Literary Genres

Mystery A problem must be solved Includes clues, and suspense keeps you guessing

Examples of Mystery The House of Dies Dream Nancy Drew Mystery of the Midnight Message Encyclopedia Brown Series Boxcar Children Mysteries

Historical Fiction Stories set in a certain time and place in the past. Real historical figures and real settings may be included

Examples of Historical Fiction Across Five Aprils The American Girl Series Little House on the Prairie True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle Sign of the Beaver Dear America Series

FABLES Brief tale usually with animal characters Teaches a moral or lesson

Examples of FABLES Aesop’s Fables THE DONKEY AND HIS MASTERS The Tortoise and the Hare

Fantasy Fiction Fiction that has elements that are not real or impossible. Magical worlds Usually a conflict between good and evil.

Examples of Fantasy Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Charlotte’s Web The Tale of Despereaux Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe Lord of the Rings Harry Potter Series

MYTHS Stories that attempts to explain natural events. Will always include gods and goddesses.

Examples of Myths Pandora’s Box Prometheus Hercules The Oddysey

Science Fiction Fiction stories that involve science and technology.

Examples of Science Fiction A Wrinkle in Time Star Wars Series The Time Machine Fahrenheit 451

Folktales Cultural stories passed through generations Contain animal, human or superhuman characters. Supernatural events help to resolve conflicts. 3 and 7 are important. Types: Fairy tales and tall tales.

Examples of Folktales Beauty and the Beast Cinderella John Henry

Autobiography True story of a real person’s life from the past or present written by THAT person.

Examples of Autobiography Dreams From My Father By Barak Obama The Diary Of Anne Frank :By Anne Frank The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin: By Benjamin Franklin

Biography True story of a real person’s life from the past or present Not written by that person..

Examples of Biography Tiger Woods: An American Master The HomerunKings: BabeRuth and Henry Aaron Clara Barton, a Red Cross Pioneer Sacagawea George W. Bush Barry Bonds

DRAMA A play with dialogue. 2 types are comedy and tragedy. Character 1:…….. Character 2: ………..

Examples of Drama A Christmas Carol The Monsters Are due on Maple Street

Poetry Written in lines and stanzas Uses sound devices and figurative language to engage the reader

Examples of Poetry Where the Sidewalk Ends New Kid on the Block Chocolate Dreams: Poems Mammalabilia A Pizza the Size of the Sun Love That Dog

Non-fiction/Informational Informational books that give true facts on a variety of subjects.

Examples of Non-Fiction Stock Car Racing Swimming Whales Tigers Danger! Earthquakes Newspapers Encyclopedias

FICTION Made up story to entertain

Examples of Fiction Seventh Grade by Gary Soto The War of the Wall by Toni Cade Bambara