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Any form of creative writing is called literature.
It includes fiction, such as novels, poems, and plays,
and non-fiction, including reference books, diaries,
letters, and autobiographies. In all these literary
forms, writers use their imagination to shape their
material. They set out to convey information,
ideas, or feelings in a clear and informed way
that will interest and engage the reader.

Literature


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▲ FICTION
Authors who write fiction create events,
settings, and characters from their
imaginations. Although writers may base
their stories on true events, there are
always some elements that are made up.
Works of fiction can include short stories,
novels (long stories containing at least
60,000 words), poems, and plays.

Science fiction
Authors may use
scientific fact and
modern technology to
explore and imagine an
alternative world, set
now or in the future.

Crime This type of fiction
covers the exploits of
criminals and their crimes,
and follows the detectives
who crack cases and
foil their plans.

Romance This popular
fiction focuses on a love
story between two people,
usually with a happy ending.
It may take place against a
modern or historical setting.


NON-FICTION
Writing that is based on fact
is called non-fiction. Authors
need to thoroughly research
and understand their subject
so they can bring to life actual
events – historical, political,
and personal. Non-fiction
titles also include biographies
(accounts of people’s lives)
and autobiographies (authors’
accounts of their own lives).

Crime and Punishment
is a novel by Russian
writer Fyodor
Dostoevsky

Anne Frank wrote
about her experiences
as a Jewish girl hiding
from the Nazis in
World War II

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