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

1. and 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

17. Photographs/Real Pictures Charts, Graphs, and Maps Captions
and