Literary Genres

The term literary genres refers to grouping literature by

category. A category, or kind of story, is a genre.

All categories of books or stories can be called either fiction or non-fiction.

Fictiona made up story can tell about

things that could happen

is read for fun characters may be

like real people or imaginary

Non-Fictionhas facts that can

be checked and proven

the author is an expert on this information

it IS TRUE!

Genres

Other Major Categories

•Folktales

•Drama

•Poetry

Poetry

page format may look different than other books

may have rhythm (beat)may rhymeimaginative and creativeuses describing or exciting wordstells a story in verse

            

Drama

usually for theatrical performance, where conflicts and emotion are expressed through dialogue and action.

Folktales

*usually began as part of an oral (spoken) tradition*are more frequently told than read *are passed down from one generation to another *speak to universal and timeless themes. *try to make sense of our existence, *explain the origin of something.

Genre CategoriesFiction

Realistic FantasyMysteryHistorical FictionScience FictionAdventure

Realistic Fiction

can be based on a real storycharacters act like real peoplecharacter tries to solve a problemstory could happen in real lifesome events are historically accuratecharacter’s feelings and behaviors are

like real life

Fantasy

animal characters may act like peoplecharacters may have special powers characters may be imaginary beingssetting may be in another time (future)usually has a good vs. evil conflictmay use scientific principles not yet

available or discovered

            

fiction that includes secrets or crimes to be solved

Historical Fiction

fiction that is set in the past based on true historical accounts main characters aren’t real, but

there may be famous people from history mentioned

Science Fiction

fiction that deals with science or technology of the future

some of the technology/science may be somewhat believable

the setting is often in outer space or another dimension

Adventure

has elements such as fast-moving action, discoveries of new and exciting things, and moments of danger

usually encounters adversaries that keep the adventurer from a goal; i.e…, nature, human or self

GenreCategoriesNon Fiction

InformationalAutobiographyBiography

Informational

nonfiction writing about a topic including: books, newspaper, or magazine articles

Informational

tells facts that can be looked-up or proven

tells about real eventscharacters have really livedmay have maps, diagrams and

illustrations to explain the factsauthor is an expert on the subject

Autobiography

nonfiction that is a biography of a person written by himself or herself

Biography

nonfiction that is informational writing about real people.