Metafiction

usgb/ˌmɛtəˈfɪkʃən/
noun

Metafiction is a type of fiction that explores the nature of fiction by making the reader aware they are reading a fictional work.

Many authors use metafiction to play with the conventions of storytelling, such as in 'If on a winter's night a traveler' by Italo Calvino.
Visual representation of "metafiction" - Metafiction is a type of fiction that explores the nature of fiction by making the reader aware they are reading a fictional work.

Often appears as...

  • self-aware narratives
  • fictional exploration

Usage tips

Neutral

self-referential literature, fictional narrative, narrative devices

Definition 1 of 1
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Contextual Awareness

Understanding metafiction requires recognizing that the story is commenting on itself.

Illustration for Contextual Awareness
In novels that use metafiction, characters may break the fourth wall.
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Literary Technique

Metafiction is a narrative strategy that invites the reader to question the nature of fiction.

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Metafictional elements can complicate traditional storytelling methods.
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Self-Reflection

Engaging with metafiction can lead to a deeper appreciation of how stories are constructed.

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Readers may find metafictional works challenging due to their complex layering of meaning.
Visual representation of the word "Metafiction"

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