This document distinguishes between reality and fantasy in fiction. Reality fiction tells stories that could actually happen, using realistic characters, settings, and plots about everyday topics like friendship and family. Fantasy fiction includes magical or supernatural elements and takes place in imaginary worlds, using characters with special powers to tell stories that could never happen in real life, often exploring themes of good versus evil. The key differences between the genres are that reality fiction prioritizes plausibility while fantasy fiction incorporates the impossible or supernatural.

1. REALITY
vs
FANTASY

2. REALITY
-tells about something that can really
happen.
- simply stated as real characters with
real problems solved in a realistic
in a real world setting.

3. - includes characteristics and events
that could really happen but are made
up by the author.
- topics usually include friendship,
family, growing up, etc.

4. FANTASY
- a make-believe story that could never
happen in real life.
- it is a genre in literature that includes
magical and/or supernatural elements as
part of the plot, setting, or theme

5. ELEMENTS OF REALISTIC FICTION
 CHARACTERIZATION
- characters are ordinary real people.
- usually change as a result of a problem and must be
able to resolve it.
 SETTING
- place is imaginary, but possible.
- time is anytime or no time.

6. PLOT
- must be plausible and believable.
- usually problem or puzzling event for characters
resolve.
- reader/listener usually feel that the story really
happened or may want to believe that it did.
THEME
- life themes as well as good versus bad/evil

7. ELEMENTS OF FANTASY
 CHARACTERIZATION
- characters can have special powers.
- animals act life people
- proto-people or para-people (wizards, witches, elves, fairies,
villains, ugly stepmother, etc.)
 SETTING
- place is imaginary or of another world or universe.
- time is anytime or no time or fantasy time.
- magicalized rather than scientifically explained

8. PLOT
- varied, but usually surprising twists or developments.
- involving situations not possible in our realistic world.
- conflicts are usually resolved with great deeds or acts
human kindness related to good and bad/evil.
THEME
- good versus evil
- religious or spiritual
- uses magic or other ideas to achieve the extremely
impossible.