Literary Genres

A Genre is a division or category of literature.

Genre There are many categories of stories and books Here are some of the common ones: Major Genres Sub Genres: Short StoriesFolktales NovelsMyths PlaysParables BiographiesFables AutobiographiesScience Fiction

Major Genres

Poetry Emphasizes the line as a unit of composition page format may look different than other books may have rhythm (beat) may rhyme tells a story in verse

Short Stories A brief fictional narrative in prose. Includes plot, characters, setting, point of view and theme.

Novels a book length fictional prose narrative. Much longer, therefore much more in-depth than a short story.

Plays (Drama) A story usually performed by actors on stage or before cameras. Most can be divided into tragedy or comedy. Includes lines of dialogue and stage directions

Biographies The account of a person’s life written by someone else. (not the subject.) Can be short or book length. Nonfiction Can be authorized or unauthorized

Autobiographies The story of a person’s life written by that person. Can be short or book length. Nonfiction

Sub-genres

Folktales An anonymous, traditional story passed down orally long before being written down. The author is usually anonymous (unknown) Sometimes folktales explain the origins of things.

Myths A Traditional story that deals with gods, goddesses, heroes, and supernatural events. The most well-known myths are ancient Greek and Roman myths

Fables A short, usually simple tale that teaches a moral and sometimes uses animal characters. Themes and lessons are usually stated outright.

Parables A parable is a story in prose or verse that is told to illustrate a religious, moral, or philosophical idea. It differs from the fable by excluding animals that assume speech and other powers of humankind, as in Aesop's Fables. fable Aesop's Fables

Science Fiction Fiction dealing with the impact of real science or imaginary superscience on human or alien societies of the past, present, or future.

Mystery/Suspense Fiction that involves a feeling of curiosity, uncertainty, or even dread about what is going to happen next.

Fantasy Fantasy is a type of fiction that is highly imaginative and portrays events, places/settings for characters that are imaginary/unrealistic Nonexistent world Plot may have magic or supernatural Characters may have superhuman powers

Adventure An adventure story is a literary work in which action is the main event element. Adventure novel usually focuses on a main character who is on a mission and is facing many challenges and choices.