Form and Technique in Nonfiction
- Exposition (provides information)-facts and interpretation; intellectual appeal.
- Use of source material and authority.
- Use of definition; illustrations and examples; comparison and contrast; cause and effect.
- Use of generalization and subsequent conclusions.
- Persuasion (forwards an idea or plan)-a stance on an issue; proposed solution; call to action.
- Tone; authority; approach to subject and audience.
- Degree of convincingness.
- Worth of proposal; practicality; need.
- Comparison with other possible policies.
- Costs or difficulties involved.
- Ultimate promise, solution, or plan
- Argumentation (presents points and draws conclusions)-appeal to reason and logic.
- Tone; authority; approach to subject and audience.
- Methods of deduction or induction.
- Synthesis; formation of separate elements into a coherent whole.
- Syllogism; major premise, minor premise, and conclusion.
- Dialectics; arrival at truth through conversation involving question and answer.
- Casuistry; determination of right and wrong by applying generalized ethics principles.
- Fallacy; begging the question, ignoring the question, etc.
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