Understanding Genres Grades 3-5 By Mrs. Paula McMullen Library Teacher Norwood Public Schools

What is a genre? A genre is a type of writing that is different than other types of writing  Two major genres are: fiction and nonfiction  Realistic, mystery, fantasy, historical and science fiction are smaller genres of fiction books  Biography, poetry, drama and folklore are smaller genres  Autobiographies and collective biographies are special biography books Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, Norwood Public Schools2

Fiction Genre  Imaginative stories created by authors are in fiction genre  Interesting characters and problems  Engaging plots  Thoughtful themes  Can be divided into smaller genres including: realistic, mystery, fantasy, historical and science fiction Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, Norwood Public Schools3

Other Fiction Books Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, Norwood Public Schools4

Realistic Fiction Genre  Realistic fiction is smaller genre of fiction books  Characters behave in believable ways  Settings reflect recognizable places  Problems are believable  Descriptions are vivid  Dialogue is accurate Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, Norwood Public Schools5

Other Realistic Fiction Books Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, Norwood Public Schools6

Mystery Fiction Genre  Mystery is smaller genre of fiction books  Same characteristics as realistic fiction but:  Characters all involved in solving puzzle  Each event is linked to solving the mystery  Writer drops clues  End with believable conclusion Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, Norwood Public Schools7

Other Mysteries Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, Norwood Public Schools8

Fantasy Fiction Genre  Fantasy is smaller genre of fiction books  Contain elements that are not realistic  Major events could not happen in real life  Characters use magic or other impossible strategies Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, Norwood Public Schools9

Other Fantasy Fiction Books Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, Norwood Public Schools10

Science Fiction Genre  Science fiction is smaller genre of fiction books  Based on impact of actual or imagined science  Setting is the future or on other planets  Explores advanced space travel or extraterrestrial beings Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, Norwood Public Schools11

Other Science Fiction Books Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, Norwood Public Schools12

Historical Fiction Genre  Historical fiction is smaller genre of fiction books  Stories take place in an identifiable period of the past  Characters may all be fictional or some may have been real  Have authentic problems, description and dialogue Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, Norwood Public Schools13

Other Historical Fiction Books Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, Norwood Public Schools14

Nonfiction Genre  Books that provide facts and information are in nonfiction genre  Subjects researched by author  Facts organized clearly  Often provide contents page, index and glossary  Have helpful illustrations Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, Norwood Public Schools15

Other Nonfiction Books Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, Norwood Public Schools16

Biography Genre  Biography is smaller genre of nonfiction books  Tell about a real person, past or present  Based on facts  Recount key incidents in person’s life  Include major influences in person’s life (people, places, and events) Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, Norwood Public Schools17

Other Biographies Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, Norwood Public Schools18

Autobiography Books  Autobiography is special kind of biography where:  Author writes about himself or herself  Author reveals his/her feelings and reactions to events in his/her life Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, Norwood Public Schools19

Other Autobiographies Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, Norwood Public Schools20

Collective Biography Books  Collective biography has same characteristics as individual biography books but -  Contain stories of more than one person’s life  Shelved by author instead of by subject Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, Norwood Public Schools21

Other Collective Biographies Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, Norwood Public Schools22

Poetry Genre  Poetry is smaller genre  Poetry is a special kind of writing that may or may not rhyme  Words chosen carefully  Often written in lines  Sound and meaning of words are combined to express feelings, thoughts, and ideas  Types include: acrostic, cinquain, limerick, free verse, haiku, concrete Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, Norwood Public Schools23

Other Poetry Books Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, Norwood Public Schools24

Folklore Genre  Folklore is smaller genre  Includes: folktales, riddles, rhymes and songs  Folktales are best-known kind of folklore  Passed down orally through the years - no known authors  Set in distant past  Have identifiable motifs: special numbers, magical creatures or objects, quests, enchantments  Share moral, lesson, or belief  Reflect a culture’s values and traditions Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, Norwood Public Schools25

Other Folklore Books Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, Norwood Public Schools26

Drama Genre  Drama is smaller genre  Dramas also called plays  Stories written in dialogue  Written in poetry or prose  Written for performance on stage  Provide little description  Emotions, characterization and events expressed through dialogue and action Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, Norwood Public Schools27

Other Plays in Drama Genre Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, Norwood Public Schools28

Remember -  A genre is a type of writing that is different than other types of writing  Two major genres are: fiction and nonfiction  Realistic, mystery, fantasy, historical and science fiction are smaller genres of fiction books  Biography, poetry, drama and folklore are smaller, special genres  Autobiographies and collective biographies are special biography books Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, Norwood Public Schools29

Acknowledgements  Huck, Charlotte. Children’s Literature in the Elementary School. Fort Worth, Texas: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich College Publishers,  Sutherland, Zena. Children and Books 8 th ed. NY: HarperColllins Publishers,  ClipartHeaven.Com  Discoveryschool Clip Art Gallery  Follett Library Resources  Kidsdomain Clip Art  Microsoft Office Clip Art Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, Norwood Public Schools30