Genres and Literature When you speak about genre and literature, genre means a category, or kind of story. Urycki/KMS

All categories of books or stories can be called either fiction or non-fiction. Fiction za made up story zcan tell about things that could happen zis read for fun zcharacters may be like real people or imaginary Non-Fiction z has facts that can be checked and proven z the author is an expert on this information z it IS TRUE!

Genre There are many categories of stories and books Here are some of the common ones: realistic fiction “How to” books historical fictionpoetry mysteryhorror science fictionfolktales/fables fantasynonfiction- biographies, autobiographies, informational texts

Genre These are the choices we will use for our projects and writings. zRealistic Fiction zHistorical Fiction zFantasy zScience Fiction zHorror/Mystery zFables/Traditional Literature zInformational/Nonfiction, including: yBiographies & autobiographies

Realistic fiction zcan be based on a real story zcharacters act like real people zcharacter tries to solve a problem zstory could happen in real life zsome events are historically accurate zcharacter’s feelings and behaviors are like real life zthe settings could be real or are real places

Historical fiction zThe genre of historical fiction in the field of children’s literature includes stories that are written to portray a time period or convey information about a specific time period or an historical event. zIn historical fiction, setting is the most important literary element. Because the author is writing about a particular time in history, the information about the time period must be accurate, authentic, or both.

zThese works may have characters who are either imaginary or who actually lived during the time period. zSettings also may be real or imaginary. zThe plot events may be documented historical events or they may be fictional. If they are fictional, it means that the author created the events for the telling of the story. zThe fictional characters, settings, and plot events must be portrayed authentically as if they actually could have happened. zA classic example of historical fiction is Johnny Tremain, a 1944 Newbery Medal book. The primary setting is Boston in The book contains both real and fictional characters, real and fictional settings, and real and fictional events. zThe book is successful because of author Esther Forbes’s extensive historical research and knowledge of the time period and her skillful blending of history and fiction into a believable story. Historical fiction cont.

Fantasy zanimal characters may act like people zcharacters may have special powers zcharacters may be imaginary beings zsetting may be in another time and/or imaginary place zusually has a good vs. evil conflict zmay use scientific principles not yet available or discovered

 novels, short stories, or movies that apply science or scientific ways of thinking to futuristic or fantastic situations. Science Fiction

What is the Difference Between Science Fiction and Fantasy? zScience fiction could be robots, fifth dimension or alien invasions. zFantasy has characters, objects, or events that aren’t scientifically possible, like talking animals, or some one who is immortal. zBasically, the difference is that in fantasy, you write about things you believe to be impossible, while in SF you write about stuff that hasn't been disproved. Everything else is window-dressing.

Sci-fi vs. Fantasy zAccording to Michael Crichton, useful definitions for fantasy and science fiction are: SCIENCE FICTION -- fictional narratives about what is known or probable according to our current understanding of physics, history, etc. FANTASY -- fictional narratives dealing with the impossible.

Horror/Mystery zCharacterized by mysterious, horrific events which include suspense and vivid description! zViolence, if included, is not gratuitous! gratuitous = zAuthors use terse, vivid description, foreshadowing, and figurative language when crafting these narratives. zWhat is the etymology of the word “horror”?

Informational ztells facts that can be looked-up or proven ztells about real events zcharacters have really lived zmay have maps, diagrams and illustrations to explain the facts zauthor is an expert on the subject zalso known as nonfiction literature zIncludes: biographies, autobiographies, textbook-style, etc.

Autobiography zNon-fiction zTrue story about the author zTrue story written by the author zAll events actually occurred zAll people and places are real

Biography zNon-fiction zTrue story about a person’s life zThe true story is not written by that person, but has a different author zAll events actually occurred zAll people and places are real

Traditional Literature ztells about the great deeds of a person who may have lived zmay exaggerate a person’s bravery or powers zprobably a long ago setting zstory may be considered a part of the history and culture of a group of people zmagic may be used to solve a problem za lesson can be learned from the story zthis includes fables, folktales and fairytales.

Poetry zpage format may look different than other books zmay have rhythm (beat) zmay rhyme zimaginative and creative zuses describing or exciting words ztells a story in verse