You are talking about text structures. The way I learned it was there are three text structures: Narrative, expository, and poetic. Narrative texts are stories. They have a plot, characters, and setting. Expository text teach facts. They are set up as a list of facts that are set up as sequence, description, compare-contrast, cause/effect, problem-solution, and persuasion. I don't really like using nonfiction and expository synonomisly. You can have expository texts that are in fact fiction. Star Trek and Star Wars both have very detailed expository text about their fictional histories.
I use the first activities in Nonfiction Matters (Stephanie Harvey) to discuss expository texts with my kids. She lays out a huge amount of expository text in front of the the kids and just lets them explore them. She then begins a list of what they see they aurthor uses to show you information. She calls the list "NONfiction Conventions." They develop the list from the books they see. Not all books have the same conventions. Eventually, the kids develop a small book of their own samples of conventions that they take directly from expository text. She did this with first graders. I did it with sixth and I may try it with seventh along with how those texts are structured. Hope that helps, Kim > > -- Kimberlee Hannan Department Chair Sequoia Middle School Fresno, CA _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list [email protected] To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive.
