The Difference Between Stories and Informational Texts Worksheets

Related ELA Standard: RL.1.5

Core Standard
Answer Keys Here

When it comes to this topic people have strong favorites. Many people believe that understanding human thoughts through the written word is the key towards human progress. These are your nonfiction enthusiasts. I would classify these people as the "Reading is a Science" people. There are also many people that believe the written word should be appreciated for its beauty and ability to move us. This is what fiction readers are. These are your "Reading is an Art" people. Many wonderous authors can often blur the lines between these two genres. In some cases, I catch myself doing research about the stories I read. There is also a cross over genres called realistic fiction. Where the setting or overall story relates to historical event of some kind, but is not a verifiable story. These worksheets will help students differentiate between the two types of works.

Worksheets To Print:

Sentences (Story or Information) - Jeff really is one busy bunny. Are you being told a story or information?

Fiction or Nonfiction? - Identify the passage as true stories or made up. Based on the sentence or two that you are provided with.

Does it Tell a Story or Give Information? - Make sure to tell students that we are basing our answers on the modern day times.

Fiction vs. Nonfiction - We start to ask students to make inferences rather than just a quick multiple answer choice.

Does it Tell a Story or Give Information? - More work on inferences for students. Read the sentences. Draw a line to "Story" if the sentences tell a story. Draw a line to "Information" if the sentences tell information.

Fiction vs. Nonfiction 3 - We work right from the synopsis and titles of the work. Identify each kind of story as fiction or nonfiction. Write the names in the correct boxes.

Fiction or Nonfiction? - We usually walk our students through the library and do something similar to this.

Does it Tell a Story or Give Information? - Start using key pieces of information from the body of text.

Fiction vs. Nonfiction - This is a great sorting activity for fiction. Which title should slide where?

Story or Information? - A bunch of quick one-liners for you to practice with.

Story or Information? 2 - The letters say it all. Some of these titles might ring a bell with you.

Fiction or Nonfiction? 3 - When pigs can fly is actual becoming nonfiction in the research labs these days.

Fiction or Nonfiction? 4 - You will find a large number of different types of animals in this one.

Story or Information? 3 - You might need to do a little fact checking here for this one.

Is it Fiction or Nonfiction? - These passages are a little misleading. We ask you to tell use how you evaluated each choice.

Story or Information? 4 - 2 sentences for you to identify where you should go with this.

Categorizing Books - You are given titles and a one sentence summary to judge them on.

What Are the Key Differences Between Stories and Informational Texts?


Stories and informational texts are poles apart from each other. Here are the key differences between both:


Style and Structure


The one major difference between a story and informational text is that they are both written in a very different pattern. They both have different styles and structures. They follow the style and structure related to their audience.

Stories are written in a more sensational way. They have details that are used to build up the setting and characters. Stories have a theme and that theme is introduced in a specific style and structure of writing. They are often written in an informal way. This style and structure are followed because stories tend to involve the readers and make it interesting for them.


In contrast to this, informational texts are strictly written in a formal way. Their number one aim is to educate readers about a specific topic. That is why informational text only contains facts and figures with no sensationalism.


Authenticity


Stories do not care much about authenticity and factual information. They only care to get an emotional reaction from the readers. The entire setting and characters of a story can be made up. They are often not real. However, there are certain stories that claim to be based on true events, but they also contain some unauthentic information.

On the other hand, informational texts are all about authenticity. They contain authentic facts and figures for the readers. Informational texts depend highly on research. It also provides a list of references to prove authenticity.


Purpose


The only purpose of the story is to entertain people. It is used to tell people more about certain cultures and human behaviors. Whereas, informational texts aim to provide readers with an educational view on specific topics. It is completely fact-based to give as much knowledge to the reader as possible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



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