Because the authors of historical fiction novels include carefully researched details in their novels, they help readers learn more about the past through the experience of ordinary characters similar to themselves. But what if you want to know more about a real person--perhaps someone who is considered extraordinary rather than ordinary? Where should you look to learn about Abraham Lincoln, for instance, or Harriet Tubman?
Nonfiction text is the perfect resource for finding specific facts about a topic, person, or event. However, not all nonfiction writing is the same. The type of nonfiction you consult for answers to your questions about history depends on your reasons for seeking that information--and the level of detail you hope to find. What types of nonfiction text have you read? Review different types of nonfiction by watching the video below.
Have you ever heard the phrase, "The truth is stranger than fiction"? This refers to the idea that the world surrounding us contains so many unique experiences and occurrences that made-up stories can't compete.
The nonfiction genre wholeheartedly embraces this concept by solely focusing on real people, places, ideas, and experiences. This could be a biography about your favorite presidential candidate Hubert Humphrey or famed Hollywood actor Jimmy Stewart. Nonfiction could center on a city like London, England, or an event like the Tour de France. Ideas about religion and philosophy also fall into nonfiction writing, as well as experiences like climbing a mountain or winning a chess tournament.
Nonfiction comes in many different packages. Some common examples are things like published letters and journals of famous writers like James Joyce or Joyce Carol Oates. These writings contain personal thoughts and reflections that provide a reader with intimate insights and context. Another common form of nonfiction, biographies, are the life story of someone written by another person, while autobiographies are the writer's account of his or her own life. Similarly, memoirs are nonfiction that record a specific set of events, in the way the writer remembers them. It's not everything that happened in someone's life, but rather experiences relating to a central theme.
More common forms of nonfiction exist outside published books and can be media works like articles in newspapers, magazines, television programs, or radio broadcasts. In fact, there's another form that you may have already written and not even known it--essays! These medium length pieces focus on a single topic and may be formal and scholarly, or express the author's personal feelings. You may have seen this kind of writing in a weekly newspaper column or online blog.
Comparable to essays, articles can be even shorter in length, but tend to focus on the facts of a subject. These kinds of nonfiction can be written to express an author's bias. These strong opinions are intentionally persuasive, like an editorial article.
While many writers spend the majority of their efforts in fiction, the nonfiction genre will continue to inspire generations going forward to explain and explore the realities of our world. Is the truth really stranger than fiction? You'll just have to decide for yourself.
Question
What type of nonfiction text would be helpful if you were doing a research paper on Abraham Lincoln?
