On Monday, I shared an expository passage about the red-spotted purple butterfly’s
unusual eating habits from my upcoming book Ick! Delightfully Disgusting
Animal Dinners, Dwellings, and Defenses and talked a little bit about the
process of writing the book.
Today, we’ll continue discussing the differences between narrative and
expository nonfiction by looking at two consecutive spreads from Loree Griffins
Burns’s fabulous new book You’re Invited to a Moth Ball: A Nighttime
Insect Celebration, photographed by Ellen Harasimowicz. The book is perfectly suited for a narrative writing style because it conveys an experience, a thrilling event known as a moth ball.
The first of these spreads features a group of children observing an
incredible variety of moths attracted to a white sheet illuminated by a special light. What an experience!
And the second spread (which loosely connects to the topic of the Ick!
spread I shared on Monday) highlights why it’s helpful to know an insect’s
dietary preferences.
Let’s take a closer look at Loree’s text:
The number of moths might be small at first. Be patient. On a warm
night, moths become more active as the night gets darker and the hour gets
later.
night, moths become more active as the night gets darker and the hour gets
later.
Some people never, not once in their whole lives, connect with
moths this way. So take your time. Soak it all in.
moths this way. So take your time. Soak it all in.
And don’t forget to check the sugar bait. There might be more moths
to meet.
to meet.
Party on, friends! Be kind to your guests. Watch them sip homemade
nectar, and marvel at how they do it.
nectar, and marvel at how they do it.
There are
so many things to love about the way Loree has written this book. While direct
address can sometimes seem heavy handed or even didactic, in this book, it contributes
beautifully to the gentle, friendly, invitational voice. Even though the
language is remarkably simple, each word has been carefully chosen to instill a
sense of wonder and awe, which will undoubtedly inspire many young readers to
begin planning a moth ball of their own.
so many things to love about the way Loree has written this book. While direct
address can sometimes seem heavy handed or even didactic, in this book, it contributes
beautifully to the gentle, friendly, invitational voice. Even though the
language is remarkably simple, each word has been carefully chosen to instill a
sense of wonder and awe, which will undoubtedly inspire many young readers to
begin planning a moth ball of their own.
After
reading the book, I wondered what
inspired Loree to write about a moth ball rather than a more general survey
book about months. I also wanted to know how and why she decided to employ a
narrative writing style.
reading the book, I wondered what
inspired Loree to write about a moth ball rather than a more general survey
book about months. I also wanted to know how and why she decided to employ a
narrative writing style.
Here’s what Loree had to say:
“I’m one of those people who is naturally drawn
to narrative. I never asked myself what would be the best writing style
for a book about moths? Instead, I stumbled into a subject that was new and
fascinating to me—moth watching, and I saw immediately that there was a
beautiful and intriguing narrative ready-made—a moth watching party, or moth
ball. Those two things convinced me that I wanted to make this book.
to narrative. I never asked myself what would be the best writing style
for a book about moths? Instead, I stumbled into a subject that was new and
fascinating to me—moth watching, and I saw immediately that there was a
beautiful and intriguing narrative ready-made—a moth watching party, or moth
ball. Those two things convinced me that I wanted to make this book.
“This is not a book that gives a reader
everything they’ll ever want to know about moths. Rather, it’s an invitation
into the world of moths, a quick and (I hope!) intriguing look at a new
subject.
everything they’ll ever want to know about moths. Rather, it’s an invitation
into the world of moths, a quick and (I hope!) intriguing look at a new
subject.
“My fondest wish is that readers finish and do
two things immediately: 1) hit the library for more books about moths and 2) start
watching the moths in their own neighborhoods.”
two things immediately: 1) hit the library for more books about moths and 2) start
watching the moths in their own neighborhoods.”
According to Loree, one big advantage of writing
a narrative is the built-in text structure. While writers of expository nonfiction
have to carefully consider how they will frame their facts, narratives typically
have a chronological sequence structure.
a narrative is the built-in text structure. While writers of expository nonfiction
have to carefully consider how they will frame their facts, narratives typically
have a chronological sequence structure.
“I didn’t start by pondering how to organize all
the moth facts,” says Loree. “Instead, my focus was entirely on telling a
compelling moth story. I had to decide where to begin that story, where to end
it, and how to get from one to the other.
the moth facts,” says Loree. “Instead, my focus was entirely on telling a
compelling moth story. I had to decide where to begin that story, where to end
it, and how to get from one to the other.
“Eventually I decided I would host a moth ball and
invite readers to come. That story starts with the book’s title: you’re invited
to a moth ball. I have readers arrive early, when it’s still light
outside, so that they can help me set up the party; that’s how they learn how
to attract moths. The story ends where so many great stories (and parties) do:
bedtime.
invite readers to come. That story starts with the book’s title: you’re invited
to a moth ball. I have readers arrive early, when it’s still light
outside, so that they can help me set up the party; that’s how they learn how
to attract moths. The story ends where so many great stories (and parties) do:
bedtime.
“This very simple story structure guided the way
I conveyed moth facts. I couldn’t just stick those facts anywhere, because I
had to consider the party narrative. [There’s a] natural break in the party after
the moth attractants were set but before the moths arrived. [That’s where] I
tucked extra moth facts for readers.”
I conveyed moth facts. I couldn’t just stick those facts anywhere, because I
had to consider the party narrative. [There’s a] natural break in the party after
the moth attractants were set but before the moths arrived. [That’s where] I
tucked extra moth facts for readers.”
I hope that this six-part blog series, which
featured three spreads from my expository book Ick! Delightfully Disgusting Animal Dinners, Dwellings, and Defenses and passages from the narrative nonfiction
titles Honeybee by Candace Fleming and Eric Rohmann, Flying Deep by Michelle Cusolito and Nicole Wong, and You’re Invited to a Moth Ball by Loree Griffins Burns and Ellen Harasimowicz has helped you gain a
stronger understanding of the differences between narrative and expository
writing. (Scroll down to read all the posts.)
featured three spreads from my expository book Ick! Delightfully Disgusting Animal Dinners, Dwellings, and Defenses and passages from the narrative nonfiction
titles Honeybee by Candace Fleming and Eric Rohmann, Flying Deep by Michelle Cusolito and Nicole Wong, and You’re Invited to a Moth Ball by Loree Griffins Burns and Ellen Harasimowicz has helped you gain a
stronger understanding of the differences between narrative and expository
writing. (Scroll down to read all the posts.)
The two writing styles present information in
different ways, and as a result, appeal to different kinds of readers. While
some students enjoy narrative and expository writing equally, others have a natural
affinity for one or the other.
different ways, and as a result, appeal to different kinds of readers. While
some students enjoy narrative and expository writing equally, others have a natural
affinity for one or the other.
Ultimately, we want all readers to be able to
interact successfully with both writing styles, but developing the skills to do
so takes time and patience and practice. That’s why it’s so important to meet emerging
readers where they are by understanding, accepting, and encouraging their
natural preferences.
interact successfully with both writing styles, but developing the skills to do
so takes time and patience and practice. That’s why it’s so important to meet emerging
readers where they are by understanding, accepting, and encouraging their
natural preferences.
When school and library book collections feature
a rich assortment of expository nonfiction, narrative nonfiction, and fiction titles, every child will be able to
find books that they connect with right now as well as books that can help them
stretch and grow as they develop confidence as readers.
a rich assortment of expository nonfiction, narrative nonfiction, and fiction titles, every child will be able to
find books that they connect with right now as well as books that can help them
stretch and grow as they develop confidence as readers.
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2 Responses
Excited to try a moth ball of my own in my new house :). It's such a great book!
We're looking forward to having you back in MA.