Genres of FictionG5.2R.C1.PO9

Objective

• I can identify various genres of fiction.

Essential Questions• What is Science Fiction? How is it

different from Historical & Realistic Fiction?

• What is Historical Fiction? How is it different from Science & Realistic Fiction?

• What is Realistic Fiction? How is it different from Science & Historical Fiction?

Essential Questions, Continued

• What is Adventure? How is it different from Mystery & Fantasy?

• What is Mystery? How is it different from Adventure & Fantasy?

• What is Fantasy? How is it different from Adventure & Mystery?

Essential Questions, Continued

• What is a Myth? How is it different from a legend?

• What is a Legend? How is it different from a Myth?

Essential Questions, Continued

• What is a Fable? How is it different from a Tall Tale & a Fairy Tale?

• What is a Tall Tale? How is it different from a Fable & a Fairy Tale?

• What is a Fairy Tale? How is it different from a Fable & a Tall Tale?

Science Fiction

• Science Fiction is a genre that often involves guesses about current or future science or technology.

Science Fiction, Continued

• Science Fiction can include:

• A setting in the future

• A setting in outer space or involving aliens

• Stories that involve technology or scientific principles that contradict the laws of nature

• Stories that involve discovery of new scientific principles or new technology

Science Fiction, Continued

• Science fiction differs from Fantasy in that its imaginary elements are largely possible within scientific principles.

• Examples of Science Fiction works include Star Trek, Star Wars, and A Wrinkle in Time

Historical Fiction• Historical Fiction is a story that is

set in the past and portrays people, places and events that did or could have happened.

• Historical Fiction includes a real time and place in the past, and often real historical figures who mingle with fictional characters living during a notable period in history.

Historical Fiction, Continued

• Historical Fiction differs from Realistic Fiction and Science Fiction in that it is set in the past during a notable period or event in history.

• Examples of Historical Fiction include Johnny Tremain, Number the Stars, and Sarah, Plain and Tall.

Realistic Fiction

• Realistic Fiction tells about characters and events that are like people and events in real life.

• Realistic Fiction includes characters that have feelings that real people have, and a setting that is familiar to most.

Realistic Fiction, Continued

• Realistic Fiction differs from Historical & Science Fiction in that all elements of the story are possible, and the story is set in the present.

• Examples include No Talking, The Best School Year Ever, and The Last Holiday Concert.

Adventure

• Stories often involve outdoors, survival, and exciting journeys to interesting places

• Characters face challenges in order to triumph over difficult situations.

Adventure, Continued

• Adventure is different from Mystery and Fantasy because it focuses on the actions of the hero.

• Examples include Hatchet, Julie of the Wolves, Danger in the Desert.

Mystery

• Story revolves around a problem, crime or mystery to be solved using clues

• Story is suspenseful

• Characters are detectives, suspects and sometimes both

Mystery, Continued

• Mystery is different from Adventure and Fantasy because it has a crime, clues, suspects, detectives and a mystery to be solved.

• Examples include The Westing Game, and Hardy Boys & Nancy Drew series

Fantasy

• Story events could not really happen in real life

• Stories involve magic, wizards and mythical characters

Fantasy, Continued

• Fantasy is different from Adventure and Mystery because it contains magic and/or mythical characters and settings.

• Examples include the Harry Potter series, the Lord of the Rings series, Eragon

Myth

• A traditional story of gods or heroes which tries to explain people, things or events.

• Tries to explain elements of nature or life.

• Has gods, goddesses and unusual creatures.

Myth, Continued

• Myths are different from legends because myths are stories that were made up to explain the world.

• Examples include Apollo, god of the Sun, Medusa and Hercules

Legend

• A legend is an exaggerated version of a true story.

• Stories were originally passed down orally, then eventually written down

Legend, Continued

• Legends are different from myths because legends come from true stories that have been exaggerated over time.

• Examples include Robin Hood, King Arthur & Excalibur

Fable

• A fable is a short story designed to teach a lesson.

• Usually contains talking animals

• Has a moral at the end.

Fable, Continued

• Fables are different from Fairy Tales and Tall Tales because they contain talking animals and lessons.

• Examples include The Tortoise & the Hare, The Ant & the Grasshopper

Fairy Tales• A Fairy Tale is a story that includes

magical creatures or actions.

• Often begins with “Once Upon a Time” and ends with “happily ever after.”

• Setting often in a town, castle or forest.

• Good is usually rewarded and evil is punished.

Fairy Tale, Continued

• A Fairy Tale is different from a Fable and Tall Tale because it includes magic.

• Examples include Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White

Tall Tale

• A Tall Tale is a story with unbelievable elements, told as if it was true and factual.

• May include a larger than life character with a specific job.

• Exaggerated details that describe things as greater than they are.

Tall Tale, Continued

• Tall tales differ from Fables and Fairy Tales because they are exaggerated stories that are based on the truth.

• Examples include Pecos Bill, Paul Bunyan, and Johnny Appleseed.

Folktale

• A folktale is passed down orally

• Usually from another culture

• Has a moral at the end of the story

• Examples include Sees Behind Trees, The Rough-Faced Girl, The Boy Who Cried Wolf.