1. Literary Genres
The term literary genres refers to grouping literature by category. A category, or kind of story, is a genre.

2. All categories of books or stories can be called either fiction or non-fiction.
a made up story
can tell about things that could happen
is read for fun
characters may be like real people or imaginary
Non-Fiction
has facts that can be checked and proven
the author is an expert on this information
it IS TRUE!

3. Other Major Categories
Genres
Other Major Categories
Folktales
Drama
Poetry

4. Poetry page format may look different than other books
may have rhythm (beat)
may rhyme
imaginative and creative
uses describing or exciting words
tells a story in verse
            

5. Drama
usually for theatrical performance, where conflicts and emotion are expressed through dialogue and action.

6. Folktales *usually began as part of an oral (spoken) tradition
*are more frequently told than read
*are passed down from one generation to another
*speak to universal and timeless themes.
*try to make sense of our existence,
*explain the origin of something.

7. Genre Categories Fiction
Realistic
Fantasy
Mystery
Historical Fiction
Science Fiction
Adventure

8. Realistic Fiction can be based on a real story
characters act like real people
character tries to solve a problem
story could happen in real life
some events are historically accurate
character’s feelings and behaviors are like real life

9. Fantasy animal characters may act like people
characters may have special powers
characters may be imaginary beings
setting may be in another time (future)
usually has a good vs. evil conflict
may use scientific principles not yet available or discovered
            

10. fiction that includes secrets or crimes to be solved

11. Historical Fiction fiction that is set in the past
based on true historical accounts
main characters aren’t real, but there may be famous people from history mentioned

12. Science Fiction
fiction that deals with science or technology of the future
some of the technology/science may be somewhat believable
the setting is often in outer space or another dimension

13. Adventure
has elements such as fast-moving action, discoveries of new and exciting things, and moments of danger
usually encounters adversaries that keep the adventurer from a goal; i.e…, nature, human or self

14. Genre Categories Non Fiction
Informational
Autobiography
Biography

15. Informational
nonfiction writing about a topic including: books, newspaper, or magazine articles

16. Informational tells facts that can be looked-up or proven
tells about real events
characters have really lived
may have maps, diagrams and illustrations to explain the facts
author is an expert on the subject

17. Autobiography
nonfiction that is a biography of a person written by himself or herself

18. Biography
nonfiction that is informational writing about real people.