Learning About Fiction and Nonfiction

Learning About Fiction and Nonfiction
This chart compares and contrasts fiction and nonfiction:

Fiction	Nonfiction
tells about made-up people or animals, called characters: The characters experience a series of made-up events, called the plot; the plot takes place at a certain real or imagined time in a certain real or imagined location, which is the setting; the plot also contains a problem, or conflict, that characters must solve	tells about real people, animals, places, things, events, and ideas; presents facts and discusses ideas; may reflect the historical context of its time by making references to current events, society, and culture
may be told from the perspective of a character in the story (first-person point of view) or a narrator outside the story (third-person point of view)	is told from the perspective of the author
takes the form of short stories, novellas, novels	takes the form of biographies, autobiographies, memoirs, letters, journals, diaries, essays, articles, textbooks, and documents, such as application forms and instructions
to explain, inform, persuade, or entertain	to explain, inform, persuade, or entertain

A. DIRECTIONS: Using clues in each title, write fiction or nonfiction on the line.

__________________	1. “My Family Came From Mars”
__________________	2. “Historic Landings on the Moon”
__________________	3. The Life of Thomas Jefferson
__________________	4. Jackie Rabbit, King of the Meadow
__________________	5. “How to Make Oatmeal Bread”

 

B. DIRECTIONS: Read this paragraph carefully, and decide whether it is fiction or

nonfiction. Indicate your choice. Then, explain what hints led you to make your choice.

The Ramirez family set off on their summer vacation yesterday. Luis was excited. It was the first trip that his family had taken since coming to the United States last year. Luis had brought along two books to read during the trip. He’d have plenty of time to read. After all, flying to a distant galaxy would take at least a week.

Fiction / Nonfiction:________________________________________________

Explanation: :_____________________________________________________