Genres of Fiction

Quarter 1 Introduction

Made up from the author’s imagination Associated w/ novels & short stories

Short Story◦ Brief◦ Focus: one main plot, one main conflict, one theme, read in

one sitting Novel

◦ Longer◦ Plot includes subplots and more than one conflict and

sometimes more than one theme

Fiction

Real people, events, ideas Letters, autobiographies, biographies,

speeches, articles (Primary documents)

Nonfiction

Fiction and Nonfiction◦ Persuade

What’s another way to say persuade? Convince, Influence

◦ Inform What’s another way to say inform? Educate, Instruct, Notify, Teach

◦ Entertain What’s another way to say entertain? Captivate, Delight, Engage, Inspire

What’s the Author’s Purpose?

Genre is a type or kind of literature

What is genre?

Historical Science Fantasy Adventure Mystery Realistic Folklore Thriller

Genres of Fiction (Novels and Short Stories)

This is not an extensive list. There

are many more categories!

In addition, sometimes a story can

be more than one genre.

Disseminate – how information and stories are passed along

E.g.: Folklore is traditionally disseminated or passed down orally over generations

Represents the beliefs and practices of a culture

Supernatural or Impossible (exaggeration)

Used to explain nature, creation

Folklore

Drawn from the imagination of the author but is very believable

Represents the burdens, struggles, joys, and happenings of everyday life

Themes of society/community, family, friendship, and growing up

Realistic Fiction

Main character and plot are created from author’s imagination

However, the story is weaved around historical events, characters, settings, time periods

The historical element plays a pivotal role in the story’s theme and plot

Historical Fiction

Author’s imagination is weaved around technology, the impossible.

Explores controversial or debatable scientific issues (such as cloning, mental illness, political power/ control, etc)

Scientific vocabulary/terms to represent alternative world(s)

Science Fiction

Imagination of the author breaks free from reality

Story takes place in a nonexistent and unreal world

Unreal characters New vocabulary/terms to represent

alternative world(s), new beings, imaginary lands

Fantasy Fiction

Characters are asked to solve a crime or puzzle or to discover and expose a secret

The crime, puzzle, or secret is the driving force for the plot

Mystery Fiction

Suspense is the driving force for the plot Characters are usually placed in danger or

cause danger

Thriller Fiction

The main characters go on an adventure that ultimately leads to self discovery and/or the resolution of the story’s conflict

Travel

Adventure Fiction