What is more boring than a non-fiction text? Well, to be honest – that depends. It depends on the writing style, and the engagement with the subject matter. But, even Biographies, which are very close to novels in a lot of ways, end up including images. Perhaps we should all think about this.
Images create a better text. They help us engage with what we’re seeing.
Note that no matter what the subject matter is, images really do come into play. The “Worst Case Scenario” guys use some slightly humorous images, while tech manuals normally just try to be as realistic as possible. Finally we have recipe books that offer gorgeous images of food.
And why? Why are these things there? Sure it’s partially to engage the reader… but it’s also to get readers in the first place. Imagine yourself in a bookstore – you see three similar books, and you open them up and flip through. Are you going to buy the one with black and white text, or will you go for the glossy one with the pretty picture?
I’m going to bet on the pretty pictures, every single time.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Non-Fiction #2
Non-Fiction 2. Looking at Similar Forms
One of the best “Non-Fiction” how to guides I’ve ever come across is the Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks. You can check out the webpage here http://www.randomhouse.com/crown/zombiesurvivalguide/index2.html if you feel so inclined.
What is a zombie? How are they created? What are their strengths and weaknesses? What are their needs, their desires? Why are they hostile to humanity? Before discussing any survival techniques, you must first learn what you are trying to survive.
SOLANUM: THE VIRUS
1. Source
Unfortunately, extensive research has yet to find an isolated example of Solanum in nature. Water, air, and soil in all ecosystems, from all parts of the world, have turned up negative, as have their accompanying flora and fauna. At the time of this writing, the search continues.
2. Symptoms
The timetable below outlines the process of an infected human (give or take several hours, depending on the individual).
Hour 1: Pain and discoloration (brown-purple) of the infected area. Immediate clotting of the wound (provided the infection came from a wound).
Hour 5: Fever (99-103 degrees F), chills, slight dementia, vomiting, acute pain in the joints.
Hour 8: Numbing of extremities and infected area, increased fever (103-106 degrees F), increased dementia, loss of muscular coordination.
Hour 11: Paralysis in the lower body, overall numbness, slowed heart rate.
Hour 16: Coma.
Hour 20: Heart stoppage. Zero brain activity.
Hour 23: Reanimation.
That brief excerpt should give you an idea of how the text is written. If you want to see more of that excerpt check here: http://www.powells.com/biblio?show=TRADE%20PAPER:NEW:1400049628:13.95&page=excerpt
This style creates a tongue in cheek feeling seriously dealing with potentially real world problems, in a serious way. However, as these are impractical events, we are allowed a glimpse of humour. It is this humour that works to engage different types of readers. Those who read this text (learning that an Off-Shore oil rig is the best place to hide from a zombie attack) will gain practical advice, but will also read for the humour of it as well.
Now if you plan on writing something more “dry” that’s alright too. But I would recommend that you check out the “dummies” guide books. Stores like BMV offer them for less than ten bucks each. The writing style in this text try to inform while remaining conversational.
Now – if you’re planning on writing something like a computer tech manual, the dry tone might work well to engage your target audience. Choose your audience wisely, and write towards them.
Cookbooks? They also fall into this light. Be aware. By all means, write for your audience. And the only way to do this? Know your audience before you write.
One of the best “Non-Fiction” how to guides I’ve ever come across is the Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks. You can check out the webpage here http://www.randomhouse.com/crown/zombiesurvivalguide/index2.html if you feel so inclined.
What is a zombie? How are they created? What are their strengths and weaknesses? What are their needs, their desires? Why are they hostile to humanity? Before discussing any survival techniques, you must first learn what you are trying to survive.
SOLANUM: THE VIRUS
1. Source
Unfortunately, extensive research has yet to find an isolated example of Solanum in nature. Water, air, and soil in all ecosystems, from all parts of the world, have turned up negative, as have their accompanying flora and fauna. At the time of this writing, the search continues.
2. Symptoms
The timetable below outlines the process of an infected human (give or take several hours, depending on the individual).
Hour 1: Pain and discoloration (brown-purple) of the infected area. Immediate clotting of the wound (provided the infection came from a wound).
Hour 5: Fever (99-103 degrees F), chills, slight dementia, vomiting, acute pain in the joints.
Hour 8: Numbing of extremities and infected area, increased fever (103-106 degrees F), increased dementia, loss of muscular coordination.
Hour 11: Paralysis in the lower body, overall numbness, slowed heart rate.
Hour 16: Coma.
Hour 20: Heart stoppage. Zero brain activity.
Hour 23: Reanimation.
That brief excerpt should give you an idea of how the text is written. If you want to see more of that excerpt check here: http://www.powells.com/biblio?show=TRADE%20PAPER:NEW:1400049628:13.95&page=excerpt
This style creates a tongue in cheek feeling seriously dealing with potentially real world problems, in a serious way. However, as these are impractical events, we are allowed a glimpse of humour. It is this humour that works to engage different types of readers. Those who read this text (learning that an Off-Shore oil rig is the best place to hide from a zombie attack) will gain practical advice, but will also read for the humour of it as well.
Now if you plan on writing something more “dry” that’s alright too. But I would recommend that you check out the “dummies” guide books. Stores like BMV offer them for less than ten bucks each. The writing style in this text try to inform while remaining conversational.
Now – if you’re planning on writing something like a computer tech manual, the dry tone might work well to engage your target audience. Choose your audience wisely, and write towards them.
Cookbooks? They also fall into this light. Be aware. By all means, write for your audience. And the only way to do this? Know your audience before you write.
Non-Fiction #1
Non-Fiction #1
Well hello Non-Fiction writers. You will be creating any number of different things here. But from what I can tell, it seems we’re off to create how-to guides, and cook books. That doesn’t sound too bad. In fact, I imagine there could be some very interesting creations that come out of this. Each text will be no less than 20 pages (counting images.)
You will be marked on the quality of your content, as well as the completed form – how the book looks, how it is bound, and how engaging it is. For that last point, pretty pictures can really work to your benefit.
Tell me more, tell me more…
Well indeed I will. The more that you need to focus on is, how do you want to focus your text? It’s very well to say it’s a how-to guide, but what does that mean? There are so many types. There’s the “For Dummies” series, there’s the “Survival” guides, and then there’s just some very plain – very basic – “this is how you do this” type things.
All of them have their advantages, and all of them have their disadvantages.
Really, when you get down to it, even cookbooks are how-to guides. Now, for the most part cook-books have simply been a collection of recipes, complete with how to steps. But that all has started changing. Most cookbooks now have far more in them, such as back stories about the recipes. They contain information, and personal text. The cookbook has become something of a nonfiction narrative as well.
What will ye be learnin’?
1. Looking at Similar Forms
2. Adding Visuals
3. Assessing the helpfulness of your work
4. Cutting to the Quick
5. Binding the Text
Today’s Focus
So here’s what I need you to have finished by the end of today:
1. What will the focus of your guide be?
2. What will the title of your guide be?
3. How many pages will your completed text be, and what will the ratio of images to text be?
4. What will make your book better than others of a similar vien?
5. A brief introduction.
Well hello Non-Fiction writers. You will be creating any number of different things here. But from what I can tell, it seems we’re off to create how-to guides, and cook books. That doesn’t sound too bad. In fact, I imagine there could be some very interesting creations that come out of this. Each text will be no less than 20 pages (counting images.)
You will be marked on the quality of your content, as well as the completed form – how the book looks, how it is bound, and how engaging it is. For that last point, pretty pictures can really work to your benefit.
Tell me more, tell me more…
Well indeed I will. The more that you need to focus on is, how do you want to focus your text? It’s very well to say it’s a how-to guide, but what does that mean? There are so many types. There’s the “For Dummies” series, there’s the “Survival” guides, and then there’s just some very plain – very basic – “this is how you do this” type things.
All of them have their advantages, and all of them have their disadvantages.
Really, when you get down to it, even cookbooks are how-to guides. Now, for the most part cook-books have simply been a collection of recipes, complete with how to steps. But that all has started changing. Most cookbooks now have far more in them, such as back stories about the recipes. They contain information, and personal text. The cookbook has become something of a nonfiction narrative as well.
What will ye be learnin’?
1. Looking at Similar Forms
2. Adding Visuals
3. Assessing the helpfulness of your work
4. Cutting to the Quick
5. Binding the Text
Today’s Focus
So here’s what I need you to have finished by the end of today:
1. What will the focus of your guide be?
2. What will the title of your guide be?
3. How many pages will your completed text be, and what will the ratio of images to text be?
4. What will make your book better than others of a similar vien?
5. A brief introduction.
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