1. All Fiction
Drama
Stories composed in verse or prose, usually for theatrical performance, where conflicts
and emotion are expressed through dialogue and action.
Fable
The Basic Definition
A short tale used to teach a moral lesson,
often with animals as characters, about
recognizing and overcoming their foibles;
to critique authority figures in humorous
and anonymous ways; to poke fun.
Tip-Offs
• The story is very brief.
• Main characters are usually animals
and are characterized quickly with a
few broad strokes.
• One animal/character usually displays
the vice or foible being critiqued. This
foible is what brings embarassment or a
downfall to the character and this conclusion
leads directly to the moral,
which follows the fable and is stated in
one sentence.
Fairy Tale
Fantasy
The definition of this fictional genre could be described as something that contains
rudiments that are not realistic, such as magical powers, talking animals, etc. Fantasy is
often characterized by a departure from the accepted rules by which individuals
perceive the world around them; it represents that which is impossible (unexplained)
and outside the parameters of our known, reality. Make-believe is what this genre is
all about.
Another description of a Fantasy Novel is any book that contains unrealistic settings, or
magic, often set in a medieval universe, or possibly involving mythical beings or
supernatural forms as a primary element of the plot, theme, or setting. Something
magical is almost always part of fantasy and magic may be seen in the setting or in the
plot. It may even be practiced by the characters.
Fantasy usually describes those stories that could not happen in real life. Fairy tales
by known authors, such as those by Hans Christian Andersen, are considered modern
fantasy and have no problem relating to young children; in fact most adolescents grow

2. up believing in fantasy. They wish on candles, wait for tooth fairies, talk to their stuffed
animals and play with imaginary friends.
contains elements that are not realistic
otalking animals
omagical powers
ooften set in a medieval universe
opossiblyinvolvingmythicalbeings

3. Fiction
Narrative literary works whose content is produced by the imagination and is not
necessarily based on fact.
Fiction in Verse
Full-length novels with plot, subplot(s), theme(s), major and minor characters, in which
the narrative is presented in (usually blank) verse form.
Folklore
The songs, stories, myths, and proverbs of a people or "folk" as handed down by word
of mouth.
Historical Fiction
Story with fictional characters and events in a historical setting.
stories centered around the basis of a partially
historical situation
• a novel set in a historical period
Horror
Fiction in which events evoke a feeling of dread in both the characters and the reader.
Satires
The Basic Definition
A text that uses irony, sarcasm, and ridicule
to expose and make fun of human folly
and vice.
Purpose
To critique the status quo, to make fun

4. of others and the self, and to offer
renewed alternatives and possibilities for
being different.
Tip-Offs
• Something is being made fun of, irony
is being used, there is a tone of mockery
or derision, perhaps the author seems to
be supporting a point of view that you
cannot expect her to seriously support.
Humor
Fiction full of fun, fancy, and excitement, meant to entertain; but can be contained in all
genres
Legend
Story, sometimes of a national or folk hero, which has a basis in fact but also includes
imaginative material.
Mystery
• A subgenre of narrative fiction; often
thought of as a detective story.
• Usually involves a mysterious death or
a crime to be solved. In a closed circle
of suspects, each suspect must have a
credible motive and a reasonable opportunity
for committing the crime. The
central character must be a detective
who eventually solves the mystery by
logical deduction from facts fairly presented
to the reader. This classic structure
is the basis for hundreds of variations
on the form.
Purpose
To engage in and enjoy solving a puzzle.
Explore moral satisfaction (or dissatisfaction)
at resolution. Consider human condition
and how to solve or avoid human
problems.
Mythology

5. Legend or traditional narrative, often based in part on historical events, that reveals
human behavior and natural phenomena by its symbolism; often pertaining to the
actions of the gods.
Poetry
Verse and rhythmic writing with imagery that creates emotional responses.
All Nonfiction
Biography/Autobiography
The Basic Definition
• A subgenre of narrative nonfiction/historical
nonfiction.
• Presents the facts about an individual's
life and makes an attempt to interpret
those facts, explaining the person's
feelings and motivations. Good biographers
use many research tools to gather
and synthesize information about their
subject, including the person’s words,
actions, journals, reactions, related
books, interviews with friends, relatives,
associates and enemies, historical
context, psychology, primary source
documents.
Purpose
Often to understand the person and the
events and history affected by that person.Essay
Narrative Nonfiction
Factual information presented in a format which tells a story.
Nonfiction
Informational text dealing with an actual, real-life subject.
Speech
The Basic Definition
The process of presenting or comprehending
a reasoned case.
Purpose
To inquire into problems and possible
solutions, to persuade or convince others
to change belief or take action, to try and
get one’s way!

6. Tip-Offs
• A need or desire for something new or
for something to change is expressed.
• This assertion is supported through the
use of evidence and warrants explaining
how the evidence leads to this claim.
• Something is being promoted.
(Advertisements almost always contain
an argument. Argument is incorporated
into many forms of propaganda and
persuasion.)
http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/rl/ll/litrlgenres.asp
http://literature.pppst.com/genres.html
http://www.slideshare.net/mhyatt1/authors-craft-irony-powerpoint-2-presentation-
753029#btnNext
http://www.scholastic.com/content/collateral_resources/pdf/r/reading_bestpractices_compr
ehension_genrechart.pdf