What+is+Nonfiction?

What is nonfiction?

Nonfiction is defined as prose writing based on fact. When presented with a piece of prose, an individual must know how to read the information. Once the information is read and understood, the individual must determine what is factual information, as well as synthesize the information presented.

According to Nadine Bryce, there are several challenges to just using textbooks to teach content in primary grades. "To support content area learning, teachers must find ways to make textbook reading more meaningful to young students (p. 474)--"Meeting the reading challenges of science textbooks in primary grades.

Problems with textbooks:
 * Difficult Technical Vocabulary- “Understanding specialized terms and concepts is essential for meaningful and engaged reading.” Therefore, as a teacher it is vital to point out boldfaced text talk about the meaning, and use it in a sentence. Clarifying any confusions of the word is important as well because without full understanding the student will not be able to completely comprehend the material.
 * Dense Presentation of Concepts- Content area books can often be over loaded with information making “students learn only superficial information and gain limited understanding.” As a teacher it is important to ask students to pull out the important messages from the author, and what they learned about the topic. Talking about the topics help students synthesize information and improves comprehension.
 * superficial treatment of topics
 * information delivered in a dry, uninteresting manner
 * lack of organization and structural style
 * Bias of the author

Moss supports this saying that, :"exclusive use of textbooks can stiffle student interest and the development of critical thinking" (

Because of this, it is extremely important that we as teachers provide supplemental material to textbooks in the form of nonfiction trade books, magazines, newspapers, internet articles, and other electronic texts.

EXCELLENT SOURCE FOR VIDEOS: Teachertube.com


 * Article:** Schmar-Dobler, E. (2003). Reading on the Internet: The link between literacy and technology. Journal of Adolescent and Adult literacy, 47, 80-85

Elements of Nonfiction to discuss:
 * table of contents
 * index
 * headings
 * vocabulary