Genres

Genre means a category, or kind of story.

S. Bolmeier/MPS

All categories of books or stories can be called either fiction or non-fiction.

Fictiona made up story can tell about

things that could happen

is read for fun characters may be

like real people or imaginary

Non-Fictionhas facts that can

be checked and proven

the author is an expert on this information

it IS TRUE!

Realistic fiction

can be based on a real storycharacters act like real peoplecharacter tries to solve a problemstory could happen in real lifesome events are historically accuratecharacter’s feelings and behaviors are

like real life

Historical Fiction

Form of fictionBased on historical eventsAuthentic settingsCharacters portrayed in realistic mannerSome characters may be actual people

from historyArtistic mix of fiction and historical fact

Science Fiction

Form of fiction

Contains some sort of scientific element – outer space, medicine, technology

Within realm of possibility

Characters have some believable traits

Fantasy

Animal characters may act like peoplecharacters may have special powers characters may be imaginary beingssetting may be in another time (future)usually has a good vs. evil conflictmay use scientific principles not yet

available or discovered

            

Mystery

Usually fictionUsually narrativeThe protagonist is usually an investigator,

crime solver, or spyClues are given throughout the story, but

reader usually has to make inferencesSuspense is created by several possible

solutions, with the actual solution revealed at the end

Poetry

page format may look different than other books

may have rhythm (beat)may rhymeimaginative and creativeuses describing or exciting wordstells a story in verse

            

Informational

Tells facts that can be looked-up or proven

tells about real eventscharacters have really livedmay have maps, diagrams and

illustrations to explain the factsauthor is an expert on the subject

Biography

Story of a real person’s lifeWritten by someone elseAuthor may do research by

interviewing the subject or those who knew the subject

Autobiography

Story of a real person’s lifeWritten by the person the story is

aboutAuthor doesn’t need to do researchAuthor shares how he/she feels and

what he/she thinks

Traditional Literaturetells about the great deeds of a person

who may have livedmay exaggerate a person’s bravery or

powersprobably a long ago settingstory may be considered a part of the

history and culture of a group of peoplemagic may be used to solve a problema lesson can be learned from the storyCharacters can be human-like animalsExamples – fables, folktales, tall tales