonfiction book are: The Format tells how it works as a whole. Size and Shape mirror what the book contains. The Book Covers and Endpapers help to draw the readers and the endpapers provide visual clues to the books content. The Typeface and Distinctive Markings are to enhance the appearance of a book. Visual Information is critical it helps the reader to clarify and understand the content. The Access Features helps readers acquire information regarding the book. Accuracy is considered the most important of the elements of a nonfiction book because that one book may be the only book from where a student can get information on a particular topic that is why it has to be accurate.

The Style is important was well; it has to draw a reader into the book and make it unforgettable. The Leads and Conclusions of a nonfiction book are important because the lead engages the reader while a good and effective conclusion helps the reader transition to the next chapter smoothly. The writers of nonfiction use Sentence Structure and Vocabulary so that the reader is not baffled by hard or difficult language and so the book is memorable and understandable to the reader. Figurative Language is used by each writer in his or her unique way and is used to give clarity and meaning to what is written. Clarity is important because without it a book may fail. Organization is critical because the writer has to know what structure is best for the book because it supports a reader's comprehension of the information he or she is getting from the book.

I like the Concept Books section because this information can be used to teach younger and special needs children the foundational elements that they will need later on in their education. I think the Informational Picture Storybooks can also be used in these classes as well. The example book Chicks & Chickens is a great book to use in regards to the Life Cycle series in a curriculum.