Why Would I Want To Know The Difference Between Literary and Nonliterary Fiction?
Posted by Bobby Williams on April 15, 2010
How many of you authors and new writers really know what the difference between literary and nonliterary? Is it important to know? Shockingly this is an issue that a large amount of people are not familiar with, and it is not a fresh theory nor is it an issue that needs to be hidden. However, it is something that normally separates the world of academics from the world of fun. But it’s not quite as easy as intellectual writing and nonintellectual writing. With an understanding of what the difference is can help enhance your writing. The quick definition would be that literary writing contains metaphors, symbols, allegories, etc and are used in universities and high schools while nonliterary writing is something people read for entertainment purposes. Let me explain to you:
Literary texts are used to instruct a life lesson to the reader through the main character. The use of metaphors and symbols add to the protagonist’s (main character) voyage in the novel. These texts are used in aiding a teacher or professor because the reading level ranges from complicated to easy. Literary texts always have a reason for being written. Literary writers such as Shakespeare, Emerson, Welty, Hurston, and Langston Hughes, wrote about society’s concerns and the flaws of all humans in an exposed manner and then present different ways to fix the problem. Taking time to make a meaningful and creative story, literary texts take a precision that very few writers have.
Nonliterary texts permit the reader to like what they are reading. With no incentive to instruct the reader, the only reason that nonliterary texts exists is for entertainment. There are no metaphors or symbols to contend to but the main character does seem to go through growth on their “quest”. The texts usually say what it means without the multiple layers of difficulty. The life lesson, if there is one, is usually fairly simple and easy to point out. Nonliterary texts are more than just gibberish; however they don’t have enough substance to be taught in a classroom.
To compare literary and nonliterary texts, literary texts usually have a situation in the text that creates problems to the original situation. Nonliterary texts are straightforward with no complicated lessons. Since nonliterary texts seem to be more “character driven,” the author can deal more with the lives of the characters instead of giving them a purpose. Literary texts seem to be more “plot driven” with an underlying reason behind the plot instead of worrying about the characters.
In conclusion, nonliterary texts are books that are commonly read, and usually read quite quickly. But literary usual take more time because one wants to make sure that all the metaphors and deeper meanings are fleshed out. What most authors tend to write is nonliterary, which is not a bad thing because it reaches the average person. The audience that reads literary works tends to either write literary fiction/nonfiction or is in a setting, like school, in which the fiction is required to be read. The ultimate goal of an author is to understand the difference between literary and nonliterary and to combine the two. Their works should have the complications of literary fictions and the appeal and relatable aspect of nonliterary fictions. This would be the most appealing because it appeals to the academic world and the regular world. Remember the broader your audience the more people willing to read your work.
Before starting on your next work of nonfiction, make sure you check out Bobby William’s free tips on writing these are definitely helpful in improving your writing and editing.
