Genres in Literature Melinda Johnson Denise Philpott

Literature is generally divided into 3 main categories. They are: Prose Poetry Drama

Prose Form is based on sentences and paragraphs Similar to everyday speech and language Writing that is similar to everyday speech and language. Characteristics:

Poetry The line is the unit of composition Poems often – use emotional, imaginative language – use metaphor and/or simile – are divided into stanzas – often rhyme – have regular pattern of stress, or meter A form of literary expression that differs from prose in emphasizing the line as the unit of composition Characteristics:

Drama A story intended to be performed by actors on a stage or before movie or TV cameras. Characteristics: Usually two basic types tragedy or comedy includes dialogue includes stage directions

Genres Vocabulary for this Unit Short stories novels plays/drama myths, fantasies, and folktales odes ballads epic poetry science fiction historical fiction and historical nonfiction

Literary Genres Definition: categories used to group different types of literary work, such as non- fiction, fiction and poetry.

Subgenre A subcategory within a particular genre: The academic mystery is a subgenre of the mystery novel. Each genre prose, poetry, and drama can be categorized as fiction and nonfiction Fiction situations and characters are invented by the author holds the characteristics of the major genre Nonfiction real people and real experiences holds the characteristics of the major genre Example - Dragon, Dragon is fictional prose. The situations and characters were invented by the author. And, it is written in everyday language in the form of sentences and paragraphs Example - Satchel Paige is nonfictional prose. The story is about a real person and the things that happened to him. And, it is written in everyday language in the form of sentences and paragraphs.

Our Genre List We will be learning about several different types of literary genres. It is important to remember that this list does not include all types of genres found in literary works.

Unit Genre List Poetry Ode Epic Ballad Non Fiction Biographies autobiographies Fiction Historical Fiction Realistic Fiction Science Fiction Mystery Fantasy Traditional Fantasy Fairy Tales Fables Myths Modern Fantasy

Non-Fiction This can also be called “informational” material. These types of books provide information that is factual. Nothing is make-believe in these types of materials. More specific examples of this type of genre would be...

Biographies: A true account of a person's life written, composed, or produced by another. Autobiographies: The biography of a person written by that person.

What are some non-fiction stories you have read?

Fiction In this type of work, the author can make up the entire story. Authors can also choose to include factual information in a made-up story. The author can have wizards creating magic spells or it can be about a 12 year old girl who has a secret crush.

Different types of fiction Historical Fiction: The story takes the reader back to a particular time period where they learn about the everyday life of a person. The character may interact with actual historical characters, but usually, the main character is not based on a real person. Realistic Fiction: The story usually presents a problem to be examined that could be from anybody’s life. They may cover such topics as family situations, peer relationships, and cultural differences.

Science Fiction: This is a type of modern fantasy. It explores scientific fact and can pose ethical questions about current scientific trends and predictions. The author focuses on the adventure of exploring the unknown and the wonder of discovering new worlds and people. Mystery: There are different types of mystery stories, but usually a crime has been committed and the reader wants to try to figure out “whodunit”. There is usually a great deal of suspense and intrigue abounds.

What are your favorite fictional stories?

What category of fiction would you put your favorite story in? Why? Science Fiction Historical Fiction Mystery Realistic Fiction

Fantasy In this type of story, the author has created a magical world where anything is possible. There are many types of fantasy, from fables to fairy tales and may include magical beings, talking animals and gods and goddesses.

Traditional Fantasy: When we think of this type of fantasy story, we often consider stories such as Cinderella. This genre includes folk tales, tall tales, fables, and myths. These are stories that have been told over and over, sometimes for hundreds or even thousands of years! Fairy Tales: We often know we are reading or hearing a fairy tale with the words, “once upon a time...” Fairy tales often feature a fight between good and evil. Evil always loses to a triumphant hero or heroine. We also know it’s a fairy tale because most end with “and they lived happily ever after.”

Fables and Myths: Fables: These stories usually have a moral that is being taught. It often uses animals that speak and act like humans. Myths: a story or group of stories that form part of the traditional knowledge of a society. Myths often use imaginative plots and characters to explain how the world began and why nature and people behave the way they do.

Modern Fantasy: The events in modern fantasy are outside the realm of possibility. These stories cannot happen in real life, but even though we know the events can’t happen, they are very believable. These stories allow us to live in an imaginary world where anything is possible.

List a fairy tale, fable, a myth and a modern fantasy.

Bibliography Children’s Literature Genres, ev/m4-collections/lesson2cl_genre.html ev/m4-collections/lesson2cl_genre.html Genre Study: A Collaborative Approach, ?id=270 ?id=270 Dictionary.com, Wordsmyth, Slide share (This powerpoint was integrated into this document),