narrative nonfiction
True stories, artfully told
Narrative nonfiction is factual writing that employs storytelling techniques—scene-setting, dialogue, character development—typically associated with fiction.
The genre includes memoir, literary journalism, and popular history.
In Cold Blood and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks are landmark examples.
Also called creative nonfiction or literary nonfiction.
- life storyAccount of someone's existence
- autobiographySelf-penned life narrative
- longformLengthy, detailed content
- storytellingRecounting events aloud
- true crimeGenre covering actual offenses
oral history · immersive · behind the scenes · author · reportage · long read · firsthand · true story · in-depth reporting · writer · journalist · personal essay · first person · scene · truth · documentary · voice · experience
- nonfictionbiography, autobiography, biographies, history, memoir
- written worksessay, novel, anthologies, history books, letter
- kids biographieslife stories, famous people, historical figures, heroes, role models
- memoirsmemoir, memoirs, autobiography, autobiographies, life story
- literary journalismlongform, gonzo journalism, Tom Wolfe, Joan Didion, Hunter S. Thompson
- literaturebooks, book, fiction, poetry, stories
narrative nonfictionfiction
Imagined narrative work
novel · literary fiction · fantasy · science fiction · historical fiction
narrative nonfictionacademic writing
Formal research communication
technical writing · encyclopedia entry · textbook · white paper · analytical essay
narrative nonfictionencyclopedia
Comprehensive subject-matter collection
dictionary · reference material · fact sheet · bullet points · FAQ