GENRES AND SUBGENRES

All writing falls into a category or genre. We will use 5 main genres and 15 subgenres.

5 Main Genres 1. Fiction: imaginative or made up writing 2. Drama: a play or script 3. Nonfiction: writing that is true 4. Folklore: stories once passed down orally 5. Poetry: writing concerned with the beauty of language

Fiction Subgenres Realistic Fiction: has no elements of fantasy; could be true, but isn’t.

Fiction Subgenres Historical Fiction: set in the past and based on real people and/or events

Fiction Subgenres Science Fiction: has aliens, robots, futuristic technology and/or space ships

Fiction Subgenres Fantasy: has monsters, magic, or characters with superpowers

Drama Subgenres Comedy: Script meant to be performed with happy ending. Tragedy: Script meant to be performed that ends in death and sadness.

Nonfiction Subgenres Informational Writing:explains something. Ex: instructions with your ipad instructions with your beats

Nonfiction Subgenres Persuasive Writing: tries to influence the reader.

Nonfiction Subgenres Biography: Writing about someone else’s life.

Nonfiction Subgenres Autobiography: Life story written by oneself.

Autobiography Examples

Folklore Subgenres Fairytale: has magic and/or talking animals . Often starts with "Once upon a time…" Like fantasy but much older

Folklore Subgenres Legend Based on a real person or place Facts are stretched beyond nonfiction Exaggerated in a serious way

Folklore Subgenres Tall Tale Set in the Wild West, the American frontier Main characters skills/size/strength is greatly exaggerated Exaggeration is humorous

Folklore Subgenres Myth: has gods/goddesses and usually accounts for the creation of something

Folklore Subgenres Fables also have talking animals, but fables are VERY short. They convey a moral or lesson.

Poetry Poetry: Writing concerned with the beauty of language, expression of feelings, and rhythm.

The Loser from the book "Where the Sidewalk Ends" (1974) Mama said I'd lose my head if it wasn't fastened on. Today I guess it wasn't 'cause while playing with my cousin it fell off and rolled away and now it's gone. And I can't look for it 'cause my eyes are in it, and I can't call to it 'cause my mouth is on it (couldn't hear me anyway 'cause my ears are on it), can't even think about it 'cause my brain is in it. So I guess I'll sit down on this rock and rest for just a minute...