Genres of Genres of FictionFiction

““Genres” is the French Genres” is the French word for “Kinds”word for “Kinds”

FICTIONFICTION

Realistic Fiction Fantastical Fiction

Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Historical Fiction

Urban Fiction

Sports Fiction

Fantasy Science Fiction

Mystery/Horror

Romance

Adventure/Survival

Realistic FictionRealistic Fiction Stories are set in the real worldStories are set in the real world Contains characters who seem believableContains characters who seem believable The reader believes that the story The reader believes that the story

could “really happen”could “really happen”

Contemporary Contemporary Realistic FictionRealistic Fiction

Contemporary realistic fiction is realistic fiction Contemporary realistic fiction is realistic fiction that is that is set in modern timesset in modern times

Urban FictionUrban Fiction Urban settingsUrban settings Most or all of the characters Most or all of the characters

are from are from minority groupsminority groups or are poor whitesor are poor whites

Profanity, sex and violence Profanity, sex and violence are commonare common

Young characters Young characters wrestle withwrestle with large large problems, problems, often beyond often beyond their controltheir control

Sports FictionSports Fiction The protagonist The protagonist

plays a sport or plays a sport or wants to play a wants to play a sportsport

Describes in detail the Describes in detail the actions a player takes actions a player takes while playingwhile playing

Often emphasizes the Often emphasizes the importance of discipline, importance of discipline, good sportsmanship, good sportsmanship, and the importance of and the importance of teamworkteamwork

Historical FictionHistorical Fiction Set in times pastSet in times past Real historical figures, settings and people may be

included Helps us understand what life might have been Helps us understand what life might have been

like during a particular time periodlike during a particular time period

Fantastical FictionFantastical Fiction

Has elements that are not real, so the reader must suspend belief

FantasyFantasy Conflict between Conflict between

good and evilgood and evil Takes place in Takes place in

another world, a another world, a hidden world, or a hidden world, or a “Once upon a “Once upon a time…”time…”

Use of Use of magicmagic Animals that can Animals that can

talk or have talk or have human human characteristicscharacteristics

Science FictionScience Fiction Blend fact and

fiction with futuristic technology

Always includes an element of science Outer space Other planets Time travel Aliens Mutants Pills for Food, etc.

MysteryMystery Deals with a problem that must be solved or Deals with a problem that must be solved or

information that is missinginformation that is missing Search for clues to solve A mysterySearch for clues to solve A mystery Includes clues, distractions, and, eventually, the

answer

HorrorHorror Intended to scareIntended to scare, ,

unsettle or horrify unsettle or horrify Often suspenseful, Often suspenseful,

including elements of including elements of mystery and survival mystery and survival genresgenres

A disturbing, A disturbing, supernatural elementsupernatural element HauntingsHauntings PossessionsPossessions Monsters (either human or Monsters (either human or

other-worldly)other-worldly)

Adventure/SurvivalAdventure/Survival Often set in the wildOften set in the wild Protagonist makes decisions that determine whether Protagonist makes decisions that determine whether

or not he will or not he will survive a dangerous situationsurvive a dangerous situation Protagonist grows up and finds strength of character Protagonist grows up and finds strength of character

in the situationin the situation

Romance NovelRomance Novel(Not a “Romance”)(Not a “Romance”)

Focuses on the Focuses on the relationship and relationship and romantic love romantic love between two peoplebetween two people

Has an emotionally Has an emotionally satisfying or happy satisfying or happy endingending