Genre

I can identify different types of literature like poetry, novels, short stories, biographies, autobiographies, and dramas based on their characteristics.

Essential Questions What are some of the forms of literature? What are the characteristics of each genre? How does genre effect your own reading choices?

Biography A story the writer tells about another person’s life. Non-fiction: A true story about a real person. Look for facts and dates: where the person was born, where he went to school, what made him famous, date of birth, dates of special life events.

Examples:

Autobiography A story a person tells about his/her own life: “I auto write a story about myself.” Non-fiction: A true story about a real person. Look for facts and dates: where the person was born, where she went to school, what made her famous, date of birth, dates of special life events.

Examples:

Drama A story that is meant to be acted out or performed for an audience. The story is revealed through the actor’s dialogue. There are different acts and scenes. There are stage directions.

Examples:

Poetry Has a special look: Written in lines and stanzas. Sounds pleasing to listen to: it often rhymes, but it doesn’t have to. Poems appeal to your senses - they create mind pictures. Poems appeal to your mind and your heart - they make you think and feel.

Examples: My Ancestor (by Phil Ryan) I look in the mirror And what do I see? I see an image of someone That looks a little like me. Could it be the face Or maybe the hair? I know who it is now: It’s my great-great-grandma Claire.

Novel Fiction: a book that tells a made up story. Has a setting, plot, and characters. Novels are longer books - chapter books. There are few, if any, pictures. Novels describe characters and events that take place over a period of time.

Examples:

Short Stories Often called picture books Fiction that is short in length - it can be read in one sitting Usually focuses on one event or problem Examples include fairy tales, folk tales, and fables (stories that have animals for characters and are meant to teach a lesson).

Examples:

Closure On your whiteboard, write the title of your favorite book and what genre it is. What characteristics helped you determine the genre?