Fiction

Fiction (from the Latin fingere, "to form, create") is the genre of imaginative narrative, including novels and short stories. More generally, fiction is written and oral imaginative literature, including comic books, fables, fairy tales, films, plays, poems and video games. Works of fiction need not be entirely imaginary, and may include real people, places, and events.

Fiction is largely perceived as a form of art and/or entertainment, although not all fiction is necessarily artistic. Fiction may be created for the purpose of educating, such as fictional examples used in school textbooks. Fiction is also frequently used in propaganda and advertising. Fiction may be propagated by parents to their children out of tradition (e.g. Santa Claus) or in order to instill certain beliefs and values. Fables with an explicit moral goal are not necessarily targeted at children, however.

Fiction is a fundamental part of human culture, and the ability to create fiction and other artistic works is frequently cited as one of the defining characteristics of humanity.