Genres and literature When you speak about genre and literature, genre means a category, or kind of story. S. Bolmeier/MPS

All categories of books or stories can be called either fiction or non-fiction. Fiction za made up story zcan tell about things that could happen zis read for fun zcharacters may be like real people or imaginary Non-Fiction z has facts that can be checked and proven z the author is an expert on this information z it IS TRUE!

Realistic fiction zcan be based on a real story zcharacters act like real people zcharacter tries to solve a problem zstory could happen in real life zsome events are historically accurate zcharacter’s feelings and behaviors are like real life

Fantasy zAnimal characters may act like people zcharacters may have special powers zcharacters may be imaginary beings zsetting may be in another time (future) zusually has a good vs. evil conflict zmay use scientific principles not yet available or discovered

Poetry zpage format may look different than other books zmay have rhythm (beat) zmay rhyme zimaginative and creative zuses describing or exciting words ztells a story in verse

Fairy Tales zStories usually for children zUsually involves imaginary or magical creatures zAlways has a moral

Traditional Literature ztells about the great deeds of a person who may have lived zmay exaggerate a person’s bravery or powers zprobably a long ago setting zstory may be considered a part of the history and culture of a group of people zmagic may be used to solve a problem za lesson can be learned from the story

Science Fiction zBackground of science is an integral part of the story. zMany of the events happen in the future zGood possibility of robots, space travel, interplanetary war, or invasions from outer space.

Historical Fiction zIncludes history or past events zDescribes events, customs, or styles, in the past. zMust have lived in the real world, as opposed to being part of legend or fiction. zCharacters and story line are made up.

Graphic Novels zUsed to be known as comic books zIncludes a lot of art zMay be in the form of a story or comic strips

Mythology zThe legends of Greek gods and goddesses and ancient heroes and heroines zCan be from other cultures as well that have ancient tales of mythical creatures

Mystery zPlot involves a crime or other events that remain puzzling until the very end zMay often be suspenseful

Romance zModern usage of term "romance" usually refer to the romance novel, which is a subgenre that focuses on the relationship and romantic love between two people zThese novels must have an emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending zOften have larger than life heroes or heroines zThemes of honor and loyalty