ficionale

Ficionele is a neologism used in literary and media studies to describe the deliberate interweaving of fictional elements within non-fictional or supposedly factual narratives. The term is used to discuss how stories recreate, illuminate, or critique real-world contexts by using invented details, characters, or events.

Origin and etymology of ficionele are unsettled; the word appears in online scholarly discussions in the 2010s and 2020s as a portmanteau blending fiction with functional or narrative aspects of nonfiction. It is not yet established as a formal theory with a single, canonical definition.

Techniques associated with ficionele include documents that appear authentic while being fictitious, faux interviews, fabricated archives, or narrative frames that place invented material alongside verifiable references. The aim is often to provoke critical reflection on epistemology, media literacy, and the construction of truth in contemporary storytelling.

Relation to other concepts: ficionele overlaps with metafiction, docu-fiction, autofiction, and fabulation but is distinguished by its use within non-fictional or quasi-factual settings, rather than in purely fictional worlds. It can appear in essays, documentary journalism, or digital media projects.

Ethics and reception: scholars debate the ethics and methodological implications of ficionele. Proponents argue it can reveal blind spots in knowledge production and provoke critical thought; critics warn that it risks confusing audiences and eroding trust. Best practices emphasize transparency, labeling, or reflexive framing to contextualize the fictional elements.