What do you Read?

Genre is a French word meaning kind or group It is pronounced jon-ra

The word genre refers to: a category of Artistic Musical or Literary composition characterized by a particular style, form, or content.

Poetry Novel/ Graphic Novel

Fiction Story based on the imagination of the author Written to entertain the reader Characterized by a setting, characters, dialogue (talking), problem/conflict, climax and solution

Fiction Subgroups Fantasy Romance Adventure Crime Fiction Horror Science Fiction Mystery Historical Fiction Realistic Fiction Traditional Literature

How do we classify literature into each genre?

Fantasy Romance Adventure Crime Fiction Horror Science Fiction Mystery Historical Fiction Realistic Fiction Traditional Literature

CONVENTIONS A particular genre includes certain basic ingredients which we call conventions

CONVENTIONS Texts often fit into multiple genres Can you think of an example of a novel which combines Science Fiction, Romance, Adventure and Horror

Mystery Suspenseful story about a puzzling event that is not solved until the end of the story

Historical Fiction Fictional story that takes place in a particular time period in the past Often the setting is real, but the characters are made up from the author’s imagination

Traditional Literature Stories that are passed down from one group to another in history. Includes folktales, legends, fables, fairytales, tall tales, and myths from different cultures.

Horror Baddies, supernatural creatures like vampires, victims, believers and sceptics of the supernatural, innocent children and young women, hero, saviour, slayers, mad scientists clever experts. Isolated places, dark places, cemeteries, good versus evil, revenge, courage, justice, suspense, killing.

Realistic Fiction Story using made-up characters that could happen in real life

Fantasy Story including elements that are impossible such as talking animals or magical powers. Magic users (wizards); royalty (princesses); unreal creatures (dragons); hero/heroine Quest to overcome obstacles Enchanted places, castles, forests, medieval time Good versus evil, honourable qualities, friendship Successive volumes

Science Fiction A type of fantasy that uses science and technology Robots, space, time machines, aliens, time travel Conflict with invaders A quest to overcome obstacles Set in the future (advanced or regressive) Good versus evil Friendship, honourable qualities, human potential, ethics

Romance Fictional story that takes place in a particular time period in the past Love match, overcoming obstacles, becoming a couple, happy endings

Crime Fiction Fictional story that takes place in a particular time period in the past Often the setting is real, but the characters are made up from the author’s imagination Crime solved by detective involves interpretation of clues, villains, mysterious settings, danger, weapons suspense and tension

The Genre Codex Can you think of words that might be unique to each Genre? Think-Pair-Share

GROUP TASK In groups, you will be assigned one genre to research. You are to collect images, film titles, authors, novel covers etc. that are classified as part of your assigned genre and make An electronic collage from your findings. Then answer the following questions: What elements need to be in a story to classify it under this genre? Write a list that others could use as a guide to help them recognize which texts are part of this genre. You will present your findings to the class.