Nonfiction+page+4

We chose a non-fiction book because none of us read it a lot, but it interests all of us. What are each of you reading and why? Greer is reading // Open by Andre Agassi because she's heard it is a good book. Also, she is interested in sports and she has seen Andre Agassi play tennis, so the topic is familiar to her. Catherine is reading // //Diary of a Confederate Soldier// // because US history, especially the Civil War appeals to her and the real-life perspective of an actual Confederate soldier is something that she hasn't learned about in history class. Akbar is reading sh*t my dad says because its funny. // What do you already know about this genre?** **How do the authors write the opening of this genre? The authors start with an introduction before the actual book starts to give the reader some background info on their topic. After the intro, the book starts at the beginning of the story, which is sometimes a flashback. ****What are two master techniques in common with each of your works? Give examples. Why would authors all use these master techniques?** We learned a lot more about each of our specific topics. Greer learned about Agassi's struggle as a child and the obstacles he had to overcome throughout his athletic career. Catherine learned about some of the inside views of life during the Civil War through the perspective of an actual soldier during this time. The message that the author is trying to tell is further developed. there are more characters that are added and the plot gets more complex. **Answer something that you wanted to know? We all figured out that we like nonfiction because its more real and its not made up. The emotion is more raw because you are seeing it for there point of view. Last it gives a connection to the author and you get to know more about them. Open- I researched about the US open. I found out that it is in New York and the dates are August 10- September 12. It has been going on since 1968. And Pete Sampras and Andre are enemies and they have both won the US open twice. [|http://www.usopen.org/History/Default.aspx?=TN] ** Battle of Shiloh : April 6-7, 1862 in Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee · Confederates attacked the Union, who were unprepared. · Union managed to hold on until they got further reinforcements · Confederates’ leader, General Johnston, was shot and killed · 10,699 Confederates died I learned that the book started off as a twitter blog with a bunch of quotes by his dad, and then ended up on TV because his blogs were really funny. After a while Justin halpern (the author) made this book. [|http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Justin+Halpern] Point of view- it gives the story more emotion and it makes the story more true if its told in first person. ** Imagery- makes the book seam more real because you are seeing it from the person eyes and having details helps you understand what you are reading about. Characterization- this develops other characters in the book instead of just having the character that is telling the story in first person. It ends with the finish of the story the the author has been telling, but indicates the start of a new part of their life. Catherine--Daily Life as a Confederate Soldier **
 * Why did each of you select the nonfiction genre?
 * It is true
 * It's harder to read
 * Sometimes requires research
 * Sometimes it is about peoples lives
 * What do you hope to learn in your genre study?**
 * Learn more about the topics of our books
 * Learn how to effectively read a non-fiction book
 * Discover whether or not we actually like to read non-fiction
 * Point of View
 * They are both written in first person. The authors use this technique so they are able to better portray emotion rather than having to speak through other people.
 * Plot Structure
 * Both books start with an exposition and then travel through time, using rising action. Authors use this technique to easily narrate the story they are trying tell their readers.
 * Answer one of the things you all decided you wanted to know.**
 * How does the middle of the genre work?
 * Research an aspect of your genre.
 * What master techniques are becoming most important? Why?
 * How do authors end this genre?**
 * Research/Answer another question.
 * For many, fighting and action was not seen often. There was lots of waiting around or walking; very boring.
 * Poor diet, health and living conditions in tents
 * Lack of clean water and bathrooms--poor hygiene
 * Very little form of entertainment

Akbar's part- The author Justin halpern is still writing and postings quotes on his page that his dad says. Also Justin dads read the book before it came out and didn’t mention anything about the quotes, just about the parts Justin says in the book, which is interesting, because you would think Justin halpern dad would like to think about his part in the book more, but cared more about his son, but directly doesn’t show it. This shows his characteristics, and how everything in the book is really true and real.

Greer- Nick Bollettieri was Andre's coach and principle. They knew each other for a long time. The school he went to was founded in 1978. It is called The Bollettieri Academy. It is a tennis based academy. It was the first school that was based on tennis and academics. Nick has coached many professional players and is a great coach.
 * What are the most important Master Techniques to your genre?
 * Point of View--when written in the first person, it gives the reader insight on what the main character is thinking and feeling and what their opinions are. Makes the emotion stronger and truer.
 * Characterization--gives the reader information on characters other than the one narrating. This information helps to explain and support the main characters feelings and opinions towards other people.

Akbar's book is about the author's life in general. Greer's is more like a timeline of most of the author's life. Catherine's is a story about a small segment of the author's life and it is also in diary format. ** **
 * What are the key differences within your genre?