Different Types of Literature Literary Genres Different Types of Literature

How do I identify a literary genre by its characteristics? Essential Question How do I identify a literary genre by its characteristics?

What is a literary genre? A genre is a particular type of literature. There are major genres that also include sub-genres.

Literary Genres and Sub-Genres Prose Prose is writing that is written in normal, paragraph-style language. The two main types of Prose are: Fiction Nonfiction Poetry Poetry includes groups of lines (verses) in stanzas, which are similar to paragraphs in prose. Drama Plays that are organized into acts and scenes with characters, dialogue, and stage directions.

PROSE Fiction Writing that tells about imaginary people and events; made up from the author’s imagination. Includes: Short Stories ( including myths, legends, folktales, fables, fairy tales, etc.) Novels Novellas

PROSE Nonfiction Writing that is based on fact, real people, and real experiences. Includes: Biographies (life stories written by someone else) Autobiographies (life stories written by themselves) Essays Articles (newspaper, magazine)

Poetry lines of poetry (verses) are written in stanzas (similar to paragraphs in prose writing) may include patterns of rhyme to create rhythm and capture the reader’s interest uses carefully selected words and phrases to create strong pictures in the reader’s mind

Drama Includes: a cast of characters a narrator who gives important information parts called acts, or scenes props to help support action dialogue that tells what the actors say stage directions in italics

TYPES OF FICTION The following is important information about the various types of fiction that can be read. Fictional stories can be found in Short Stories Novels Novellas (short novels)

Realistic Fiction The setting is realistic The characters speak and act like real people The story describes real-life problems and events

Historical Fiction Includes imaginary characters and maybe, imaginary places… But, the story is based on historical events from the past, such as the Civil War, the Revolutionary War, the Civil Rights Movement, etc.

Science Fiction Includes stories that have to do with scientific experiments or new-age technology. Includes stories that have to do with space trips or escapades (aliens, etc.)

Fable Characters are simpler than real people - they may be completely greedy, completely wicked , or very gentle Actions are repeated over and over Some fables teach a lesson about what is important in life, such as fairness, kindness, or cleverness

Folk Tale Told in many different versions by many different people Original storyteller is unknown Characters are animals that act and speak like people Repetition Use of the number three (the three little pigs, the three Billy goats gruff, etc.)

Tall Tale Extraordinary person - the main character is better at things than an ordinary person Exaggeration – makes something greater or bigger than it really could be Explanation – explains how something came to be

Myth / Legend A kind of fantasy A very old story handed down by word of mouth Explains something about nature or answers questions about the meaning of life or what is good or evil

Fairy Tales Include a good character and a bad (evil) character Often begin with “Once upon a time” or “Long, long ago” Involves a problem that is solved and the good people live happily ever after Include magic or something enchanted Setting is a forest or a castle

Nonfiction The following is important information about the types of nonfiction that can be read. Nonfiction Works include: Biographies Autobiographies Essays Articles Encyclopedias Maps/Atlases Charts/Graphs

Biography Story about a real person’s life that is written by another person Can cover a person’s whole life, part of a person’s life, or a single incident A true account of a person’s life based on facts collected by the author Written from the third person point of view (he or she) because it is written by someone else.

AUTOBIOGRAPHY The story of a person’s life written by that person. It can cover the person’s entire life, part of their life, or a single incident occurring in their life.

Essays Essays are informational pieces that are written for a specific purpose: Expository Essays (written to explain something or give info about something) Descriptive Essays (written to describe something) Persuasive Essays (written to persuade someone or something to do something) Narrative Essays (written to tell a story)

Articles Magazine Articles Newspaper Articles Encyclopedia Articles, or other reference book articles.

Review Questions What is a “genre” of literature? What are the three main types of Literature? What is the difference between Prose, Poetry, and Drama? What are the two main types of Prose? What is the difference between Fiction and Nonfiction?

Review Questions What are some examples of Fiction? What are some examples of Nonfiction? Where might fictional stories be found? Where might nonfictional information be found? What is the difference between Realistic Fiction and Science Fiction? What are the three “E”’s of a Tall Tale?

Review Questions How do Fairy Tales usually begin? What is the difference between a Biography and an Autobiography? What are the four types of Essays? Where might Articles be found?