TYPES OF GENRES

PoetryPoetry is verse written to create a

response of thought and feeling from the reader.  It often uses rhythm and rhyme to help convey its meaning. 

Shortened form of writingFigurative Language- metaphors,

similes, personificationAuthor’s expression of feelings,

opinionsMay follow a form/structure

Traditional LiteratureStories that are passed down from one group to another in history.

This includes folktales, legends, fables, fairy tales, tall tales, and myths from different cultures.

A foundation for Fantasy

FantasyA story including elements that

are impossible such as talking animals or magical powers. Make-believe is what this genre is all about.

Settings might include medieval times or time travel (magic)

Plot will include the hero’s journey/quest and good vs. evil

Science FictionA type of fantasy that uses science

and technology (robots, time machines, “mad” scientist, etc.)

Settings include technologically advance cities, spaceships, other solar systems, time travel (technology)

Plot might include alien attacks/visits, time traveling, important technology experiments gone wrong

Realistic FictionA story using made-up characters that could happen in real life.

Characters are everyday people doing everyday things

Setting will be a modern day, realistic place

Plot will include realistic events

Historical FictionA fictional story that takes place in a

particular time period in the past. Often the setting is real, but the characters are made up from the author’s imagination.

Characters can be famous historical figures and made up

Setting will be pre-1970 and may include important/historical sites

Plot will contain authentic historic events with average or significant people

MysteryA suspenseful story about a

puzzling event that is not solved until the end of the story.

Characters may include detectives, investigators, and spies

Setting might be a crime scene, detective agency, and a creepy house, etc.

Plot will have a crime or mysterious event plus clues to reach a solution

DystopianA futuristic, imagined universe in which

oppressive societal control and the illusion of a perfect society are maintained through corporate, bureaucratic, technological, moral, or totalitarian control. Dystopias, through an exaggerated worst-case scenario, make a criticism about a current trend, societal norm, or political system.

Characters often feel trapped struggle to escape, question the existing social and political systems, help the reader recognize the negative aspects of the dystopian world through his or her perspective.

Biography

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

Autobiography

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

Memoir

A short account of the author’s experiences written by themselves

InformationalTexts that provide facts about a variety of topics

Topics may include: sports, animals, science, history, careers, travel, geography, space, weather, etc.

Nonfiction