When and where did I find it: I found this word in our course text, Content-area writing: Every teacher’s guide (2007), while reading about writing that is more polished and publishable than writing to learn writing.
Full citation: Daniels, H., Zemelman, S. & Steineke, N. (2007). Content-area writing: Every teacher’s guide. Porstmouth, NH: Heinemann.
What it means: The authors of the text define the literary term, faction, as “the marriage of factual research and imagination” (Daniels, Zemelman & Steineke, 2007, p. 149). It’s most commonly associated with historical or science fiction. In this context, the word does not mean what I think most people think of when they hear the word, faction, as a political or organized group of people, with left-wing affiliations.
Level of familiarity: I am familiar with faction as a form of a literary work, associating the term most frequently with historical fiction. I did not realize that the term came into use during the sixties.
Do I want to know this word well and if so, why? I think this is a useful word to know, since it pertains to a form of literature. I believe as an English teacher, I should probably know the word because it is a literary term that I could teach students. It’s not one of the most important literary terms to teach, just good to know. Stephen King's newest book about JFK's assasination would fall under this term.
Should others know this word well, and if so, who and why? I think teachers and literacy specialists should know the word. Knowing the literary term could help students in choosing a historical or science fiction novel. It could beneficial in initiating a conversation about what authors need to develop in creating intriguing historical or science-fiction pieces of work; research and references.
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