Name: Answer Key
Study Guide for Nonfiction Quiz on Monday, February 21
1. What is the difference between fiction and nonfiction?
2. List at least five types of nonfiction literature.
biography
essay
nonfiction is true, and fiction is made-up
article
history textbook
encyclopedia
Write the word that matches the definition in the blank provided.
3. A(n) opinion is a statement that reveals someone’s personal point of view and that cannot be proven.
4.
Subjective writing is writing that reveals someone's personal opinions, beliefs, values, or judgments.
It
should not be considered factual, but can provide a new perspective on an issue.
5.
Bias refers to the preference, partiality, or prejudice that an author shows toward a subject.
6. A(n) fact is a statement that can be proven through observation or a reliable authority such as published
research, law, statistics, measurements, mathematics, scientific evidence, or observation.
7.
Objective writing is writing that presents facts without conveying emotion or partiality.
Statements do not
reveal a preference for a particular opinion, but instead simply report an event or idea.
Part II. Read both passages below, and decide which one is biased. Then, answer the questions about that passage.
A.
Citizens of the Fairlawn Park area look with alarm at the diabolical plot to change a beautiful spot into a
baseball park. If this malicious plan is carried out, the lovely trees in the park will be chopped down. Values of
the property within the area will drop sharply as the park fills with the filth and debris of the bulldozer and other
equipment. Later, the shrieks of the young ruffians who take over the park will destroy the peace and quiet of
the neighborhood. Obviously no one cares about the poor citizen who has slaved to pay for his home and to
keep up with his taxes.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------B. The Fairlawn city council is considering Fairlawn Park as a potential site to build a new baseball complex. The
complex could be used to host minor league games as well as middle and high school tournaments. The plans
for the project also include space for hosting private events such as business trainings, birthday parties, and
wedding receptions. Supporters of the project claim that the field will increase revenue for the city, which will
support schools, libraries, and community centers. Others argue that Fairlawn Park is a valuable center for the
community, and that its destruction will have a negative impact on property value in the area.
8. The biased passage is letter A.
9. How can you tell that this author is biased? The author presents only one side of the argument.
is trying to convince the reader that the city should not build a new baseball park.
10. The author shows bias against
A. homeowners and taxpayers
B. citizens of the Fairlawn Park area
C. a baseball field in the park
D. more trees in the park
11. List five words that the author uses to sway the reader.
1. diabolical
2. malicious
3. filth
4. slaved
5. ruffians
He
Autobiographies,
diaries, and memoirs are written by someone about themselves. He/she may withhold or
exaggerate information to present a more positive view of himself.
12. Why might an autobiography, diary, or memoir be less trustworthy than a biography?
13. On the back of this study guide, explain how being able to detect subjective, biased language will help you in life.
Include a topic sentence and at least one specific, relevant example.
***Important: Your answer needs to include a different example from the one I give. You
will lose points if you do you not have a topic sentence, correct grammar and sentence
structure, and a specific, relevant example.
Being able to identify subjective, biased language will help me make smart decisions in life. If I
am trying to choose which college to go to, I may choose one that is not a good fit for me if I
listen only to other people’s opinions or read information written by an author that attended a
rival school. I need to read objective, fact-based information in order to form my own opinion.