Narrative Nonfiction

Narrative Nonfiction

in The Monster in the Mountain

What is narrative nonfiction?

Narrative nonfiction uses literary elements such as plot, setting and conflict to tell a story. However, unlike fiction, narrative nonfiction is true. It happens to be one of Mrs. McCubbin's favorite genres!

Literary Elements of Narrative Nonfiction

• Quotations from real people who experienced the event. Also called primary primary sources.

• gives factual information about a topic

• includes elements of fiction; setting, plot, foreshadowing, ect.

Multiple Choice

What is not an element of narrative nonfiction?

• plot, setting, and conflict

• facts

• foreshadowing and suspense

• all can be elements of narrative nonfiction

How do these elements all work together?

"Everytime I see this volcano up close, I think about how it had roared like a lion back in 1944. The trembling earth shook buildings from miles around, and streams of scalding lava flowed down the sides. Like glowing red fingers, they stretched out to crush defenseless homes below."

Open Ended

What does the primary source, Marta's quotation, tell us about the setting in the story?

"It was quiet for now, but I knew it was only sleeping.............Did the others standing there with me know about the danger beneath their feet?"

Multiple Select

In the previous passage, what literary technique did the author use to create suspense?

• Foreshadowing

• Setting

• Conflict

Open Ended

Consider this: The author could have written this as expository text, like "The Secret World of Caves" from last week. Why did he choose to write it as narrative nonfiction instead? Was it effective?

Open Ended

Could a narrative nonfiction text be written about the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD?