If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you know that nonfiction
writing style is one of my favorite topics. Narrative nonfiction tells a story
or conveys an experience, and expository nonfiction explains, describes, or informs.
As I discussed here,
while some nonfiction writing is 100 percent expository, most narrative
nonfiction is actually a blend of narrative scenes and expository bridges. The ratio
of narrative to expository text ranges widely. Most biographies are burgeoning
with narrative scenes. Books about historical events often include a bit more
exposition. And at a certain, undefined tipping point, a book contains enough
expository sections that people routinely identify it as expository overall.
while some nonfiction writing is 100 percent expository, most narrative
nonfiction is actually a blend of narrative scenes and expository bridges. The ratio
of narrative to expository text ranges widely. Most biographies are burgeoning
with narrative scenes. Books about historical events often include a bit more
exposition. And at a certain, undefined tipping point, a book contains enough
expository sections that people routinely identify it as expository overall.
Still, many expository books feature narrative chapter
openers. One of my favorite books, The
Great Monkey Rescue by Sandra Markle, has a narrative beginning and
ending with an engaging expository center.
openers. One of my favorite books, The
Great Monkey Rescue by Sandra Markle, has a narrative beginning and
ending with an engaging expository center.
Sniffer
Dogs by Nancy Castaldo is expository overall, but it makes expert
use of occasional narrative sections to illustrate specific points. My book Hurricane Watch includes a short
narrative scene at the beginning and a large narrative chunk in the middle, as
I immerse readers in the action of the storm.
Dogs by Nancy Castaldo is expository overall, but it makes expert
use of occasional narrative sections to illustrate specific points. My book Hurricane Watch includes a short
narrative scene at the beginning and a large narrative chunk in the middle, as
I immerse readers in the action of the storm.
When Lunch Fights Back by Rebecca L.
Johnson includes alternating sections of narratives scenes of predator and prey
and expository behind-the-story explanations of
how their behaviors help them survive—or not.
Johnson includes alternating sections of narratives scenes of predator and prey
and expository behind-the-story explanations of
how their behaviors help them survive—or not.
Neighborhood
Sharks by Katherine Roy is also a 50-50 mix with narratives that
show sharks close up and expository sections that provide fascinating
descriptions of the hunters’ body features and how they work.
Sharks by Katherine Roy is also a 50-50 mix with narratives that
show sharks close up and expository sections that provide fascinating
descriptions of the hunters’ body features and how they work.
In all of the books mentioned above, the authors hooked young
readers with a narrative opening. It’s a winning technique that works time and
again. So imagine my surprise when after reading the lyrical, luscious,
wonderfully mysterious 5-page expository opening of Giant Squid, I suddenly found myself plunged into a gripping
narrative scene that focuses on the squid’s fascinating feeding strategy.
readers with a narrative opening. It’s a winning technique that works time and
again. So imagine my surprise when after reading the lyrical, luscious,
wonderfully mysterious 5-page expository opening of Giant Squid, I suddenly found myself plunged into a gripping
narrative scene that focuses on the squid’s fascinating feeding strategy.
With this bold choice, uber-talented author Candace Fleming broke
the mold. Here, for the first time I know of, a writer began her
narrative-expository hybrid with an expository passage.
Was it the right
decision? You bet! It’s one of the most intriguing expository passages I’ve
ever read. It’s simply enchanting.
the mold. Here, for the first time I know of, a writer began her
narrative-expository hybrid with an expository passage.
Was it the right
decision? You bet! It’s one of the most intriguing expository passages I’ve
ever read. It’s simply enchanting.
Taken as a whole, the book is a 50-50 mix consisting of three
narrative scenes and gorgeous expository descriptions that do more than link
one scene to the next. They bring us into the life and the world of one of
Earth’s least known creatures.
Giant
Squid is definitely one of my favorite books of the year.
narrative scenes and gorgeous expository descriptions that do more than link
one scene to the next. They bring us into the life and the world of one of
Earth’s least known creatures.
Giant
Squid is definitely one of my favorite books of the year.
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3 Responses
I really enjoyed all of these books too, Melissa! Sandra Markle's Great Leopard Rescue is also very good.
I am also a very big fan of the Scientist in the Field Series. Would you call that more expository? I just read and LOVED Pamela Turner's Crow Smarts. Such fascinating creatures!
The Scientists in the Field books vary. Some are almost entirely narrative, while others are a mix of narrative and expository. If you are interested in studying this craft element more deeply, I recommend Penny Colman's excellent paper "A New Way to Look at Literature: A Visual Model for Analyzing Fiction and Nonfiction Texts." It appeared in the January 2007 issue of Language Arts, a journal published by NCTE.
Thank you Melissa for recommending Penny Coleman's paper, "A New Way to Look at Literature". I will read it. I bought "Crow Smarts" for a 12 yr old in Northern Ireland who tries to keep his chicken's feed – away from the crows…