“Genre” means type.

Genres Genres EVERYWHERE!  Did you know that there are different genres of art, music, movies, and literature?  What music genre is your favorite?

The Fab Five  fiction  nonfiction  drama  folktale  poetry

Fiction  Uses characters, setting, and plot to convey events that are NOT REAL

Types of Fiction:  fantasy  realistic fiction  science fiction  historical fiction  mystery

Made up story Characters may have traits that are physically impossible Characters may solve a problem by using magic or some other impossible strategy

Charlotte’s Web Harry Potter The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe Lord of the Rings Fantasy Examples:

Realistic Fiction Made up story Often set in the present Believable characters, setting, and plot

Realistic Fiction Examples: Because of Winn Dixie Owl Moon Shiloh The Babysitters Club

Science Fiction à Made up story à Often set in the future or in a different world à Includes science or technology à Characters can be aliens

Science Fiction Examples: à Aliens for Breakfast à A Wrinkle in Time à Star Wars à The Time Machine

Historical Fiction  Made up story  Set in the past  Characters may be fictional or real  Some events are real and some are made up

Historical Fiction Examples:  A Boy at War  Number the Stars  Titanic Crossing  The Watsons go to Birmingham

Mystery  Made up story  Revolves around discovering secrets or solving crimes

Mystery Examples:  Encyclopedia Brown  Nancy Drew  The Hardy Boys  The Westing Game

Nonfiction  Is entirely TRUE

Types of Nonfiction:  informational  biography  autobiography

Informational Text  Factual writing that is about a specific topic  This includes reference books, how-to books, newspapers, etc…

Informational Text Examples:  Dirt Bikes  Flying Animals  Encyclopedias  Newspapers

Biography  Factual story about a REAL person from the past or the present  Written by someone else

Autobiography  Factual story about a REAL person from the past or the present  Written by the person the story is about

Try This!  Sit next to your partner.  Tell your partner the difference in a biography and an autobiography.  Interview your partner.  Based on his/her answers, write a short biography about him/her.

Possible Interview Questions:  How old are you?  What is the best thing that has ever happened to you?  What is it like being in your family?  What is the hardest life lesson you ever had to learn?

Drama  Story that is supposed to be performed by actors – A PLAY  Uses characters and dialogue  Most are tragedies or comedies

Folktale  Passed down by word of mouth so no one knows the real author  Exaggerated characters (characters are usually ALL good or ALL bad)

Types of Folktales:  tall tale  fable  myth  fairy tale  legend

Tall Tale  Folktale that is humorous and extremely exaggerated  Usually takes place in the Wild West

Tall Tale Examples:  Paul Bunyan & Babe the Blue Ox  Pecos Bill

Fable  Short folktale that teaches a moral (lesson)  Characters are talking animals

Fables Teach a Lesson  The Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing = appearances can be deceiving  The Tortoise & the Hare = slow and steady wins the race  The Lion & the Mouse = little friends may become great friends

Myth  Folktale that attempts to explain how things came to be  Characters are usually gods or goddesses Pandora’s Box

Fairy Tale  Folktale that has magical events and characters  Improbable events that lead to a happy ending

Fairy Tale Examples:  Cinderella  Sleeping Beauty  Snow White

Legend  Folktale that is based on a REAL person or event, but can’t be proven Johnny Appleseed

A Tennessee Legend  FACT- Davy Crockett was a REAL man  FACT- He is known as the “king of the wild frontier”  FACT- He represented TN in the U.S. House of Representatives  FACT- He fought and died at the Battle of the Alamo

A Tennessee Legend  LEGEND- Davy Crockett killed a bear with his bare hands  LEGEND- He waterskied on two crocodiles

Poetry  Stanzas that use sound and rhythm to express ideas  Sometimes use rhyme

Poetry Examples:  A Pizza the Size of the Sun  Where the Sidewalk Ends

So… what is your favorite genre of book?

Who Likes Reading…  autobiography  biography  fantasy  folktale  poetry  nonfiction  historical fiction  realistic fiction  science fiction