Forms of Literature 6th Grade Reading Created by: Ms. Peldonia

Objective We will distinguish the important elements and characteristics of all the genres using guided note-taking, crossword puzzle, Loopwriter game, and a review test.

1. Novel or Novella Long works of prose fiction that tell a story about imaginary people or animals called characters that live in a made-up world, or setting. Novellas are briefer than a novel.

2. Short Story A brief work of prose fiction that tells about imaginary people or animals called characters.

3. Nonfiction Nonfiction tells a story of a person’s life, narrates a series of true events, describes a real scene, and/or presents information.

Examples of Nonfiction Autobiography – the story of parts or all of a person’s life, written by that person (all true events) Biography – an author tells a story of someone else’s life (usually of a person whose life has a special meaning) Exposition – to present and explain information Informal Text – ranging from directions and warranties to maps and contracts, they are real-world texts that you encounter as you manage your daily life

Essays are another form of nonfiction Essay – brief prose works about a particular subject There are four different types of nonfiction essays. Reflective – explore an author’s thoughts about ideas or experiences Narrative – tells a story of actual events Descriptive – presents people, situations, or places Persuasive – tries to convince readers to think or act in a certain way

4. Poetry Poetry is literature that appears in verse form. Forms and Purposes Elegy – relatively long formal poem about death or other serious topics Epic – long narrative poem that conveys the adventures of heroic characters and is connected to the history of a nation, race, or religion. Ode – dignifies uplifting lyrics written to celebrate a person, place, thing or event Sonnet – 14-line lyric poem with one of several rhymes schemes.

5. Drama Drama can be written in prose or poetry. Drama tells a story through the words and actions of actors who impersonate the characters. Text contains the characters’ spoken words, or dialogue, and bracketed information, called stage directions.

6. The American Folk Traditions Myths, tales, ballads, and tall tales all make up this rugged, outdoor literature. They were shaped by singers and storytellers around campfires for generations before being brought to the “indoors” of a printed page.

American Folk Terms Folk Tale – a story passed down by word of mouth for the purpose of teaching the ideas and values of a culture. When reading folk tale you should notice certain elements of the culture that produce them. A specific setting such as a desert or riverside landscape. The unique rituals and customs of a group. The values or beliefs that people hold. Specific dialect, or the patterns of speech that are characteristic of a cultural group or region

More American Folk Terms Myth – tales of gods, heroes, and animals that explain natural occurrences or customs and beliefs Tall Tale – a humorous story that recounts exaggerated events in a matter-of-fact way, using the everyday speech of the common people

That’s all folks!