Selina was so pumped about the prospect of talking about the Aeneid. Rarely, if ever, people wanted to speak about the Latin epic poem that was near and dear to Selina's heart. But Cerulean, after everyone listed their favorite pieces of literature, seemed to just glaze right over the Aeneid. It made Selina a tad upset because she was foolishly expecting to be running frantically about retelling the tale of Aeneas and his companions. Perhaps, it was a tad unrealistic.

When she did ask the difference between fiction and nonfiction, Selina was surprised that she knew the answer to that question. Then again, it was not so weird because even Wizarding novels had that distinction, "A nonfiction book is a book that is made up of one hundred percent fact. Fiction is novel or piece of literature that has made up characters or stories that are not based mostly in fact or at all in fact."

Fiction and Non-Fiction. Jade knew all about these muggle books, well mostly. She at least knew the difference between the two. "Fictional books are with made-up facts while non-fictional books are with true facts." She nodded, throwing another piece of popcorn into her mouth. She felt pretty confident on that answer.

Jonathan saw the professor writing down all the titles of the books that were just mentioned. Everyone had different types of books that they read and it's quite a variety too. Most of which, Jonathan has never had ever heard of. He has heard of some but technically can't really tell the story himself. Then she also mentioned about setting up a muggle literature shelf with the librarian. Which is really nice because other students have been sort of wanting this to happen as well.

Now, onto the next topic--- Fiction and Non-fiction. Jonathan's hand shot up when the question was raised. "Professor..." he started thinking of the descriptions of both words. "...Fiction is a story or a novel based on imagination. Where authors write to their fullest desires with their made-up characters and story plots" he continued "Non-fiction is based on facts such as our books in school."

João raised his hand up to answer the question.

"Fiction is where the story is not a real story and it's all up to the imagination of the writer. Non-fiction, though, is fully based on facts and historical events."

Kurumi frowned slightly when it seemed as though the sharing of their favorite books had been just that, sharing, and nothing else was really going to come of it. Oh well. Shrugging her shoulders, Kurumi tried to relax her posture a little since the class seemed to be a little more laid back than usual, but Kurumi had a hard time wrapping her brain around such an environment so....perfect posture it was.

When the next question was posed, Kurumi bit her lip for a moment to try and solidify an answer in her head besides a very generic 'one is true and the other isn't,' because that wasn't entirely on point. Some of Kurumi's favorite books were historical fiction, and those were still based on real event and people, just with some embellishments and things from the imagination of the author. Slowly, Kurumi raised her hand to offer up her own answer. "Works of fiction are those that are, in part or in whole, about events, people, places, and information that is not factual, but rather stems from the imagination of the author. Sometimes works of fiction can seem very real, as in they could have or will actually happen. My favorite form of fiction happens to be historical fiction, so the setting and events are based on fact, but typically the main character is not." Kurumi paused for a moment, running over what she had just said in her head and chewing on her lip a little nervously for a few moments before continuing. "Non-fiction, on the other hand, are works that are factual and that the author is writing in such a way that the information is historically or empirically true at the time of the composition."

And with that, Kurumi slowly lowered her hand to her lap and idle toyed with her quill.

Why did the professor always seem so excited about the lessons? Maybe Sierra was just too reserved. Or maybe the professor really was just that excited. Whatever. Whoever heard of getting excited over Muggles?! Anyway...

Oh, she knew Fiction and Non-fiction! Now who was getting excited over this discussion? No, she wasn't excited. Just...well, surprised she was actually following along and understanding a Muggle discussion. Her hand rose into the air. "Fiction is made up and Non-fiction is real and based on facts," she said. "For example, the Muggles think anything written about our existence is Fiction, because they think we're made up, and anything written about their existence is Non-fiction." Ridiculous.

Lewis had just stared a couple of his classmates in wonder when they mentioned Muggle books, books he'd never heard before. They had weird titles, at least some of them did. Especially staring at a girl that mentioned a book about rings, the Hufflepuff took a couple of notes when she explained what it was about. A ring. So much he'd gathered from the title already. But then there was some things about hobbits too which just left him completely baffled. What was that?! He was going to have to look that up after class.

He smiled to himself when Professor Cerulean mentioned that there might be a Muggle Bookshelf in the Library soon. As long as it wasn't in the restricted section this was an AWESOME idea. At least he thought so. It would probably mean that he would be spending even more time in the library though. But it was winter anyway so no need to feel bad about staying inside all day.

And he didn't have to go to the library on his own after all...

Oh, that question he knew!

Lewis quickly raised his hand to get the professor's attention and - once he had it - lowered it again, answering the question. "Well, nonfictional books are factual. They're based on facts...on true facts...or, well, at least the author believes them to be true." Yes, that wasn't confusing at all or anything. So you could never be absolutely certain if what was written in a book was ACTUALLY true. "And fiction is all about imagination, a lot of a fictional book's components are made up, like the characters or the storyline or the history of the story." Which was really weird actually now that he got to think of it. Since, per that definition, if, say, Lewis Carroll would be insane and would actually believe that there was a world called Wonderland, then that would make the Alice in Wonderland-books nonfictional, wouldn't it?

Somehow those definitions were a little confusing all of a sudden. Huh.

This was an easy enough question and Hannah was starting to like this class mainly because she was chilling in a comfy chair and she had munched on some delicious popcorn earlier. Atleast this professor was nice.

"Professor non-fiction books are true and can be supported by facts and fiction books are phony." she said with a raised hand. Sure fiction books could be a good read, but they were still not true so that automatically made them phony right?

Alyssa listened as the others gave their answers to what they thought fictional and non-fictional meant, taking down notes as each person have their answer. When no one else spoke, Alyssa raised her hand and gave her opinion of what she thought it meant.

"Professor a non-fictional book is basically a book that has true factual content for example an autobiography of someone's life or events that took place in the past."Alydsa paused to think.

"It could also be a book on research studies or even about a specific subject. "

"A fictional book is basically a book containing a story that is made up and is not real." Alyssa frowned when she said that, paused to think before raising her hand to ask the Professor.

"Professor could it be possible that even though some stories are considered fiction they are in fact true and should be considered non-fiction?"Alyssa asked the Professor.

"I mean some stories or legends have been passed on down so many generations that they got distorted and eventually fell under the category of fairy tale stories, like King Arthur, the Knights of the Round Table and even Merlin."

"There has been proof to show that King Arthur and the Knights actually did exist. For example it is believed that it was Merlin who brought the stones of Stonehenge to Britain. Another example is the legend of Robin Hood who is supposed to be a fictional character?" "The existence of the Magna Carta proves that he did somehow exist."

"So could it be possible that maybe what some may consider fictional stories actually should in fact should be considered non-fictional?" Alyssa asked the Professor.

Fiction and non-fiction?

Well, not being the muggle stuff expert, Nora could only guess, so she raised her hand to try. "Fiction is based on the author's imagination, and non-fiction... is not. It's about true facts," or at least so she thought. Maybe she was right, maybe it was the other way around. Ehh, she'll have to wait and see.

Messer turned his gazed when he heard someone was whispering to him. Someone like the same book as he is. YAY! She must be really really cool! Since she like The Hobbit.

"Thanks." he whispered back and gave the Ravenclaw a small smile.



Messer's eyes went back to the Professor after she asked another question to the class. Fiction and Non-Fiction? Oh he knew that! He knew that! Hands up. "Professor, Fiction used characters, setting and plot to tell stories that are not real. While Non-fiction is factual and true writing that tells about real people, real places and/or real events." he said. "So, I think basically Fictional is not real and Non-Fictional is real" he added.

Maxwell nodded to the question that most everyone had answered. "Fiction is a story created by an Author to where Non-Fiction are books made up of facts."

And a Dale mention. ^_^
 

Ooh, that would be cool. Having an opportunity to read muggles novels in addition to all the magically oriented books already in the library. Even though they wouldn't exactly help with the advancement of magical education, Adam loved the classics and figured they would be a good way to take a break from the more serious studying like the NEWTs that he really needed to be focusing on. Err...anyway.

"Non-fiction books deal with more historical events or people or concepts that are studied in real life with actual people. In some ways this kind of limits what can be considered for a non-fiction book, but in other ways it can provide a more practical set of information for the reader. Fiction books however can deal with events that could happen in real life with relatable characters and settings, or they can deal with places and concepts that touch on a person's imagination. So in a lot of ways Fiction books can touch on things discussed in non-fiction books, or they can create a world of their own."

Raising her hand Angelina said, "Professor, one is things that never happened and the other is a story of something that did happen." some muggle stories Angelina wondered if they were nonfictional or fictional. Hard to know not growing up in the muggle world.

Gemma shook her head at each of the student's answers. "Yes you are all correct..." she said picking up a bag beside her and digging in it. With each correct answer, she dug out a Tootsie Roll and tossed it at the students...bribery was a good way to get answers...yes it would work great!

The professor turned her head to look at the student as she asked her question with a sweet smile on her face, "Yes, Alyssa...you bring up an excellent point. Some books can be consider a compilation of the two due to where the story has it's roots from...."

She looked around the circle of soft L chairs and then continued with the lesson, "As the students mentioned, Fiction is the form of any narrative or informative work that deals, in part or in whole, with information or events that are not factual, but rather, imaginary..." she said trying to make eye contact with as many students as she could. "Non-fiction is the form of any narrative, account, or other communicative work whose assertions and descriptions are understood to be factual and can be traced through history and facts to be factual."

She paused to let that sink in and to eat a few pieces of Chicago Style popcorn. "Now in each of these two types of literature there are tons of other forms of literature. For instance, Fiction can be divided into a number of forms including but not limited to Drama, Poetry, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Humor, Fables, Fairy Tales, Horror, Legends, Mystery, Mythology, etc." She took a breath and then continued, "And Non-Fiction can be divided into a number of forms such as Narrative Non-Fiction, Essays, Research Papers, Biographies and Autobiographies, Speeches, etc."

"Let's start discussing some different authors. We'll start with a very famous Fictional author from the 16th and 17th Century. He was well known for a variety of works in his years and was also rumored to be a part of a conspiracy surrounding his literature." She stood up and walked to a portrait hanging in a corner of the room. It was dark and hard to make out. When she got beside it she recited, "To be, or not to be." she paused with a smile, "This above all: to thine own self be true..." she held out her hand and made the words overdramatic with a little laugh.

Finally she clicked on the light hanging over the portrait and the picture lite up.



"Can anyone tell me who this is? And could you share some more of his famous lines from his works? Please only share one so there are enough for everyone." she said glancing from the portrait to the students.

OOC: Remember to raise your hands and to keep talking to a minimum. When you are giving famous lines, please try not to repeat those that have already been shared. Thanks! I lovers you all! :glomp:

Theodore eyed the picture closely. He had seen it before but didn't really know who it was. Writer in the 16th/17th century, though? Yeah, he would take a guess, which he was sure would be right.

"Is it William Shakespeare, professor?" He said, raising his hand high.

He was like... top dog writer.

Famous lines were another thing completely. The boy put his hand down straight away, cos he was no genius literature reader, guys.

Alyssa quickly recognized that phrase and raised her hand,"Professor the author of that play is William Shakespeare. That line came from the play he wrote called "Hamlet""

"He has also been known for other famous saying like,"The quality of mercy is not strained, it falleth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath. It is twice blest: It blesseth him that giveth and him that taketh away. " Alyssa paused before adding.

"Those were the words from his play, Merchant of Venice."

Nigel had seen that painting before. Hmm.. Maybe..Yes his parents had show it to him somewhere before. Nigel raised his hand and waved it frantically "Professor Professor, It's William Shakespeare, he wrote some good plays. Like "Nothing will come of nothing" in King Lear." Yes Nigel liked that quote he thought as he ate the delicious tootsie roll

Shakespeare! João looked in wonder for a moment. He wasn't a specific fan of the man, but he knew his works. In fact, his Antony's Oration was his favourite speeches of all times. Raising his hand, he said "William Shakespeare, that's him, professor," he said, before he kept quite for a moment to remember his favourite parts of the oration. He wanted to recite the whole of it--he knew it by heart, but he figured only two lines would had to do now: "The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones," he said, and hesitated for a moment whether he should tell it was from Antony's Oration, but in the end, he decided not to. If she wanted, she would ask him.