1. Maryland Literature 2008 edition Sixth Grade
Literary Genres
Maryland Literature
2008 edition
Sixth Grade

2. The Genres
What is a genre?
the main forms writers use

3. * short stories * novels *novellas *folk tales
FICTION
made-up stories about
characters and events
* short stories * novels *novellas *folk tales

4. STRATEGIES FOR READING
Make connections: Ask yourself: Have I experienced similar situations or feelings in my own life?
Picture the scene: Use descriptions to help you visualize a lifelike picture in your mind.
Predict what will happen: Ask yourself: What is going to happen next?
Track the events: Use a journal, graphic organizer, or plot diagram to keep track of the events

5. ACADEMIC VOCABULARY PLOT: action of a story
CONFLICT: a struggle between two opposing forces
CHARACTER: a person or an animal involved in the action
SETTING: where and when the action takes place
THEME: a message or lesson brought out by the action of a story
POINT OF VIEW: the perspective from which the story is told

6. * haiku * limericks *narrative poems
POETRY
words are chosen and
arranged in a precise way
to create specific effects
* haiku * limericks *narrative poems

7. STRATEGIES FOR READING
Examine the form: How does the poem look on the page?
Notice the punctuation: Use punctuation to help you figure out when to pause while reading.
Read the poem aloud: Listen for musical rhymes or rhythms.
Form a mental picture: Look for words and phrases that can help you imagine what is being described.

8. ACADEMIC VOCABULARY FORM: the arrangement of lines and words on a page
LINE: a row of words in a poem
STANZA: grouped lines of poetry; “paragraphs”
RHYTHM: a pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in a line of poetry
RHYME: the repetition of sounds at the end of words

9. * comedies * historical dramas *radio plays
stories that are meant to
be performed
* comedies * historical dramas *radio plays

10. STRATEGIES FOR READING
Read the play silently, then aloud with others
Read the stage directions: Use these notes to help you picture the setting, action, and characters
Get to know the characters: Pay attention to dialogue and the stage directions

11. ACADEMIC VOCABULARY PLOT: action of a story
CHARACTER: a person or an animal involved in the action
ACT: a major division within a play, similar to a chapter in a book
SCENE: an episode of the play’s plot; typically occurs at a single place and time
DIALOGUE: a conversation between two or more characters
STAGE DIRECTIONS: instructions in the script to the actors, director, and stage crew

12. NONFICTION tells about real people, places, and events
* autobiographies * biographies *essays
* biographies * speeches *reference articles

13. NONFICTION LITERATURE
TYPES OF NONFICTION
AUTOBIOGRAPHY: a true story of a person’s life, told by that person
BIOGRAPHY: a true story of a person’s life, told by someone else
ESSAY: a short piece of writing about a single subject
SPEECH: an oral presentation of a speaker’s ideas of beliefs
NEWS ARTICLE: factual writing that reports on recent events
REFERENCE ARTICLE: informative writing that provides facts and background on a specific subject
CONSUMER DOCUMENT: printed materials that comes with a product or service

14. STRATEGIES FOR READING
CONSIDER THE PURPOSE: Is the writing trying to persuade, inspire, or inform?
NOTE THE MAIN IDEAS: What are the most important points; record them in a journal or a graphic organizer
PREVIEW THE TEXT: Look at the text features to get an idea of what the text will be about
EXAMINE THE GRAPHIC AIDS: Look at the pictures and illustrations to get an idea of what the text will be about

15. ACADEMIC VOCABULARY
PURPOSE: the reason for writing: to express thoughts or feelings, to inform or explain, to persuade, or to entertain
ORGANIZATION: the way ideas and information are arranged and organized
MAIN IDEA: the central or most important ideas about a topic
TEXT FEATURES: elements of text: boldface type, headings, and subheadings, bulleted or numbered lists, sidebars, graphic aids, etc.

16. * TV shows * advertising *web sites
TYPES OF MEDIA
communication that
reaches many people
* TV shows * advertising *web sites

17. VIEWING THE MEDIA MOTION PICTURES OR TV SHOWS THAT TELL STORIES
STRATEGIES FOR VIEWING FILMS & TV SHOWS
KNOW WHAT’S HAPPENING: Ask someone if you are confused about the plot.
SPOT THE TECHNIQUES: Ask yourself: How does the director use sound and visuals to make the story more interesting?

18. VIEWING THE MEDIA
NEWS MEDIA - REPORTS OF RECENT EVENTS IN NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES AND ON TV, THE RADIO, AND THE WEB
STRATEGIES FOR VIEWING NEWS MEDIA
GET THE FACTS: Make sure the report answers who, what, when, where, why, and how.
EVALUATE THE INFORMATION: Ask yourself: Can I trust what I’m seeing and hearing?

19. VIEWING THE MEDIA
ADVERTISING - THE PROMOTION OF PRODUCTS, SERVICES, AND IDEAS USING PRINT AND BROADCAST MEADIA
STRATEGIES FOR VIEWING ADVERTISING
RECOGNIZE THE PITCH: Consider what the sponsor wants the audience to buy, believe, or do.
DON’T BE DUPED BY DAZZLE: Visuals and sounds can be persuasive; don’t let them influence you.

20. VIEWING THE MEDIA
WEBSITES - COLLECTIONS OF RELATED PAGES ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB; INCLUDE HYPERLINKS AND MENUS
STRATEGIES FOR VIEWING WEB SITES
KNOW THE SOURCE: Ask yourself: Is this a good, reliable source of information?
DON’T GET LOST: Always remember your purpose for visiting a site

21. VIEWING THE MEDIA ACADEMIC VOCABULARY FOR MEDIA
MEDIUM: singular form of media; each form is a means to carry information
MESSAGE: an expression of a belief or opinion that serves a specific purpose
TARGET AUDIENCE: a specific group of people at whom a product or presentation is aimed