Maryland Literature 2008 edition Sixth Grade Literary Genres Maryland Literature 2008 edition Sixth Grade

The Genres What is a genre? the main forms writers use

* short stories * novels *novellas *folk tales FICTION made-up stories about characters and events * short stories * novels *novellas *folk tales

STRATEGIES FOR READING Make connections: Ask yourself: Have I experienced similar situations or feelings in my own life? Picture the scene: Use descriptions to help you visualize a lifelike picture in your mind. Predict what will happen: Ask yourself: What is going to happen next? Track the events: Use a journal, graphic organizer, or plot diagram to keep track of the events

ACADEMIC VOCABULARY PLOT: action of a story CONFLICT: a struggle between two opposing forces CHARACTER: a person or an animal involved in the action SETTING: where and when the action takes place THEME: a message or lesson brought out by the action of a story POINT OF VIEW: the perspective from which the story is told

* haiku * limericks *narrative poems POETRY words are chosen and arranged in a precise way to create specific effects * haiku * limericks *narrative poems

STRATEGIES FOR READING Examine the form: How does the poem look on the page? Notice the punctuation: Use punctuation to help you figure out when to pause while reading. Read the poem aloud: Listen for musical rhymes or rhythms. Form a mental picture: Look for words and phrases that can help you imagine what is being described.

ACADEMIC VOCABULARY FORM: the arrangement of lines and words on a page LINE: a row of words in a poem STANZA: grouped lines of poetry; “paragraphs” RHYTHM: a pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in a line of poetry RHYME: the repetition of sounds at the end of words

* comedies * historical dramas *radio plays stories that are meant to be performed * comedies * historical dramas *radio plays

STRATEGIES FOR READING Read the play silently, then aloud with others Read the stage directions: Use these notes to help you picture the setting, action, and characters Get to know the characters: Pay attention to dialogue and the stage directions

ACADEMIC VOCABULARY PLOT: action of a story CHARACTER: a person or an animal involved in the action ACT: a major division within a play, similar to a chapter in a book SCENE: an episode of the play’s plot; typically occurs at a single place and time DIALOGUE: a conversation between two or more characters STAGE DIRECTIONS: instructions in the script to the actors, director, and stage crew

NONFICTION tells about real people, places, and events * autobiographies * biographies *essays * biographies * speeches *reference articles

NONFICTION LITERATURE TYPES OF NONFICTION AUTOBIOGRAPHY: a true story of a person’s life, told by that person BIOGRAPHY: a true story of a person’s life, told by someone else ESSAY: a short piece of writing about a single subject SPEECH: an oral presentation of a speaker’s ideas of beliefs NEWS ARTICLE: factual writing that reports on recent events REFERENCE ARTICLE: informative writing that provides facts and background on a specific subject CONSUMER DOCUMENT: printed materials that comes with a product or service

STRATEGIES FOR READING CONSIDER THE PURPOSE: Is the writing trying to persuade, inspire, or inform? NOTE THE MAIN IDEAS: What are the most important points; record them in a journal or a graphic organizer PREVIEW THE TEXT: Look at the text features to get an idea of what the text will be about EXAMINE THE GRAPHIC AIDS: Look at the pictures and illustrations to get an idea of what the text will be about

ACADEMIC VOCABULARY PURPOSE: the reason for writing: to express thoughts or feelings, to inform or explain, to persuade, or to entertain ORGANIZATION: the way ideas and information are arranged and organized MAIN IDEA: the central or most important ideas about a topic TEXT FEATURES: elements of text: boldface type, headings, and subheadings, bulleted or numbered lists, sidebars, graphic aids, etc.

* TV shows * advertising *web sites TYPES OF MEDIA communication that reaches many people * TV shows * advertising *web sites

VIEWING THE MEDIA MOTION PICTURES OR TV SHOWS THAT TELL STORIES STRATEGIES FOR VIEWING FILMS & TV SHOWS KNOW WHAT’S HAPPENING: Ask someone if you are confused about the plot. SPOT THE TECHNIQUES: Ask yourself: How does the director use sound and visuals to make the story more interesting?

VIEWING THE MEDIA NEWS MEDIA - REPORTS OF RECENT EVENTS IN NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES AND ON TV, THE RADIO, AND THE WEB STRATEGIES FOR VIEWING NEWS MEDIA GET THE FACTS: Make sure the report answers who, what, when, where, why, and how. EVALUATE THE INFORMATION: Ask yourself: Can I trust what I’m seeing and hearing?

VIEWING THE MEDIA ADVERTISING - THE PROMOTION OF PRODUCTS, SERVICES, AND IDEAS USING PRINT AND BROADCAST MEADIA STRATEGIES FOR VIEWING ADVERTISING RECOGNIZE THE PITCH: Consider what the sponsor wants the audience to buy, believe, or do. DON’T BE DUPED BY DAZZLE: Visuals and sounds can be persuasive; don’t let them influence you.

VIEWING THE MEDIA WEBSITES - COLLECTIONS OF RELATED PAGES ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB; INCLUDE HYPERLINKS AND MENUS STRATEGIES FOR VIEWING WEB SITES KNOW THE SOURCE: Ask yourself: Is this a good, reliable source of information? DON’T GET LOST: Always remember your purpose for visiting a site

VIEWING THE MEDIA ACADEMIC VOCABULARY FOR MEDIA MEDIUM: singular form of media; each form is a means to carry information MESSAGE: an expression of a belief or opinion that serves a specific purpose TARGET AUDIENCE: a specific group of people at whom a product or presentation is aimed