Why is it easier to read fiction than non fiction?

Question

Just seems like people are finishing Harry Potter in a ridiculous amount of time and I'm dragging on some non fictions. I wonder if there is any explanation for this phenomenon. Okay let's just pretend to we have one person reading two books, same size, one non fiction, the other fiction. I think the person will finish the fiction much faster... why?

Answer 1

It seems that the style of many fiction books is short chapters and quick-moving stories. Plus, much of the text is in dialogue form, which allows you to get through the pages faster. Many non-fiction books are long, descriptive paragraphs.

Answer 2

I've never noticed people physically reading faster, but I think it's because most fiction authors don't need to worry about the kind of things non fiction authors do. For example, telling the story from other points of view, thoughts, or plots don't really matter to a fiction writer because they can change the story to be more interesting, or flow better as they please, while a nonfiction writer is limited. Since a story seems to go by faster when it is written more smoothly (or enjoyed more), this might be the case.

Answer 3

There's something fun about reading something that someone else fabricated. There are too many facts in non-fiction books and that can be a drag. Also, school is long enough without having to read things we learn in school as well.

In the case of Harry Potter, it's just cause everyone was so excited to see what happened (I finished in 3 hours)

Answer 4

It depends. If the person you are referring to happened to be my husband and he was reading a non-fiction book like Rich Dad, Poor Dad for the first time and a fiction book that he was also interested in, he would finish the non-fiction book first. He loves to learn from others. It just depends on the person.

Answer 5

Just like reading fiction, reading non-fiction depends on the author and their writing style. Most non-fiction I've read seems dry and feels like reading a textbook. But I've also read plenty that's just as entertaining as many works of non-fiction.

If the author presents their work in a fashion that reminds people of watching something educational in nature where the narrator drones on in a monotone fashion, then no matter how informative their work is it's going to be dry and boring. But if they present it in a method that seems more like watching you're favorite movie, a method that graps your attention and doesn't let go, then their writing is bringing that info alive for you. It makes it exciting and entertaining to read, becoming easier for you to understand.

Answer 6

I like non-fiction stuff! But sometimes non-fiction gets kind of boring. Fiction can be spiced up, added to, and made into almost anything your mind can imagine. Which makes it more entertaining and keeps your interest for longer lengths of time.

Answer 7

They're more interesting for one and hold your attention. Plus books like Harry Potter have easy writing styles, you can get through it quickly because it doesn't have such long dragging sentences I see a lot of non-fiction books have.

Answer 8

Reading fiction is more entertaining and fun than reading a stodgy old text book. I'm plodding through four texts right now and I read HP7 in six hours. I've been in those texts for a month.

wg

Answer 9

most people find non fiction drab and dry - a lot of it is repetitive nonsense about boring things people dont really care about.
fiction is spunky. new. fun. unreal. addictive. people want to read about things they cant see for themselves out their window.
things that arent real, but made to seem so, are much more interesting than things you see everyday and are sick of. you read fiction to get AWAY from the nonfiction in your life.

Answer 10

I don't know if I agree with your hypothesis. I tend to prefer non-fiction over fiction. Isn't it more exciting to read something knowing that it actually happened???