Characteristics of Genre

Biography/Autobiography/Memoir

1. Bio – life, graphy – write: story of someone’s life written by someone else

2. Auto – self, bio – life, graphy – write: story of someone’s life written by that person

3. Memoir – memory: a short account of the author’s experience

Drama1. Definition: a composition intended for

representation by actors

2. Characters can be any kind (person, animal, robot, etc.)

3. Plot and setting can be anything

4. Meant to be read aloud or performed

Fable/Fairy Tale/ Folkore/Mythology

1. Fable: short story with a moral often told through talking animals2. Fairy Tale: simple stories of humans and their dealings with magical beings, intended for children3. Folklore: traditional beliefs, myths, tales and

practices of a specific people (originally told, not written)

4. Mythology: symbolic tales of the past involving gods and goddesses interacting with humans

Fantasy1. Definition: contains unrealistic elements, represents the impossible or unexplained2. Characters: talking animals, mythical creatures, magic users3. Setting: medieval, time travel, magic4. Plot: hero’s journey or quest, good vs. evil

Historical Fiction1. Definition: brings history to life by fictionalizing the past, reflects on specific time period2. Characters: often famous historical people, or average people who lived in the past3. Setting: pre-1970, often historically important sites4. Plot: authentic historical events involving significant (or average) people

Informational1. Definition: factual information

2. Purpose: provides information on a wide range of topics

3. Topics: science, crafts, sports, articles, Social Studies, etc.

4. non-fiction – factual

Mystery1. Definition: a detective (amateur or professional) solves a crime or series of crimes2. Characters: detectives, investigators, spies3. Setting: crime scene, detective agency, creepy house4. Plot: crime or mysterious event + clues = solution

Poetry Anthology1. Definition: a shortened form of writing

2. Use of figurative language – metaphor, simile, personification, etc

3. Anthology = Collection

Science Fiction1. Definition: deals with the impact of science (actual or imagined) on society2. Characters: mutants, robots, aliens, “mad” scientist, talking computer3. Setting: advanced tech. cities, spaceships, other solar system or planet, time travel (technology)4. Plot: alien attack/visit, time travel, technology, experiments gone wrong

Chapter Book Choice1. Definition: A book with chapters

2. Purpose: to entertain or inform

3. Reading Level: must be appropriate

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