Celebrate Nonfiction

Exploring the Joy of Nonfiction Reading and Writing

Narrative & Expository: Two Nonfiction Writing Styles

If
you’re like most educators, you’ve probably heard the terms narrative nonfiction and expository nonfiction, but you might not
be completely clear about the differences between these two writing styles. 


Let’s
start with what narrative nonfiction and expository nonfiction have in common.
They’re both meticulously researched, and every single fact and idea the author
includes can be verified. 


The
difference between the two writing styles lies in how the ideas and
information are presented. Narrative nonfiction tells a story or conveys an
experience, whereas expository nonfiction explains, describes, or informs in a
clear, accessible fashion. 


Narrative
nonfiction appeals strongly to fiction lovers because it includes real
characters and settings; narrative scenes; and, ideally, a narrative arc with rising
tension, a climax, and a resolution.
The scenes, which give readers an intimate look at the world and people being
described, are linked by expository transitions that provide
necessary background while speeding through parts of the true story that don’t
require close inspection. 


The art of crafting narrative
nonfiction lies in pacing, which means choosing just the right scenes to flesh
out. Narrative nonfiction typically features a chronological sequence text
structure and is ideally suited for biographies and books that recount
historical events. It also works well for books that describe the process of
doing science.


Expository
nonfiction, on the other hand, shares ideas and information in a direct,
straightforward way. It often relies heavily on format and design to help
convey meaning, and it’s more likely than narrative nonfiction to includes a
wide variety of text features.


Expository
nonfiction comes in many different forms. In some cases, the sole goal of an
expository title is to share fascinating facts. Examples include The Guinness Book of World Records and Time for
Kids Big Book of Why. In other cases, books with an
expository writing style can help readers learn a new skill, such baking
cookies or making origami. 


Some
expository nonfiction books provide a general overview of a topic, such as the
human body or Ancient Egypt.
Expository
nonfiction can also focus on a specific
concept, such as how our skeleton is similar to those of other animals or unusual
ways birds use their feathers. These more
specialized books often present ideas and information in creative or unexpected
ways. 


Comparing Narrative and
Expository Nonfiction


One of the best ways for you and your
students to gain a solid understanding of the difference between narrative and
expository writing styles is to read and compare the books Red-Eyed Tree Frog by Joy Cowley and Nic Bishop (narrative) and Frog or Toad? How Do You Know? by
Melissa Stewart (expository). These books are short and simple, and they’re both
about frogs. 


As
you read Red-Eyed Tree Frog, you can
easily identify all the elements of a good story.

Pages 2-3
Author introduces setting (evening in the
rain forest)
Pages 4-5
Author introduces main character (the
red-eyed tree frog)
Pages 6-7
Author introduces main conflict (the frog
is hungry)
Pages 8-9
Frog searches for food
Pages 10-11
Frog searches for food
Pages 12-13
Author introduces subconflict (a hunting
boa constrictor)
Pages 14-15
Rising tension (snake moves toward frog)
Pages 16-17
Rising tension (snake spots frog)
Pages 18-19
Resolution of subconflict (frog jumps to
safety)
Pages 20-21
Frog spots a moth
Pages 22-23
Resolution of main conflict (frog eats
moth)
Pages 24-25
Falling action (frog climbs onto leaf)
Pages 26-27
Falling action (frog goes to sleep)
Pages 28-29
Satisfying circular ending (morning comes
to rain forest)

Before
you begin reading Frog or Toad? How Do
You Know?, take a few minutes to preview this expository nonfiction book in
search of text features. You will find a table of contents (page 2), glossary
(page 3), list of references (22-23 pages), and index (page 24). As you page
through the main text, you will notice headings, photos with labels, and
boldfaced glossary terms. 


As
you read, you will see that the book is organized as follows:

Pages 4-5
Introduction
Pages 6-7
Compares skin of frog (verso) to the skin
of the toad (recto)
Pages 8-9
Compares length of back legs of frog (verso)
to length of back legs of toad (recto)
Pages 10-11
Compares body shape of frog (verso) to body
shape of toad (recto)
Pages 12-13
Compares teeth of frog (verso) to teeth of
toad (recto)
Pages 14-15
Compares song of frog (verso) to song of
toad (recto)

At
this point, stop reading for a moment and ask a question: What is the book’s
text structure? Even elementary readers who have recently been introduced to
text structures can easily answer this question. It’s Compare and Contrast. 


Now
flip to the end of the main text and examine the colorful double-page
infographic. It provides a fitting conclusion by summarizing all the frog vs.
toad characteristics described throughout the book.


By reading these books aloud and discussing them, both
adults and students can gain a solid understanding of the key differences
between narrative nonfiction and expository nonfiction writing styles.

14 Responses

  7. This really is very timely since I'm starting a new NF ms (as I said on Twitter). My agent thinks I should take a narrative route but I was pretty sure that the idea would not be conducive to that form…and now I have a clear explanation from you that will back me up. Thank you, Melissa!

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