All literary works can be categorized one of two ways: as fiction or nonfiction. Nonfiction is writing that is truthful and factually accurate. While fiction’s primary purpose is to entertain, nonfiction writing is more commonly intended to inform. Nonfiction works may be designed to preserve data, convey instructional information, or recount true historical or biographical stories.
What is Nonfiction?
Early nonfiction commonly took the form of ledgers, chronological accounts, legislation, letters, and other primary documents. Over time, these practical formats developed into specific genres, including the biography, autobiography, and memoir. A number of modern everyday texts also fall into the nonfiction category. Newspapers, magazines, textbooks, and instruction manuals are all nonfiction texts readers may encounter on a regular basis.
Although nonfiction is based on truth, this does not mean that it is free of bias. Much of nonfiction is influenced by the perspective of the writer. As in fiction, word choice and sentence structure play an important role in conveying the subtle biases of the nonfiction writer. Autobiographies, for examples, generally include the particular slant of the writer and their perception of themselves and the others in their lives. Nonfiction also includes opinion-based pieces like editorials and speeches. These are factual in the sense that they represent what the speaker or writer truly believes or wants to achieve.
Literary nonfiction is a subset of nonfiction works that incorporates the stylistic and creative elements more commonly found in fiction. Literary nonfiction includes the elements of setting, character, plot, and theme. In a few cases this genre has even incorporated nonfiction novels, a style briefly popularized in the 1960s and ‘70s by Truman Capote's In Cold Blood. Its stylistic flexibility and thematic depth proves that nonfiction literature can be just as sophisticated as classic fiction.
Create your own Storyboard
Try it for Free!Create your own Storyboard
Try it for Free!Examples of Nonfiction Literature
- Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
- "I Have a Dream" Speech
- Night
- Declaration of Independence
- Good Pet, Bad Pet
- "Letter from a Birmingham Jail"
- Anne Frank: Diary of a Young irl
- Volcanoes
- We Are the Ship: The Story of the Negro League Baseball
- Flight to Freedom: The Underground Railroad
Want to learn more? Check out our educational article on Literary Genres!
How Tos about Nonfiction Literary Genre
Organize a nonfiction text scavenger hunt for your class
Engage students by creating a scavenger hunt using nonfiction books, magazines, or online articles. List key nonfiction features like headings, captions, bold words, or tables of contents, and challenge students to find real examples in various texts. This active search builds familiarity and excitement around nonfiction structure.
Model how to identify nonfiction text features together
Project or display a nonfiction page and think aloud as you point out and explain features like photos, diagrams, or fact boxes. Invite students to spot and name features themselves, reinforcing their understanding through discussion.
Guide students to create their own mini nonfiction book
Ask students to choose a favorite topic and create a simple nonfiction booklet, including at least three text features (like a heading, picture with caption, and glossary). This hands-on project helps solidify their grasp of nonfiction elements.
Facilitate small group discussions about nonfiction versus fiction
Divide students into small groups and provide examples of both nonfiction and fiction texts. Have them compare and contrast the two, then share their observations with the class. This collaborative talk deepens comprehension and critical thinking.
Encourage students to ask and answer questions based on nonfiction texts
After reading a nonfiction passage together, invite students to come up with questions about what they learned and have classmates answer them. This practice strengthens information-gathering skills and reinforces content understanding.
Frequently Asked Questions about Nonfiction Literary Genre
What is nonfiction?
Nonfiction refers to writing that is based on facts, real events, and real people. It is the opposite of fiction and includes genres like biographies, history, and informational texts.
How is nonfiction different from fiction?
Nonfiction presents true stories, real facts, and actual information, while fiction is made up by the author and involves imaginary characters or events.
What are some examples of nonfiction books for students?
Examples of nonfiction books for students include biographies, science books, history texts, news articles, and how-to guides.
Why is nonfiction important in education?
Nonfiction is important in education because it helps students learn about the real world, develop research skills, and build background knowledge for all subject areas.
How can teachers use nonfiction texts in the classroom?
Teachers can use nonfiction texts to teach reading comprehension, support science and social studies lessons, and encourage students to explore topics they are curious about.
Introductory School Offer
ONLY$500
- 1 School
- 5 Teachers for One Year
- 1 Hour of Virtual PD
30 Day Money Back Guarantee • New Customers Only • Full Price After Introductory Offer • Access is for 1 Calendar Year
© 2025 - Clever Prototypes, LLC - All rights reserved.
StoryboardThat is a trademark of Clever Prototypes, LLC, and Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office