student asking question

What's the difference between "nonfiction" and "fiction"?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

That is an excellent question. Typically when we use the word "fiction” it is to refer to things that are created completely using our imagination. In the case of books, it means that the events, characters, everything is completely the idea of the person writing the book. Within "fiction" there will be lots of "genres" or types, just like with a film. It might be mysteries, science fiction, romance, etc. “Nonfiction” is used to refers to things that are based on fact, meaning that the contents of a book, for example, really happened or the people really existed. Just like "fiction" "non-fiction" also has different genres such as business, cooking, travel, etc. You will often hear people say that something is a "work of fiction" when they talk about a person lying. Ex: If you're looking for a cookbook it will be in the non-fiction section. Ex: I love fantasy books because I prefer fiction over non-fiction.

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