Nonfiction
Nonfiction is a factual account of a subject conveyed in both print and nonprint formats. For example, newspapers, magazine, cookbooks, manuals, phone books, and biographies are all works of nonfiction. In addition, photographs, spoken word recordings, documentary films, and diagrams may also be nonfiction.
Keep in mind that although a book may be in the nonfiction section of the library, this does not guarantee accuracy. Nonfiction representations may contain factual errors, bias, and opinions.
A work of nonfiction may be based on the best information that could be gathered when it was produced, but as new scientific discoveries or histortial knowledge is uncovered the book, website, or movie may become outdated.
Read Straight from the Horse's Mouth: Nonfiction, Technology and Information Fluent Thinkers by Annette Lamb.
Involve young people in activities that ask them to think about the fact and fiction of the books and articles they read.
For instance, middle school students read graphic novels such as Laika by Nick Abadzis and created their own comic using Comic Life exploring the fact and fiction in the book. Click on the example on the right for a larger version.
Types of Nonfiction
Many print and nonprint materials can be works of nonfiction. Newspapers, magazines, and other formats may contain both fiction and nonfiction works, so it is important to carefully evaluate each article.
- Almanac
- Autobiography
- Blueprint
- Book report
- Brochure
- Cook book
- Creative nonfiction
- Diary
- Dictionary
- Documentary film
- Encyclopedia
- Essay
- Journal
- Letter
- Literary criticism
- Magazine
- Memoir
- Newspaper
- Photograph
- Poster
- Scientific report
- Speech
- Telephone book
- Textbook
- Travelogue
- User manual
Read Key Word: Nonfiction in THE BLUE BOOK by Callison and Preddy, 442-449.