Difference Between Fact and Fiction

Fact vs Fiction
 

As it is evident that there is a great degree of difference between fact and fiction when it comes to their meanings, one should be able to know each meaning separately. It is also true that fact and fiction are two words that show a great degree of difference between them when it comes to their connotations. Fact is a true happening whereas fiction is an imaginative happening. In other words, it can be said that anything that is true is a fact. On the other hand , anything that is fictitious and imaginative can be called fiction. This is the reason novels and short stories are called fiction.

What is Fact?

As a matter of fact, the word fact is derived from the Latin factum. It means an occurrence or an event. This shows that fact is based on truth. Unlike fiction, fact is a true incident. It is important to know that you cannot create a fact. You can either experience a fact or perceive it for yourself. This is the reason one’s own story written by a writer is called an autobiography. It is the narration of the self-experience or perception. An autobiography is not created on the other hand. Fact has nothing to do with the mind. It is an already existent event or phenomenon. For example, the rising of the Sun in the east is a perceived and experienced event and it has got nothing to do with the mind. Moreover, there are several phrases that use the word fact. For example, facts and figures, a fact of life, in fact, etc.

What is Fiction?

On the other hand, the word fiction is derived from the Latin fictio. It means something that is feigned or shaped. The word feign means to imagine. This shows that fiction is based on imagination. In other words, fiction is an imaginative creation. On the contrary to fact, fiction can only be created by the novelist or the poet. It cannot be either perceived or experienced. Unlike fact, fiction has got everything to do with the mind. Fiction is born out of the creativity of the poet or the author. Creativity is the power within the mind that makes the poet or the author select the most suited word and sense necessary for the building of the poem or a novel. Creativity is considered a gift of God.

What is the difference between Fact and Fiction?

• The major difference between fact and fiction is that fact is a true incident whereas fiction is an imaginative creation.

• Fact has nothing to do with the mind. It is an already existent event or phenomenon. On the other hand, fiction has got everything to do with the mind.

• The words fact and fiction show difference in terms of their origin too. Word fact is derived from the Latin factum. On the other hand, the word fiction is derived from the Latin fictio.

• Fiction is based on imagination and fact is based on truth.

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