Nonfiction is a literary genre in which the content is based on facts, and/or real people and places. Many types of nonfiction exist, including narrative, descriptive, expository, and persuasive. In this module, you will examine each of these four types to learn what makes them similar and different. In your final grammar topic, you will learn about parallel structure. Parallel structure allows writers to express ideas that are parallel, or equal. Adding this tool to your grammar toolbox will help improve your writing.
Getting Started
As you will learn in this topic, nonfiction is made of several different sub-genres, including including narrative, descriptive, expository, and persuasive writing. Each of these types of nonfiction have their own characteristics. In this non-graded activity, complete the maze to learn just a few bits of information about nonfiction. Make sure to stay on the path and stop at each of the "stations" for a preview of this module. Click the player button to get started.
Key Vocabulary
To view the definitions for these key vocabulary terms, visit the course glossary.
ad hominem | diary | pathos |
autobiography | ethos | personal essay |
bandwagon | expository nonfiction | persuasive nonfiction |
beauty appeal | faulty causality | red herring |
begging the question | glittering generalities | scientific claim |
biography | hasty generalization | statistical claim |
bright graphics | literary journalism | straw man |
characterization | logical fallacy | testimonial |
circular reasoning | logos | unfinished claim |
compliment the consumer | memoir | weasel claim |
descriptive nonfiction | narrative nonfiction | |
dialogue | parallel structure |