Literary Genres categories used to group different types of literary work, such as non-fiction, fiction and poetry
Nonfiction writing that is true types: biography autobiography informational text
Types of Nonfiction Biography : A true account of a person's life written by another Autobiography: A true account of a person's life written by that person Informational Books: Books that provide facts about a variety of topics
Fiction imaginative or made up story may include factual information types: –Fantasy –Realistic fiction –Mystery –Traditional literature –Historical fiction –Science fiction
Types of Fiction Historical Fiction: set in the past made-up main character real people, places, and/or events Realistic Fiction: made-up characters real-life events real problems ~~ family situations, peer relationships, and cultural difference
Types of Fiction Science Fiction: science & technology (robots, time machines) ethical questions about current scientific trends and predictions Mystery: suspense; intrigue puzzling event/crime
What category of fiction would you put your favorite story in? Why? Science Fiction Historical Fiction Mystery Realistic Fiction
Types of Fiction Fantasy impossible elements --- talking animals, gods and goddesses, monsters, supernatural powers
Traditional Literature: Passed down through history Folktale- passed down orally long before being written down; usually anonymous author legend- loosely based on real person, serious exaggeration tall tale –characters’ size, strength, skill humorously exaggerated
Traditional Literature: Passed down through history fairy tales – magic, talking animals, “Once upon a time…” fables- short; personified animals and a moral myths – gods/goddesses; creation
Myths: a story or group of stories that form part of the traditional knowledge of a society. Myths often use imaginative plots and characters to explain how the world began and why nature and people behave the way they do.
Modern Fantasy: The events in modern fantasy are outside the realm of possibility. These stories cannot happen in real life, but even though we know the events can’t happen, they are very believable. These stories allow us to live in an imaginary world where anything is possible.
Bibliography Children’s Literature Genres, mlessons_rev/m4- collections/lesson2cl_genre.html mlessons_rev/m4- collections/lesson2cl_genre.html Genre Study: A Collaborative Approach, _view.asp?id=270 _view.asp?id=270 Dictionary.com, Wordsmyth,