LITERARY GENRESHow do you organize books?

Literary GenresDefinition: categories used to group

different types of literary work, such as nonfiction, fiction, fantasy, informational, and poetry

What are some other types of genres?

Three Major Categories

Genre

Fiction Nonfiction Other

Genre - Fiction

Fantasy Historical Fiction Horror

Humor Mystery/Suspense

Realistic Fiction

Science Fiction Short Story Traditional

Literature

Fantasy

A story based on things that could NOT happen in real life (talking animals, magic, etc.).

What FANTASY books have you read?

Definition Examples

Historical Fiction

A 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.

What HISTORICAL FICTION books have you read?

Definition Examples

Horror

A story which is intended to, or has the capacity to frighten its readers, inducing feelings of horror and terror. It creates an eerie atmosphere.

What HORROR books have you read?

Definition Examples

Humor

A story full of fun, fancy, and excitement meant to entertain the reader.

What HUMOROUS books have you read?

Definition Examples

Mystery/Suspense

A suspenseful story about a puzzling event that is not solved until the end of the story.

What MYSTERY or SUSPENSE books have you read?

Definition Examples

Realistic Fiction

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

What REALISTIC FICTION books have you read?

Definition Examples

Science Fiction

A story in which the imaginary elements could be scientifically possible (robots, time machines, etc.).

What SCIENCE FICTION books have you read?

Definition Examples

Short Story

A work of fiction that presents a sequence of events, or plot, that deals with a conflict.

What SHORT STORIES have you read?

Definition Examples

Traditional Literature

Stories 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.

What TRADITIONAL LITERATURE books have you read?

Definition Examples

Genre - Nonfiction

Essay Informational

Literary Nonfictio

n

Essay

A short literary composition on a single subject.

What ESSAYS have you read or written?

Definition Examples

Informational

Texts that provide facts & information about a variety of topics.

What INFORMATIONAL books have you read?

Definition Examples

Literary Nonfiction

Nonfiction that tells a story.

What LITERARY NONFICTION books have you read?

Definition Examples

Other Genres

Drama Poetry

Drama

Literature that is intended to be performed before an audience; a play or opera.

What DRAMAS have you read or watched?

Definition Examples

Poetry

Poetry 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.

What POETRY books have you read?

Definition Examples

Genres Everything written can

be placed in genre! Can you think of books

that can be placed in more than one genre?