Narrative GenresCreated by: Nancy CraigEdited By: Ms. Campbell

2011-2012

Source: Open Court Classics; SRA/McGraw-Hill

Source: Open Court Classics; SRA/McGraw-Hill

Example: Fairy Tales

Some of the elements of the genre of fairy tales:

• Begins with the phrase “Once upon a time…” or “Once there was…”

• Setting is a faraway or imaginary land• Characters are often royal, such as kings, queens, princes, and princesses• Things happen or appear in threes• The granting of wishes• The use of magical powers• A happy ending where good wins over evil

The Study of Genre

Nancy R. Craig

Source: Open Court Classics; SRA/McGraw-Hill

Example: Fable

Some of the elements of the genre of fable:

• Stories are very short• Stories usually have two or three characters• Characters may be animals or things that act like people• Stories teach a “lesson” or moral

The Study of Genre

Nancy R. Craig

Source: Open Court Classics; SRA/McGraw-Hill

Example: Fantasy

Some of the elements of the genre of fantasy:

• People,animals,or objects do things they cannot do in real life.

• Story takes place in a make-believe setting.

• Story has creatures in it that are not found in real life

The Study of Genre

Nancy R. Craig

Example: Legend

Some of the elements ofthe genre of legend:

• A story about a hero or heroine• May be based on facts, but the hero or heroine’s actions are “bigger” than life• The story has factual elements, but through countless retellings, the characters and their actions have become exaggerated

The Study of Genre

Nancy R. Craig

Source: Open Court Classics; SRA/McGraw-Hill

Example: Myth

Some of the elementsof the genre of myth:

• A story that offers an explanation of how something in nature looks or happens• A story that explains why people act as they do• The characters may be human, or gods or goddesses

The Study of Genre

Nancy R. Craig

Source: Open Court Classics; SRA/McGraw-Hill

Example: Science Fiction

Some of the elements of the genre of science fiction:

• Characters solve problems in a futuristic setting any- where in the universe• Characters are humans, extraterrestrials, or members of other species • Involve the effects of advanced science and technology on life

The Study of Genre

Nancy R. Craig

Source: Open Court Classics; SRA/McGraw-Hill

Example: Realistic Fiction

Some of the elements of of the genre realistic fiction:

• Characters behave like real people and animals

• Settings in the story are real or could be real

• Events in the story could happen in real life

• Conflicts in the story are similar to problems that happen in real life

The Study of Genre

Nancy R. Craig

Source: Open Court Classics; SRA/McGraw-Hill

Example: Historical Fiction

Some of the elements of the genre of historical fiction:

• Story is set in a particular time and place in the past• Story contains details that make the story more realistic• Characters talk, dress, and act like people of that time period• Story involves real people and actual events that happened in history

The Study of Genre

Nancy R. Craig

Source: Open Court Classics; SRA/McGraw-Hill

Example: Political Fiction

Some of the elements of the genreof political fiction:

• Provides commentary on political events, systems, and theories• Often criticizes current society or presents an alternative reality• These alternative realities are often dystopias (imagined places in which everything is unpleasant or bad)

The Study of Genre

Nancy R. Craig

Source: Open Court Classics; SRA/McGraw-Hill

Example: Play/Drama

Some of the elements of the genre of play/drama:

• Meant to be performed or acted out• Has a list that names and describes the characters• Includes descriptions of scenes or settings• Includes dialogue• Includes stage directions, giving more details about what is happening on the stage or what actors are to do

The Study of Genre

Nancy R. Craig

Source: Open Court Classics; SRA/McGraw-Hill

Example: Poetry

Some of the elements of the genre of poetry:

• Poems often contain words that rhyme• Poems often contain incomplete sentences• Poems often contain lines with rhythm or meter• Poems often contain repeated words• Poems often are rich in imagery and other figurative language

The Study of Genre

Nancy R. Craig