Connections to reality

In general, non-fiction deals in communicating real facts, real opinions, and real analyses – interpretations of the reality of our world. So, while lots of fiction such as historical fiction may include facts, there is no onus to do so (except that it might make the story better!). In non-fiction however, the focus is on communicating “real things” – they do not necessarily have to be true, but it is expected that the creator is being as authentic as possible in their pursuit, and representation of truth.