Module 9: Nonfiction

You just finished learning about the many facets of nonfiction. Now it is your turn to create your own nonfiction piece and write a biography about someone you know. Instead of writing a whole book, however, you will create an online blog post.

First, decide whether you want your nonfiction blog to be a narrative, descriptive, expository, or persuasive text. Then, choose the target of your biography. For example, you may pick a friend, course mate, family member, teacher, community leader, or neighbor. Once you know who you want to write about, use the Interview Guide to help you interview him or her. The information you gain from the interview will be the basis for your blog. Remember, blogs often have one or several pictures, so during the interview, you may wish to take a photograph of the person you are using for your writing.

Once you have completed the interview, write a five paragraph biography. The paragraphs should include an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion. As you are writing, keep in mind the elements of the nonfiction writing style you chose to use. For example, if you are writing a descriptive blog, make sure you stimulate the five senses of your readers. As you write you draft, fill out the Writing Checklist to ensure your writing includes the essential elements. Use the second half of the checklist when you are ready to edit and revise your piece.

Before you begin, review the Biographical Blog Rubric to make sure you included all of the items required for full credit. If you need to use resources outside of this course to complete this assignment, please submit a Works Cited document. If you need assistance, visit the Developmental Module for information on citing resources.

Reflection

After completing your biographical blog, take a moment to reflect on the following questions, and then respond to them in a brief four-to-five sentence paragraph.

• Why did you choose this particular person as the subject of your bibliographic blog?
• What surprised you about this person that you did not know prior to the interview?
• Did you choose to create a nonfiction narrative, descriptive, expository, or persuasive blog? Why?
• How does writing an original nonfiction piece compare to writing a short story, poem, or research essay? Which do you prefer to write, and why?

Once you have completed your Interview Guide, Writing Checklist, Biographical Blog, and reflection, please submit your work to the dropbox.

One you have completed this module, please complete the module test.