Why is J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy so compelling? How about The Matrix or Harry Potter? What makes these disparate worlds come alive are clear, consistent rules for how people, societies- and even the laws of physics-...

This is the fifteenth article in a series designed to help the new novel author. This article focuses on the genre of historical fiction and the role of the author. Is the author a researcher or a story-teller?

This resource discusses some terms and techniques that are useful to the beginning and intermediate fiction writer, and to instructors who are teaching fiction at these levels. W.11-12.3a Narratives

In this learning module, students will learn to analyze fiction told from the first-person, third-person limited, and third-person omniscient points of view.

Learn how to write science fiction in four parts: Science Fiction Samples, Getting Inspiration, Building You World, and Developing You Story. A video [3:00] and writing tips are also provided.

This article discusses the characteristics of fiction and the expectations that readers have.

A list of popular science fiction books with links to descriptions of each book.

This site provides bibliographies of science fiction writers, and found here is a thorough bibliography of works by W.W. Jacobs, including novels and short stories.

[Free Registration/Login Required] A lesson in which students use the book Allie's Basketball Dream by Barbara E. Barber to learn about the characteristics that define realistic fiction. Lesson includes direct teaching, guided practice,...

In this lesson students read fun, gross, or interesting facts about the digestive system and they are introduced to several unfamiliar words and encouraged to "be on the lookout" for those words during the lesson.

The point of fiction is to cast a spell, a momentary illusion that you are living in the world of the story. But how do writers suck readers into stories in this way? Nalo Hopkinson shares some tips for how to use language to make your...

This writing tutorial focuses on helping the aspiring author find a good place to start on his or her fiction.

Everyone from governments to military to industry leaders do as well, and they all employ people called futurists who attempt to forecast the future. Roey Tzezana explains some of the ways that futurists venture to do so. [5:22]

This writing and reading tutorial provides a detailed explanation of the difference between fiction and nonfiction in rhetoric.

Use the ideas on this page to help your students create mini-mysteries.

This bibliography includes not only Stephen King's novels and short stories, but chapter books, collections, nonfiction, anthologies containing his stories, awards and nominations, as well as secondary literature about his work. Click on...

Literary elements are included in this review exercise. Flashcards are provided for the following words: allusion, antagonist, dialogue, flashback, imagery, protagonist, symbol, dialect, hyperbole, idiom, irony, parody, pun, sarcasm,...

View a photo of Irish writer Elizabeth Bowen, and a complete list of her works. Many link to more in-depth information.

Provides a chronology of Lois Duncan's works. Click on the year to view information about that year. The description of each work is brief, but this is a good resource for her book covers.

John Wilson, a Canadian writer, has written a number of historical fiction books for junior up to high school level. This is a profile of his life, which is quite fascinating, from an interview in 1999. The bibliography lists his books...

A reader's theater adaptation of Alison Hart's historical fiction book, Gabriel's Horses, is provided on this script. Nine character roles are needed in this performance.

[Free Registration/Login Required] A lesson plan and materials to teach kindergarten students to identify and describe a fiction text.

"The Weeping Chamber" by Sigmund Brouwer is set in Jerusalem in the last days of Christ's life. It can be interpreted as an historical or a religious novel. This is an extensive study guide for the novel. It has many blackline masters...

Janet Bode wrote this article discussing why she writes, for whom she's writing, and the importance of non-fiction literature for young adults.