Nonfiction

Nonfiction is writing about real things. It includes facts about people, places, events, and ideas. Textbooks, biographies, and news articles are all nonfiction. When you want to learn something true about the world, nonfiction is the place to look.

Types of Nonfiction

There are many kinds of nonfiction. Biographies tell the true story of someone's life. How-to books teach you skills. Reference books like encyclopedias give facts about many subjects. Memoirs are personal stories about the author's own experiences.

How to Read Nonfiction

Nonfiction is organized differently from fiction. Look for headings, bold words, and pictures that give you clues. Read the table of contents to see what topics are covered. Take notes as you read to remember important facts. Check more than one source to make sure the facts are correct.

Fun Facts

• Nonfiction books outsell fiction books in many countries.
• The first encyclopedia was created in ancient Rome.
• Some nonfiction books read like exciting adventure stories even though they are completely true.

Did You Know?

A narrative nonfiction book tells a true story in a way that reads like a novel, making facts feel exciting.