Literary Genres

The term literary genres

refers to grouping literature
by category. A category, or
kind of story, is a genre.
All categories of books or stories can
be called either fiction or non-fiction.

Fiction Non-Fiction
 a made up story  has facts that can be
 can tell about things checked and proven
that could happen  the author is an
 is read for fun expert on this
 characters may be like information
real people or  it IS TRUE!
imaginary
 It is NOT REAL!
 Drama

 usually for theatrical performance, where

conflicts and emotion are expressed
through dialogue and action.
 Folktales

*usually began as part of an oral (spoken) tradition

*are more frequently told than read
*are passed down from one generation to another
*speak to universal and timeless themes.
*try to make sense of our existence,
*explain the origin of something.
 Genre Categories
Fiction

 Realistic
 Fantasy
 Mystery
 Historical Fiction
 Science Fiction
 Adventure
 Realistic Fiction

 can be based on a real story

 characters act like real people
 character tries to solve a problem
 story could happen in real life
 some events are historically accurate
 character’s feelings and behaviors are like
real life
 Fantasy

 animal characters may act like people

 characters may have special powers
 characters may be imaginary beings
 setting may be in another time (future)
 usually has a good vs. evil conflict
 may use scientific principles not yet
available or discovered
 fiction that includes secrets or crimes to
be solved
 Historical Fiction

 fiction that is set in the past

 based on true historical accounts
 main characters aren’t real, but there
may be famous people from history
mentioned
 Science Fiction

 fiction that deals with science or

technology of the future
 some of the technology/science may be
somewhat believable
 the setting is often in outer space or
another dimension
 Adventure

 has elements such as fast-moving action,

discoveries of new and exciting things,
and moments of danger
 usually encounters adversaries that keep
the adventurer from a goal; i.e…, nature,
human or self
 Genre
Categories
Non Fiction

 Informational
 Autobiography
 Biography
 Informational

 nonfiction writing about a topic including:

books, newspaper, or magazine articles
 Informational

 tells facts that can be looked-up or proven

 tells about real events
 characters have really lived
 may have maps, diagrams and
illustrations to explain the facts
 author is an expert on the subject
 Autobiography

 nonfiction that is a biography of a person

written by himself or herself
 Biography

 nonfiction that is informational writing

about real people.