Difference between fiction and non-fiction
Forms of Fiction and Non-Fiction
Genres of Fiction and Non-Fiction
Elements of Fiction
Features of Non-Fiction
2. Fiction
A made up story
Can tell about
things that could
happen
Is read for fun
Characters may
be like real people
or imaginary
Non-Fiction
Has facts that
can be checked
and proven
The author is an
expert on this
information.
3. Fiction
Story is created from
the author’s
imagination
• Stories are pretend
• Animals or objects can
talk, wear clothes, have
jobs
• People in the story can
do things people cannot
really do
• Story might have funny
pictures
4. There are three main forms of fiction.
1) Novel: long work of fiction; contains the
basic elements of fiction; may contain
subplots along with the main plot
Subplots: independent related stories
2) Novella: shorter than a novel but longer
than a short story
3) Short Story: brief work of fiction; contains
basic elements of fiction; one main plot; one
conflict; most can be read in one sitting
8. Mystery- typically involves the investigation of a crime,
most often one or more murders.
Horror- aims to frighten or disgust its readers.
Fantasy- stories use magic or the supernatural as a
primary plot element, theme, or setting.
Science-fiction- although difficult to define, generally
refers to plausible, futuristic stories, ranging from the
rigorous hard science fiction, to social science
fiction and space opera. Science fantasy occupies a middle
ground between fantasy and science.
9. Myths- a story based on tradition or legend, which has a deep
symbolic meaning. A myth 'conveys a truth' to those who tell it and hear
it, rather than necessarily recording a true event.
Fairytales- is a type of short story that typically features
European folkloric fantasy characters, such
as dwarves, elves, fairies, giants, gnomes, goblins, mermaids, trolls,
or witches, and usually magic or enchantments.
Legends- a semi-true story, which has been passed on from person-
to-person and has important meaning or symbolism for the culture in
which it originates.
Historical Fiction- a literary genre in which the plot takes
place in a setting located in the past. Historical fiction can be an
ambiguous term: frequently it is used as a synonym for describing
the historical novel; however, the term can be applied to works in
other narrative formats, such as those in the performing and visual
arts like theatre, opera, cinema, television,comics, and graphic
novels.
11. Story is true and factual
• Stories are about real
people
• Book gives information
• Might have maps or real
pictures
• Pictures have captions
describing the photograph
• An index in the back helps
find information
• Might have a glossary
which defines some words
Nonfiction
12. Text that is TRUE and based on REAL
information
Forms of Non-Fiction Text:
Newspapers Dictionaries
Encyclopedias Scholastic News
Textbooks Magazines
Non-Fiction Books
13. Two broad categories of nonfiction are
literary nonfiction and functional texts.
1) Literary Nonfiction: has elements of fiction;
For example it might use vivid descriptions, a
dramatic writing style, or poetic language.
2) Functional Texts: give instructions, show
directions, explain rules, provide other information that
helps you complete procedures; often use illustrations
or graphics
14. Autobiographies and memoirs:
tell the story of the author’s life
Biographies:
tell the story of someone’s life from the
perspective of another writer
Letters:
written communications from person to
person
15. Essays and Articles:
brief works about a specific topic
Reviews:
tell what is good and what is bad
about a work of
art or performance.
Reports:
give information about a topic
explored through
research
16. Recipes: tell how to prepare food
Directions: tell how to operate or assemble
equipment
Schedules: tell when events take place
Menus: tell which foods are available and
their cost
Brochures: use pictures and text to
advertise places or events
Maps: are diagrams that show areas of land
Applications: are written requests to an
authority