The Characteristics Of Non-fictition Karangan, Understanding Writing Based On Facts

Illustration of reading non-fiction essays (Pexels/SHVETS production)

YOGYAKARTA - A non-fiction Karangan is a type of writing based on reality. This writing comes as the opposite of fiction which is full of imagination and fabrication stories. Unlike fiction, non-fiction essays provide actual information, based on experience or events that actually happen.

In modern literacy, non-fiction essays are not only used to convey information, but also a tool for expressing opinions, inspiring, and forming a critical view of society.

Summarized from various sources, the following are discussed the characteristics of non-fictionary essays, so that readers can recognize and distinguish them from fiction.

The most prominent feature of a non-fictionary essay is his honesty to facts. Non-fictitious writings always rely on reality, whether in the form of data, actual events, or real figures. There is no engineering of events or depictions of fictitious figures.

For example, the autobiography of the first President of the Republic of Indonesia, Soekarno, written by Cindy Adams entitled Bung Karno Connecting the Tongue of the Indonesian People. Each part of the narrative in the book comes from the story of the character's original life, not the result of a writing by the author.

Karangan seperti ini biasanya dilengkapi dengan data pendukung seperti citasi, hasil riset, tanggal kejadian, serta referensi yang dapat ditelusuri. Fakta-fakta tersebut menjadikan tulisan nonfiksi sebagai sumber informasi yang dapat dipercaya.

2. Informative or Persuasive Goals

Most of the non-fiction essays are made to give readers an understanding of a topic. The main goal can be informative, namely conveying knowledge, or persuasiveness, which affects the reader's perspective on an issue.

Examples of informative writings can be found in history books, science articles, or journalistic reports. Meanwhile, persuasive articles appear in editorial newspapers, opinion essays, or motivational books such as The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey.

3. Prepared Based on Research Results

Quality non-fiction Karangan is usually born from an in-depth research process. Authors dig up information from various trusted sources, such as official documents, interviews, field observations, and academic literature.

The purpose of this research is to ensure the accuracy of the information submitted to readers. Books such as Cattle: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari are examples of how historical, anthropological, and biological research is combined into narratives that touch human reality as a whole.

4. Objective or Subjective, Depending on Writing Goals

Although non-fictionary essays are rooted in facts, that doesn't mean this writing is always objective. Some types of non-fictionary essays such as memoirs or personal essays are full of subjective authors' points of view.

In this case, the author spoke of personal experience and emotions, but still referred to the actual events. Instead, essays such as essay articles or scientific reports are written objectively, without the opinion of the author.

5. Using Various Language Styles

Unlike the assumption that non-fiction essays are always rigid and formal, the reality is that the style of language in non-fictionary essays is very diverse. The style of language is adjusted to the type of writing and target of the reader.

In descriptive non-fictions such as travel guidance, the language used can be very expressive and full of sensory images. While in expository non-fiction such as textbooks or scientific articles, the language used tends to be dense, straightforward, and technical.

6. Has a Logistical and Systematic Structure

Non-fiction writing is generally compiled logically and systematically. This structure helps readers to follow the author's thought path and understand the contents of writing easily.

For example, in academic essays, there is a preliminary structure, content (arguments and supporting data), as well as conclusions. Likewise in biographies or memoirs, the storyline is structured in chronological order to show the development of figures from time to time.