AP Language - Book Talk: YALSA Non-Fiction Award

These are two criteria that the ENFYA Committee uses to evaluate each book submitted for consideration that you need to use:

The book must have been designated by its publisher as intended for young adults who are defined as persons between the ages of twelve and including eighteen.
The book must include excellent writing, research, presentation and readability for young adults.
 

Listed below are several review criteria used by the committee to decide a winner: excellent writing, presentation, and research.  

Now, you, too can closely evaluate nonfiction you have read and determine whether it might be deemed "winner" material by the ENFYA committee.  

What is the "narrative arc?" A narrative arc is a way of organizing and diagramming the events of the book. The narrative begins with the exposition in which background information is explained to the audience. The narrative then shifts to rising action, which escalates the drama of the story by developing the characters and plot. The story peaks at the climax, then relaxes during the falling action stage. Last is the resolution, in which the story ends. (Lit Wiki).

Does your book follow this pattern? If so, does that contribute to the overall effect of the book? If not, why not? Would the book have been improved by the use of such a pattern?

What is "excellent writing" for non-fiction?  Is it the same is fiction, or is it something else?  When the committee looks at books, one of the things they look for is a good story.  The story can be about a person (biography/memoir), a place, a thing or an event - does it read like a fiction book?  Are you interested and eager to find out what happens next?  

• is there a narrative arc?
• how does the author create a sense of urgency/investment?
• if this were a fiction book, what genre would it be? (suspense?  romance? mystery?)
• do you feel you get to know the "characters"?

A non-fiction book is, by definition, a book of facts.  With the exception of a memoir, all non-fiction books require the author to do some research.  

• Are the books, websites, videos and other resources the author used listed in the book?
• Does the author cite the sources of information used (usually done at the end of the book)?
• If you wanted to learn more about the topic, could you see where the author went to gather information and retrace those steps?

Readability means that it's easy to read.  Not just what the font looks like

This is Comic Sans

This is Georgia

(although that's important!)

Are there words in a foreign language that are not translated?  Are there terms and ideas that you have to look up (or is there a glossary at the end of the book)?  Does the author jump around a lot?  Do the images (photos, maps, etc.) detract or add to the book?  Are they placed in the right spot (for example, if you're reading about the history of Milton Academy, are there photos or maps of the school only in one place, or are they placed where the author is talking about a new Head of School or building?)?

Some of the things that make for good presentation are:

• An engaging cover (never just a book by its cover, but does this one make you think, "I want to read that"?)
• Illustrations (maps, photos, diagrams, charts)
• "End matter" (additional information that didn't quite fit with the main book but that is still of interest; also includes sources and citations)
• Trim size is the size of the book - would the book be better smaller, or larger?  

Think about your book: does the size matter?  Does the book match the size it should be, or did the publisher pick the wrong size (too big or too small)?