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.
Check the characters. In a personal narrative, the characters are often real people from the author's life, such as family members or friends. In realistic fiction, the characters are created by the author's imagination. Also, consider the purpose. A personal narrative may be to share a personal experience or lesson, while realistic fiction usually aims to entertain or make a comment on society. For example, if a story is about a girl's struggle with her mother's illness, and it's based on the author's own situation, it's a personal narrative. But if it's a story about a girl facing a similar situation but in a fictional town with fictional events added, it's 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.
First, identify the key elements in your personal narrative like the main characters, setting, and the central conflict. Then, start to change the specific details to make them more general yet still believable. For example, if your personal story is about a fight with your sister in your childhood home, you could change it to two siblings having an argument in a generic family house. Also, add fictional elements like new minor characters or sub - plots that fit the overall theme.
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.
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.
In literature, a narrative can be seen as the way the author chooses to convey the events. If you look at the writing style, the use of language, that's part of the narrative. A story, though, is what actually happens. So, if you read a mystery novel, the plot twists and turns are the story, while the way the author leads you through those twists (like with cliffhangers or foreshadowing) is the narrative.
One way is to look for fictional elements. If there are clearly made - up characters, relationships, or events that don't have a basis in historical records, it's likely historical fiction. In narrative nonfiction, everything should be verifiable. For example, if a book has a character who is a time - traveling wizard during the Middle Ages, it's historical fiction.
Look at the plot. If there are elements like magic, talking animals, or gods intervening, it's likely a folktale. If the plot revolves around everyday life situations like going to work, having family arguments, or dealing with school, it's probably realistic fiction.
Look at the cover and blurb. If the cover shows modern - day settings like skyscrapers or people in contemporary clothes, and the blurb mentions current - day issues, it's likely realistic fiction. If there are historical elements like old - fashioned costumes or historical buildings on the cover, and the blurb refers to a past time period, it's probably historical fiction.
Look at the time setting. If it's in the past, it's likely historical fiction; if it's the present, it's probably realistic fiction.
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.