Nonfiction Writing Style

When it comes to nonfiction writing, there are different styles to choose from. Choosing the right one can make or break your book.

Whether you’re looking to write a memoir, a how-to book, or another type of nonfiction, there are certain elements that must be present in order to create a compelling and engaging read. Here are the main nonfiction writing styles.

Narrative nonfiction

Narrative nonfiction combines the factual reporting style of old-school journalism with the literary techniques that make narrative fiction so engaging. The best narrative nonfiction writers use character, plot, conflict, and scene-setting to create a story that grips the reader’s attention and makes them want to learn more about it.

A key aspect of narrative nonfiction writing style is its focus on play. This means that authors can switch perspectives, tenses, and timelines in ways that they wouldn’t be able to do for more traditional types of nonfiction writing such as memoirs and biographies.

It can also mean that a writer can choose to write about someone other than themselves. An example would be when a business book includes case studies, as The Millennial Whisperer does. Disclosure: this is an affiliate link. Amazon pays a small commission, only on qualifying sales, and at no cost to you.

Another example would be when an investigative journalist tracks down true stories.

In these situations, third-person narration can work well. It’s a good choice because it allows the author to include more details about the person and how they feel about events happening in their lives.

This style can be difficult to master, especially if you haven’t written many narratives before. You may need to practice before you’re comfortable with it.

Ultimately, a great narrative has characters that are interesting and well-developed, a problem that is clear, a crisis that occurs, and a resolution that comes through.

Expository

Expository nonfiction writing style explains a topic using facts. It’s the most common type of writing you’ll encounter, including textbook pages, news articles, and instructional guides.

You’ll also see it in essays, research papers, and academic works. This writing style is important because it can help people understand complex ideas that might be difficult to comprehend without the right information.

Aside from providing unbiased facts, expository writing helps readers make informed decisions by showing them proven details. This type of writing is a great way to democratize knowledge and empower people with the tools they need to become informed and independent decision-makers.

This nonfiction writing style is often paired with other styles, such as narrative and descriptive, in order to create an engaging book that establishes credibility, builds a deep connection with the reader, and persuades the reader to take a desired action.

It’s important to remember that this is a nonfiction writing style that relies on factual information, so it’s crucial to check all the facts you use and ensure they’re correct. This will ensure that your readers are able to understand the material and avoid spreading misinformation.

The main benefit of expository writing is that it enables readers to learn about a subject, whether it’s a scientific study or a historical event.

Informative

Informative writing is a style of nonfiction that gives unbiased information about a subject. It uses clear language that is easy to understand and includes technical terms if necessary. It also includes references to reputable sources.

This style of writing can be found in books, lab reports, and academic journals. In addition to presenting the facts of the topic, informative writing often includes charts, diagrams, and maps. These visuals can help the reader remember important details and make it easier for them to understand the information presented in the text.

Another benefit of informative writing is that it is unbiased and impartial. This makes it very trustworthy and can be used by anyone to draw their own conclusions about a subject.

It is a good way to share knowledge with others and is a popular writing style among young students. Some say it’s difficult to learn this style.

The most important feature of informative writing is that it needs to be factual. This means that it must be accurate. Fact checking is imperative.

This is especially true in academic texts, which are typically referenced before they are given out. This makes them trustworthy and shows the reader that the author has checked the information to be sure it is correct.

Another type of informational text is how-to manuals and guides, which are a great way to get started with new hobbies or skills. They can include cookbooks, athletic instructions, and tutorials for home hobbyists.

These types of texts can also be found in popular science books, which are usually written for a general audience and do not use jargon or technical terms commonly found in more academic scientific pieces of writing.

A table of contents, index, and glossary are so useful in these books. They will help the reader quickly and easily find what they are looking for.

Creative

Creative nonfiction writing style is a type of writing that approaches factual information in a literary way. It applies techniques from literary fiction and poetry to material that might be at home in a magazine or textbook. It combines the craftsmanship of a novel with the rigor of journalism.

While many people think of creative writing as being about storytelling, it can be used for any purpose. The key is to choose the right writing style to match your audience’s needs.

For example, if you’re writing an essay about history, your creative nonfiction writing style could be descriptive and persuasive. On the other hand, if you’re writing about an event that occurred in your life, your chosen creative nonfiction style might be narrative for a memoir.

Using creative nonfiction writing styles can help you connect with your audience and convey important messages. In addition, it can also make your work more unique and engaging.

Which nonfiction writing style to use

The best way to know which nonfiction writing style is best suited for your project is to read sample pieces and identify the elements that make them stand out. Then decide which one you think fits your book the best. The more you understand, the easier it will be to find your perfect style and create an engaging piece of nonfiction.

A skillful use of imagery and dialogue will also help you make your scenes come to life for readers. You may also want to include points of view and a theme in your creative nonfiction essay or story.