Four Categories of Non-Fiction

Non-fiction can be divided into four distinct categories that help writers structure their work effectively. The first category is academic non-fiction, which delivers research and findings targeted at experts within specific fields, lacking a narrative drive. The second category, how-to books, offers practical guidance on mastering various skills, emphasizing a process-driven approach rather than storytelling. The third category is narrative non-fiction, which applies storytelling techniques to true events, and the final category, the Big Idea Book, merges elements from the previous categories to present overarching themes associated with influential concepts.