What are the characteristics that distinguish fiction from nonfiction?

One way to tell them apart is by looking at the source. Nonfiction often comes from research, personal experiences, or historical records. Fiction, on the other hand, is the product of an author's creativity and imagination. Also, nonfiction usually sticks to what can be verified, while fiction can have elements that are purely fantastical.

You can also check the author's intent. If the aim is to inform or teach about real-life stuff, it's nonfiction. But if it's to entertain with imaginative tales, it's fiction. Another clue is the style of writing. Nonfiction is often more straightforward and factual, while fiction uses more creative language and plot devices.

The main difference is that fiction is made-up stories while nonfiction is based on real events and facts.

One way to tell is by looking at the genre labels. Fiction books are often labeled as such, like 'Fantasy' or 'Romance'. Nonfiction is usually labeled as 'Biography', 'History', or 'Science'.

The main difference is that fiction is made-up stories, while creative nonfiction is based on real events and people but uses literary techniques to make it more engaging.

You can distinguish them by the purpose. Fiction is mainly for entertainment. It takes you to different worlds and experiences. Nonfiction is for informing or educating. Fiction may have elements that are not possible in real life, such as time travel in some stories. Nonfiction has to be based on evidence. If a book is about a historical figure, it should be based on reliable historical records. The language in fiction can be more flowery and creative to create an atmosphere, while nonfiction uses more factual and objective language.

Look at the content. If it's about real people, places, and events, it's probably nonfiction. If it's full of made - up characters and situations, it's fiction.

Look at the characters. In historical fiction, there are often fictional characters that interact with real historical figures or are placed in real historical settings. In nonfiction, all the people mentioned are real. For example, in a historical fiction about World War II, there might be a fictional soldier's story intertwined with the real events. But in a nonfiction account of WWII, it will only be about real soldiers, leaders, etc.

One way is to check for footnotes or references. Nonfiction usually has these to support the facts. Realistic fiction doesn't need to do that as it's not presenting facts in the same way. Also, nonfiction often has a more didactic or informative tone, while realistic fiction focuses on the story and the characters' experiences. For example, a nonfiction book about World War II will have a lot of historical details and might be written in a more straightforward way to convey information. A realistic fiction novel about the war might focus on a fictional character's journey through the war and how it affected them personally.

Picaresque fiction usually features a low - class protagonist who uses his or her wits to survive in a corrupt world. The story is more about the individual's journey and the people they encounter along the way. However, historical fiction is more concerned with the broader historical context. It may include real historical figures and events as major elements in the plot, while picaresque fiction may not necessarily do so.