Expository Nonfiction:
* Focus: Primarily on explaining and informing.
* Structure: Logical and organized. It often follows a clear structure like cause and effect, comparison and contrast, or problem and solution.
* Language: Formal and objective. The writer strives to present information without personal bias or opinions.
* Purpose: To educate the reader on a specific subject or issue.
* Examples: Textbooks, scientific articles, how-to guides, essays, news reports.
Narrative Nonfiction:
* Focus: On telling a true story with a clear narrative arc and engaging characters.
* Structure: Storytelling structure. It uses elements of fiction like plot, character development, and conflict to engage the reader.
* Language: Often more personal and subjective. The writer may share personal experiences and opinions, but they must remain true to the facts.
* Purpose: To tell a compelling story about real-life events and people, often with the goal of teaching a lesson or inspiring the reader.
* Examples: Biographies, memoirs, travelogues, historical accounts, investigative journalism.
Here's a simple analogy:
* Expository nonfiction is like a textbook: It lays out facts and information in a clear, organized way.
* Narrative nonfiction is like a movie: It tells a story with characters, conflict, and a dramatic arc, even if it's based on real events.
Key Differences in a Nutshell:
| Feature | Expository Nonfiction | Narrative Nonfiction |
|-----------------------|-----------------------|-----------------------|
| Focus | Explaining and informing | Telling a true story |
| Structure | Logical and organized | Storytelling structure |
| Language | Formal and objective | Personal and subjective |
| Purpose | To educate | To entertain and inspire |
Important Note: Both expository and narrative nonfiction can be used together. For example, a biography can use narrative to tell the life story of a person while incorporating expository elements to explain their achievements or historical context.