1. The document provides 5 short passages from different genres and subgenres and asks the reader to identify the genre and subgenre of each. 2. It then provides a warm up activity where the reader must write down the genre and subgenre of each of the 5 passages within 1 minute per passage. 3. The passages include a fairy tale, a story of realistic fiction, an informational textbook, a historical fiction story, and a persuasive essay.

1. Warm Up
1. Write the genre and subgenre for each of
the five items.
2. Explain how you know your answer.
3. You will have one minute to complete
each item.

2. 1
“Hansel and Gretel” Retold by Kristy Kruse
The story of a young girl and boy who
get lost in the woods and stumble upon a
gingerbread house. They eat a bunch of
it, until they find out it’s a magical witch’s
house. She enslaves them, cages them,
and feeds them candy to fatten them up
as she intends to eat them. Will they kick
her into the oven and escape?

3. 2
Buying the Farm by Nick Stilling
Ever since losing his father in a tragic
accident on the farm, talented musician Jason
Freeborn hasn’t been the same. His grades
have been slipping, he stopped going to
music lessons, and he can’t seem to relate
with his friends anymore. To make matters
worse, the bank is trying to take his family’s
farm. Will Jason be able to raise the money?

4. 3
The Journey of America By: Mortini
Publishing
This textbook contains brief overviews of
major events in American history. Learn
about the colonization of Jamestown,
George Washington, the Civil War, and
more.
Write the genre and subgenre on your paper.

5. 4
My Neighbor Ben Franklin by Paul Phillips
It is the fictional story of a young boy
who lives with his family next door to one of
America’s founding fathers, Benjamin
Franklin. This young boy finds Franklin
conducting some kooky experiments,
overhears some of Franklin’s secret
meetings, and has the opportunity to help
in a big way.

6. 5
“Not Just Man’s Best Friend” by Stacy Pare
In this essay, Pare discusses the
horrible conditions and overcrowding
present in many animal shelters and
kennels. She tries to convince readers to
adopt these animals and argues the many
virtues of dog ownership.

7. Answers
1. Folklore, fairy tale
2. Fiction, realistic fiction
3. Nonfiction, informational writing
4. Fiction, historical fiction
5. Nonfiction, persuasive writing