Unit 2
Introduction

2.1 Lesson: Fact-based Texts

Target

Assignment

Non-fiction writing presents organized information.

Works of non-fiction differ from works of fiction in these ways:

the people, events, places, and ideas presented are real, not invented
non-fiction presents a true account of history or describes actual experiences
Non-fiction discusses ideas and opinions about facts

Non-fiction is popular for some of the following reasons:

Truth is often stranger than fiction
Human lives are fascinating
History is exotic and elusive; the more the past disappears, the more compelling it becomes
Truth is dangerous and controversial; it requires community change and sacrifice

Some types of non-fiction you will learn and practice are below:

Record-keeping	Narrative	Persuasive	Expository
manages and stores information and evidence	narrates: tells stories of real life people and events entertains: interests an audience with subject matter	persuades: presents reasons and evidence to convince a person to act or think in a certain way	informs and explains something
diaries contracts vital statistics forms letters emails	autobiographies biographies memoirs	magazine and news articles travel books reports pamphlets	menus recipes blueprints user manuals

Tim Cridland has been known to lie down on a bed of nails and allow a car to roll over him.

"My dad's just happy I'm successful doing something," he comments.

http://nypost.com/2000/05/19/torture-king-on-pins-fire-glass-nails-all-in-a-days-work/

Consider the writer's purpose as you read the texts in this unit.

Is the non-fiction information in "Run Over By Car On Purpose?" to