Literary Genres ELA 8

Genre From the French for type or category. Genres may be determined by literary technique, tone, content, length.

Historical Fiction Story with fictional characters and events in a historical setting. Elijah of Buxton The Plague I, Claudius In the Name of the Rose Shogun The Good Earth The Three Musketeers The Pillars of the Earth War and Peace Roots

Historical Fiction Elements/Parts Characterization Characters are ordinary real people who could have lived in the historical setting Characters are usually shaped by the setting Characters usually change as a result of the problem and must to be able to resolve it Setting Place is a particular historical geographical location Time is a particular historical period Plot Must be plausible and believable Usually problem or puzzling event as a result of the time or place in history for characters to resolve Reader/listener usually feel that the story really happened or could have happened Theme The story must be told with significant detail to place the reader/listener in the historical setting and situation Characters, plot, setting, theme, events, problems, mirror historical life Most events are historically accurate, but minor events and/or characters are added or modified

Science Fiction Story based on impact of actual, imagined, or potential science, usually set in the future or on other planets. 20,000 Leagues under the Sea War of the Worlds Dune Ender’s Game Flowers for Algernon Foundation Series Frankenstein Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy I, Robot Jurassic Park The Time Machine 1984 Brave New World Fahrenheit 451

Elements of Science Fiction Characters Aliens Mutants Robots Setting in the future Set in an alternative timeline Set on another planet or in space Plot Plausible not supernatural action. Science is important in solving the problem. Themes Often comments on issues in our society now but putting them in some extreme context.

Informational/Nonfiction Informational text dealing with an actual, real-life subject. Recipes Instruction Manuals Criticism Ripley’s Believe it or Not Guinness Book of Records Atlases

Realistic Fiction A story that can actually happen and is true to life. Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing Are You There God it’s Me Margaret? Crash Maniac Agee Because of Winn Dixie Beezuz and Ramona Shiloh Old Yeller Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn Touching Spirit Bear One Fat Summer Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Other genres

Fantasy Fiction with strange or other worldly settings or characters; fiction which invites suspension of reality. Harry Potter Lord of the Rings Bartimaeus Percy Jackson

Fable Narration demonstrating a useful truth, especially in which animals speak as humans; legendary, supernatural tale. Aesop’s Fables One Thousand and One Nights Animal Farm Jonathon Livingston Seagull

Fairy Tale Story about fairies or other magical creatures, usually for children. Beauty and the Beast Baba Yaga Cinderella

Folklore The songs, stories, myths, and proverbs of a people or "folk" as handed down by word of mouth. Johnny Appleseed Paul Bunyan (written in Michigan!)

Legend Story, sometimes of a national or folk hero, which has a basis in fact (usually focused on a time period) but also includes imaginative material. Atlantis Fountain of Youth Robin Hood Helen of Troy Big Foot Chupacabra

Mythology Legend or traditional narrative, often based in part on historical events, that reveals human behavior and natural phenomena by its symbolism; often pertaining to the actions of the gods.  Greek  Roman  Norse  Celtic  Egyptian  Persian  Chinese  Japanese

Mystery Fiction dealing with the solution of a crime or the unraveling of secrets. Sherlock Holmes Hardy Boys Nancy Drew The Big Sleep

Horror Fiction in which events evoke a feeling of dread in both the characters and the reader. Stephen King H.P. Lovecraft Dracula Frankenstein Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde

Biography / Autobiography/ Memoir Narrative of a person's life, a true story about a real person.

Drama Stories composed in verse or prose, usually for theatrical performance, where conflicts and emotion are expressed through dialogue and action.

Poetry Verse and rhythmic writing with imagery that creates emotional responses.

Speech Public address or discourse.

Essay A short literary composition that reflects the author's outlook or point.