Genres

What is a Genre? A word from the French which means “category” A word from the French which means “category” A word used to describe the various types of literature A word used to describe the various types of literature A group of literature classified by common characteristics A group of literature classified by common characteristics

Five Main Literary Genres Fiction Fiction Nonfiction Nonfiction Folktales/Traditional Literature Folktales/Traditional Literature Drama Drama Poetry Poetry

Fiction Stories that are made up in the mind of the author. Stories that are made up in the mind of the author. “Make-believe” or Imaginary “Make-believe” or Imaginary Can be based on truth Can be based on truth

Fiction Genres Realistic Fiction Realistic Fiction Adventure stories Adventure stories Mysteries Mysteries Humorous stories Humorous stories Historical Fiction Historical Fiction War stories War stories Biographical fiction Biographical fiction Fantasy Fantasy Ghost stories Ghost stories Science fiction Science fiction

Realistic Fiction A story using made-up characters that could happen in real life. A story using made-up characters that could happen in real life.

Examples of Realistic Fiction Just Grace Just Grace George Brown, Class Clown George Brown, Class Clown Junie B. Jones Junie B. Jones Nate the Great Nate the Great Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing

Historical Fiction A fictional story that takes place in a particular time period in the past. A fictional story that takes place in a particular time period in the past. Often the setting is real. Often the setting is real. The characters may be real or made-up. The characters may be real or made-up.

Examples of Historical Fiction Number the Stars Number the Stars Baseball Saved Us Baseball Saved Us Dear America series Dear America series American Girl series American Girl series

Fantasy A story that includes elements that are impossible. A story that includes elements that are impossible. May have talking animals or magical powers. May have talking animals or magical powers. Often takes place in medieval or nonexistent worlds Often takes place in medieval or nonexistent worlds Think fairies, mythical creatures Think fairies, mythical creatures

5 kinds of Fantasy Fantasy Animal Stories – animals have human characteristics – Charlotte’s Web, Babe the Gallant Pig, Clifford books Fantasy Animal Stories – animals have human characteristics – Charlotte’s Web, Babe the Gallant Pig, Clifford books Ghost stories or supernatural fiction – has characters from the spirit world – Wait Till Helen Comes Ghost stories or supernatural fiction – has characters from the spirit world – Wait Till Helen Comes Time fantasy and space fiction – Travel back and forth in time – Missing Series Time fantasy and space fiction – Travel back and forth in time – Missing Series Science Fiction – based on scientific fact – contains elements within the realm of possibility because of scientific discoveries – The Giver, A Wrinkle in Time Science Fiction – based on scientific fact – contains elements within the realm of possibility because of scientific discoveries – The Giver, A Wrinkle in Time High Fantasy – epic in nature, usually include a quest – Narnia series, Harry Potter, Star Wars, Roald Dahl books High Fantasy – epic in nature, usually include a quest – Narnia series, Harry Potter, Star Wars, Roald Dahl books

Examples of Fantasy James and the Giant Peach James and the Giant Peach Alice in Wonderland Alice in Wonderland Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Babe, the Gallant Pig Babe, the Gallant Pig Wait Till Helen Comes Wait Till Helen Comes The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

Science Fiction This is a type of fantasy genre. This is a type of fantasy genre. It uses science and technology. It uses science and technology. May have robots, time machines, etc. May have robots, time machines, etc.

Examples of Science Fiction The Giver The Giver A Wrinkle in Time A Wrinkle in Time Found (The Missing series) Found (The Missing series)

Nonfiction Factual books Factual books Give information Give information Classified with Dewey Decimal numbers Classified with Dewey Decimal numbers

Nonfiction Genres Informational Informational Biography Biography Autobiography Autobiography

Folktales or Traditional Literature Stories passed down from generation to generation Stories passed down from generation to generation Contain cultural traditions, rules, and rituals Contain cultural traditions, rules, and rituals Sometimes religious beliefs are included Sometimes religious beliefs are included Usually has a moral of the story or lesson learned Usually has a moral of the story or lesson learned Classified in the 398 section or 292 section Classified in the 398 section or 292 section

Folktale/Traditional Genres Myths Myths Folktales Folktales Nursery rhymes Nursery rhymes Epics Epics Hero stories Hero stories Legends Legends Tall tales Tall tales Fables Fables Fairy tales Fairy tales

Examples of Traditional Literature Paul Bunyan Paul Bunyan Mother Goose Rhymes Mother Goose Rhymes Beowulf Beowulf Robin Hood Robin Hood King Arthur and his Knights King Arthur and his Knights The Odyssey The Odyssey The Tortoise and the Hare The Tortoise and the Hare The Three Bears The Three Bears Red Riding Hood Red Riding Hood The Ugly Duckling The Ugly Duckling

Drama Works written in dramatic form Works written in dramatic form Collections of short plays or book-length plays Collections of short plays or book-length plays Example: works of Shakespeare Example: works of Shakespeare

Poetry Verse written to create a response of thought and feeling from the reader Verse written to create a response of thought and feeling from the reader Often uses rhythm and rhyme to convey its meaning Often uses rhythm and rhyme to convey its meaning There are many, many kinds of poetry! There are many, many kinds of poetry! Limericks Limericks Haiku Haiku Acrostic Acrostic Just to name a few!

There are also books that are CROSS-GENRE. That means that they fall into more than one category. An example is The Magic School Bus series.