Think of it like this: when you write an essay, you’re writing nonfiction; when you write a short story with you as the main character, you’re writing fiction.
Fiction is often subjective, meaning it’s greatly influenced by a storyteller’s personal feelings and opinions. A fictional story can be given in different points of view (first person, third person, etc. ). Fictional storytellers use descriptive language and literary devices like similes, metaphors, and personification to put their audience in their story. Many of the movies, television shows, and books you love are fictional. See if you recognize any of these fiction titles: Ted Lasso (2020) Law & Order (1990 - present) Stranger Things (2022) Dune (2021) Back to the Future (1984) You’ve Got Mail (1998) Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Nonfiction is generally objective, as facts are given to reach a conclusion. A nonfiction piece of work follows the storyteller’s personal point of view or that of another individual. Nonfiction books tend to have glossaries, bibliographies, or an index. The purpose of nonfiction is to entertain, inform, and/or persuade. [5] X Research source Newspapers, biographies, autobiographies, history books, speeches, and documentaries are usually nonfiction. Here are some titles you may recognize: Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari Educated by Tara Westover I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy The Last Dance (2020) Tell Me Who I Am (2019) Miss Americana (2020) “I Have A Dream” by Martin Luther King, Jr. “The Ballot or the Bullet” by Malcolm X
