Commercial Genre Unit

Definition of Genre: A category or grouping of literary or artistic works that share certain general stylistic elements, forms or techniques The basic genres we will study:  Fantasy and Science Fiction  Action and Adventure  Thriller and Horror  Romance

Definition of Sub-Genre: A category or grouping of similar storytelling that share certain specific stylistic elements A sub-category within a particular genre or category Examples of Fantasy sub-genres:  High/epic fantasy (eg. Lord of the Rings)  Time Travel (eg. The Time Traveller’s Wife)  Vampire (eg. Dracula, Twilight)

Fantasy Fantasy is often characterized by a departure from the accepted rules by which individuals perceive the world it represents that which is impossible (unexplained) and outside the parameters of our known, reality Make-believe is what this genre is all about

Science Fiction deals with the impact of imagined innovations in science or technology, often in a futuristic setting largely based on writing rationally about alternative possibilities settings for science fiction are speculative, imaginary

Action/Adventure Traditionally aimed at male readers, features physical action and violence, often around a quest or military-style mission The conflict typically involves commandos, mercenaries, terrorists, smugglers, pirates, spies and the like Stories often include elements of technology, weapons, and other hardware, but may also include unarmed combat

Thriller Thrillers heavily stimulate the viewer's moods: a high level of anticipation, ultra-heightened expectation, uncertainty, anxiety, suspense, excitement, tension, terror The cover-up of important information from the viewer and fight/chase scenes are common methods Sub-genres:  Crime  Mystery  Psychological  Paranoid

Horror intended to, or has the capacity to frighten its viewers, inducing feelings of horror and terror can be either supernatural or non- supernatural The genre has ancient origins, reformulated in the eighteenth century as Gothic horror.

Romance central love story an emotionally satisfying ending romance novels/films may have varying tones, settings, plots, levels of sexuality

The Focus of our Unit: Our main learning goals =  I will understand the elements of several genres  I will be able to identify genre elements in texts and films  I will be able to write a formal literary essay