Literary Non-Fiction

• Literary Non-Fiction refers to a text that’s based on factual occurrences. It depicts real-life situations, stories, and characters, yet does so using creative writing techniques typical of fiction, such as sensory language, vivid descriptions, and narrative progression.

• This genre incorporates elements of literature and non-fiction. It has literary qualities, employing elements like character development, plot, setting, and tone, while still presenting factual information.

• Types of Literary Non-Fiction include memoirs, biographies, travel literature, essays, personal narratives, and journalistic pieces.

• Techniques of Literary Non-Fiction:
  • Vivid Descriptions: Use of sensory language to paint a clear picture in the reader’s mind.
  • Characterization: Depicting characters in a manner that brings out their personalities, qualities, and roles in the narrative.
  • Dialogue: Makes the narrative more interesting and realistic.
  • Narrative Structure: Like a fiction story, literary non-fiction can have an introduction, rising action, climax, falling action and resolution.
• When reading Literary Non-Fiction for comprehension:
  • Pay attention to the author’s main argument or message.
  • Try to understand the motivations, personalities, and transformations of the characters.
  • Note the setting and its influence on the narrative.
  • Identify the narrative techniques and styles used by the author.
  • Analyse the theme(s) presented in the work and how they’re conveyed.

• Practise reading various types of literary non-fiction to familiarise yourself with the genre’s unique blend of fiction techniques and non-fiction facts.

• Develop your own viewpoint on the text by relating it to personal experiences, understanding its historical/cultural context, and comparing it to other works you have read. This will help in critical analysis and application of the text.

• Synthesising information from the text and drawing inferences is an important skill. This means pulling together information from different parts of the text and making sense of them as a whole.

• Questioning is another key strategy. Ask yourself questions about the text as you read, for instance, about the author’s intentions, the message, and characters’ interactions. This aids in comprehension and interpretation of the text.