Types of Non-Fiction

Non-fiction is writing based on real events, facts, and information. Unlike fiction, it does not tell an invented story. Media is everywhere around us, and understanding different text types helps us think critically.

N

News Articles

Report on current events with facts. Use the 5Ws: Who, What, Where, When, Why.

Purpose: To inform

E

Editorials / Opinion Pieces

Express a viewpoint on an issue. Often include persuasive language and personal judgement.

Purpose: To argue / persuade

S

Speeches

Delivered to an audience to inform, inspire, or persuade. Use rhetorical devices like repetition and tricolon.

Purpose: To persuade / inspire

A

Media Techniques

Media creators use specific techniques to influence how we think and feel. Being able to spot these techniques makes you a critical reader.

Headlines

Designed to grab attention. May use puns, alliteration, or exaggeration. Example: "Heatwave Horror: Temperatures Smash Records!"

Images & Layout

Photos, colours, and arrangement direct the eye and create mood. Large images draw attention; bold text signals importance.

Emotive Language

Words chosen to trigger feelings like fear, sympathy, or excitement. Example: "Innocent children suffer" vs. "Children are affected."

Statistics & Expert Quotes

Used to build credibility and make claims seem factual. Always ask: Who provided this data?

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IB Thinking: Critical Questions

When analysing any media text, always ask:

1. What is the author's purpose? (To inform, persuade, entertain, or sell?)
2. Who is the target audience? (Age, interests, background?)
3. What techniques are being used? (Emotive language, images, statistics?)
4. What is NOT being said? (What perspectives or facts are missing?)

Analysing a Sample Advertisement

Sample Advertisement

SUNKISS JUICE

"Fuel Your Day the Natural Way!"

🍊

Made with 100% real fruit. No added sugar. No artificial colours.

"9 out of 10 nutritionists recommend SunKiss for growing families."

Available at all major supermarkets. Only $3.99.

Slogan

"Fuel Your Day the Natural Way!" — uses rhyme and imperative language ("Fuel") to be memorable and persuasive.

Stats

"9 out of 10 nutritionists recommend..." — uses a statistic to build credibility. But who conducted the study?

Appeal

"100% real fruit", "No added sugar" — appeals to health-conscious parents. Target audience: families.

Bias

The ad only presents positives. It does not mention calories, packaging waste, or sourcing. This is a one-sided message.

Key Vocabulary

Bias

A one-sided viewpoint that favours a particular perspective and may distort the truth.

Audience

The intended readers or viewers of a text. Knowing the audience helps explain the techniques used.

Emotive Language

Words deliberately chosen to provoke an emotional response from the reader.

Rhetoric

The art of effective persuasion through language, including techniques like repetition, tricolon, and rhetorical questions.

Worked Examples

1

Identify the purpose: "BREAKING: Council Approves New Park for Westside Residents"

Step 1: The text uses "BREAKING" and reports a factual event.

Step 2: It provides the who (Council), what (new park), and where (Westside).

Answer: This is a news article headline. The purpose is to inform.

2

Spot the technique: "Thousands of helpless animals are suffering in cruel conditions."

Step 1: Look for emotionally charged words: "helpless", "suffering", "cruel".

Step 2: These words are chosen to make the reader feel sympathy and outrage.

Answer: The technique is emotive language. The purpose is to persuade the reader to care about animal welfare.

3

Identify the audience: A poster with bright colours, cartoon characters, and the slogan "Reading is Super Cool!"

Step 1: Consider the visual clues: bright colours and cartoons suggest a younger audience.

Step 2: The language is simple and enthusiastic ("Super Cool!").

Answer: The target audience is primary school children. The purpose is to encourage reading.

Knowledge Check

Select the correct answer for each question. Click "Check Answer" to see if you are right.

Question 1

What is the primary purpose of an advertisement?

To inform the public about current events To entertain the audience with stories To sell or promote a product, service, or idea To present a balanced analysis of an issue

Question 2

Which technique is being used in this headline: "Fury as Council Axes Beloved Community Centre"?

Statistics Rhetorical question Expert quote Emotive language

Question 3

A text that expresses the writer's personal opinion on a public issue is called:

An editorial / opinion piece A news article An advertisement A speech

Question 4

An ad says: "8 out of 10 dentists recommend BrightSmile toothpaste." What should a critical reader ask?

"How much does it cost?" "Who conducted this survey and how many dentists were asked?" "Is toothpaste really necessary?" "What colour is the packaging?"

Question 5

A text shows bias when it:

Presents both sides of an argument equally Uses facts and data from multiple sources Favours one viewpoint and leaves out opposing perspectives Is written in formal English

Non-Fiction & Media Literacy

Types of Non-Fiction

News Articles

Editorials / Opinion Pieces

Speeches

Advertisements

Media Techniques

Headlines

Images & Layout

Emotive Language

Statistics & Expert Quotes

IB Thinking: Critical Questions

Analysing a Sample Advertisement

SUNKISS JUICE

Key Vocabulary

Bias

Audience

Emotive Language

Rhetoric

Worked Examples

Identify the purpose: "BREAKING: Council Approves New Park for Westside Residents"

Spot the technique: "Thousands of helpless animals are suffering in cruel conditions."

Identify the audience: A poster with bright colours, cartoon characters, and the slogan "Reading is Super Cool!"

Knowledge Check

Key Concepts Summary