NF - Nonfiction Analysis Lesson
Nonfiction Analysis
Analyzing Works of Nonfiction
Similar to analyzing fictional texts, analyzing nonfiction helps you fully understand the text or speech and the overall purpose of the nonfiction piece. Also, understanding how to analyze a nonfiction text or speech allows you to uncover rhetoric and propaganda that the writer or speaker might be trying to use to persuade you to believe a certain way. View the introduction to analyzing nonfiction video below:
Steps of Nonfiction Analysis
Let's take a look at the steps to analyze Nonfiction. Hover your mouse over each of the steps to learn more.
| What is the occasion that creates the need for using rhetorical strategies, or persuasion? | |
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How does he or she establish ethos (credibility or trustworthiness)? Does he or she come across as knowledgeable or fair? Does the speaker's reputation give him authority over the topics? |
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Is he or she trying to attack or defend Is he or she trying to praise to blame? Is he or she trying to teach or persuade? |
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Who is the intended audience? What does the audience believe in that the author or speaker tries to use to get them on his or her side? |
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Can you determine the main idea? What are the kinds of reasoning or arguments used? What types of rhetoric or propaganda appear? How does the author or speaker appeal to the emotions of the audience? |
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How is the text or speech arranged in terms of structure? What figures of speech appear? What kind of style and tone does the author or speaker use? What effect does this structure have on the reader or listener? |
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| Does the author or speaker succeed in persuading the audience or driving his or her point home? |
Now that we have examined the elements of nonfiction and reviewed steps for analyzing nonfiction, it is time to read and analyze a selection of nonfiction texts. As you read, try to recognize the different purposes, main ideas, structures, and rhetorical strategies that the authors or speakers use. Move on to the next page for your reading assignments.
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