GENRES AND SUBGENRES

All writing falls into a category or genre. We will use 5 main genres and subgenres.

5 Main Genres 1. Fiction: imaginative or made up writing 2. Drama: a play or script 3. Nonfiction: writing that is true 4. Folklore: stories once passed down orally 5. Poetry: writing concerned with the beauty of language

Fiction Subgenres Realistic Fiction: has no elements of fantasy; could be true, but isn’t.

Fiction Subgenres Historical Fiction: set in the past and based on real people and/or events

Fiction Subgenres Science Fiction: has aliens, robots, futuristic technology and/or space ships

Fiction Subgenres Fantasy: has monsters, magic, or characters with superpowers

Fiction Subgenres Mystery: fiction dealing with the solution of a crime or the unraveling of secrets

Fiction Subgenres Dystopian: A futuristic, imaginary universe with controlling government.

Drama Subgenres Comedy: Script meant to be performed with happy ending. Tragedy: Script meant to be performed that ends in death and sadness.

Nonfiction Subgenres Informational Writing:explains something. Ex: -instructions with how to cook something -instructions with your beats

Nonfiction Subgenres Persuasive Writing: tries to influence the reader.

Nonfiction Subgenres Biography: Writing about someone else’s life.

Nonfiction Subgenres Autobiography: Written by oneself. The story of the author’s life to date. Usually in chronological order.

Autobiography Examples

Nonfiction Subgenres Memoir: Written by oneself. Written only about a portion of life, not entire life.

Folklore Subgenres Fairytale: has magic and/or talking animals . Often starts with "Once upon a time…" Like fantasy but much older

Folklore Subgenres Legend Based on a real person or place Exaggerated in a serious way

Folklore Subgenres Tall Tale Set in the Wild West, the American frontier Main characters skills/size/strength is greatly exaggerated Exaggeration is humorous

Folklore Subgenres Myth: has gods/goddesses and usually accounts for the creation of something

Folklore Subgenres Fables also have talking animals, but fables are VERY short. They convey a moral or lesson.

Poetry Poetry: Writing concerned with the beauty of language, expression of feelings, and rhythm.