Factual text is typically written to convey information about real-world events, people, places, or things

in an objective and unbiased manner. Examples of factual texts include news articles, scientific reports,
and textbooks.

Literary text, on the other hand, is written primarily to entertain, evoke emotion, or express an author's
creativity or imagination. Examples of literary texts include novels, poems, short stories, and plays.

To determine whether a text is factual or literary, consider the following:

Purpose: Consider the author's intention for writing the text. Is the author trying to convey information
objectively and factually, or are they trying to entertain, evoke emotion, or express their creativity?

Style: Factual texts are typically written in a straightforward, concise style that is meant to convey
information clearly and objectively. Literary texts, on the other hand, may use more figurative language,
symbolism, and other literary devices to create a more vivid and engaging reading experience.

Structure: Factual texts typically follow a clear and logical structure, such as an introduction, body, and
conclusion, or a chronological or cause-and-effect structure. Literary texts may have a more complex
structure, such as nonlinear or fragmented narratives, or may use different narrators or perspectives to
tell the story.

Content: Factual texts typically focus on real-world events, people, places, or things, and present
information in a straightforward and objective manner. Literary texts may incorporate elements of
fantasy, myth, or the supernatural, or use fictional characters and settings to explore universal themes
and ideas.

In summary, to determine whether a text is factual or literary, consider the author's purpose, writing
style, structure, and content.
Here are some examples of factual text:

News articles: Articles published by newspapers, magazines, and online news outlets that report on
current events, politics, business, and other topics.

Academic research papers: Papers published in academic journals that report on the results of research
studies and experiments.

Textbooks: Books written for educational purposes that provide information on various subjects, such as
history, science, math, and literature.

Manuals: Instructional documents that provide guidance on how to operate, assemble, or repair various
products, devices, or machines.

Encyclopedias: Reference books that provide comprehensive information on a wide range of subjects,
such as science, history, and geography.

Biographies: Books or articles that provide factual information about the life and accomplishments of a
particular person.

Government reports: Reports issued by government agencies that provide information on topics such as
public health, safety, and environmental issues.

Technical documents: Documents that provide technical information on various products, devices, or
systems, such as user manuals, schematics, and engineering reports.

Research articles: Articles published in academic journals that report on the results of scientific studies
and experiments.

Legal documents: Documents such as contracts, agreements, and court opinions that provide
information on legal issues and matters.
Here are some examples of literary texts:

Novels: Extended works of fiction that explore complex characters, plotlines, and themes. Examples
include "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald, and "Pride and
Prejudice" by Jane Austen.

Short stories: Brief works of fiction that focus on a single character or event. Examples include "The
Lottery" by Shirley Jackson, "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe, and "The Dead" by James Joyce.

Poetry: Works that use language in a highly expressive and imaginative way to evoke emotions and
convey meaning. Examples include "The Waste Land" by T.S. Eliot, "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock"
by T.S. Eliot, and "Sonnet 18" by William Shakespeare.

Plays: Works of drama that are meant to be performed on stage. Examples include "Hamlet" by William
Shakespeare, "A Streetcar Named Desire" by Tennessee Williams, and "Death of a Salesman" by Arthur
Miller.

Memoirs: Nonfiction works that focus on a particular person's life experiences and memories. Examples
include "Angela's Ashes" by Frank McCourt, "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls, and "Educated" by
Tara Westover.

Autobiographies: Nonfiction works in which the author tells the story of their own life. Examples include
"The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Malcolm X and "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya
Angelou.

Creative nonfiction: Nonfiction works that use literary techniques such as dialogue, description, and
narrative to tell a true story. Examples include "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot
and "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer.

Graphic novels: Novels or nonfiction works that are illustrated using comic book-style panels and
dialogue balloons. Examples include "Watchmen" by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, "Maus" by Art
Spiegelman, and "Persepolis" by Marjane Satrapi.
Which of the following is an example of factual text?

a) A novel by Jane Austen

b) A news article about a recent political development

c) A collection of poems by William Wordsworth

d) A play by Tennessee Williams

Answer: b) A news article about a recent political development

Which of the following is an example of literary text?

a) A user manual for a smartphone

b) A biography of Nelson Mandela

c) A short story by Edgar Allan Poe

d) A research paper on climate change

Answer: c) A short story by Edgar Allan Poe

What is the main purpose of factual texts?

a) To entertain the reader

b) To evoke emotions in the reader

c) To convey information about real-world events, people, places, or things

d) To express the author's creativity or imagination

Answer: c) To convey information about real-world events, people, places, or things

Which of the following is a characteristic of factual text?

a) It uses figurative language and other literary devices to create a vivid reading experience.

b) It is written primarily to entertain the reader.

c) It presents information in an objective and unbiased manner.

d) It explores universal themes and ideas.

Answer: c) It presents information in an objective and unbiased manner.

Which of the following is a characteristic of literary text?

a) It is structured in a clear and logical way.

b) It focuses on real-world events, people, places, or things.

c) It uses language in an imaginative and expressive way.

d) It uses a straightforward and concise style.

Answer: c) It uses language in an imaginative and expressive way.

Topic: Understanding Factual and Literary Texts

Grade Level: High School

Time Required: 45 minutes

Objectives:

Define factual and literary texts

Identify the differences between factual and literary texts

Analyze examples of factual and literary texts

Evaluate the importance of being able to differentiate between factual and literary texts

Materials:

Whiteboard or projector

Handout with examples of factual and literary texts

Worksheet with examples for analysis

Markers or colored pencils

Procedure:
Attention: Begin by asking students to brainstorm what they know about factual and literary texts. Write
their ideas on the whiteboard or projector.

Aim: Explain the lesson's objectives and the importance of being able to differentiate between factual
and literary texts.

Activate Prior Knowledge: Provide a brief overview of factual and literary texts, defining each term and
giving examples. Have students compare and contrast the differences between factual and literary texts
in small groups.

Assess: Pass out the worksheet with examples of factual and literary texts. Have students identify which
examples are factual and which are literary. Discuss as a class and provide feedback.

Analyze: Using the handout with examples of factual and literary texts, have students work in pairs to
analyze one example of each type of text. Have them identify the author's purpose, tone, and any
literary devices used. Have students present their analysis to the class.

Apply: As a class, have students discuss the importance of being able to differentiate between factual
and literary texts, particularly in today's information age where fake news and misinformation are
prevalent. Ask students to provide examples of situations where knowing the difference would be
important.

Additional Activities: For homework, have students find an article from a news source and analyze it,
identifying whether it is factual or literary, and the author's purpose and tone.

Assessment:

Collect and grade the worksheet and analysis handout. Use classroom discussion and presentation to
assess students' understanding of the concepts.

Extensions:
Have students research a controversial topic and identify and analyze a factual and literary text on the
subject.

Assign a creative writing activity where students write a short story that blends factual and literary
elements.

Have students analyze an advertisement and identify whether it is a factual or a literary text.