Literary Genres

What is a genre?

• Imagine you have to explain it to your 8 year old sister.

• A way of organizing works into categories

• A way to name the general content of a book

Two-Faced Genre

• FICTION• Stories that are made

up by the author• Are not true

• “The best part of the fiction in many novels is the notice that the characters are purely imaginary.”

• Franklin Adams, 1881-1960

• NON-FICTION• Stories that are true• Based on real people,

places, events, or objects

• Includes true FACTS

Realistic Fiction

• Definition: A modern day story that contains events that could actually happen, BUT the characters are made-up • Problems at school, family problems,

divorce, self-image problems, arguments with friends

• Example: Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

Historical Fiction• Definition: a story that takes place during a

historical time period, but it revolves around made up characters and events.

• Often the setting (where it takes place) is real, but the characters are made-up.• outdated language (like “Ye olde school”)• outdated clothes (bonnet)• historical events (The Battle of Georgetown or The

Holocaust)• Real people (George Washington)

• Example: Fever, 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson

Fantasy

• A story that includes impossible elements that are made-up such as talking animals or magical powers. Make-believe is what this genre is all about!

• talking animals, magical powers, mythical creatures, medieval knights in a made up land, swords, magic potions, elves

• Example: Harry Potter series

Science Fiction

• Definition: A story which includes advanced and far-fetched (made up) science and technology or revolves around time travel and space• science experiments gone wrong or right,

impossible medical advances, aliens, space travel, new planets or worlds, zombies (!), a future dystopian society

• Examples: World War Z, The Giver, The Hunger Games

Mystery

• Definition: A suspenseful story about a puzzling event or problem that needs to be solved.

• Often includes: a detective, clues, an unsolved crime, a disappearance

• Key words: victim, missing items, a theft

• Example: Sherlock Holmes

Action/AdventureAction/Adventure

• Definition: Definition: An exciting story that revolves An exciting story that revolves around a character going on around a character going on journeyjourney or a or a questquest

• The characters often face personal The characters often face personal risk risk or or physical physical dangerdanger• Journey, quest, obstacles, challenges, battles, Journey, quest, obstacles, challenges, battles,

tasks to complete, nature, stormstasks to complete, nature, storms

• Example: Example: The Hatchet The Hatchet by Gary Paulsen or by Gary Paulsen or the Indiana Jones moviesthe Indiana Jones movies

Horror

• Definition: A story that intends to scare, unsettle, or horrify the audience

• Often includes scary settings, a creepy tone, strange or disturbing characters• Key words- murder, blood, gore, evil creatures,

or ghosts

• Examples: Paranormal Activity movie

“Always Honest” Non-Fiction

• Informational texts

• Biography• Autobiography

• NON-FICTION• Stories that are

true• Based on real

people, places, events, or objects

Informational Texts

• Texts that provide facts about a variety of topics

• sports, animals, science, history, careers, travel, geography, space, …

Biography

• The story of a real person’s life written by another person.

• Includes factual information about a famous person, topic, or event

Auto-BiographyAuto-Biography

• The story of a real person’s life that is written by that person.

• Includes facts about a famous person, topic, or event