Fiction vs. Nonfiction

Fiction vs. Nonfiction

What are Fiction and Nonfiction?

• Fiction is the prose writing that tell about imaginary characters and events

• Nonfiction is prose writing that presents information and ideas about real people, places, events, or objects.

Open Ended

How would a nonfiction article about computers be different from a fictional story about computers?

_{Characteristics of Fiction}

_{All works of fiction share certain elements:}

• _{Fiction features characters, invented people who experience a series of events, called the plot. Characters always face a conflict, or problem that sets the plot in motion.}

• _{It occurs in a time and place, or setting. The setting may be real or imaginary.}

• _{Fiction is told, or narrated, from the point of view of a character who may or may not be part of the story.}

• _{It includes a theme, a message or an insight about life.}

_{Types of Fiction}

• _{A novel is a long work of fiction that is usually presented in segments called chapters. Novels often feature several characters, take place in multiple settings, and concern more than one conflict. In addition to the main plot, a novel may contain subplots, or separate, related stories.}

• _{A novella is a work of fiction that is longer than a short story but shorter than a novel.}

• _{A short story is a work of fiction that is brief enough to be read in one sitting. Short stories usually focus on one main plot that is driven by a single conflict.}

Open Ended

What are some novels, novellas, and short stories that you have read before?

_{Characteristics of Nonfiction}

_{Works of nonfiction differ from works of fiction in several ways}

• Nonfiction is narrated by an author who is a real person

• It presents facts, describes true-life experiences, or discusses ideas

• Nonfiction is written for a specific audience, or group of readers. It also addresses a clear purpose, or reason for writing. The audience and purpose influence the type of information a writer includes

• Tone, the author's attitude toward the subject or reader, is displayed through the writer's word choice and style.

_{Types of Nonfiction}

• _{Narrative nonfiction describes real-life events. Examples include autobiographies and memoirs. Some narrative nonfiction is reflective writing, which shares a writer's views on a personal experience or an idea. EX: Personal essays journals}

• _{Expository nonfiction informs or explains. Examples include analytical essays and research reports}

• _{Persuasive nonfiction presents reasons and evidence to convince the reader to act or think in a certain way. Examples include editorials and political speeches.}

• _{Descriptive nonfiction uses details related to the senses to create mental images for the reader. Examples include character sketches and scientific observations.}

Multiple Choice

Which is an example of narrative nonfiction?

• Memoirs

• Research Report

• Political Speech

Multiple Choice

Which is an example of expository nonfiction?

• Scientific observation

• Editorials

• Research Reports

Multiple Choice

Which is an example of persuasive nonfiction?

• Personal Essay

• Autobiography

• Political Speeches

Multiple Choice

Which is an example of descriptive nonfiction?

• Character sketches

• Reflective Essay

• Analytical essay