Forms of Fiction (Different Genres)

Objective 6th Grade Standard Learning Objective: LRA 3.1 – Identify the forms of fiction and describe the major characteristics of each form. Learning Objective: We will identify the forms of fiction and describe the characteristics of each form.

Check for Understanding What are we going to do today? What are we going to identify? What are we going to describe?

Prior Knowledge Fiction: Writing that is made up; it usually refers to short stories and novels. Fictional stories normally contain a lesson, message, or theme about life. They also contain a plot, or sequence of events, characters, a setting, a problem, and a resolution. Concept development

Prior Knowledge Non-fiction: Writing that deals with real people, events, and places without changing any facts.

Forms of Fiction Myths: A story involving gods, heroes, and other superhuman beings. Myths often address very basic questions: Where does fire come from? What makes the season change? Example: Zeus

Forms of Fiction Legends: A story believed to have a historical basis that has been passed down from one generation to the next. As these stories are told and retold, they often become less and less accurate. They become exaggerated tales. Examples: Robin Hood and La Llorona

Characteristics of Adventure Forms of Fiction Characteristics of Adventure Stories that contain a plot with an exciting undertaking involving risk and physical danger as its main theme.

Forms of Fiction Characteristics of Mystery Fictional stories, usually realistic, about a mysterious event which is not explained or a crime that is not solved until the end of the story to keep the reader in suspense.

Forms of Fiction Characteristics of Fantasy Fiction that contains elements that are NOT realistic, such as talking animals, magical powers, etc. Make-believe is what this genre is all about.

Forms of Fiction Characteristics of Science Fiction Stories which include futuristic technology; a blend of scientific fact and fictional elements.

Forms of Fiction Characteristics of Realistic Fiction Realistic fiction consists of stories that tell about situations occurring in the real world. There can be no magic or fantasy involved in the plot, although there may be very unusual events occurring or even exaggerated characters. The events in the story did not truly happen, but they could happen. Example: In the book Holes, there are events that may seem farfetched such as a boy being sent away to a camp to dig holes all day. However, based on the laws of nature and the world as we know them, it could take place and therefore is included in the realistic fiction genre. Concept development

Forms of Fiction Characteristics of Historical Fiction: Stories which take place in a particular time period in the past and include facts about the time period. Often the basic setting is real, but the characters are fictional. Example: Fifteen-year-old Frank Kovacs, a Polish immigrant working in the coal mines of eastern Pennsylvania, begins a correspondence with Theodore Roosevelt after he assumes the presidency on September 14, 1901.

Check for Understanding Name one form of fiction. What is realistic fiction? What is historical fiction? What is the difference between realistic fiction and fantasy?

Importance Why is it important to know the forms of fiction? It gives readers deeper meaning of text. When you go to a bookstore or library, popular titles will be organized by genre. ______________________________

Skill Development: Read the text. Ask yourself, “ What are the characteristics of fiction found in this text?” Ask yourself, “What form of fiction would this be considered?”

Guided Practice: After his mother left, Willie stood for a long while in the hallway. The empty apartment felt like a cave that lay deep below the earth. His father would be home soon, so he walked towards the kitchen to start his chores. What are the characteristics of fiction found in this text? What form of fiction would this passage be classified as? Historical Fiction Fantasy Realistic Fiction Science Fiction

Guided Practice Ten year old Annemarie Johansen and her best friend Ellen Rosen often think about life before the war. But it's now 1943 and their life in Copenhagen is filled with school, food shortages, and the Nazi soldiers marching in their town. What are the characteristics of fiction found in this text? What form of fiction would this passage be classified as? Historical Fiction Fantasy Realistic Fiction Science Fiction

Guided Practice A young boy’s world gets turned upside down on his 11th birthday. A giant informs him that he is really a wizard, and will soon be attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He also learns that his parents were killed by an evil wizard. What are the characteristics of fiction found in this text? What form of fiction would this passage be classified as? Historical Fiction Fantasy Realistic Fiction Science Fiction

Guided Practice: “Not mine, not mine,” but she was already walking towards me. As I closed my eyes, she sat the old, ugly sweater on my desk. I tried to remember that tonight my papa would be bringing me a cake and everyone will sing Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday to me. What are the characteristics of fiction found in this text? What form of fiction would this passage be classified as? Historical Fiction Fantasy Realistic Fiction Science Fiction

Guided Practice “Good morning,” I began. “In science you’ve been studying the human ear. This is why Mrs. Jones asked me to speak to you about technology that helps deaf people.” What are the characteristics of fiction found in this text? What form of fiction would this passage be classified as? Historical Fiction Fantasy Realistic Fiction Science Fiction

Closure: What are the forms of fiction? Why is it important to know the forms of fiction? Which paragraph is an example of fantasy? A. “Welcome to the land of Trogs,” the creature said in perfect English. Although the greeting was friendly, the explorers trembled. B. Manuel kicked through the fresh-fallen leaves. When he got to school, he realized he had forgotten his math workbook. If the teacher found out, he would have to stay after school. Why? How can you tell? Skill development

Forms of Fiction Example: Paul Bunyon Folktales – stories that have simple characters who may be people, animals, or made-up creatures. Folktales often tell something about the culture that originated them and teach a simple life lesson. Folktales are often passed from one person to another by word of mouth. Example: Paul Bunyon

Forms of Fiction Play/Drama – a story that is written for a performance in front of an audience. The parts of the characters are acted out on a stage. The story is told through the character’s actions and dialogue. A play is divided into acts and scenes, not chapters.

Fairy Tale Set in the distant past. It often has an opening phrase such as “One upon a time”, or “ A long, long time ago”, or “One day long ago. It often has a very difficult problem to solve. Characters often have magical powers, that can grant wishes. Often includes make believe characters such as dragons and giants. Has a happy ending in which good wins over evil.