DIKSIA.COM - Fiction and nonfiction are two broad categories of writing that have different purposes, characteristics, and audiences.
Knowing how to distinguish them can help you improve your reading comprehension, writing skills, and critical thinking.
In this article, we will explore the main differences between fiction and nonfiction, as well as some examples and tips for each genre.
What is fiction?
Fiction is a type of writing that is based on the author’s imagination and creativity. Fiction can include elements of fantasy, science fiction, romance, horror, mystery, historical fiction, and more. Fiction aims to entertain, inspire, or provoke the reader’s emotions and imagination.
Fiction can also convey themes, messages, or insights about human nature, society, or culture through the use of literary devices such as symbolism, metaphor, irony, or allegory.
Some examples of fiction are:
- Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
- The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
- The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
What is nonfiction?
Nonfiction is a type of writing that is based on facts, information, and reality. Nonfiction can include genres such as biography, autobiography, memoir, essay, journalism, history, science, self-help, travel, and more.
Nonfiction aims to inform, educate, persuade, or explain something to the reader. Nonfiction can also express the author’s opinions, perspectives, or arguments about a topic or issue through the use of evidence, logic, or rhetoric.
Some examples of nonfiction are:
- The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
- A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
- Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
- I Have a Dream by Martin Luther King Jr.
How to tell fiction and nonfiction apart?
One of the easiest ways to tell fiction and nonfiction apart is to look at the cover or title of the book or article. Usually, fiction will have a more creative or catchy title that hints at the genre or plot of the story.
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