GENRES OF LITERATURE Fiction Non-Fiction Poetry

Fiction Genres FantasyHistorical Fiction Mystery Realistic Fiction Science Fiction Adventure PoetryFolktales

FANTASY A story that is imaginative, but could never really happen. The setting may be of another world. Characters might be magical, animals may talk, people might fly.

HISTORICAL FICTION A story that takes place in a historically accurate time and setting. The characters and some events are fictional. Clothing, food, games, school are all in that specific time period.

MYSTERY A story that usually involves suspense and the solving of a crime. Clues are typically given throughout the story to solve the mystery at the end of the book.

REALISTIC FICTION A story that seems real or could happen in real life. It is set in present day and includes modern day problems and events.

SCIENCE FICTION A story that is typically set in the future or on other planets. It is based on the impact of actual, imagined, or potential science.

ADVENTURE A story where a protagonist and other major characters and are placed in dangerous situations. The characters must use their wit and skills to defeat the antagonist.

Poetry Can be rhyming or non-rhyming There are specific types of poetry  Haiku  Diamante  Acrostic  Couplet and others

FOLKTALES Fable Fairy Tale Legend Tall Tale Myth

FABLE A brief story that is meant to tell a lesson or a moral. The characters are usually animals with human characteristics.

FAIRY TALE A story that has magical elements. The characters are usually fairies, giants, elves, and other magical creatures.

LEGEND A story usually about a national or folk hero. This story takes place in a particular time and place and is partly true and partly fiction. The character traits of the hero are typically exaggerated.

TALL TALE A humorous story with extreme exaggerations. The main character, or hero, usually does impossible things with ease.

Non-Fiction Genres Autobiography Biography

A history of someone’s life, or part of someone’s life. This is a true story about a real person.

A biography written by a person about his/her own life and history. Autobiography