NONFICTION:

Nonfiction [nɒnˈfɪkʃən] n

1. (Library Science & Bibliography) writing dealing with facts and events rather than imaginative narration

2. (Library Science & Bibliography) (modifier) relating to or denoting nonfiction

nonfictional adj

nonfictionally  adv

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003

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Types of Nonfiction:
1.   Narrative nonfiction: tells stories of real-life events. Examples include autobiographies and memoirs. Some narrative nonfiction is reflective writing, which shares the writer’s thoughts and feelings about a personal experience, an idea, or a concern. Examples include reflective essays, personal essays, and journals.
2.   Expository nonfiction: informs or explains. Examples include analytical essays and research reports.
3.    Persuasive nonfiction: presents reasons and evidence to convince the reader to act or think in a certain way. Examples include editorials and political speeches.
4.    Descriptive nonfiction: uses details related to the senses to create mental images for the reader. Examples include character sketches and scientific observations.

Characteristics of Non-Fiction:Works of nonfiction differ from works of fiction in several ways.

1.    The people, events, places, and ideas presented in nonfiction are real, not invented.
2.    Nonfiction is narrated by an author who is a real person.
3.    It presents facts, describes true-life experiences, or discusses ideas.
4.    Nonfiction is written for a specific audience, or group of readers. In addition, it addresses a clear purpose, or reason for writing. The audience and purpose influence the type of information a writer includes.
5.    Tone, the author’s attitude toward the subject or reader, is displayed through the writer’s word choice and style.