Non-Fiction Terminology

Thesis: The author’s central ideas; the argument that they are proving in the text

Audience: Who the text is intended for; this will influence the author’s tone, devices used,
language, etc.

Appeals: How the author reaches out to her/his audience.

• Pathos (appeals to emotions)

• Ethos (appeals to ethics)
• Logos (appeals to logic)
Text Structure:
Commonly referred to as Methods of Developments: how the author/speaker has organized her/his writing.
An entire text may have the same structure, but in many cases different sections or paragraphs have different
methods of development.
1. Definition: Explores in greater depth the significance associated with the term or concept under
consideration in order to give as full a picture as possible of its characteristics
EXAMPLE: Susan Sontag defines 'beauty' by examining the ancient Greek and Christian views of beauty, the
language used to describe men's versus women's beauty, internal and external beauty, and the significance of
the absence of beauty in the world.
2. Problem & Solution: The author presents a problem and then one or more solutions to the problem
EXAMPLE: Obesity and poor fitness are a significant problem in modern life. Changes by individuals to their
diets and their physical activity can increase life expectancy. Governments could also implement initiatives to
improve their citizens' eating habits.
3. Cause & Effect: The author presents ideas, events or facts as a cause and what happens as a result
EXAMPLE: Edward Roussel in "Letter from Prison" argues that "to think that punishment causes redemption is
a trap".
4. Categorize/Classify: Places together under a single heading concepts or things that share sufficient key
characteristics as to be considered similar
EXAMPLE: Kildare Dobbs in his essay "Canada's Regions" classifies the people of each region of Canada by
their character.
5. Compare/Contrast: The author provides information about the similarities and differences between two or
more people, events, ideas, objects, etc.
EXAMPLE: By contrasting the openly discriminatory laws and practices against women with what couldn't be
(and isn't) said to any minority, Doris Anderson in "The 51% Solution" argues that women are routinely
discriminated against.
6. Example: The author illustrates a point with reference to a personal or shared experience, statistics,
analogy, or quote from an authority
EXAMPLE: In his essay "Were Dinosaurs Dumb?", Stephen Jay Gould cites Jack chopping down the beanstalk
and David smiting Goliath with a slingshot as examples of metaphors and fairy tales show how "slow wit is
the tragic flaw of a giant."
7. Process: The author lists items or events in chronological order or presents the reader with step-by-step
instructions
EXAMPLE: A paragraph that gives instructions on how to tie a tie.