Learning About Fiction and Nonfiction

Fiction Writing Can be inspired by fact Can be based entirely on the fantastic

Elements of Fiction Characters – made-up people or animals Plot – made-up series of events Setting – time or location, which may or may not be real

Elements of Fiction contd. Narrator – told by a speaker or someone NOT in the story Theme – message about life Example: Treat others the way you want to be treated.

Elements of Fiction contd. Point of View – certain perspective 1st Person – perspective of a character IN the story 3rd Person – perspective of a narrator OUTSIDE the story

Types of Fiction contd. Novels – long works of fiction May contain one or more subplots (independent or related plots) Examples: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, The Lightening Thief, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Eragon

Types of Fiction contd. Novellas – shorter than novels, but longer than short stories Examples: Of Mice and Men, War of the Worlds, Coraline

Types of Fiction contd. Short Stories – brief works of fiction Meant to be read in one sitting Contain same basic elements Tend to focus on one plot around a single conflict

Nonfiction Writing Deals only with real people, events, or ideas Author’s Point of view (viewpoint) = real person Presents facts or discusses ideas May reflect historical context – references to major social and cultural information

Types of Nonfiction Biographies – another writer tells the life story of someone’s life More objective Based on research

Types of Nonfiction contd. Autobiographies – reflects the thoughts and feelings about the events in his/her own life More personal Based on memory and emotion

Types of Nonfiction contd. Memoirs – autobiographical writing that focuses only on a short period in the writer’s life instead of the life span

Types of Nonfiction contd. Letters – written communication from one person to another Might share information, thoughts, or feelings

Types of Nonfiction contd. Journals and diaries – written records of daily events Include writer’s feelings and thoughts May be public or private

Types of Nonfiction contd. Essays and Articles – brief works written about a specific topic Purpose might be to explain, argue/persuade, or inform

Types of Nonfiction contd. Informational Text – everyday life written documents Examples: textbooks, applications, instructions, articles, manuals