What’s The Difference Between Fiction and Nonfiction?
Reading books have been incorporated so heavily into our lives that it has become an essential part of our lifestyle now.
However, the entire world of books is divided primarily into two categories; fiction or nonfiction.
Simply put, fiction refers to literature that originates from imagination, whereas nonfiction is entirely based on facts.
In even simpler terms, fiction is made up while nonfiction is all about the reality you cannot make it up!
To know more about fiction vs. nonfiction and to be able to differentiate one from the other, keep reading below!
What is Fiction?
Fiction is solely the result of the creativity of the author with no existence in reality. As far as fiction is concerned, be it spoken or written, the entire narrative is built upon imaginary characters, events, and explanations.
When authors write fiction in the forms of storybooks (novels, short stories, etc.), they design their very own world of reverie in their heads and present it to the rest of the world through these books.
Since it is not factual, the author is left with endless opportunities when writing fiction. They write in ways so engaging that the readers cannot help but get hooked onto the books.
Fictional stories take the audience to a world so different that you cannot reason whatever is happening around you but enjoy it; for instance, flying cars, talking animals, dancing plants, etc. In simple words, everything is possible!
This is precisely why fiction is so engaging and why it appeals to the mass audience all at once. However, fictional stories can never be undermined for being imaginary.
There are fictions with morals so astounding that they can effortlessly change a person’s perspective towards various notions in life, if not life itself. Fictional writings can even influence and inspire people in life as well!
You may also want to read the differences between book and novel.
What is Nonfiction?
Nonfiction is the most comprehensive form of literature, consisting of information and facts only. Nonfictional writings aim to portray legitimate information alongside descriptions, characters, and events that exist.
The primary focus of nonfiction is to be relatively uncomplicated and straightforward so that the readers have a linear line of progress to follow through.
Nonfictional writings are rich in clarity, some of the best examples being documentaries, magazines, essays, biographies, politics, economics, science, news, etc.
The primary purpose of fiction is to entertain the readers. In contrast, nonfiction is more inclined towards being informative and increasing the reader’s knowledge on a given topic.
In addition, since nonfiction is entirely factual, it is essential to provide appropriate references to whatever sources the information is retrieved from!
Difference Between Fiction and Nonfiction
Some of the best examples of fiction as a genre in storybooks or movies and plays would be mysteries, crime thrillers, science-fiction, romance, illusion, etc.
On the other hand, for examples on nonfiction, few important categories would be business, health, lifestyle, cooking, science, history, and whatnot.
The table below will specify some of the significant differences between fiction and nonfiction for a better understanding!
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Fiction vs. Non Fiction: The Comparison Table
| Parameter of Comparison | Fiction | Nonfiction |
| Definition | A portrayal that originates from one’s imagination; it is made up. | This, by contrast, is fact-based and accounts for true events. |
| Nature | Normative | Objective |
| Objective/Aim | To entertain the audience | To enlighten the audience |
| Point of View | The narrator of a third-person character | Author (writer) |
| References/Citation | Not mandatory | Must be stated |
| Flexibility | The narrative is subjective and can be bent | Nonfiction is not flexible |
| Simplicity | The audience is supposed to walk through the narrative and understand its theme | There has to be a linear demonstration of the information |
| Example | Novels, short stories, fairy tales | Journalism, history, essays |
Conclusion
All in all, fiction and nonfiction are opposite to each other. In fictional narratives, most of it, if not everything, is made up by the author.
Fictional stories enable readers to mellow out from their constant lives and visit the world of fantasies for however long they may want to be in it.
On the other hand, nonfictional writings cater to the insight and awareness of the readers, for it is all about factual stories!
So, hopefully, now you have learned all the differences between fiction and nonfiction books.
