What is Genre?

genre - a kind of literary or artistic work

A literary genre is a category of writing characterized by a particular style, form, or content. A literary genre is a category of writing characterized by a particular style, form, or content. The term means the different types of literature. The term means the different types of literature.

Literary genres can be either fiction or non-fiction Literary genres can be either fiction or non-fiction

Fiction a piece of writing based on imagination and not necessarily on fact a piece of writing based on imagination and not necessarily on fact

Nonfiction nonfiction - writing that is not fictional, it is real and is written based on true facts. nonfiction - writing that is not fictional, it is real and is written based on true facts. We often refer to it as non-fiction We often refer to it as non-fiction

Examples of Fiction Realistic fiction Realistic fiction Tall Tales Tall Tales Mystery Mystery Romance Romance Humour Humour Science fiction Science fiction Fairy tales Graphic novels Fables Legends Historical fiction Horror Fantasy Suspense Adventure Sports fiction Poetry Nursery Rhymes Folklore Mythology

Examples of Non-fiction Memoir Memoir Newspapers Newspapers Magazines Magazines Research Materials Research Materials Story Problems Story Problems Encyclopedia Encyclopedia Biographies Biographies Autobiographies Autobiographies Research Research Technical Articles Technical Articles Textbooks Journals Logs How to books Histories Photographs Sewing patterns Documents

Some books can be more than one type of genre. Why? Some books can be more than one type of genre. Why?

Some Common Junior Genres

Biography Presents the facts about an individual's Presents the facts about an individual'slife Good biographers use many research tools to gather information about their subject, including the person’s words, actions, journals, reactions, related books, interviews with friends, and relatives. Good biographers use many research tools to gather information about their subject, including the person’s words, actions, journals, reactions, related books, interviews with friends, and relatives.

Mystery Often thought of as a detective story. Often thought of as a detective story. Usually involves a mysterious death or a crime to be solved. Usually involves a mysterious death or a crime to be solved. In a closed circle of suspects, each suspect must have a good motive and a reasonable opportunity for committing the crime. In a closed circle of suspects, each suspect must have a good motive and a reasonable opportunity for committing the crime. The main character must be a detective who eventually solves the mystery by logical deduction from facts fairly presented to the reader. Ex. The Tom and Liz Austen series The main character must be a detective who eventually solves the mystery by logical deduction from facts fairly presented to the reader. Ex. The Tom and Liz Austen series

Fables A short tale used to teach a moral lesson, often with animals as characters. Ex. The Tortoise and the Hare A short tale used to teach a moral lesson, often with animals as characters. Ex. The Tortoise and the Hare

Fantasy Contains elements that are not realistic Contains elements that are not realistic talking animals talking animals magical powers magical powers Often set in a medieval universe Often set in a medieval universe Possibly involving mythical beings Possibly involving mythical beings Almost believable Almost believable

Historical Fiction Stories centered around the basis of a partially historical situation Stories centered around the basis of a partially historical situation A novel set in a historical period A novel set in a historical period

Science Fiction Stories that often tell about science and technology of the future Stories that often tell about science and technology of the future Involving partially true partially fictions laws or theories of science Involving partially true partially fictions laws or theories of science Settings: Settings: in the future in the future in space in space on a different world on a different world in a different universe or dimension in a different universe or dimension

Realistic Fiction Stories that take place in modern times Stories that take place in modern times Characters are involved in events that could happen. Characters are involved in events that could happen.

Horror Supernatural and the occult: ghosts, ghouls, apparitions, poltergeists, witches and warlocks; vampires and werewolves; monsters and mummies; demonology and black magic; voodoo and witch doctors; nightmares and hallucinations; reincarnation and ESP For those intrigued with the unknown and love to be frightened

Try different genres to see which is best for you! Try different genres to see which is best for you! Read outside the box… Read outside the box…