Understanding Different Types of Narrative Texts: Fiction and Non-Fiction, Schemes and Mind Maps of History

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Types of Narrative Texts

FICTION

NONFICTION

Fantasy

Science Fiction

Realistic Fiction

Historical Fiction

Narrative Nonfiction

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Examples include traditional taleslike fairy tails, tall tales, legends,and myth and contemporarycreations such as the Harry Potterseries.

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Author’s imagination is notrestricted by physicalreality/natural law

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Once author makes up the rulesfor the imagined setting, s/he mustbe consistent in following them.

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Improbable setting and situations

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Can have improbable characterslike animals with humancharacteristics and mythical beasts;can have more realistic charactersbeside imaginative ones

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Plot frequently that of hero’squest: hero proves worthy of thequest (may early be fumbling andunsure); hero encounters trialsalong the way (must be wise andcourageous); hero is accompaniedby friends or mentor; hero’sactions are to protect others fromevil; hero may question self orbecome confused about good andbad; hear defeats evil

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Seeks to reveal truths that liebeneath the surface of life:desires and fears

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Provides a context for readers tothink about the dualities of life:good/evil, light/dark/innocence/guilt,reality/appearance,heroism/cowardice, order/anarchy

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Speculative fiction based onthe real world with all itsestablished facts and naturallaws (Robert Heinlein)

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May use different “laws” ofanother planet, even a make-believe planet, but laws mustbe scientifically plausible andconsistent.

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Story is usually an adventurethat includes travel anddanger, pursuing newfrontiers.

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Contemporary problems areprojected hundreds of yearsinto the future:overpopulation, pollution,religious or racial disharmony,political structures, scientificadvances (e.g., geneticengineering, computerization)

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A purpose is to prompt thepresent generation to questionactions and to evaluate theconsequences of those actionson the future.

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Main characters often areoutsiders or different fromothers.

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Examples include the morespecific genre such asadventure, mystery, andromance.

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Setting realistic for the timeperiod

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Characters are believable intheir action and have humaninsight and weaknesses.

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Characters are individual andhave unique qualities.

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Content addresses. aspects ofcoping with life: death, peerrelationships, identity, familyproblems, handicappingconditions, social issues,courage, survival.

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Plot events reflect those foundin real life

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Endings are not always happy,but harshness of reality maybe relieved by or with humor

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Demonstrates thecharacteristics of realisticfiction.

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Reveals historical events butnot restricted by them.

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Author may be creativewithout making historicalmistakes.

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Historical setting is anauthentic and integral part ofthe story.

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Character’s actions, dialogue,beliefs, and values are true tohistorical period.

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Themes include loyalty,friendship, courage, andconflict.

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Shows evidence that acrossgreat time spans people sharesimilar emotions.

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References to well knownevents or people, or otherclues through which the readercan place the happenings intheir correct historicalframework.

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Examples include news andmagazine articles, essays, andbiographies, textbooks like History of US

.

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Topic is something that is trueor real.

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The information is told like astory.

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The order of events is clear,even though the informationmay not be presented in adirect chronological manner.

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There is an overarching, mainor controlling idea to thepiece.

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The main idea is what is beingsaid about the topic.

Narrative

Texts

Realistic Fiction Mystery

(example of realistic fiction)

Science Fiction Historical Fiction

• Setting realistic for the time period
• Characters are believable in their action and have human insight and weaknesses.
• Characters are individual and have unique qualities.
• Content addresses. aspects of coping with life: death, peer relationships, identity, family problems, handicapping conditions, social issues, courage, survival.
• Plot events reflect those found in real life
• Endings are not always happy, but harshness of reality may be relieved by or with humor - Plot structure based on significant crime to be solved. - Crime introduced early; the complication /initiating event. - Plot advanced by clues. - Main character a detective or character who acts as detective. - Atmosphere of suspenseful action. - Reader kept guessing with real and “red herring” clues. However, all clues known to the detective are known to the reader. - A number of suspects include the criminal. - Resolution of plot when crime is solved. - Solution fits clues. - Speculative fiction based on the real world with all its established facts and natural laws (Robert Heinlein) - May use different “laws” of another planet, even a make- believe planet, but laws must be scientifically plausible and consistent. - Story is usually an adventure that includes travel and danger, pursuing new frontiers. - Contemporary problems are projected hundreds of years into the future: overpopulation, pollution, religious or racial disharmony, political structures, scientific advances (e.g., genetic engineering, computerization) - A purpose is to prompt the present generation to question actions and to evaluate the consequences of those actions on the future. - Main characters often are outsiders or different from others. - Demonstrates the characteristics of realistic fiction. - Reveals historical events but not restricted by them. - Author may be creative without making historical mistakes. - Historical setting is an authentic and integral part of the story. - Character’s actions, dialogue, beliefs, and values are true to historical period. - Themes include loyalty, friendship, courage, and conflict. - Shows evidence that across great time spans people share similar emotions. - References to well known events or people, or other clues through which the reader can place the happenings in their correct historical framework.