Nonfiction literary genres

Main thing

Nonfiction is a category of literature that presents factual information and real-world events. It's divided into various genres, each with a unique focus. The most popular genres within nonfiction include Biography/Autobiography, Self-help/Personal Development, History, Travel, and Memoir. Each genre has a distinct way of presenting factual information, whether it's detailing a person's life, offering advice for personal growth, exploring past events, sharing travel experiences, or recounting specific experiences or periods in the author's life.

For example, "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela is an autobiography that details Mandela's journey from his early years to his time as President of South Africa.

Terminology

• Biography genre – A genre that provides a detailed description of a person's life, written by someone else. Example: Walter Isaacson's "Steve Jobs" is a biography that chronicles the life of the Apple co-founder.

• Autobiography genre – A genre where authors write an account of their own life. Example: "The Story of My Life" by Helen Keller is an autobiography.

• Self-help / Personal Development genre – A genre of books designed to assist readers in improving aspects of their lives. Example: "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie is a self-help book offering strategies for better communication and relationships.

• History genre – A genre that explores events from the past and their impact on the present. Example: "Guns, Germs, and Steel" by Jared Diamond is a history book that examines the factors that shaped human history.

• Memoir genre – A genre where authors provide a personal account of specific experiences or periods in their life. Example: "Educated" by Tara Westover is a memoir that recounts her journey from growing up in a strict and isolated environment to earning a PhD.

An analogy

Think of nonfiction as a natural history museum. Each genre is a different exhibit, showcasing various aspects of reality. Biographies are like the anthropology section, presenting detailed lives of individuals. History books are like the paleontology section, revealing events from the past. Self-help books are like the human biology section, offering insights into personal growth. Travel books are like the geology section, taking you on a journey to different parts of the world. Memoirs are like the personal collections section, sharing intimate experiences of individuals.

A main misconception

A common misconception is that nonfiction is just textbooks and academic articles. However, nonfiction encompasses a wide range of genres, from engaging biographies to insightful self-help books.

For example, "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot is a nonfiction book that reads like a mystery novel, unraveling the story of a woman whose cells have had a significant impact on medical research.

The history

1. Ancient civilizations produced the earliest forms of nonfiction, including historical records and philosophical texts.

2. The invention of the printing press during the Renaissance in the 15th century allowed for wider distribution of nonfiction works.

3. The 18th and 19th centuries saw the rise of autobiographies and travel literature as literacy rates increased.

4. The 20th century introduced new journalistic standards and the expansion of the self-help genre.

5. The 21st century has seen a digital explosion in nonfiction, with e-books and online articles becoming prevalent.

"Nonfiction, and in particular the literary memoir, the stylised recollection of personal experience, is often as much about character and story and emotion as fiction is." - Neil Gaiman, renowned author known for his work in both fiction and nonfiction.

Three cases how to use it right now

1. A student studying for a history exam might read a nonfiction history book to understand the context and causes of World War II.

2. Someone looking to improve their public speaking skills could read a self-help book on communication techniques and practice them in daily conversations.

3. A traveler planning a trip to Italy might read a travel memoir to gain insights into the culture and places to visit beyond the typical tourist spots.

Interesting facts

1. The best-selling autobiography of all time is "The Story of My Life" by Helen Keller.

2. "The Diary of Anne Frank" has been translated into over 70 languages.

3. The self-help industry is worth over $10 billion in the United States alone.

4. Travel literature has been around since the 2nd century AD with Pausanias' "Description of Greece".

5. True crime podcasts have surged in popularity, with some series leading to real-life legal reviews of cases.