Literary Genres

1. Literary Genres
The term literary genres
refers to grouping literature
by category. A category, or
kind of story, is a genre.

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

3. Genres
Other Major Categories
•Folktales
•Drama
•Poetry

4. Poetry
page format may look different than other
books
may have rhythm (beat)
may rhyme
imaginative and creative
uses describing or exciting words
tells a story in verse

5. Drama
 usually for theatrical performance, where
conflicts and emotion are expressed
through dialogue and action.

6. 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.

7. Genre Categories
Fiction
Realistic
Fantasy
Mystery
Historical Fiction
Science Fiction
Adventure

8. 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

9. 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

10.  fiction that includes secrets or crimes to
be solved

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. Categories
Non Fiction
Informational
Autobiography
Biography

15. Informational
 nonfiction writing about a topic including:
books, newspaper, or magazine articles

16. 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

17. Autobiography
 nonfiction that is a biography of a person
written by himself or herself

18. Biography
 nonfiction that is informational writing
about real people.