Literature: Fiction and Non-Fiction – Basic 2 English Lesson Note (First Term)

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

1. Identify works of fiction and non-fiction
2. Determine the similarities between fiction and non-fiction
3. Contrast works of fiction and non-fiction

Introduction

Books and stories can be about real things that actually happened (non-fiction) or made-up things from someone’s imagination (fiction). Both types help us learn and enjoy reading.

Content Development

What is FICTION? Fiction is writing about things that are made-up or imaginary. The events and characters didn’t really happen or exist.

Examples of Fiction:

• Fairy tales: Cinderella, Snow White, The Three Little Pigs
• Animal stories: Stories where animals talk and act like humans
• Adventure stories: Made-up exciting journeys
• Fantasy stories: Stories with magic, dragons, or superheroes

Sample Fiction Story: “The Talking Fish” Once upon a time, a little girl caught a fish that could talk. The fish said, “Please let me go, and I will grant you three wishes.” The girl was kind and let the fish go. The fish kept its promise and made her wishes come true.

What is NON-FICTION? Non-fiction is writing about real things that actually happened or exist. These are true facts and real events.

Examples of Non-Fiction:

• Books about animals: Real information about how elephants live
• History books: True stories about what happened long ago
• Science books: Facts about plants, weather, or the human body
• Biographies: True stories about real people’s lives

Sample Non-Fiction: “How Birds Fly” Birds can fly because they have special feathers called flight feathers. Their bones are hollow, which makes them light. Birds flap their wings to push against the air and lift themselves up into the sky.

Comparison Chart:

Similarities between Fiction and Non-Fiction:

1. Both are books/stories
2. Both have words and sentences
3. Both can have pictures
4. Both teach us something
5. Both can be interesting
6. Both have authors who wrote them
7. Both can be read for enjoyment
8. Both use the same language skills

Differences between Fiction and Non-Fiction:

FICTION:

• Characters can do impossible things
• Settings can be magical places
• Events are created by imagination
• Purpose: entertainment and moral lessons
• Language: creative and descriptive

NON-FICTION:

• Characters are real people
• Settings are real places
• Events actually happened
• Purpose: education and information
• Language: factual and informative

How to Tell if a Story is Fiction or Non-Fiction:

Fiction Clues:

• Animals that talk
• Magic spells or powers
• “Once upon a time” beginnings
• Impossible events
• Made-up places

Non-Fiction Clues:

• Real names of people and places
• Scientific facts
• Historical dates
• “Scientists say…” or “Researchers found…”
• Photographs of real things

Practice Activity:

Identify Fiction or Non-Fiction:

1. “The Lion and the Mouse” – A story where a tiny mouse helps a big lion.
   1. Answer: Fiction (animals don’t really help each other this way)
2. “How Plants Grow” – A book explaining that plants need water and sunlight.
   1. Answer: Non-fiction (this is true information)
3. “My Pet Dog” – A story about caring for a real pet at home.
   1. Answer: Non-fiction (real experience)
4. “The Flying Elephant” – A story about an elephant with wings.
   1. Answer: Fiction (elephants cannot fly)

Exercise 2: Fiction vs Non-Fiction

Write F for Fiction or NF for Non-Fiction:

1. ___ A story about a cat that can drive a car
2. ___ A book about how to brush your teeth
3. ___ “Jack and the Beanstalk”
4. ___ A book about different types of birds
5. ___ A story about a talking tree

Explain why each is fiction or non-fiction:

1. The cat story is fiction because ________________
2. The teeth book is non-fiction because ________________

Exercise 3: Similarities and Differences

Complete the chart: