Literary Genres: An Introduction

Choose Your Novel Unitby Shelby George 2011

Literary Genres

Definition: categories used to group different types of literary work, such as non-fiction, fiction

and poetry

Our Genre List

It is important to remember that this list does not include all types of genres found in literary works.

There are many different genre classifications. We will learn about only some of them.

Two main classifications:

Non-fictionFiction

Non-Fiction

This category can also be called “informational” material.

These types of books provide information that is factual.

Nothing is make-believe in these types of materials. More specific examples of this type of genre would be . . .

Biographies: A true account of a person's life written, composed, or produced by another person

Autobiographies: The biography of a person written by that person

What are some non-fiction stories you have read?

FictionIn this type of work, the author may

make up the entire story.

Authors can also choose to include factual information in a made-up story.

The author can have wizards creating magic spells or it can be about a teen who has a secret crush or a person lost in the wilderness. The subjects are limitless!

Different types of fiction. . .

Historical Fiction: The story takes the reader back to a particular time period where they learn about the everyday life of a person.

The character may interact with actual historical characters, but usually, the main character is not based on a real person.

Realistic Fiction: The story usually presents a problem to be examined that could be from anybody’s life.

These stories may cover such topics as family situations, peer relationships, and cultural differences.

Science Fiction: This is a type of modern fantasy. It explores scientific fact and can pose ethical questions about current scientific trends and predictions.

The author focuses on the adventure of exploring the unknown and the wonder of discovering new worlds and people.

Mystery: There are different types of mystery stories, but usually a crime has been committed and the reader wants to try to figure out “whodunit”.

There is usually a great deal of suspense and intrigue.

What are your favorite fictional stories?

In what category of fiction would you put your favorite story? Why?

FantasyIn this type of story, the author has

created a magical world where anything is possible.

There are many types of fantasy -- from fables to fairy tales. Stories may include magical beings, talking animals, or gods and goddesses.

Traditional Fantasy: When we think of this type of fantasy

story, we often consider stories such as “Cinderella.”

This genre includes folk tales, tall tales, fables, and myths.

These are stories that have been told over and over, sometimes for hundreds or even

thousands of years!

Fairy Tales: We often know we are reading or hearing a fairy tale with the words, “once upon a time . . .”

Fairy tales often feature a fight between good and evil. Evil always loses to a triumphant hero or heroine.

We also know it’s a fairy tale because most end with “and they lived happily ever after.”

Fables: These stories usually have a moral (lesson) that is being taught. The story often uses animals that speak and act like humans.

Myths: a story or group of stories that form part of the traditional knowledge of a society. Myths often use imaginative plots and characters to explain how the world began and why nature and people behave the way they do.

Modern Fantasy: The events in modern fantasy are outside the realm of possibility.

These stories cannot happen in real life.

However, even though we know the events can’t happen, they are very believable.

These stories allow us to live in an imaginary world where anythingis possible.

Give an example of a fairy tale.

Give an example of a myth or a fable.

Give an example of a modern fantasy book.

What genre will you choose for your next book?

Bibliography

Children’s Literature Genres, http://www.alpine.k12.ut.us/depts/media/elemlessons_rev/m4-collections/lesson2cl_genre.html

Genre Study: A Collaborative Approach, http://www.readwritethink.org/lessons/lesson_view.asp?id=270

Dictionary.com, http://www.dictionary.com

Wordsmyth, http://www.wordsmyth.com

This slide show was developed as an introduction to literary genres as part of the Choose Your Novel unit. I hope you enjoy it!

Choose Your Novel is a 91-page differentiated literature unit designed for middle or high school students. Look for it at www.teacherspayteachers.com

under Shelby George.

Also look for my Literary Genre puzzles and my Literary Elements lessons.

Shelby George

2011