Naturalism: meaning, definitions and examples

Naturalism is often used in art and literature to describe a style that tries to represent subjects as they are, without idealization. It focuses on everyday life and ordinary people with an emphasis on accuracy and detail.

• The author's naturalism is evident in her detailed description of the urban landscape.
• The painter's naturalism brought a true-to-life representation of the countryside.

Realism is used to depict subjects in a way that is true to life, often eschewing romanticization. It is common in art, literature, and cinema.

• The movie was praised for its gritty realism.
• Her novel is a work of realism, capturing the struggles of daily life.

Verisimilitude is used to discuss the appearance of being true or real, often in fiction, film, and art. The focus is on making the portrayal believable to the audience.

• The film's verisimilitude made the story more engaging and convincing.
• The author worked hard to achieve verisimilitude in her historical novel.

Objectivity is used in situations that require impartiality and fairness, often in journalism, science, and research. It means not being influenced by personal feelings or biases.

• The scientist approached the experiment with complete objectivity.
• Journalists must maintain objectivity while reporting the news.