Genre Notes

Genres A genre is a type or category of literature. The five main literary genres are poetry, drama, nonfiction, fiction and folktales/myths/fables.

Genres 1. Poetry—a type of literature in which ideas and feelings are expressed in compact, imaginative, and musical language. Most poems are written in lines, which may contain regular patterns of rhyme and rhythm. These lines may be grouped in stanzas. Narrative—Poetry that tells a story Lyric—Poetry that presents the thoughts and feelings of a single speaker

Genres 2. Drama—a form of literature meant to be performed by actors before an audience. Comedy—a dramatic work that is light and humorous in tone and usually ends happily Tragedy—a dramatic work that presents the downfall of a character and usually ends disastrously

Genres 3. Nonfiction—writing that tells about real people, places, and events. Examples of nonfiction include essays, biographies, and autobiographies. Essay—a short work of nonfiction that deals with a single subject Biography—the nonfiction story of a person’s life, written by someone else Autobiography—a form of nonfiction in which a person tells the story of his/her own life Reference Materials—Dictionaries, Almanacs, Encyclopedias, Atlases

Genres 4. Fiction—prose writing that tells an imaginary story. There are many types of fiction, including historical fiction, science fiction, fantasy, mystery, suspense, humor, romance, and realism. Historical Fiction—fiction that is set in the past. It may contain references to actual people and events from the past. Science Fiction—fiction based on real or imagined scientific developments. Sci Fi stories are often set in imaginary places and in the future. Fantasy—fiction that takes place in an unreal, imaginary world. Fantasies often involve magic or characters with superhuman powers. Mystery—fiction dealing with the solution of a puzzling crime Suspense—fiction causing a sense of growing excitement and tension in the reader Humor—fiction that uses exaggeration, amusing descriptions, irony, and wit to provoke laughter or amusement in the reader Action/Adventure—fast-paced fiction that involves danger and excitement Romance—fiction that involves a love story Realism—fiction involving vivid descriptions of characters and the world in which they live

Genres 5. Stories passed on by Word-of-Mouth Folktale—a story that has been passed from generation to generation by word of mouth Myth—a traditional story of unknown authorship that answers basic questions about the universe. Gods and heroes often figure prominently. Fable—a brief story that teaches a lesson about human nature. Legend—a story that is handed down from the past about a specific person

Genre Practice 1. ______ is a prose account that is made up rather than true. a. biographyc. autobiography b. fictiond. nonfiction

2. A(n) ______ is the story of a person’s life, written or told by that person. a. folktalec. biography b. autobiographyd. short story

3. A ______ is a story with no known author that originally was passed on from one generation to another by word of mouth. a. fablec. folktale b. dramad. biography

4. A _____ is a brief story in prose or verse that teaches a moral or gives a practical lesson about how to get along in life. a. fablec. folktale b. mythd. biography

5. A ____ is the story of a real person’s life, written or told by another person. a. folktalec. autobiography b. biographyd. short story