1. Literature Genres

2. Two Major Genres of Literature
Fiction
Nonfiction
Fiction is literature that is made up, or created from the author’s imagination.
Examples of fiction include:
Short stories
Fantasy
Mysteries
Realistic Fiction
Historical Fiction
Science Fiction
Nonfiction is true, or based in facts.
Examples of nonfiction include:
Newspaper articles
Essays
Documentary films
Editorials
Biographies and autobiographies

3. Realistic Fiction
Realistic fiction is made up of stories that could really happen. Contemporary realistic fiction is realistic fiction that is set in modern times.

4. Examples of Realistic Fiction
Because of Winn Dixie
Crash
Holes
Monster
Drama High
Role Of Thunder…

5. Historical Fiction
Historical fiction is made up of stories that take place in a certain time and place in the past. Real historical figures and settings may be included in a fiction story.

6. Examples of Historical Fiction
A Boy at War
Across Five Aprils
Ben and Me
The Butterfly
Charlie Skedaddle
Sign of the Beaver
Titanic Crossing
Dear America Series

7. Folklore
Folklore includes stories, myths, and fables that people told one another over the years. Later the stories were written down.

8. Examples of Folklore Aesop’s Fables Beauty and the Beast The Bunyans
Cinderella
John Henry
Narcissus
The Tortoise and the Hare

9. Myth
A myth is a traditional story, especially one that involves deities and explains how the world works, natural phenomena, and how people should behave. Myths reveal a culture’s ideals and are more revered than folk stories or fables.

10. Examples of Myths Narcissus Daedalus and Icarus The Labors of Hercules
Crow Brings Daylight
Pandora’s Box

11. Fable
A short, traditional story in which the characters are usually animals. Fables convey a lesson or moral.

12. Examples of Fables The Tortoise and the Hare The Fox and the Grapes
The Lion and the Mouse

13. Fantasy
Fantasy is fiction that has elements that are not real. Sometimes this includes talking animals or characters with magical powers. There’s usually a conflict between good and evil.

14. Examples of Fantasy Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Charlotte’s Web
The Wreck of the Zephyr
Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe
Lord of the Rings
Harry Potter Series

15. Mystery
Mysteries are stories that have a real setting and a problem to be solved that includes clues, distractions, and an answer to the problem.

16. Examples of Mystery The House of Dies Drear Never Say Die
The Treehouse Mystery
Mystery of the Midnight Message
Encyclopedia Brown Series
Boxcar Children Mysteries

17. Science Fiction
Science Fiction is made up of stories that blend fact and fiction with futuristic technology.

18. Examples of Science Fiction
A Wrinkle in Time
My Best Friend is Invisible
Contact
The Time Machine
Terminator
The Matrix

19. Poetry
Poetry is verse written to inspire thoughts and feelings in the reader. It often uses rhyme and rhythm, or it can be written in free verse.

20. Examples of Poetry Where the Sidewalk Ends How Do I Love Thee
Chocolate Dreams: Poems
A Dream Deferred
We Real Cool
Our Grandmothers

21. Informational
Informational books are nonfiction books that give true facts on a variety of subjects.

22. Examples of Informational Writing
Dirt Bikes
Flying Animals
Danger! Earthquakes
Newspapers
Encyclopedias

23. Biography
A biography is the true story of a real person’s life from the past or present.

24. Examples of Biography Tiger Woods: An American Master
The HomerunKings: BabeRuth and
Henry Aaron
Clara Barton, a Red Cross Pioneer
Sacagawea