A Quick Review

 By the end of the lesson, students should be able to identify which genre they would most like to first read.

 There are dozens of potential genres out there.  The definition of many genres is open to debate, as are what books belong to what genres.  Today we will cover the basics.

 These are those books that have been around for a while, are typically taught in schools and colleges, and have withstood the test of time as “quality literature.”  Examples include The Great Gatsby, Romeo and Juliet, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Odyssey, Brave New World, etc.

 This is generally thought to be “modern” fiction, or books that have only come out relatively recently.  Examples include Twilight, Harry Potter, The Shining, The Road, Atonement, and The Devil Wears Prada.  Could any of these titles belong to other genres?

 Horror books are those books that are usually graphic in nature and frightening.  Examples include books by Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Anne Rice, John Saul, Peter Straub, Clive Barker, and H.P. Lovecraft.  What is the difference between gothic literature and horror (if any)?

 These stories tend to focus on family plotlines, typically involving a conflict among family members.  Authors whose stories could fall into this category include Jodi Picoult, Connie Rose Porter, and Nicholas Sparks.  Family saga can sometimes blur into “chick lit” or “light romance.”

 Science fiction books typically employ science as a major component of the plotline.  There is “hard” science fiction which is totally based upon scientific fact as we know it.  There is also “sci-fi” which loosely makes use of science to explain otherwise unbelievable premises.  Some argue that Ursula Le Guin, Frank Herbert, Ray Bradbury, Phillip K. Dick, Isaac Asimov, and H.G. Wells are among the greatest of science fiction writers.  Can you give an example of “hard” science fiction vs. “sci-fi?”

 African-American literature is the body of literature produced in the United States by writers of African descent. It often offers a unique perspective on the African-American experience.  Recent popular African-American writers include Richard Wright, Gwendolyn Brooks, Alice Walker, Toni Morrison, James Baldwin, Ralph Ellison, and Walter Mosely.

 Historical fiction usually takes place during an important time in history. It often presents actual events from the point of view of fictional people living in that time period.  Examples include The Other Boleyn Girl, War and Peace, The Three Musketeers, The Killer Angels, Memoirs of a Geisha.  What are some books you’ve studied in high school that could be considered “historical fiction?”

 This literature expresses ideas about feminism in unique and groundbreaking ways. It should produce new ways of thinking, feeling, and being in relation to the feminine perspective.  Well-known authors in women’s literature include Kate Chopin, Virginia Woolf, Gloria Steinem, Margaret Atwood, Sylvia Plath, and Marion Zimmer Bradley.

 Fantasy uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. It’s different from sci-fi in that it makes no attempt to explain the impossibilities that occur, and it’s different from horror in that it doesn’t necessarily try to scare the reader.  Popular fantasy authors include Neil Gaiman, Terry Brooks, C.S. Lewis, and J.R.R. Tolkien.

 These novels quicken the pulse, engage the reader, and provide a fun experience.  Today’s best-selling mystery, thriller, and suspense writers include Mary Higgins Clark, Tom Clancy, John Grisham, Dan Brown, James Patterson, Michael Crichton, and Agatha Christie.

 On a half-sheet of paper (please share with each other), write down your name and the genre you are most interested in at this moment.