Types of Literature & Genre Study Guide 2011 1

A literary work that is based on fact. Non-Fiction A literary work that is based on fact. It is written to teach or inform a reader about a particular topic or subject Hint: NOT FAKE 12

Hint: FAKE A literary work Fiction A literary work whose content is produced by the imagination & is meant to entertain you (may contain some facts but is mostly made up) Hint: FAKE 3

futuristic technology, Science Fiction a story using futuristic technology, scientific fact, and set in the future . 2

the characters are made Historical Fiction story based on actual historical events, but the characters are made up by the author. 4

Modern Realistic or Realistic Fiction story set in present times. 6

Who did it? Mystery How was it done? A suspenseful story with puzzling events that won’t be figured out unitl the end. 20

Biography Life story about someone written by someone else. 14

Autobiography A self-written life story. 15

"Encyclopedia, Newspaper, Informative Article Story that informs. "Encyclopedia, Newspaper, Internet, or Magazine" 16

Drama Story that depicts events from real life situations. 18

instructions about how to do something. Gives the reader instructions about how to do something. "Recipes, Car Manuals, Game Rules." 23

Products or events that Advertisements Products or events that are introduced to the public to persuade people to buy a product or attend an event. 24

writing on a particular Editorials Nonfiction ~ A piece of writing on a particular topic giving Authors opinion. 25

Poems Compositions that use musical language to create word pictures and sound effects in your mind. Homework Stew By Kenn Nesbitt   I cooked my math book in a broth and stirred it to a steaming froth. I threw in papers—pencils, too— to make a pot of homework stew. 21

Stories that are performed on stage by actors. Plays Stories that are performed on stage by actors. (Can also be called a Drama) 22

A short piece of writing Essays A short piece of writing on a particular topic. 26

Personal Narrative Participator in the story that tells the story in "first person." 17

Story with animal characters acting as humans. Fables Story with animal characters acting as humans. The purpose is to provide a moral or practical truth for living. 7

explanation for little understood phenomena. Myths story with gods and goddesses as characters; explain events in nature; primarily to offer an explanation for little understood phenomena. "Prometheus the Fire-Bringer" 8

They may contain some historical fact upon which layers Legends Stories handed down through generations. They may contain some historical fact upon which layers of the story or exaggeration have accumulated. "The _______of Davy Crockett" 9

Tall Tales Exaggerated stories Lightning played a big part in many tall tales, folk tales, and myths. Perhaps you have heard of some of them. One tale relates how a very brave man rode a lightning bolt and tamed it. 10

Stories that start with Fairy Tales Stories that start with "Once upon a time" and end with "Happily ever after." Magic involved. 13

Stories told by working Folk Tales Stories told by working class people about working class heros. 11