nonbiographical

Nonbiographical is an adjective describing content that does not recount the life story of real people. It covers fiction, poetry, essays on ideas, analysis of events, or general topics. It is contrasted with biographical genres such as biography, autobiography, and memoir.

In literature, nonbiographical works may still reflect real-world subjects but do not claim to present a factual life narrative. Some works blend fact and invention; those sometimes fall into biographical fiction or historical fiction rather than strictly nonbiographical. The boundary can be fluid, especially in documentary or journalism that uses narrative techniques; however, nonbiographical content generally emphasizes themes, concepts, or hypothetical scenarios rather than a single individual's life.

Nonbiographical works appear in novels, short stories, poetry, essays, films, plays, and digital media. Examples include science fiction exploring speculative worlds, fantasy that invents cultures, or essays examining ideas, philosophy, or natural phenomena. Nonbiographical history or science writing may discuss events or phenomena without focusing on individuals' life stories.

The term derives from non- + biographical; biographical itself from Greek bios and graphe, to write life. In practice, publishers and critics may use different labels, and some works are marketed as nonbiographical to signal a focus on themes over personal lives. See also: biography, biopic, biographical fiction, historical fiction.