We can distinguish them by the narrative style. Real - life accounts tend to be more straightforward and factual in their storytelling. They follow a logical sequence based on what actually happened. Fiction, however, might play with time, have multiple perspectives, or use unreliable narrators to create a more complex and engaging story. Also, the language used in fiction can be more flowery and imaginative compared to the more matter - of - fact language in non - fiction.
One way is by looking at the details. In real - life stories, the details are often more mundane and based on real - world facts. For example, a non - fiction book about a historical event will have dates, names of real people, and real locations. Fiction, on the other hand, often has more creative or out - of - this - world details. Another way is the purpose. Non - fiction is usually written to inform or educate, while fiction is mainly for entertainment.
In literature, 'fake' often refers to false information passed off as real. Fiction, on the other hand, is a genre. A simple way to tell the difference is that 'fake' lacks integrity in its presentation of facts. Fiction is upfront about being untrue in the sense of not being a literal account of real events. For example, a historical novel is fiction because it may play with facts for the sake of the story, but it's not 'fake' as long as it doesn't pretend to be a strict historical record.
One way to tell the difference is by looking at the purpose of the story. If the aim is to thrill, horrify, or create a sense of the fantastical, it's probably a'monster' story. For instance, stories about sea monsters are meant to evoke a sense of wonder and fear. But if the story is meant to inform, educate, or document real - life situations, it's 'the real story'. In many classic novels, like 'Pride and Prejudice', it's a real - story as it reflects the social norms and real - life relationships of the time, while a story about a shape - shifting monster is clearly in the realm of the fictional'monster'.
In literature, truth is based on facts and real - life experiences. Fiction is made - up stories. Fantasy is a type of fiction with elements like magic and supernatural beings. To distinguish them, look for elements that are not possible in the real world in fantasy. If a story is based on real events or has a factual basis, it's closer to truth. Fiction can be either more realistic or verge on fantasy.
Another aspect is the purpose. Real events are what actually happened or are happening. They are used to inform, educate or document. Fiction is mainly for entertainment, to make people think imaginatively, or to convey a moral or message in a more creative way. It often takes us to places and situations that don't exist in the real world.
One way is to look at the evidence. In reality, there are facts, data, and real - world experiences to back things up. For example, scientific research is based on real experiments. In fiction, it's often based on imagination and doesn't have to follow real - world rules. For instance, in a fantasy novel, magic can exist without any scientific basis.
We can distinguish them based on context. If it's in a fictional book, movie, or game, it's likely fiction. But if it's in a news report or a scientific study, it's probably reality. Also, the level of plausibility matters. In reality, things happen within the boundaries of what we know is possible. Fiction can go beyond those boundaries. For instance, a talking animal is common in fiction but not in reality. And the purpose also differs. Fiction is mainly for entertainment or to convey a message in an imaginative way, while reality is just the state of things as they are.
Check the author's intention. If the author is trying to document or report something, it's more likely to be fact - based. However, if they are creating a new world or story for entertainment or to convey an idea in an imaginative way, it's fiction. Some books blur the lines, like 'The Da Vinci Code' which has some facts about art and history but also a lot of fictional conspiracy theories.
One way is to look at the source. If it's based on real - life events, it's more likely a story. Fiction often comes from the author's creative mind with no real - world basis. For example, a war story might be based on historical battles, while a science - fiction story about alien invasions is clearly fiction.
The role of the supernatural also differs. In myths, the supernatural is often used to explain the fundamental aspects of life and the universe. In fiction, the supernatural can be just for creating an interesting plot. In the myth of Prometheus stealing fire from the gods, it's about the origin of fire for humanity. In a fictional horror story with a ghost, it's mainly for scaring the readers. Fiction is more flexible in terms of genre and style compared to the more traditional forms of myth.
Look at the language. Literature usually has a more refined and elaborate language, while popular fiction uses more common and easy - to - understand language. For instance, in literature, you might find long, descriptive passages and complex sentence structures. In popular fiction, sentences are often shorter and more to the point.