Feb 23, 2016
Genres and literature
When you speak about genre and literature, genre means a category, or
kind of story.
All categories of books or stories can be called either fiction or non-fiction.
Fiction• a made up story • can tell about
things that could happen
• is read for fun • characters may be
like real people or imaginary
Non-Fiction• has facts that can be
checked and proven • the author is an
expert on this information
• it IS TRUE!
Realistic Fiction
Realistic fiction is made up of stories that could really happen. Contemporary realistic fiction is realistic fiction that is set in modern times.
Realistic Fiction
• Some of the elements of the genre realistic fiction:
• Characters behave like real people and animals
• Settings in the story are real or could be real
• Events in the story could happen in real life
• Conflicts in the story are similar to problems that happen in real life
Examples of Realistic Fiction
Because of Winn DixieCrashOwl MoonShilohSummer of the SwansBabysitter Club series
Historical FictionHistorical fiction is made up of stories that take place in a certain time and place in the past. Real historical figures and settings may be included in a fiction story.
Example: Historical Fiction
Some of the elements of the genre of historical fiction:
• Story is set in a particular time and place in the past
• Story contains details that make the story more realistic.
• Characters talk, dress, and act like people of that time period
• Story involves real people and actual events that happened in
history
Examples of Historical FictionA Boy at WarAcross Five AprilsBen and MeThe ButterflyCharlie SkedaddleSign of the BeaverTitanic CrossingDear America Series
FolkloreFolklore includes stories, myths, and fables that people told one another over the years. Later the stories were written down.
Example: Fable
Some of the elements of the genre of fable:
• Stories are very short• Stories usually have two or three
characters• The characters may be animals or
things that act like people• Teach a “lesson” or moral
Folk Tales
• Some of the elements of the genre of folk tales:
• A story that has been told and retold over generations• Different countries have similar folk tales• Folk tales often begin with “Once upon a time” or
“Long ago in a far away place…”• Characters can be animals or objects that can speak• The story often teaches a lesson or moral• Good or smart wins over evil or stupid• The story is told using the words he, she or it• Actions or words are often repeated (in a pattern)• The story has an exciting “high point” at the end
Examples of FolkloreAesop’s FablesBeauty and the BeastThe BunyansCinderellaJohn HenryThe Talking EggsThe Tortoise and the Hare
Example: Myth
Some of the elements of the genre of myth:
• A story that offers an explanation of how something in nature looks or
happens• A story that explains why people act
as they do• The characters may be human, or
gods or goddesses
Example: Legend
Some of the elements of the genre of legend:
• A story about a hero or heroine• May be based on facts, but the hero
or heroine’s actions are “bigger” than life
• The story has factual elements, but through countless retellings, the characters and their actions have
become exaggerated
FantasyFantasy is fiction that has elements that are not real. Sometimes this includes talking animals or characters with magical powers. There’s usually a conflict between good and evil.
Examples of FantasyAlice’s Adventures in Wonderland
Charlotte’s Web
The Wreck of the Zephyr
Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe
Lord of the Rings
Harry Potter Series
Fairy Tale• Special beginning and/or ending words - Once
upon a time...and they lived happily ever after. • Good character • Evil character • Royalty and/or a castle usually present • Magic happens • Problem and a Solution • Things often happen in "threes" or "sevens"
Examples of Fairy Tale
The Dog and Her Little Glass Slipper
CinderellaThe Stinky Cheese Man and
Other Fairly Stupid Tales
MysteryMysteries are stories that have a real setting and a problem to be solved that includes clues, distractions, and an answer to the problem.
Examples of MysteryThe House of Dies Drear
Never Say Die
The Treehouse Mystery
Mystery of the Midnight Message
Encyclopedia Brown Series
Boxcar Children Mysteries
Science FictionScience Fiction is made up of stories that blend fact and fiction with futuristic technology.
Examples of Science FictionAliens for Breakfast
A Wrinkle in Time
My Best Friend is Invisible
Star Wars
The Time Machine
AdventureThe characters (and the reader) can always expectthe worst - the main characters can, and usually do,have everything thrown at them. Action, action andmore action are hallmarks of a goodadventure/suspense book. The entire read is a rollercoaster ride of chills and excitement with the last stop (and page) not always ending in happiness. Andfinally, there must be a villain, for without afoe…without an adversary, there can be no adventure…nosuspense.
Examples of Adventure
The Whipping BoyIsland of the Blue DolphinsAbel’s IslandThe Cay
PoetryPoetry is verse written to inspire thoughts and feelings in the reader. It often uses rhyme and rhythm, or it can be written in free verse.
Example: Poetry
Some of the elements of the genre of poetry:
• Poems often contain words that rhyme
• Poems often contain incomplete sentences, each on its own line
• Poems often contain lines with rhythm or meter
• Poems often contain repeated words
• Poems often are rich in imageryPoems are organized in stanzas.
Examples of PoetryWhere the Sidewalk Ends
New Kid on the Block
Chocolate Dreams: Poems
Mammalabilia
A Pizza the Size of the Sun
Love That Dog
InformationalInformational books are nonfiction books that give true facts on a variety of subjects.
Example: Informational/Expository Text
Some of the elements of the genre of expository text:
• Gives factual and verifiable information about a specific subject. Information presented can be checked using other sources, i.e. newspapers,
encyclopedias, etc.• Uses facts about real events and people
• Presents information in a clear way• Gives events in the order in which they happened
• Writing organized by topics• May use diagrams, photographs, and other
illustrations
Examples of Informational Writing
Dirt Bikes
Flying Animals
Danger! Earthquakes
Newspapers
Encyclopedias
BiographyA biography is the true story of a real person’s life from the past or present.
Example: BiographySome of the elements of the genre of
biography:
• An account of a real person’s life written by someone else
• Tells important information about a person’s life, including his or her
achievements or talents.• Tells how a person talks, feels, and thinks
about things• Either may be the about the person’s
whole life or part of their life• Events are usually told in the order they
occurred (chronologically)
•
Examples of Biography
Tiger Woods: An American Master
The HomerunKings: BabeRuth and Henry Aaron
Clara Barton, a Red Cross Pioneer
Sacagawea
Example: Autobiography
Some of the elements of the genre of autobiography:
• An account by a person about his or her own life
• Tells important information about their own life, including achievements or
talents.• Tells how the person talks, feels, and
thinks about things• Either may be the about the person’s
whole life or part of their life• Events are usually told in the order they
occurred (chronologically)
•