Abstract: In the early 1980’s, with the introduction of the concept of “non-fiction novel”, the critics published a series of articles, trying to use this exotic product for the development of local documentary literary theory, leading to a series of questions-- what is “non-fiction novel”, what the relationship between reportage, documentary literature and “non-fiction literature”, and whether the term “documentary novel” exists. The theoretical achievements of “non-fiction” in the academic circles are mainly based on the “non-fiction” column opened by People’s Literature in 2010. After the concept of “non-fiction” was introduced into China, its theoretical research changed from a single emphasis on the limitation of “non-fiction” to a vassal of reportage and documentary literature theory, and then gradually formed its own school with the help of the trend of popularization. The theory of “non-fiction” has become a common practice in retrospect and innovation. Reorganizing the research results of the “non-fiction” theory at this stage can help understand its connotation and changes more clearly.

Key words: “non-fiction”, origin, theoretical development, lcalization, pluralistic coexistence