GENRES OF LITERATURE 3 rd Grade Fiction Non-Fiction

MAIN MENU Fiction FantasyHistorical Fiction Mystery Realistic Fiction Science Fiction Adventure Folktales

MAIN MENU Non-Fiction BiographyAutobiographyEssay EncyclopediaTextbookHow-To MagazineResearch Report Almanac MemoirNewspaperAtlas

MAIN MENU F ANTASY A story that is imaginative, but could never really happen. The setting may be of another world. Characters might be magical. Fiction

MAIN MENU H ISTORICAL F ICTION A story that takes place in a historically accurate time and setting. The characters and some events are fictional. Fiction

MAIN MENU M YSTERY A story that usually involves suspense and the solving of a crime. Clues are typically given throughout the story to solve the mystery at the end of the book. Fiction

MAIN MENU R EALISTIC F ICTION A story that seems real or could happen in real life. It is set in present day and includes modern day problems and events. Fiction

MAIN MENU S CIENCE F ICTION A story that is typically set in the future or on other planets. It is based on the impact of actual, imagined, or potential science. Fiction

MAIN MENU A DVENTURE A story where a protagonist and other major characters and are placed in dangerous situations. The characters must use their wit and skills to defeat the antagonist. Fiction

MAIN MENU F OLKTALES Fable Fairy Tale Legend Tall Tale Myth Fiction

MAIN MENU F ABLE A brief story that is meant to tell a lesson or a moral. The characters are usually animals with human characteristics. Fiction: Folktale

MAIN MENU F AIRY T ALE A story that has magical elements. The characters are usually fairies, giants, elves, and other magical creatures. Fiction: Folktale

MAIN MENU L EGEND A story usually about a national or folk hero. This story takes place in a particular time and place and is partly true and partly fiction. The character traits of the hero are typically exaggerated. Fiction: Folktale

MAIN MENU T ALL T ALE A humorous story with extreme exaggerations. The main character, or hero, usually does impossible things with ease. Fiction: Folktale

MAIN MENU M YTH A story that is often based on a historical event that is meant to serve as an explanation for some phenomenon of nature or human behavior. Characters are usually gods. Fiction: Folktale

MAIN MENU B IOGRAPHY A history of someone’s life, or part of someone’s life. This is a true story about a real person. Non- Fiction

MAIN MENU A UTOBIOGRAPHY A biography written by a person about his/her own life and history. Non- Fiction

MAIN MENU E SSAY A short composition, usually written from the author’s point of view. Essays can be persuasive, comparative, literary criticism, political manifestos, arguments, observations, recollections, or reflections. Non- Fiction

MAIN MENU H OW -T O An instructional form of writing that demonstrates how to do a task, activity, procedure, etc. Non- Fiction

MAIN MENU T EXTBOOK A manual of instruction or standard book in any branch of study. Textbooks are usually written according to educational demands. Non- Fiction

MAIN MENU E NCYCLOPEDIA A comprehensive written work that is used as a reference. It contains articles on various topics and branches of knowledge. Non- Fiction

MAIN MENU M AGAZINE A periodical that contains articles, pictures, advertisements, stories, etc. that is published on a regular schedule. Non- Fiction

MAIN MENU R ESEARCH R EPORT An informational, objective piece of writing based on multiple accurate references. Non- Fiction

MAIN MENU A LMANAC An annual publication that contains tabular information in a particular field(s) according to the calendar. Information such as astronomical data, the rising and setting of the sun and moon, eclipses, hours of the tide, etc. Non- Fiction

MAIN MENU N EWSPAPER A publication containing news, information, current events, and advertising. There are feature articles on topics such as political events, crime, business, art/entertainment, society, and sports. Many newspapers also include some editorial columns. Other sections include advertising, comics, and coupons. Non- Fiction

MAIN MENU A TLAS A collection of maps of Earth, or parts of Earth. The atlas presents geographic features, political boundaries, and geopolitical, social, religious, and economic statistics. Non- Fiction

MAIN MENU M EMOIR A type of an autobiography. It is a writer’s own account of one or two important events and is told in the first person. It is descriptive and highly personal. Non- Fiction

MAIN MENU E DITORIAL An article that is usually in a newspaper or magazine, or on television or the radio. This article expresses the author’s personal opinion and view on a particular topic. Non- Fiction

MAIN MENU A DVERTISEMENT A public promotion of a product or service. It is a form of communication used to help sell these products or services. It usually describes how the products or services can benefit the customer. Non- Fiction

MAIN MENU Sources Adapted by Mrs. Kyker Originally created by Andrea Curd;