Fiction and Nonfiction Texts Blog #9

Graphic Organizer:

Comparing a Nonfiction Text (NFT) Click Clack Moo Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin, with a Fiction Text (FT) Farm Animals: Cows by Emily Green

Parts of the text	Similarities	Differences	Supports ELLs	Challenging for ELLs
Title of the book	Both titles tell the reader what the book is going to be about	The NFT title to entertain and the FT title to inform	The FT title is concrete, and the picture on the cover supports what the book will be about.	The NFT title and picture could be confusing to ELLs- the word ‘Type’ with the visual of a typewriter will need to be explained
Structure	Both texts provide information.	The FT text has a beginning, middle and end-as many ‘stories’ do. The NFT text has a table of contents, glossary and index.  It also has important words in bold print to emphasize them.	Learning and understanding the structures of FT and NFT texts will support ELLs.  The structures of the NFT text are straight forward, and can be mini-lesson to help with understanding.  Pre-teaching would be easier with a NFT text.  The way the FT text reads is more similar to the oral language an ELL is used to hearing- more of a ‘story’ format.	ELLs will need to have the story elements of the FT text explicitly taught. Understanding of characters, setting, plot and sequencing of the story could be confusing and difficult.  The NFT text might not be as engaging or entertaining for students, and might not be as familiar because of their exposure to it.
Pictures	Both text have picture to support the story	The NFT text has real photographs and the FT text has illustrations.	The photographs in the NFT text will support ELL learners as the pictures match what they are reading about cows.	The illustrations in the FT are fun to look at, but are not as straightforward in helping ELLs with vocabulary and understanding what the story is saying.
Vocabulary Content	Both texts have vocabulary that will need to be taught before ELLs will be able to understand.	The vocabulary in the NFT text are one word definitions that need to be taught and are supported by pictures (for example, ‘udder’) where in the FT text it is more about understanding concepts (for example going on ‘strike’)	Both texts have visuals that will support learning the vocabulary. The NFT text has a Table of contents, a glossary and an index that can support vocabulary development.	The vocabulary challenges in the FT text will come from ELLs not understanding the underlying messages being taught and from having trouble making inferences.  The figurative language in this text will also make it difficult to fully understand.  In the NFT some of the technical language might be challenging.

Overall I believe that the salient features of the nonfiction text are more supportive for our ELLs.  The pictures, vocabulary, content, and structure of this text would provide more direct, concrete support that would be easier to understand and teach.  The fiction text would however be more enjoyable and have more in common with their oral language development. Regardless of the type of text being introduced or taught it is clear that as teachers we must provide our ELLs with the background knowledge they will need to comprehend.