Two big families of books
Every book, article and story belongs to one of two big families:
- Fiction: made-up stories from the author’s imagination.
- Nonfiction: true information about real people, places, events and facts.
Knowing the difference helps you understand what you read, choose the right books, and read each kind in the best way.
Memory trick: Nonfiction is not made up.
Fiction
Fiction is written from imagination. Even if it seems real, the characters and events were invented by the author.
Features of fiction
- Characters (people, animals or creatures)
- Setting (where and when)
- Plot with a beginning, middle and end
- Conflict (a problem) and resolution (a solution)
- Dialogue (characters talking)
- A theme or lesson
- Often illustrations rather than photographs
Genres of fiction
A genre is a type of writing. Fiction genres include:
| Genre | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Realistic fiction | could really happen in everyday life | a story about a child starting a new school |
| Fantasy | magic, imaginary worlds or creatures | dragons, wizards, talking animals |
| Science fiction | based on science or the future | robots, space travel, time machines |
| Mystery | a puzzle or crime to solve | a detective finds a missing jewel |
| Historical fiction | made-up characters in a real time in history | a girl living during the Gold Rush |
| Fairy tales, folktales, fables | traditional stories, often with a lesson | Cinderella, The Tortoise and the Hare |
| Adventure | exciting journeys and danger | a treasure hunt on an island |
Realistic fiction is tricky: it could happen, but it is still made up.
Nonfiction
Nonfiction gives true information. The author researches facts and presents them to readers.
Features of nonfiction
- Facts that can be checked
- Real photographs
- Text features that help you find and understand information:
- Table of contents: list of chapters at the front
- Headings and subheadings: titles of sections
- Captions: sentences explaining photos
- Labels: names for parts of a picture
- Diagrams and charts: visual information
- Bold words: important vocabulary
- Glossary: a mini dictionary at the back
- Index: an alphabetical list of topics with page numbers
- Maps and timelines
Genres of nonfiction
| Genre | Description |
|---|---|
| Informational text | facts about a topic (sharks, volcanoes, Canada) |
| Biography | a real person’s life story, written by someone else |
| Autobiography / memoir | a real person’s life story, written by that person |
| How-to / procedural | steps to make or do something (recipes, instructions) |
| News articles | reports about real events |
| Persuasive texts | try to convince readers (opinion articles, ads) |
A biography of Terry Fox is written by someone else. An autobiography is written by the person about their own life.
Author’s purpose
Authors write for a reason. This is the author’s purpose. A helpful way to remember it is PIE:
- Persuade: to convince you to think or do something.
- Inform: to teach you facts.
- Entertain: to tell an enjoyable story.
Fiction usually entertains. Nonfiction usually informs or persuades. Some texts do more than one.
How to tell fiction from nonfiction
Ask these questions:
- Could this be checked in another source? If yes, it is likely nonfiction.
- Are there made-up characters with a problem to solve? Likely fiction.
- Are there photographs, headings, diagrams and a glossary? Likely nonfiction.
- Is the author’s main purpose to entertain or to inform?
- Look at where it is in the library. Fiction is usually arranged by the author’s last name; nonfiction is arranged by subject using numbers.
Reading each kind well
Reading fiction
- Predict what will happen.
- Picture the characters and setting.
- Track the problem and how it is solved.
- Think about the theme or lesson.
- Read from beginning to end.
Reading nonfiction
- Preview the text features first.
- Ask, What do I want to learn?
- Use headings to find the section you need.
- Read captions, diagrams and bold words.
- Take notes on key facts.
- You do not always need to read in order.
Fiction and nonfiction together
Reading both kinds on the same topic is powerful. A fiction story about a girl who befriends a wolf can make you curious; a nonfiction book about wolves can teach you the facts. Together, they build understanding and imagination.
Common mistakes
- “It could happen, so it’s nonfiction.” Realistic fiction is still made up.
- “It’s about animals, so it must be nonfiction.” Many fiction stories have animal characters.
- Ignoring text features in nonfiction.
- Believing everything in nonfiction without checking the source.
Try it yourself
Fiction or nonfiction? If fiction, name the genre.
- A book about how volcanoes form, with photos and diagrams.
- A story about a boy who finds a magic door in his closet.
- A book about the life of Viola Desmond, written by a historian.
- A story about two friends who get lost on a camping trip.
- What is the author’s purpose of a recipe?
Answers: 1. Nonfiction (informational). 2. Fiction (fantasy). 3. Nonfiction (biography). 4. Fiction (realistic fiction or adventure). 5. To inform (how to make something).
Study tip
For one month, keep a reading log with two columns: fiction and nonfiction. Try to read at least one of each every week, and write the genre and author’s purpose for each.
Quick recap
- Fiction is made up; nonfiction is true.
- Fiction has characters, setting, plot and theme; nonfiction has facts and text features.
- Genres are types of writing, such as fantasy, mystery, biography and informational text.
- Author’s purpose: persuade, inform, entertain.
- Read fiction for story and theme; read nonfiction for facts, using text features.