To distinguish between them, examine the context. Fiction often creates its own unique worlds with their own rules. Realistic fiction, though, adheres more closely to the rules and norms of the real world. Consider a story about a girl who discovers she has the power to control the weather - that's fiction. But a story about a girl who overcomes her shyness to participate in a school play in a normal high - school setting is realistic fiction.
You can tell the difference by considering the plausibility of the events. In fiction, the sky's the limit for the plot. But in realistic fiction, the events should be something that could potentially occur in real life. For example, a story about a detective solving a crime using only his wits and normal investigation methods is more likely to be realistic fiction, while a detective solving a crime with the help of a mind - reading crystal would be fiction.
One way is by looking at the setting. If it's a familiar, contemporary setting like a modern city or a small town, it might be realistic fiction. If it's a made - up world like Middle - earth in 'The Lord of the Rings', it's general fiction. Another factor is the characters' abilities. If they have normal human abilities, it could be realistic fiction. If they can fly without any devices or have superpowers, it's likely general fiction.
Examine the characters. In traditional fiction, characters might have superhuman powers or be from different mythical races. In realistic fiction, they are normal humans with normal human problems. Also, the plot in traditional fiction may have a more predictable pattern based on common archetypes like the hero's journey. Realistic fiction's plot is more about the randomness and complexity of real life. The themes in traditional fiction are often timeless, like good vs evil. Realistic fiction themes are more related to current social and cultural issues.
Check the publication date. Contemporary fiction is more likely to be recently published and reflect the current times. But this isn't a foolproof method as some realistic fiction may also be new. Another way is to skim through the book. If you find a lot of references to things like smartphones, current political issues, or modern - day pop culture, it's probably contemporary fiction. Realistic fiction might have a more timeless feel to it even if it's set in a particular time period.
Look at the cover blurb. If it emphasizes the beauty of the writing, complex characters, and exploration of big ideas, it might be literary fiction. If it talks about a relatable story set in a real - world context, it could be realistic fiction.
One way to tell is by looking at the writing style. Realistic fiction usually has a more straightforward style, while literary fiction often has a more complex and nuanced style. Also, the focus of the story can be a clue. If it's mainly about real - life situations and characters, it's likely realistic fiction. If it seems more about exploring ideas and emotions through unique writing, it's probably literary fiction.
Look at the source. If it comes from someone's real - life experiences, it's likely a personal narrative. If it's made up but seems like it could happen in real life, it's realistic fiction.
In a memoir, the writing style is often more introspective. The author may use a lot of 'I' statements as they are sharing their own experiences. In realistic fiction, the author may use different points of view more often. For example, a memoir about a journey might be written as 'I saw this, I felt that', while a realistic fiction about a similar journey could switch between different characters' perspectives.
One way to distinguish is by the writing style. Literary fiction usually has a more elaborate and sophisticated style compared to general fiction. Also, literary fiction often delves deeper into themes like the human experience, morality, etc.
Fiction typically has characters and plots that are made up. In nonfiction, the information is based on research or real - life experiences. You can also check if there are footnotes or references in the text. If there are, it's more likely to be nonfiction. Fiction might have a more creative or fantastical writing style compared to the more straightforward style of nonfiction.
The language used is a big clue. In a mystery fiction, there might be a lot of suspense - building language, like 'a shadowy figure lurked in the corner'. In contrast, in a self - help - type of fiction, there will be more positive and motivational language. Additionally, the chapter titles can be revealing. In a detective story, they might be named after the places where the clues are found or the suspects. The marketing and categorization of the book also help. If it's shelved in the 'thriller' section at the bookstore, it's likely to be that type of fiction.