Realistic Fiction

• Realistic fiction depicts situations that could happen

• It consists of realistic narratives, written in prose, poetry, or drama, and presented in picture book or chapter book format

• Genuine feelings, experiences, desires, and concerns of characters who might have lived at that time and place are portrayed in realistic fiction

• Writers of this genre are responsible for accurately depicting the times, geography, lifestyles, cultural values, and language of the selected setting

• Realistic fiction appeals to the readers because the characters, events, and settings are believable

• Conflicts developed in the narratives may be similar to the audience’s experiences

• This genre exposes readers to the feelings, attitudes, rituals, and beliefs of various countries, regions, cultures, and ethnic and religious groups

• It has the potential to help individuals understand their personal behavior and the actions of others in real-life situations

Fables

• Short tales intended to teach a lesson• Generally, the moral (lesson) is stated

explicitly at the end of the tale but is sometimes presented implicitly

• One character clearly depicts good traits while another exhibits bad characteristics

• Aesop is perhaps the most well known fablist

• When using fables in the classroom, they should be presented as funny, short animal adventures

Characteristics of Fables:

• Theme:• Teaches a didactic lesson about human nature and

relationships

• Style:• Limited description and occasionally uses dialogue

• Plot:• Short, simple prose narrative; limited plot

development; some action; single episode, concluding with a stated moral

• Setting:• Backdrop in incidental; sometimes unknown

• Characters:• Usually animals, not well developed; not imortant to

story

Historical Fiction

Characteristics of Historical Fiction

• Historical information is always easier to remember if it is associated with people

• The setting and events depicted in historical fiction are based on actual happenings, but many details and characters may be fictional

• Fictional characters in historical fiction should authentically reflect the concerns and lifestyles of the people who lived at that time and place

• This type of literature is sometimes written to highlight a particular historical setting

• Through visual and verbal narratives, picture storybooks bring historical places and times to life

• Some authors of historical fiction weave family or regional stories into their fictionalized narratives

• All writers of this genre generally spend time researching the historical details of a particular time and place

• When a designated setting is authentic, students can compare the past and the present to gain information from a historical story

Science Fiction

• Has been described by Isaac Asimov (a noted science fiction author) as an imaginative narrative that deals with the reaction of human responses to changes in the level of science and technology

• Science fiction requires scientific plausibility

• This genre is about science and the future, not about reality

Some Themes Found In Science Fiction

• Battle between good and evil

• Will to survive portrayed

• Values of contemporary society of questioned

• May predict frustration and failure

Types of Plot Found In Science Fiction

• Adventure

• Thought-provoking

• Moral overtones

• Suspense and conflict: people against nature, society, or aliens

Kinds of Characters Found in Science Fiction

• Major focus on science and technology

• Frequently stereotyped humans and nonhumans

• Protagonist may rely on intellect rather than emotions

• Characters manipulate environment and others for good and evil

Description of the Setting Found in Science Fiction

• Worlds are scientific and technological

• Characters often move from present to future time

• Time bay be integral to text

• Descriptions must be believable for audience to accept setting

Other Characteristics found in Science Fiction

• Focuses on transitional future societies

• Many titles are sensational

• Elicits responses of wonder

• Presents questions and attitudes, not necessarily answers to conflicts depicted

Some Noted Authors of Science Fiction

• Isaac Assimov – “The Fun They Had”

• Ray Bradbury – “There Will Come Soft Rains”

• Madeline L’Engle – A Wrinkle in Time

• Lois Lowry – The Giver

Fantasy

• Described as a story tat is imaginary and not possible

• Defined as a fictional narrative describing events that the reader believes to be impossible

• Fantasy literature highlights the importance of the imagination, the process of transforming the impossible to the possible, the inclusion of the supernatural, the need to portray other worlds rooted in “fact,” and the appearance of “magic” in the real world

Four Distinct Elements of Fantasy Literature

• Narrative published in a picture book, chapter book, or as a collection of short stories

• All literary elements of fiction are portrayed

• Time, place, characters, and objects are manipulated to evoke wonder and turn reality around

• The reader recognizes the improbable elements and believes the impossible

Some Writers of Fantasy Literature

• Geoffrey Chaucer – The Canterbury Tales

• Jonathan Swift - Gulliver’s Travels

• Charles Dickens – The Christmas Carol