Literature Genres

1. Literature Genres

2. Genres and literature When you speak about genre and literature, genre means a category, or kind of story.

3. 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! All categories of books or stories can be called eitherfiction or non-fiction.

4. 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.

5. Realistic Fiction • Some of the elements of the genre realistic fiction: • Characters behave like real people and animals • Settings in the story are real or could be real • Events in the story could happen in real life • Conflicts in the story are similar to problems that happen in real life

6. Examples of Realistic Fiction Because of Winn Dixie Crash Owl Moon Shiloh Summer of the Swans Babysitter Club series

7. 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.

8. Example: Historical Fiction Some of the elements of the genre of historical fiction: Story is set in a particular time and place in the past Story contains details that make the story more realistic. Characters talk, dress, and act like people of that time period Story involves real people and actual events that happened in history

9. 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

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

11. Example: Fable Some of the elements of the genre of fable: Stories are very short Stories usually have two or three characters The characters may be animals or things that act like people Teach a “lesson” or moral

12. Folk Tales • Some of the elements of the genre of folk tales: • A story that has been told and retold over generations • Different countries have similar folk tales • Folk tales often begin with “Once upon a time” or “Long ago in a far away place…” • Characters can be animals or objects that can speak • The story often teaches a lesson or moral • Good or smart wins over evil or stupid • The story is told using the words he, she or it • Actions or words are often repeated (in a pattern) • The story has an exciting “high point” at the end

13. Examples of Folklore Aesop’s Fables Beauty and the Beast The Bunyans Cinderella John Henry The Talking Eggs The Tortoise and the Hare

14. Example: Myth Some of the elements of the genre of myth: A story that offers an explanation of how something in nature looks or happens A story that explains why people act as they do The characters may be human, or gods or goddesses

15. Example: Legend Some of the elements of the genre of legend: A story about a hero or heroine May be based on facts, but the hero or heroine’s actions are “bigger” than life The story has factual elements, but through countless retellings, the characters and their actions have become exaggerated

16. 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.

17. 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

18. Fairy Tale • Special beginning and/or ending words - Once upon a time...and they lived happily ever after. • Good character • Evil character • Royalty and/or a castle usually present • Magic happens • Problem and a Solution • Things often happen in "threes" or "sevens"

19. Examples of Fairy Tale The Dog and Her Little Glass Slipper Cinderella The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales

20. 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.

21. 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

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

23. Examples of Science Fiction Aliens for Breakfast A Wrinkle in Time My Best Friend is Invisible Star Wars The Time Machine

24. Adventure The characters (and the reader) can always expect the worst - the main characters can, and usually do, have everything thrown at them. Action, action and more action are hallmarks of a good adventure/suspense book. The entire read is a roller coaster ride of chills and excitement with the last stop (and page) not always ending in happiness. And finally, there must be a villain, for without a foe…without an adversary, there can be no adventure…no suspense.

25. Examples of Adventure The Whipping Boy Island of the Blue Dolphins Abel’s Island The Cay

26. 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.

27. Example: Poetry Some of the elements of the genre of poetry: Poems often contain words that rhyme Poems often contain incomplete sentences, each on its own line Poems often contain lines with rhythm or meter Poems often contain repeated words Poems often are rich in imageryPoems are organized in stanzas.

28. Examples of Poetry Where the Sidewalk Ends New Kid on the Block Chocolate Dreams: Poems Mammalabilia A Pizza the Size of the Sun Love That Dog

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

30. Example: Informational/Expository Text Some of the elements of the genre of expository text: Gives factual and verifiable information about a specific subject. Information presented can be checked using other sources, i.e. newspapers, encyclopedias, etc. Uses facts about real events and people Presents information in a clear way Gives events in the order in which they happened Writing organized by topics May use diagrams, photographs, and other illustrations

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

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

33. Example: Biography Some of the elements of the genre of biography: An account of a real person’s life written by someone else Tells important information about a person’s life, including his or her achievements or talents. Tells how a person talks, feels, and thinks about things Either may be the about the person’s whole life or part of their life Events are usually told in the order they occurred (chronologically)

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

35. Example: Autobiography Some of the elements of the genre of autobiography: An account by a person about his or her own life Tells important information about their own life, including achievements or talents. Tells how the person talks, feels, and thinks about things Either may be the about the person’s whole life or part of their life Events are usually told in the order they occurred (chronologically)