Exploring Genres Grade 2

By Mrs. Paula McMullen Library Teacher

Norwood Public Schools

Adapted by Mrs. Joy Branham Librarian

Kennedy Elementary SchoolKingsport, TN

What does genre mean?

A genre is a type of writing that is different than other types of writing.

The two major genres are fiction and nonfiction.

But there are lots of smaller genres within the two major genres.

Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, Norwood Public Schools 2

Fiction Genre Books

Fiction chapter and picture books are imaginative stories created by an author.

(Fiction books are Fake.)

Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, Norwood Public Schools 3

Other Fiction Genre Books

Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, Norwood Public Schools 4

Realistic Fiction Genre

Realistic fiction is a smaller genre of fiction books. Believable characters

Set in real places

Problems are true to life

Events could really happen

Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, Norwood Public Schools 5

Other Realistic Fiction Books

Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, Norwood Public Schools 6

Historical Fiction Genre

Historical fiction is a smaller genre of fiction booksStories take place during time periods in the past Characters act and speak

as they would have at that

time Problems could have really

happened during those times

Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, Norwood Public Schools 7

Other Historical Fiction Books

Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, Norwood Public Schools 8

Mystery Fiction Genre

Mysteries are fiction books which have a problem to solve.

▪ These could be detective stories or other stories in which the characters must find an answer to a mysterious question.

Other Mystery Books

Fantasy Genre

Fantasy books are ones that could not possibly be true.

▪ Things like talking animals, time travel, dragons, and shape changing are examples of fantasy.

Other Fantasy Books

Science Fiction Genre

Science Fiction books are fantasy books which have a science basis.

▪ Things like aliens from Outer Space, future times, or robots are Science Fiction.

Other Science Fiction Books

Nonfiction Genre Books Nonfiction is one of the two large, major genres

Nonfiction books are full of true facts and information (Nonfiction books are Not Fake.)

Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, Norwood Public Schools 9

Other Nonfiction Books

Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, Norwood Public Schools 10

Biography Books Biography is a smaller nonfiction genre

Tells about a real person,

past or present Based on facts Include important events in the person’s life

Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, Norwood Public Schools 11

Other Biography Books

Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, Norwood Public Schools 12

Autobiography Books

Autobiography is special kind of biography

Based on facts Author writes about himself Author reveals feelings about events in his life

Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, Norwood Public Schools 13

Other Tomie DePaola Autobiography Books

Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, Norwood Public Schools 14

Poetry Genre Books Poetry is a smaller genre that is shelved with the subject books in the Nonfiction section. Usually has rhythm Often rhymes Plays with word sounds and images to make pictures in your mind Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher,

Norwood Public Schools 15

Other Poetry Books

Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, Norwood Public Schools 16

Folktale and Fairy Tale Books Folktales and Fairy Tales

belong to a smaller genre of “traditional literature.”

Originally told out loud and passed down, not writtenSet in distant past Characters are all good or bad Have magical creatures, magical objects, spells, and tricksters

Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, Norwood Public Schools 17

Other Folktale Books

Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, Norwood Public Schools 18

Acknowledgements

Huck, Charlotte. Children’s Literature in the Elementary School. Fort Worth, Texas: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich College Publishers, 1987.

„ Sutherland, Zena. Children and Books 8th ed. NY: HarperColllins Publishers, 1991.

„ ClipartHeaven.Com http://clipartheaven.com/

„ Discoveryschool Clip Art Gallery http://school.discovery.com/clipart/ „ Follett Library Resources http://www.titlewave.com „ Kidsdomain Clip Art http://www.kidsdomain.com/clip/ „ Microsoft Office Clip Art http://office.microsoft.com/clipart/

Mrs. McMullen, Library Teacher, Norwood Public Schools 20