The Different Forms of Genre

1. The Different Forms of Genre Directions: • Go through this slide show and answer the questions that are found on your worksheet. You will be dealing with different types of Genre. Click on the arrow to get started

2. What is Genre? • A genre is a style or kind of writing.  

3. Mysteries • Characters: • May be fictional or real. Behave in realistic ways • Setting: • Realistic • Conflict: • Unusual problem or puzzle to solve • Events: • Each event is linked in steps that make sense • Resolution: • There is a realistic solution to the conflict • The writer drops clues or hints that might help the reader solve the mystery. • Some things in the story are meant to distract the readers and lead them away from the resolution.

4. Fables • Characters: • Mostly animals with humans characteristics • Usually no more than three • Setting: • Once upon a time • Events: • Only one event • Ends with a lesson or moral • Short tales

5. Informational • Focuses on a specific subject or idea • Supports the idea with facts • Organizes facts in a way that helps the audience learn • Uses examples, explanations and descriptions to clarify ideas.

6. Biographies • Tells about a real person • Describes the person's environment • Shows how they person affects other people • Show that the writer knows a lot about this person • Provides details to show the person in action • States or implies how the writer feels about he person

7. Historical Fiction • Characters: • Have “real” and fictional characters • Behave in realistic ways • Setting: • A definite period or event in history • Problem: • The main characters are involved in a conflict or dilemma that is realistic for that period • Events: • Real events are mixed with fictional events • Description • Places, events and characters are vividly described. The writer explains historical information.

8. Realistic Fiction • Characters: • Behave in realistic ways • Setting • Modern times • Recognizable place • Conflict • Main characters are involved in a problem or dilemma • Dialogue • Characters words show their personalities • Description • Places, events and characters are vividly described.

9. Fantasy • Characters: • Strong and often involved in a clear struggle between good and evil. • Setting: • Right now and in a real place • Problem: • Characters solve a problem by using magic or impossible strategies • Events: • Could not happen according to science as we know it today

10. Poetry • Uses word pictures to build sensory impressions and create images. • Plays with the sound of words and the rhythms of phrases • Compressed ideas • Intended to be read aloud • Written to evoke feelings

11. Folk Tales • Originates from oral tellings • Usually does not have a single author • Characters are either all good or all bad • Fantastic or unrealistic elements • Setting is long ago • There is a lesson or moral

12. Fairy Tales • Characters can be ... Make believe, Magical, Royal, Evil, Animals • Setting can be... “Once upon a time” or “A long time ago” • Good or evil are present • Magical events take place • Special numbers that may be seen in the story are 3 and 7 • Ending - “And they lived happily ever after” • A message or lesson is learned

13. Legends • Characters • Human hero or heroine • Often based on real or historical figures • Setting • Recognizable time and place • Explains how something came to be • Exaggeration and humor • Regarded as true by the narrator • Includes historical facts of ... Human wars, Migration, Brave deeds, and Royalty