Differences in fiction vs. non fiction. Easier vs. harder for ELL
Both would be overwhelming for an ELL student.
Non fiction has pictures to support the vocabulary words and concepts. It would be used as a reference which is structurally good, because it has bolded titles and the vocabulary is highlighted. It has a glossary for definitions. At this point there is not pictoral support, but it was present in the chapter itself where realia was used for explanation. Structurally, it is good, because it has checkpoints, reviews and experiments. Non-fiction can be used for literary processes like inferencing, connection, predictions, etc. Also, it breaks down steps for experiments concretely.
Fiction would definitely be more challenging. My fiction has no pictures. It is good for developing engaging questions and real life emotional processing. It would be used for literary processes of inference, prediction, plot charts, character development, etc. If a student comes from a background similar to and they are familiar with these aspects, it would be easier. In this particular book, vocabulary is not tough, but the structure of chapter to chapter with setting (time and place)changing with each chapter is challenging. Therefore, I would make sure that it was a book that is fairly linear in plot as it is structured. Plus much scaffolding and many visual supports would be needed to insure success.
You would have to teach text structure in both and support them at their level cognitive and in a literary way. However, overall, I think non-fiction would be easier.
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