| A | B |
| nonfiction | writing that primarily deals with real people, events, and places |
| essay | a short piece of nonfiction that examines a single subject |
| purpose | the reason why an author writes a piece |
| exposition | a kind of nonfiction that explains, gives information, defines, or clarifies an idea (i.e., science or history text) |
| description | a kind of writing that is intended to create a mood or emotion, or to recreate a person, place, thing, or event |
| narration | a kind of writing that tells a story |
| persuasion | a kind of writing that tries to convince the reader to act or think in a certain way |
| personal or subjective writing | writing in which the writer shows his feelings; for instance "Giant Water Bug" |
| objective writing | writing in which the writer does not reveal his own feelings but tries to focus only on the facts; for example, your math or science textbook |
| biography | an account of a person's life written by another person |
| autobiography | an account of the writer's own life |
| dialogue | written conversation |
| stereotype | a fixed concept or idea of a person that does not allow for any individuality; for example, all old people drive slowly and smell funny |
| imagery | language that appeals to the senses |
| excerpt | a small piece taken from a larger piece |