Prose Explained — Definition and Types: Fiction, Non-fiction & Faction (JAMB/WAEC Literature)
Prose is one of the three main genres of literature, written in ordinary, flowing language without the formal structure of verse, and it’s classified into distinct types based on how closely it relates to real events.
This topic – covering the definition of prose and its main types (fiction, non-fiction, and faction), is foundational in JAMB and WAEC Literature-in-English, usually tested through definitions and classification questions. This lesson explains each type clearly with examples
Quick takeaways
- Prose is writing in ordinary, flowing language, structured in sentences and paragraphs rather than the formal patterns of verse.
- Fiction is prose based on imagined events and characters, even if inspired by real life.
- Non-fiction is prose based on real events, facts, and people, such as biographies and essays.
- Faction blends fact and fiction, presenting real events or people within an imaginative, fictionalized narrative.
- Exam questions often ask you to classify a given work or description into the correct type — practice identifying the distinguishing features of each.
What is prose?
Prose is one of the three main genres of literature (alongside drama and poetry), written in ordinary, natural language organized into sentences and paragraphs, without the rhythmic or structural patterns found in verse.
Prose is the form most commonly used for novels, short stories, essays, and biographies, and it’s generally the easiest genre for readers to follow, since it mirrors everyday speech and writing patterns more closely than poetry does.
What is fiction?
Fiction is prose based on imagined events, characters, and settings, created from the author’s imagination rather than strictly factual record, even when it draws inspiration from real life or historical events. Common forms of fiction include:
- Novels — long-form fictional narratives
- Novellas — fictional works shorter than a novel but longer than a short story
- Short stories — brief fictional narratives, usually focused on a single event or theme
Most set texts studied in JAMB/WAEC Literature-in-English fall under fiction, particularly novels.
What is non-fiction?
Non-fiction is prose based on real events, facts, and people, intended to inform or document rather than imagine. Common forms include:
- Biography — an account of someone’s life written by another person
- Autobiography — an account of a person’s life written by themselves
- Essay — a focused piece of writing exploring a particular idea, argument, or topic
- Memoir — a personal account focused on specific experiences or periods in the writer’s life, rather than their entire life story
Non-fiction requires the writer to remain factually accurate, distinguishing it clearly from fiction, where events and characters can be entirely invented.
What is faction?
Faction is a blend of fact and fiction, where real events, people, or historical settings are presented within an imaginative, fictionalized narrative. The author takes real historical material as a foundation but adds invented dialogue, characters, or details to build a compelling story.
This type sits between fiction and non-fiction, and it’s a term students often find unfamiliar, making it a common focus in “define the term” exam questions specifically because it’s less commonly known than fiction or non-fiction.
How do you tell these three types apart in an exam?
A reliable approach is to ask: is this based on real events (and how strictly)?
- If the work is entirely imagined, even if realistic, it’s fiction
- If the work strictly documents real events, people, or facts, it’s non-fiction
- If the work blends real historical events or people with invented, fictionalized elements, it’s faction
Common mistakes students make with this topic
- Confusing faction with historical fiction generally, when faction specifically blends real people/events with fictionalized detail
- Assuming all prose is fiction, overlooking non-fiction forms like essays and biographies
- Mixing up autobiography (written by the subject) and biography (written by someone else)
- Giving a vague definition of prose without contrasting it with poetry or drama, which examiners sometimes expect
Frequently asked questions
Q: What is prose? Prose is one of the three main genres of literature, written in ordinary, flowing language organized into sentences and paragraphs, without the formal structure found in poetry.
Q: What is the difference between fiction and non-fiction? Fiction is prose based on imagined events and characters, while non-fiction is prose based on real events, facts, and people, intended to inform or document rather than imagine.
Q: What is faction in literature? Faction is a blend of fact and fiction, where real events or people are presented within an imaginative, fictionalized narrative.
Q: What is the difference between a biography and an autobiography? A biography is an account of someone’s life written by another person, while an autobiography is an account of a person’s life written by themselves.
Ready to analyze prose more closely? Read our lesson on narrative techniques and characterization →
This is one topic from our full JAMB & WAEC Literature-in-English course — see everything covered →
