What’s the difference between fiction and nonfiction?

In English, we can classify material into two categories: fiction and nonfiction. This includes books, tv shows, movies, etc.

Fiction refers to made-up stories created from the author’s imagination.

The purpose of fictional material is to entertain, educate, and develop imagination.

An easy way to remember what fiction means is to remember that F stands for false (opposite of true).

An example of a fictional book is a book about a talking cat called ‘The cat in the hat’. This is a fictional story for children. It takes place in a home where two siblings are at home alone with their pet fish. A tall cat wearing a hat appears and creates havoc in the house.

We know that a cat can’t talk; therefore, this idea was created from the author’s imagination to entertain the reader. Also, there are many events in the story that are not based on factual events and wouldn’t happen in real life.

Nonfiction refers to factual stories that are based on real people and true events.

The purpose of nonfictional material is to inform by providing factual information.

Note that nonfiction is also commonly written with a hyphen ➜ non-fiction.

An example of a nonficitonal book is a book about animal life cycles. This book is called ‘The life cycle of a chicken’.

This story teaches us about the life cycle of a chicken from birth up until it is an adult chicken.

We know that animal life cycles are real and based on factual scientific evidence.

Films can also be categorised as fiction or nonfiction.

An example of a fictional film is an animated musical fantasy called ‘Frozen’. The plot, setting, and characters are all made up.

An example of a nonfictional film is a documentary film called ‘Breaking Boundaries: The Science of Our Planet’.

This film examines the Earth’s biodiversity collapse and how this crisis can still be prevented. It is a factual documentary based on what is currently happening in the world.

What’s the difference between fiction and nonfiction?

In English, we can classify material into two categories: fiction and nonfiction. This includes books, tv shows, movies, etc.

Fiction refers to made-up stories created from the author’s imagination.

The purpose of fictional material is to entertain, educate, and develop imagination.

An easy way to remember what fiction means is to remember that F stands for false (opposite of true).

An example of a fictional book is a book about a talking cat called ‘The cat in the hat’. This is a fictional story for children. It takes place in a home where two siblings are at home alone with their pet fish. A tall cat wearing a hat appears and creates havoc in the house.

We know that a cat can’t talk; therefore, this idea was created from the author’s imagination to entertain the reader. Also, there are many events in the story that are not based on factual events and wouldn’t happen in real life.

Nonfiction refers to factual stories that are based on real people and true events.

The purpose of nonfictional material is to inform by providing factual information.

Note that nonfiction is also commonly written with a hyphen ➜ non-fiction.

An example of a nonficitonal book is a book about animal life cycles. This book is called ‘The life cycle of a chicken’.

This story teaches us about the life cycle of a chicken from birth up until it is an adult chicken.

We know that animal life cycles are real and based on factual scientific evidence.

Films can also be categorised as fiction or nonfiction.

An example of a fictional film is an animated musical fantasy called ‘Frozen’. The plot, setting, and characters are all made up.

An example of a nonfictional film is a documentary film called ‘Breaking Boundaries: The Science of Our Planet’.

This film examines the Earth’s biodiversity collapse and how this crisis can still be prevented. It is a factual documentary based on what is currently happening in the world.

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