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How to Write Nonfiction Questions for Students

While nonfiction might seem one of the easier genres to write or teach, as it can sometimes be as simple as an author mining his or her own life and experiences for inspiration, it is, in reality, every bit as challenging as the so-called "creative" genres. Faced with the common student justification: "Well, it really happened," teachers can sometimes be at a loss as to how best to guide writers towards more carefully crafted narratives that are "biographically true" while still being compelling and artfully created.

Things You'll Need

  • Notebook
  • Pen or pencil
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Instructions

  1. Writing the Questions

    • 1

      Ask students to remember a particularly memorable event from their childhood. Write this question down in your notebook.

    • 2

      Ask students to list who was present at this event. Parents? Siblings? Friends? Themselves only? Write this question down in your notebook.

    • 3

      Ask students to describe where they were when this event happened. Were they at home? Outside? Traveling? Write this question down in your notebook.

    • 4

      Ask students to describe the event and atmosphere using their senses. What did they smell, taste, touch, see, hear? Write this question down in your notebook.

    • 5

      Ask students to describe how they felt emotionally when this event took place. Were they happy? Ashamed? Scared? Surprised? Write this question down in your notebook.

    • 6

      Save these questions in your notebook and use them for a free writing exercise in your next nonfiction class.

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Nonfiction

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