David Landry

How do I identify a genre by its characteristics?

What is a literary genre? A genre is a particular style or type of writing.

Major Genres Fiction Fiction – Writing that tells about imaginary people and events Non-Fiction Non-Fiction – Writing that tells about real people and events

uses carefully selected words and phrases to create vivid pictures in the reader’s mind lines of poetry (verses) are written in stanzas may include patterns of rhyme to capture the reader’s interest

Short Story A short fictional prose narrative. A short fictional prose narrative. A short story’s plot usually consists of these basic elements: the introduction, complications, climax, and resolution. A short story’s plot usually consists of these basic elements: the introduction, complications, climax, and resolution. Short stories usually only have one or two major characters and one important setting. Short stories usually only have one or two major characters and one important setting.

Drama/Play a cast of characters a narrator who gives important information parts called acts or scenes props to help support action dialogue that tells what the actors say stage directions in italics

Realistic Fiction The setting is realistic The characters speak and act like real people The story describes real-life problems and events The setting is realistic The characters speak and act like real people The story describes real-life problems and events

Historical Fiction Literature with imaginary characters Literature with imaginary characters Based on events related to history Based on events related to history *Parts of Little House on the Prairie are considered autobiographical

Science Fiction Literature based on actual or imaginary developments or discoveries in science Literature based on actual or imaginary developments or discoveries in science Often futuristic or fantasy Often futuristic or fantasy

Horror and Mystery Horror Horror is fiction in which events evoke a feeling of dread in both the characters and the reader. Mystery Mystery is fiction dealing with the solution of a crime or the unraveling of secrets.

Actions are repeated over and over Point out some aspect of human behavior. Some fables teach a lesson about what is important in life, such as fairness, kindness, or cleverness Characters are simpler than real people - they may be completely greedy, completely wicked, or very gentle Fable Examples – Aesop’s Fables, Mouse & Lion, Tortoise & the Hare, Fox & the Crow, Hansel & GretelAesop’s Fables, Mouse & Lion, Tortoise & the Hare, Fox & the Crow

Myth / Legend Myth / Legend A kind of fantasy A kind of fantasy A very old story handed down by word of mouth A very old story handed down by word of mouth Explains something about nature or answers questions about the meaning of life or what is good or evil Explains something about nature or answers questions about the meaning of life or what is good or evil Examples – Greek gods/goddesses, Examples – Greek gods/goddesses,

Folk Tale Stories passed on from one person to another by word of mouth. Stories passed on from one person to another by word of mouth. Original storyteller is unknown. The authors on folk tale books today are retelling these stories. Original storyteller is unknown. The authors on folk tale books today are retelling these stories. They often use language/description that is native to a specific area. They often use language/description that is native to a specific area. Characters are sometimes animals that act Characters are sometimes animals that act and speak like people Repetition Repetition Use of the number three Use of the number three Examples: Brer Rabbit, Cinderella (can Examples: Brer Rabbit, Cinderella (canBrer RabbitBrer Rabbit also be considered as a fairy tale)

Tall Tale Extraordinary person - the main character is better at things than an ordinary person Exaggeration – makes something greater or bigger than it really could be Explanation – explains how something came to be Examples – Paul Bunyan, John Henry, Mike Fink, Swamp Angel

Fairy Tales Fairy Tales Often begin with Once upon a time or Long, long ago Often begin with Once upon a time or Long, long ago Include a good character and a bad (evil) character Include magic or something enchanted Involves a problem that is solved and the good people live happily ever after Setting is a forest or a castle Examples: Princess & the Pea, Jack & the Beanstalk, Rumpelstiltskin

Non-Fiction Books that discuss facts, deal with real or historical characters, circumstances or events. Books that discuss facts, deal with real or historical characters, circumstances or events. Examples: how-to books, science, sports, drawing, math animals,transportation Examples: how-to books, science, sports, drawing, math animals,transportation

Essay A short piece of nonfiction prose that examines a single subject. A short piece of nonfiction prose that examines a single subject. Most essays can be categorized as either personal or formal Most essays can be categorized as either personal or formal It not only includes Martin Luther King's speech and Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg address, but Patrick Henry's Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death, Lou Gehrig's Luckiest Man on Earth speech, Ronald Reagan's Tear Down This Wall speech and many more. It not only includes Martin Luther King's speech and Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg address, but Patrick Henry's Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death, Lou Gehrig's Luckiest Man on Earth speech, Ronald Reagan's Tear Down This Wall speech and many more.

Biography Biography Nonfiction Nonfiction Story about a real person’s life that is written by another person Story about a real person’s life that is written by another person Can cover a person’s whole life, part of a person’s life, or a single incident Can cover a person’s whole life, part of a person’s life, or a single incident A true account of a person’s life based on facts collected by the author A true account of a person’s life based on facts collected by the author Written from the third person point of view (he or she) Written from the third person point of view (he or she)

Autobiographies Autobiographies are where people write about their own life. Autobiographies are where people write about their own life.

Newspapers/Magazines Newspapers and magazines contain articles relating to current events, new discoveries, and important people. Newspapers and magazines contain articles relating to current events, new discoveries, and important people.

Informational Texts The The function of these texts is to convey information.

References