CharacteristicsCharacteristicsof of

Nonfiction BooksNonfiction Books

Authors of nonfiction books use Authors of nonfiction books use many different strategies to get many different strategies to get important information across to important information across to

their readerstheir readers

What are some of What are some of these strategies?these strategies?

LabelsLabelsLabelsLabels help the reader identify a picture or help the reader identify a picture or

a photograph and its parts.a photograph and its parts.

Photographs and CaptionsPhotographs and Captions

PhotographsPhotographs help the reader help the reader understand exactly what something understand exactly what something looks like.looks like.

CaptionsCaptions help the reader better help the reader better understand a picture or photograph.understand a picture or photograph.

Photograph

Caption

Photograph

Caption

Picture

Captions

ComparisonsComparisonsComparisons help the reader understand the size of one thing by comparing it to the size of something.

Comparison

CutawaysCutawaysCutaways help the reader understand something by looking at it from the inside.

Cutaway

MapsMaps

Maps help the reader understand where things are in the world.

This map shows the location of the Titanic when she sent out a distress call.

Types of PrintTypes of Print

Types of print help the reader by signaling, “Look at me! I’m important!”

Bold font for headings

Highlighting

Other Types of PrintOther Types of Print

There are numerous ways an author can use fonts and effects to draw a reader’s attention to something important. The writer may use titles, headings, boldface print, color print, italics, bullets, captions, and labels. These all signal importance in text. Think of them as red flags.

Close-upsClose-upsClose-ups help the reader see details in

something small.

Close-up

Close-up

Close-up of a root tip

Close-up

Table of ContentsTable of Contents

Table of Contents help the reader find key topics in the book in the order that they come.

IndexIndexIndex is an alphabetical list of almost everything written in the text, with page numbers so you can find the information.

GlossaryGlossaryGlossary helps the reader understand key words that are in the text.

TablesTablesTable helps the reader understand important information by listing it in a table or a chart form.

Cue Words and PhrasesCue Words and Phrases

Nonfiction writing often includes text clues that signal importance. Signal words, like stop signs, warn readers to halt and pay attention.

Writers choose phrases such as for example, for instance, in fact, in conclusion, most important, but, therefore, on the other hand, and such as so that readerstake note.

The next time you pick-up a newspaper, read an article on the internet, or flip through your favorite magazine, look for all of the characteristics of nonfiction text. I think you will be surprised how many you will find in just one book or article!